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DirecTV Now Gains Apple TV App Integration [Updated]

Where is damn Comcast with Apple TV app and TV app integration???

Those slackers do not not even support single sign on functionality and their browers players still requre Adobe Flash instead of HTML5. I am soo sick of Comcast, and unfortunately i do not have any other viable choice :(
 
I am confused by something in this article and hope someone can help provide clarity for me. Does the DirecTV Now app allow those of us with DirecTV subscriptions (not DirecTV Now) to use the app for single sign-on and viewing via AppleTV? If so, this is something not necessarily referenced in other articles on the topic. It also runs counter to what DirecTV customer support is saying to me. If DirecTV subscribers do have this access it's not functional on my end as of yet. Thanks in advance for the help.
 
vertical smile said:
Does anyone enjoy the TV app?

I tried it at launch, but couldn't get into it, especially since it didn't have Netflix support. I just recently tried using it again to watch a tv show I purchased on iTunes, and the app is still horrible.

Another problem is that I want to watch the iTunes version of the tv show, but it always goes back to Amazon Prime Video for some reason.

The biggest issue for multiple users is that there is no account or profiles for different users, making the TV app useless if two different users watch the same shows.
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So I have a really specific use-case that I understand is probably not what everyone experiences, but I completely rely on the TV app to stay up-to-date with every show I watch.

I cut the cord last year, and signed up for DirecTV Now. I use my parent's cable to log into the various network apps (Syfy mainly at this point, I also cut back on how much TV I watch), and Hulu for everything else.

You make a good point about multiple users, but I can say for a guy living alone the TV app is one of my favorite Apple things that I use daily. I find it super satisfying to log into every day to see what movies I could add to my list (esp for the new HBO film each sunday morning), and to see all my content organized at the top.

I do agree that there are some issues, like when one TV show/film is available throughout multiple apps. There needs to be an easier way to choose which one you want (and keep it that way) without clicking through a bunch of menus. I also wish there was a list feature that showed every TV show I have added into my Up Next list, even if there isn't a season currently live.

So, yeah, there are a bunch of things Apple could add to enhance it (and hopefully Netflix happens eventually), but as it stands I don't think the app is anywhere near horrible!
 
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I have TV service through Telus in Canada and love being able to watch live TV on my AppleTV. No having to change inputs.
 
DirectTV now is brutal. Buffers, skips, low frame rate, etc. Dumped it after a week. (I have 1GB fiber so bandwidth was not an issue on my side)
 
This is great news! What I’ve been doing up til now has been to sign-in to each network app with my DTN credentials and watching content there, that way the Apple TV app can keep track of which episode I’m on. Now I can just watch directly on DTN. Also being able to ask Siri to show a specific channel will be nice too, particularly with networks that don’t accept DTN credentials, like CNN.
 
MacRumors said:
Siri also supports live tune-in with DirecTV Now so you can access specific live channels with a command like "Siri, tune in to [your favorite channel]" to open up the DirecTV Now app and turn on the channel.
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Just for clarification, you don’t need to say “Siri” since you’re holding down the Siri button.
 
mlody said:
Where is damn Comcast with Apple TV app and TV app integration???

Those slackers do not not even support single sign on functionality and their browers players still requre Adobe Flash instead of HTML5. I am soo sick of Comcast, and unfortunately i do not have any other viable choice :(
Click to expand...

T-mobile charges 25$ SIM card fee and haven’t had eSIM yet. The same idea: Comcast charges 12 dollars per TV box.....
 
The only thing nice about DTV Now was the channel selection, their beta dvr didn't work half the time (show was unplayable) and it only lets you record 20 hours worth. Their app would sometimes tell me I didn't have an internet connection when every other app on the Apple TV worked just fine. Switched to YoutubeTV and its night and day as far as service reliability. Too bad. PS Vue also has AppleTV TV app integration and is probably a better choice than DTV Now if you're after that integration. It's really not worth sacrificing service quality to get it though.
 
jman240 said:
The only thing nice about DTV Now was the channel selection, their beta dvr didn't work half the time (show was unplayable) and it only lets you record 20 hours worth. Their app would sometimes tell me I didn't have an internet connection when every other app on the Apple TV worked just fine. Switched to YoutubeTV and its night and day as far as service reliability. Too bad. PS Vue also has AppleTV TV app integration and is probably a better choice than DTV Now if you're after that integration. It's really not worth sacrificing service quality to get it though.
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I agree I switched to the service only for channel selection but hate the app
 
macmyworld said:
DirectTV now is brutal. Buffers, skips, low frame rate, etc. Dumped it after a week. (I have 1GB fiber so bandwidth was not an issue on my side)
Click to expand...

This happens all the time for us when my wife and I watch a show we DVR'd. I know it's not our internet (Fios, 100/100mbps). Live TV works flawlessly, it's just the DVR feature that is complete trash. Thankfully we can authenticate our login with a good amount of channels, so that's usually our fallback option.
 
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eagleglen said:
Also being able to ask Siri to show a specific channel will be nice too, particularly with networks that don’t accept DTN credentials, like CNN.
Click to expand...

As far as I can tell, this doesn't work.
[doublepost=1551992823][/doublepost]
MacRumors said:
Siri also supports live tune-in with DirecTV Now so you can access specific live channels with a command like "Siri, tune in to [your favorite channel]" to open up the DirecTV Now app and turn on the channel.
Click to expand...

