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Who's sticking with DirecTV Now?
- Thread starter MrXiro
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I do love the ATV interface and the way the TV app can pull from multiple services. It is easily the best way to find a show/movie to watch.
I have never tried watchaid, going to download it now
NONE of the current Internet TV services offer everything I want. Directv Now in Detroit only offers the Fox local affiliate, and no DVR. Sling doesn't offer Big Ten Network and no DVR. Vue is closest to what I want. It offers almost all my locals, and a DVR, but no Comedy Central or History Channel. And still doesn't offer my local ABC affiliate live (only ABC on demand.)
So, I'd be giving up something I like regardless of the service I choose. And even with the cheapest offering (probably directv at $35 plus $5 for HBO, plus $9 to add showtime to my hulu account), I'm still only about $20 - $30 cheaper monthly than I am paying now for Xfinity, and I'd be getting a lot less. Not worth it, in my opinion.
I have figured out that the only REAL way for me to save REAL dollars (and still have access to the programs I want to watch) is to drop to internet only, use an antenna to get locals, and see if my parents would let me borrow their cable login for access to all the TV everywhere apps I want to watch on my Apple TV (Watch ESPN, Fox Sports Go, AMC, FX, USA, CNN, History Channel, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network).
Which is more like stealing, than really "cutting the cord".
There is a bit more gray area than your choices offer (either "great" or "garbage"). But that being said, I'm going to stick with it. It still has a few hiccups, but nothing compared to back when it was new. The $35 Go Big plan is just too good of a deal to pass up. Never going back to cable or satellite, that's for sure.
I'm also an AT&T customer, so the free streaming is definitely a plus.
I'm also an AT&T customer, so the free streaming is definitely a plus.
The choice is Yes or No. The commentary was just for the sake of making it more colorful. I've decided to bail on it as I hate using DtvN no matter how good a deal it is to have the big package... with only the addition of Discovery ID over the Sling Blue package I enjoyed.
I think what you described is what many peoples version of "cord cutting" looks like.
It's not simply cutting cable out & paying the same (or a similar) amount for a collection of app based services, for many, it's about finding a creative way to get the content you want without paying cable prices or being stuck in a contract. And sharing passwords or access have become a huge part of that.
Both the CEO of Netflix & HBO (Go & Now) have actually spoken about "the sharing aspect" of their services.
So it's obvious that these companies are aware of what's happening, yet it's something they they appear (at least currently) to not care about. Perhaps in the future, there could be potential changes, but for now, a lot of cord cutters are saving money & still receiving a ton of content at a fraction of what they were paying for cable.
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I will keep it. Go Big plan for $35 plus $5 HBO is hard to beat. Had way more streaming issues with Sling, Google = no, Vue charges $10 more on top of their regular pricing in the NYC area, so they are not an option. Yes, DTVN is not perfect yet, would like to see CBS added, better VOD, but they have improved a lot in 3 months and I am not really a TV junkie so I can wait.
I will be returning to PlayStation Vue.
The lack of sign-in ability for most channels' apps is a deal breaker for me. The problem of that missing functionality might be mitigated somewhat if on-demand content was more comprehensive (or if they had DVR functionality), but it's near to nonexistent (at least when it comes to programming I've looked for).
Additionally, the service continues to function very poorly for me. Shows freeze up, the software (on the Apple TV) is buggy and often does weird things. The service just doesn't work as a paid-for service should work, even without considering the missing functionality.
I'm not going to pay for more months hoping that they eventually get the service working reasonably well and add (what is to me) essential functionality. How long will that take? 3 more months? A year? They gave themselves a 3 month window with the Apple TV offer, a window during which they had a chance to get the service working fairly well and offer the missing functionality. If they had done that, their service (at the introductory price offering) would have represented a good value. I likely would have stayed. But they failed to deliver in that regard, so I'll be canceling the service.
