Xfinity Stream app for Apple TV available

[Realityck]

Comcast today finally released the much delayed Xfinity Stream app for tvOS, supporting Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD devices.

source

Comcast Xfinity Stream app now available on Apple TV: stream live channels and watch on-demand television - 9to5Mac

The Apple TV set-top box has gained a significant new app to its roster today. Comcast today released the Xfinity...

9to5mac.com

Note: all Internet-based video streaming and download services, including Internet-delivered programming available through www.xfinity.com/stream and Xfinity apps, is included in the calculation of monthly usage against your data cap.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Some early insights for those interested:

• unlike several different smart TV app versions of this app, this one DOES include HD channels.
• those with channels that have become DRM'd such as certain movie channels and select others like Bally Sun and Bally Florida for me will be happy to know that those will play through this app.
• the app UI seems to be several steps above versions for smart TVs I own from Samsung and TCL. Fast, crisp, seemingly intuitive (so far).
• certain channels that won't show up in cablecard scans in HDHomeRun Prime do show up here. For example, now I get Smithsonian Channel HD (channel 1477 where I am).
• it appears videos that have a DD5.1 soundtrack use it, not downing the audio to stereo only... but still investigating this one.
• On demand has a LOT of "free" content. I spot checked a few videos and it looks and sounds good.

Continuing to test and will add more if I notice anything else interesting relative to TV app versions or things lacking via cablecard alternatives.

Anyone paying for the box lease and not really needing a big DVR might look into this. I don't recall what else the leased box offers but an AppleTV might scratch the itch for basic watching and some level of DVR storage (unclear what it is). Anyone who also owns an AppleTV may want to do some side-by-side comparisons of features to identify what the Xfinity box retains as exclusive vs. this app on AppleTV.

I'm still a big fan of Channels (app) with HDHomeRun devices to get my own gigantic DVR and solid integration of locals and cable channels... BUT that doesn't deliver Xfinity on demand (been using Peacock app for that), a few channels I should get but aren't available via cablecard, and any DRM'd channels that I'd have if I leased a box from Xfinity (been using individual apps like Bally Sports for that). So this does deliver a few nice bonuses and can definitely be a great backup for my own purposes. At the price of free, what's not to like?

 

[Boyd01]

Closing this thread, please continue the discussion in the comments to the front page article.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/comcast-xfinity-stream-app-with-live-channels-and-on-demand-shows-now-available-on-apple-tv.2349745/?post=31224183#post-31224183