Is anyone using the new DirecTV stream app? I’d like to dump the dish off the house, but have a wife acceptance issue with the program guide. She likes the channels listed by number instead of network name. This has literally prevented a jump to Hulu. If you have it, does the new app allow you to list the channels by channel number?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Directv Stream App
- Thread starter OverTheHill
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
No. There are no channel numbers. It’s the same app as the AT&T app, just with a different name.
The "Osprey" boxes offered with the service have the option for a guide with channel numbers. I have an early one from the beta, but there have been newer revisions with more memory. The native client also has some minor features that the other apps have never received, like a mini guide, and last channel return.
They're a bit spendy new, but cheaper on eBay, though I'd suggest doing some research on the potential issues going that route.
But also keep in mind, there is a new box in the works. Performance has always been middling with the Osprey, but having a fully-featured remote compared to the ATV remote makes up for a lot.
Streaming boxes typically come with minimalist remotes that lack numeric keypads, so it's almost certain that none of the apps for other compatible devices (Roku, Amazon, etc.) support a numeric guide either.
If a traditional set top box experience is what you seek, the apps on 3rd party platforms will have a hard time meeting that goal.
I should also add that the Osprey box experience has also remained stable, while, as any subscriber (or app user in general) will tell you, each new app update has the potential for peril, and can result in an unpredictable, and often frustrating, experience as the quality of the app has fluctuated.
They're a bit spendy new, but cheaper on eBay, though I'd suggest doing some research on the potential issues going that route.
But also keep in mind, there is a new box in the works. Performance has always been middling with the Osprey, but having a fully-featured remote compared to the ATV remote makes up for a lot.
Streaming boxes typically come with minimalist remotes that lack numeric keypads, so it's almost certain that none of the apps for other compatible devices (Roku, Amazon, etc.) support a numeric guide either.
If a traditional set top box experience is what you seek, the apps on 3rd party platforms will have a hard time meeting that goal.
I should also add that the Osprey box experience has also remained stable, while, as any subscriber (or app user in general) will tell you, each new app update has the potential for peril, and can result in an unpredictable, and often frustrating, experience as the quality of the app has fluctuated.
Last edited:
I have an Osprey box but it's been collecting dust for about a year. The ability to tap in a channel number definitely was convenient but not enough to outweigh other drawbacks.
I currently use the Directv Stream app on Apple TV and Rokus. Several months ago, even before the rebranding, the ATV app got slow and buggy. There have been some fixes, such as restoring the ability to zip up and down big swathes of the channel guide with just a flick of the touchpad edge. Your wife might like that because it would be quick to get to the channel she wants. If she watches mostly a handful of channels, she also might like the ability to mark them as favorites so she has to scroll through only those.
The Roku app has been consistently great. No lagging or other annoyances.
The ATV and Roku Ultra remotes support speech recognition. I've never used it, but I think it would let your wife just say the name of a channel or program instead of scrolling or searching.
Hope that helps.
I currently use the Directv Stream app on Apple TV and Rokus. Several months ago, even before the rebranding, the ATV app got slow and buggy. There have been some fixes, such as restoring the ability to zip up and down big swathes of the channel guide with just a flick of the touchpad edge. Your wife might like that because it would be quick to get to the channel she wants. If she watches mostly a handful of channels, she also might like the ability to mark them as favorites so she has to scroll through only those.
The Roku app has been consistently great. No lagging or other annoyances.
The ATV and Roku Ultra remotes support speech recognition. I've never used it, but I think it would let your wife just say the name of a channel or program instead of scrolling or searching.
Hope that helps.