Is It Time to Switch from DIRECTV to DIRECTV STREAM?
If you are among the many customers of DIRECTV as your satellite television provider, you may be wondering if it is time to move to the streaming television platform of this business, DIRECTV STREAM. These are a few things to give thought to when deciding on this. Depending on your watching habits and budget, I will dissect the main variations, strengths, and shortcomings of every service in this article so you may choose whether or not it is worth switching.
What is DIRECTV STREAM?
Though it's primarily focused on streaming, DIRECTV STREAM is the new moniker for the company's former satellite TV offering. Unlike other DirectV services, DirecTV STream operates by viewing the programs via the internet connection instead of viewing live TV programs and on-demand material utilizing a satellite-transmitted signal received by a dish placed at your residence. Though it offers these services via the internet to connected devices such as smart TVs, phones, tablets, and streaming media players, DirectV STream is somewhat comparable to traditional DirectV since it provides many of the same channels and programming bundles.
The main difference between DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM is that the former is a satellite-based television service while the latter is an over-the-top streaming service.
There are some notable differences between DIRECTV's satellite and streaming packages, including:
Equipment Needs - DIRECTV thus includes a professional installation of a satellite dish and receivers. What is more, DIRECTV STREAM only needs an internet connection and proper devices such as streaming sticks or smart TVs.
Several TV Shows & Movies – DIRECTV has no limit on the number of channels you can watch across different TVs concurrently, unlike DIRECTV STREAM, which has restrictions depending on your subscription plan.
Contract Obligations – As for subscribing services, DIRECTV usually offers services under a two-year contract, while with DIRECTV STREAM, you are not tied to any contract. DIRECTV STREAM has no binding contracts, so you can cancel it whenever you want to.
Weather-Related Interruptions – With any weather disturbances, the signal of DIRECTV may be interrupted. Unlike cable services, DIRECTV STREAM is not influenced by weather as long as you have a stable internet connection.
Geographical coverage – DIRECTV can only be accessed where there is an open view of the southern sky with no hindrances obstructing the path of satellite signals. DIRECTV STREAM is offered to anyone with a broadband connection regardless of location in the United States.
Cost Structure – Generally, pricing may fluctuate, but DIRECTV Satellite provides better initial deals on monthly subscriptions while DIRECTV STREAM offers better monthly subscription prices without promotional offers. For instance, the new streaming service, referred to as DIRECTV STREAM, does not charge for equipment or installation.
Switching to DIRECTV STREAM has its benefits which are discussed below;
There are some compelling benefits to leaving DIRECTV satellite behind and opting for DIRECTV STREAM's streaming alternative, such as:
No Contract Requirements: DIRECTV usually locks you into a one or two-year contract, but DIRECTV STREAM has flexible no-contract plans, so you can drop them at any time if you wish to do so.
No Installation Hassles: This is goodbye to having to wait at home for a technician to come put some equipment for instance an air conditioner. DIRECTV STREAM is self-installation and involves no ‘tech visits’ or additional equipment apart from your streaming devices and internet modem.
More Portability: Bookmark your favorite shows and watch them anytime you are connected to the internet. DIRECTV is like having cables tied to your home receivers, while the DIRECTV STREAM provides access to your favorite shows on smartphones, laptops, and other connected devices during travels.
No Weather or Satellite Issues: It also features continuity of your service regardless of storms, high winds, or other weather conditions that disrupt the satellite signals which causes picture freezing and tile with DIRECTV. Quality internet means quality connection to everything that DIRECTV STREAM has to offer.
Potential Cost Savings: As for first-year promotional pricing, DIRECTV offers enticing deals for the first year, however, the lower equipment fees and no contract requirement of DIRECTV STREAM mean that in the long term, a customer would pay less with the latter service if they compare the packages price by price. What is more, there is no need to spend money on professional installation, as you would otherwise have to.
The disadvantages of switching to DIRECTV STREAM include:
However, there are also some downsides of switching from traditional DIRECTV worth considering:
Internet Reliability Required: As you can see, weather won’t affect streaming like satellite service but any disruption in internet connection, and you are no longer able to access DIRECTV STREAM. While a majority of broadband connections can be considered to be fairly stable, a complete loss of connectivity does not allow one to stream programs.
Limited Simultaneous Streams: It is important to note that DIRECTV utilizes Genie receivers that enable you to watch different channels concurrently on various televisions in your home. DIRECTV STREAM restricts the number of streams allowed at a given time depending on your chosen package, which can be a challenge to juggle with users’ schedules when it comes to watching TV.
Potential Mobile Data Caps: If you are a DIRECTV STREAM subscriber and have been using your mobile device to watch shows or movies, then this might cause you to hit your monthly mobile data allowance quickly depending on the plan you have been subscribed to, therefore causing your streaming quality to be reduced due to throttling or having to pay more for the extra mobile data used. DIRECTV satellite concerns only the fixed band the company has no connection with mobile data.
Picture Quality Variable: DIRECTV STREAM’s image quality is, therefore, dependent on the internet connection speed that you have subscribed to. I find the video quality acceptable for most but is compressed relative to the consistent quality of DIRECTV’s satellite feed. It may also be expected that streaming may sometimes be poor at certain points.
Is It Worth Switching to DIRECTV STREAM?
Of course, there are benefits and drawbacks to both DIRECTV and DIRECTV STREAM. Here are a few key questions to ask yourself when deciding if switching makes sense:
- Is it necessary to have a variety of channels on several TVs at once? If yes, then, there is only one option for you that can give you the best experience and that is DIRECTV.
- Do you want to have the option of having a TV set outside your home when, for instance, going on a vacation? If this is the case, then DIRECTV STREAM may be the more fitting choice.
- Do the possibilities of saving money on contracts and installation seem desirable? In comparison to the rest of the DIRECTV services, DIRECTV STREAM costs money less in advance.
- Are you in regions where satellite signals can be obstructed by weather conditions? Poor weather conditions can be a real issue when it comes to cable, and fortunately, there is no such problem when using DIRECTV STREAM.
Some of its users have suggested that it offers a much better streaming option than traditional satellite TV, its flexibility, and the capability to take your TV anywhere with good channel packages. However, where some customers require greater demands from simultaneous stream requirements or maximum video quality sensitivity, DIRECTV satellite may still benefit from it for now until the streaming capabilities advance. Also, when choosing between the two DIRECTV options, think about your home theater needs as well as the way you watch television.
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