Even if they get things working as they should and with, e.g., widespread sign-in ability, it won't be tempting for me to return unless they offer the lower pricing again. I had PlayStation Vue for a month before I tried DirecTV Now and - to me - it would still represent a better value.
The lack of sign-in ability for most channels' apps is a deal breaker for me. The problem of that missing functionality might be mitigated somewhat if on-demand content was more comprehensive (or if they had DVR functionality), but it's near to nonexistent (at least when it comes to programming I've looked for).
Additionally, the service continues to function very poorly for me. Shows freeze up, the software (on the Apple TV) is buggy and often does weird things. The service just doesn't work as a paid-for service should work, even without considering the missing functionality.
I'm not going to pay for more months hoping that they eventually get the service working reasonably well and add (what is to me) essential functionality. How long will that take? 3 more months? A year? They gave themselves a 3 month window with the Apple TV offer, a window during which they had a chance to get the service working fairly well and offer the missing functionality. If they had done that, their service (at the introductory price offering) would have represented a good value. I likely would have stayed. But they failed to deliver in that regard, so I'll be canceling the service.
Even if they get things working as they should and with, e.g., widespread sign-in ability, it won't be tempting for me to return unless they offer the lower pricing again. I had PlayStation Vue for a month before I tried DirecTV Now and - to me - it would still represent a better value.
Keeping it so far. Noticed hardly any glitches for the last couple of weeks, and then I noticed some issues last night during prime time. Overall, it has a little more flexibility and seems to be more stable in the last month than SlingTV during the 10 months that I had it.
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Funny there is no blame on your wifi setup. My vod and guide show/play flawlessly. There is a lot of pipe between directvNow and you. Yes I'm biased as I do work as a developer for a cable/phone/video provider and not all customer service reps are helpful but there are many wonky customers out there too. Work the problem. My cell plays DIRECTVNow on at&t just fine also. I mostly love the service.
I have gbps internet and also had issues with errors and freezing.
April will be the end of my 'free' trial period.
I must say I will keep DIRECTV Now. We got a slightly reduced cost AppleTV with it and the service hasn't been too bad.
We initially had plenty of buffering problems and would get the dreaded error codes for a about a week during the first few days of January. Once we got internet bumped up to AT&T's 'gigapower' service all those problems ended. Our service previously maxed out at 16mbps.
It's made really made a difference. We now love our older 3rd generation AppleTV's (we have three 3rd gen's and two 4 gen's).
I think we've been watching more television since getting DIRECTV Now- the ability to stream on our iPhones is the difference.
I must say I will keep DIRECTV Now. We got a slightly reduced cost AppleTV with it and the service hasn't been too bad.
We initially had plenty of buffering problems and would get the dreaded error codes for a about a week during the first few days of January. Once we got internet bumped up to AT&T's 'gigapower' service all those problems ended. Our service previously maxed out at 16mbps.
It's made really made a difference. We now love our older 3rd generation AppleTV's (we have three 3rd gen's and two 4 gen's).
I think we've been watching more television since getting DIRECTV Now- the ability to stream on our iPhones is the difference.
For me Sling TV is the better choice, I need the Golf Channel, with DirectTV Now I would have to subscribe to Go Big at $60. With Sling TV I subscribe to Sling Blue $25 (and three streams allowed) + $10 for the sports package to get Golf Channel (streams perfectly) total $35 which is a $25 savings. The additional channels on Go Big really don't interest me much other than the MLB Network, it'd be nice if Sling would add it to it's Sport package.
I can assure you don't get next day programming the next day on VOD and the guide issue was a huge issue on the DIRECTV forums last Sunday. I am actually extremely tech savvy and have been a cord cutter for 5 years now. I would know when things don't run properly. Thanks for indirectly calling me an idiot though.
OMG you are all scaring me because I think Directv will be in my future, let me explain. We currently have ATT U-Verse top tier, I think its great, no problems. Unfortunately, ATT bought Directv and will not support two platforms. Wife works for ATT so we have employee discounts and if U-Verse goes away we will have to have Directv.
