It is a web-based video streaming service and a direct competitor to traditional Cable or Satellite TV services such as Direct Broadcast Satellite services. DIRECTV Now lets you stream live programming from various TV networks and shows on your devices and not on a traditional set-top enabling device. Although it is more flexible and convenient than traditional TV services like cable, satellite, and fiber-optic, it still needs some specific gears to access this service and fully enjoy all the features that come with DIRECTV Now. In this post, we will have a look at the various equipment that should be used if you want to enjoy your DIRECTV Now subscription.
TV and Streaming Devices
First and foremost, one must have a TV or monitor that they can connect via an HDMI port to access DIRECTV Now. It will further enable you to watch the DIRECTV Now streaming videos. You also require a streaming device that will support the download of the DIRECTV Now app and has an interface that will allow it to be connected to your TV through an HDMI port. The most common options are:
- The DIRECTV Now app can be found on smart TVs that already have it installed.
- Smart platforms such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV are in the form of boxes/sticks.
- Including gaming consoles such as PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, and Xbox 360.
They support several streaming apps and content providers, including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and so on but also come with the DIRECTV Now app that users can download and use. This enables you to watch content from DIRECTV Now by airing it on your television with the help of one of these gizmos. To be more specific, any Smart TV or streaming device manufactured after 2015 should be capable of running DIRECTV Now with the minimum set of features.
Internet Connection
One of the chief drawbacks of using DIRECTV Now is that it relies on the internet connection so it needs a good internet connection speed. As for the requirements for an internet connection, the DIRECTV Now website suggests that an internet connection with at least 8 Mbps is required for streaming content. The desired connection speed should be 15+ Mbps to be free from buffering issues.
Internet connectivity is either through cables or wireless. Wi-fi is a little bit more comfortable to use but since it is possible, it is better to connect the device with the Ethernet cable to your modem/router to get the most rapid and stable streaming. Therefore, if you experience some buffering difficulties connected to wireless networks, switch to the ethernet cable.
Mobile Devices
Also, DIRECTV Now offers streaming on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets in addition to the streaming of TV programs. It also enables you to; This means that you can watch your favorite shows on the go. DIRECTV Now app enables you to watch DirecTV without a satellite dish; you can download it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for your mobile device.
DIRECTV Now is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and Android smartphones as well as tablets. That means you will have one of those mobile devices with the DIRECTV Now app which provides mobile access. It is necessary to install the app on devices with the iOS 10+ and Android 5. 0+ operating systems. It will also be useful to mention that your device will require a mobile data plan or a Wi-Fi connection to watch the shows.
Account and Subscriptions
To watch DIRECTV Now, consumers must have an account and must subscribe to a paid package at www. directvnow. com. So based on the available channels required, it comes with various pricing packages such as Live a Little, Just Right, Go Big, Gotta Have It, Todo y Mas, and Optimo Mas. Group deals begin at $40 per month for over 60 channels.
After subscribing, you can log in through your account details with your streaming devices and mobile devices to watch the shows! There is also a feature that enables users to have a single account with multiple profiles of their choice for recommendation as well as an on-demand library.
Remote Controls
It is not completely crucial to have a remote control but it is convenient to use especially when interacting with the DIRECTV Now interface on the television. Many of the streaming devices and Smart TVs come with their own IR remote controls for use with the device. Another major component of gaming consoles is known as console controllers which can equally be used to navigate.
Apple TV and Roku devices both use remotes that are well-designed for streaming in particular. If the remote provided with your Smart TV does not come with a user-friendly interface, then it is wise to purchase either an Apple TV Remote or a Roku remote to navigate through the series and control other aspects such as play, pause, etc Voice command remotes are also available to help search for the shows on some devices.
External Storage
At the moment DirectTV Now has Cloud DVR support which enables you to record any show you may be able to watch at your own convenient time. But the Cloud DVR storage is paid $10/month besides your package subscription.
If you wish to record a significant amount of programs without paying extra for Cloud DVR space, you can consider external USB storage devices with certain devices. For instance - Roku devices allow the connection of external USB flash drives or hard disks to store content from the various channels/apps. Kindly consult the user manual or the documentation of your streaming device to discover if local recordings and storage can be done on external drives.
Over-the-Air Antenna
Some of the local stations that may be received freely over the air include ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and others depending on one's residential area. This means that if you don’t want to pay for local stations then there is no need to include them in your streaming package. DIRECTV Now has an integration that can tie your account with an OTA antenna to watch the local broadcasts that correspond with your area in DIRECTV Now!
You will require a digital OTA antenna that should be connected to your streaming device or television set to access the said local channel broadcasts for free. Most Indoor/Outdoor OTA antennas cost about $10 or more and their installation should be well done to enable them to receive well. Some of those companies include Mohu, Antop, and other manufacturers that offer good OTA antennas that one needs to consider. If you have an antenna associated with your account, you can also get some local broadcast channels at a lower price in a DIRECTV Now package subscription.
Conclusion
The above is a brief run-down of the main equipment necessary for the proper functioning of your DIRECTV Now streaming. At the very least, to watch a few shows a month, all you require is a streaming device connected to a television and fast internet service. With just that you can be set up in under 5 minutes with the ability to immediately stream the best channels and countless on-demand titles. Looking at the additional features such as mobile devices, OTA antenna, or external storage think about how frequently would you be using DIRECTV Now and need other forms of entertainment.
