Just tried the new Sling TV app to see if it would be a better alternative to Channels app + HDHR tuners + HDHR DVR beta.
Close but no cigar. I love that you can stream from a relatively complete package of channels. I also love that when you tune in to a show, it gives you the option of watching live or starting from the beginning. That said, a few deal breakers (in order of importance):
1. Video on Demand is almost impossible to access and the selection is sparse. You'd think you could favorite a show and then have easy access to the available VOD episodes for that show. No - the only way to get there seems to be to search for the show *every time* you want to watch it. You can favorite a specific episode of a show (which then shows up in favorites on the home screen). But that only gives you access to that specific episode. Am I missing something? Without DVR, intuitive VOD is essential.
And when you do find VOD for a particular show, it'll be a smattering of episodes across multiple seasons - no rhyme or reason to it. I suppose this is because they can only include the episodes that are in the current schedule lineup?
2. Slow buffer time. When 'tuning' to a channel, it takes 5-10 seconds to start playing (my ATV has a 100MB/sec wired connection). I know this is a reasonable buffer time for streaming video, but keep in mind that cable boxes (and on-network tuners like HDHR) start within a second or two. This may not pass the wife test.
3. 'Channel surfing' when watching a live show isn't limited to favorites. I actually really like the 'swipe up' channel surfing bar that allows you to scroll horizontally through other channels. But surprisingly, they don't limit the channels to your favorites.
4. Pause doesn't work for all channels. No more bathroom breaks for me.
5. Cluttered interface. Just a lot going on, small font, looks ugly and crowded.
All these issues are 'fixable', and I do believe that these sorts of streaming TV apps are the future. The 'watch live' Siri feature in the upcoming tvOS is compelling as well - saying 'Watch CNN' could launch the Sling app and tune to CNN (or will it launch the CNN app? I'll be curious how they manage the Siri 'namespace' for this).
Anyway, just my 2c. I'll be sticking with the Channels app and HDHR for live TV on my Apple TVs (for now).
Close but no cigar. I love that you can stream from a relatively complete package of channels. I also love that when you tune in to a show, it gives you the option of watching live or starting from the beginning. That said, a few deal breakers (in order of importance):
1. Video on Demand is almost impossible to access and the selection is sparse. You'd think you could favorite a show and then have easy access to the available VOD episodes for that show. No - the only way to get there seems to be to search for the show *every time* you want to watch it. You can favorite a specific episode of a show (which then shows up in favorites on the home screen). But that only gives you access to that specific episode. Am I missing something? Without DVR, intuitive VOD is essential.
And when you do find VOD for a particular show, it'll be a smattering of episodes across multiple seasons - no rhyme or reason to it. I suppose this is because they can only include the episodes that are in the current schedule lineup?
2. Slow buffer time. When 'tuning' to a channel, it takes 5-10 seconds to start playing (my ATV has a 100MB/sec wired connection). I know this is a reasonable buffer time for streaming video, but keep in mind that cable boxes (and on-network tuners like HDHR) start within a second or two. This may not pass the wife test.
3. 'Channel surfing' when watching a live show isn't limited to favorites. I actually really like the 'swipe up' channel surfing bar that allows you to scroll horizontally through other channels. But surprisingly, they don't limit the channels to your favorites.
4. Pause doesn't work for all channels. No more bathroom breaks for me.
5. Cluttered interface. Just a lot going on, small font, looks ugly and crowded.
All these issues are 'fixable', and I do believe that these sorts of streaming TV apps are the future. The 'watch live' Siri feature in the upcoming tvOS is compelling as well - saying 'Watch CNN' could launch the Sling app and tune to CNN (or will it launch the CNN app? I'll be curious how they manage the Siri 'namespace' for this).
Anyway, just my 2c. I'll be sticking with the Channels app and HDHR for live TV on my Apple TVs (for now).