This doesn't work. I've tried it on my phone and my Apple TV -- both of which are running the latest DIRECTV Now app that was released today. My phone wants to open the Podcasts app and the Apple TV asks me which app I want to use and the options are FuboTV, Playstation Vue, or the app for the specific channel -- and I have none of those apps installed on my Apple TV.
 
I’d be awesome if they updated the tv app so that all of Directv’s live channels could be accessed, not just sports and news.
 
avanpelt said:
As far as I can tell, this doesn't work.
[doublepost=1551992823][/doublepost]

This doesn't work. I've tried it on my phone and my Apple TV -- both of which are running the latest DIRECTV Now app that was released today. My phone wants to open the Podcasts app and the Apple TV asks me which app I want to use and the options are FuboTV, Playstation Vue, or the app for the specific channel -- and I have none of those apps installed on my Apple TV.
Click to expand...
Hmmm you’re right. Has anyone gotten Siri to open any channels or shows in DTN? Every time I try, Siri want to open the network app instead. Maybe since I have the network apps on my ATV, it defaults to those first.
 
hopegrad said:
I am confused by something in this article and hope someone can help provide clarity for me. Does the DirecTV Now app allow those of us with DirecTV subscriptions (not DirecTV Now) to use the app for single sign-on and viewing via AppleTV?
Click to expand...

To clarify, you have DirecTV Satellite service. You question is can you use your DirecTV Satellite service subscription to sign on and use the DirecTV Now app on the Apple TV? The second question is asking if you can use DirecTV for SSO?

AFAIK, DirecTV Satellite service and DirecTV Now are two distinct services and the DirecTV Satellite service cannot be used to log into DirecTV Now. Anyone know any different?

As for using DirecTV Satellite service for SSO, this is okay. Actually, last time I checked DirecTV Now did not participate in SSO, but DirecTV Satellite service does.

earthTOmitchel said:
You make a good point about multiple users, but I can say for a guy living alone the TV app is one of my favorite Apple things that I use daily.
Click to expand...
This would be the only way I could see the TV app working. If there is more than one person involved, this wouldn't work out.

earthTOmitchel said:
when one TV show/film is available throughout multiple apps. There needs to be an easier way to choose which one you want (and keep it that way) without clicking through a bunch of menus.
Click to expand...
This is the current problem I am having, and it is pretty frustrating....

earthTOmitchel said:
but as it stands I don't think the app is anywhere near horrible!
Click to expand...

The multiple users problem just makes it useless for my situation, but I will concede that for a single user there could be some benefits to using the TV app.
 
People think they are not paying more but all these separate streaming services add up....here I am with Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Google Music, YouTube premium, and Directv Now....it’s a mess plus on top of that you pay for your internet.
 
jamesrick80 said:
People think they are not paying more but all these separate streaming services add up....here I am with Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Google Music, YouTube premium, and Directv Now....it’s a mess plus on top of that you pay for your internet.
Click to expand...
I see posts like this all the time.

If someone is trying to save money, but signs up for all those services, they are not doing a very good job.

One of the best things about services like these is the ability to easily sign up for them and the ability to easily cancel them.

Just sign up for [random streaming service] for a few months, catch up on all your favorite shows, then cancel for a year.
 
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vertical smile said:
To clarify, you have DirecTV Satellite service. You question is can you use your DirecTV Satellite service subscription to sign on and use the DirecTV Now app on the Apple TV? The second question is asking if you can use DirecTV for SSO?

AFAIK, DirecTV Satellite service and DirecTV Now are two distinct services and the DirecTV Satellite service cannot be used to log into DirecTV Now. Anyone know any different?

As for using DirecTV Satellite service for SSO, this is okay. Actually, last time I checked DirecTV Now did not participate in SSO, but DirecTV Satellite service does.


This would be the only way I could see the TV app working. If there is more than one person involved, this wouldn't work out.


This is the current problem I am having, and it is pretty frustrating....



The multiple users problem just makes it useless for my situation, but I will concede that for a single user there could be some benefits to using the TV app.
Click to expand...


Thanks for taking time to respond. Just received the answer by chance after logging back into ATV. After signing in and directing ATV to use DirecTV as one's TV service the system now prompts us to download apps that work in concert with DirecTV single sign-on and ATV. So, don't use DirecTV Now if one has DirecTV for their home service. There is no proverbial app hub for DirecTV. We'll still have the network specific apps showing but we will now rely on single sign on to use the apps that work in concert with our DirecTV access. Thanks again and happy to clarify if this response doesn't make complete sense.
 
I was going to sign up for Directv Now for the winter but they upped the price. Considering I mostly watch TCM when I have 'cable', it wasn't worth the $40/month minimum. I made it through the winter with over the air and iTunes movies. I don't understand why channels loaded with commercials are so expensive. I pay to get away from commercial interruptions.
 
jamesrick80 said:
People think they are not paying more but all these separate streaming services add up....here I am with Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Now, Google Music, YouTube premium, and Directv Now....it’s a mess plus on top of that you pay for your internet.
Click to expand...
At least for now you don’t have to pay for cable’s equipment rental that they make you have and made up surcharges and franchise fee and any local government add ons. Also though, shows are starting their own app or partnering to charge separately.
 
Maybe I'll finally check out the TV app. Probably not though; going to still be just as easy to keep using the DIRECTVNOW app.
 
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