DIRECTV is fine. I have that as my main provider. I've had it for years. Its DIRECTV Now that is not ready for prime time.
I will be cancelling. Disappointed in the lack of progress on DVR during the 3 months. Some possibility I will come back several months in the future, but I'm hoping that Hulu, Google, or someone else will have a better solution. Realize the price may be higher if I drop the 100 channels and come back later, but could probably do with a lower level plan anyhow.
Cutting the cord is really more about the content then the device. Why change devices for less channel selection with minimal cost savings if cable meeting your needs. Our situation, majority of entertainment viewed through Netflix and Amazon. We purchase seasons of the shows we like either on Amazon or iTunes. Rent new movie releases on Redbox or Amazon/iTunes. Most of our basic TV watching i.e. news, weather, on internet devices. Supplement the above with limited but, quality OTA antenna for special events, occasional news, weather, and sports. Not huge sports fans so this works nicely for us. We save big during summer months as our entertainment watching drops significanty. Additionally we get the benefit of the user experience Apple TV and or other streaming devices have to offer. Savings, small win for us, with added benefits in no contracts, very flexible viewing choices, user choice of devices, to name a few. Works for us, have not missed basic cable at all.
Our prepaid period ends on March 12th. My fiancée prefers Playstation Vue and I do as well. Even though their basic service is $5/month more, we don't utilize the majority of the channels we get with DTV Now service. I can definitely say the service has improved since I signed up back in December, but no DVR and a poor VOD selection is why we are cancelling.
But at least we got a second ATV4 for the bedroom out of it.
But at least we got a second ATV4 for the bedroom out of it.
I think he went online looking for directv reviews and ended up at our forums just thinking it was directv we were talking about.
I'm keeping it as it provides me with background noise while I'm working. It's less interesting than those around me that have conversations that I may be interested in.
So far, I use about 130GB/month on it, and it saved me 6GB/month on i Heart Radio that I used for the same purpose. (6BG/Month was charges as data, the 130GB/month isn't. I asked customer support if they could just have an audio feed that would work if the phone screen was off. They liked that idea.)
So far, I use about 130GB/month on it, and it saved me 6GB/month on i Heart Radio that I used for the same purpose. (6BG/Month was charges as data, the 130GB/month isn't. I asked customer support if they could just have an audio feed that would work if the phone screen was off. They liked that idea.)
I cancelled my 3 month trial subscription today for reasons I've discussed here in prior posts.
But I do have a parting compliment to send DirecTv Now's way. I was prepared for an arduous ordeal with phone menus, long conversations with representatives trying to talk me into not cancelling, etc. I've experienced this with Comcast as well as other companies where I've had subscriptions.
The experience with DirecTv Now was stellar. Very clear and easy "cancel" option in the account management section on their website. One click and I was done. Got an immediate confirmation email as well as an easy link to resubscribe if I ever decide to do so. I wish that all companies were this professional, transparent and user-friendly with their subscribers. Well done!
But I do have a parting compliment to send DirecTv Now's way. I was prepared for an arduous ordeal with phone menus, long conversations with representatives trying to talk me into not cancelling, etc. I've experienced this with Comcast as well as other companies where I've had subscriptions.
The experience with DirecTv Now was stellar. Very clear and easy "cancel" option in the account management section on their website. One click and I was done. Got an immediate confirmation email as well as an easy link to resubscribe if I ever decide to do so. I wish that all companies were this professional, transparent and user-friendly with their subscribers. Well done!
The app support list got updated, added new stuff today:
https://help.directvnow.com/hc/en-us/articles/215395423
Definitely keeping, if they keep up with this.
https://help.directvnow.com/hc/en-us/articles/215395423
Definitely keeping, if they keep up with this.
Great. Thanks.
It isn't on the list, but CNBC seems to work now as well. The rest of the channels that were just added are in the NBC family, so I figured I'd try CNBC.