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Who really uses On Demand?

10K views 118 replies 95 participants last post by  jmudukes07 
#1 ·
I have to admit that I've been disappointed by the offerings by DirecTV in relation their On Demand service. I was looking forward to having a Comcast-like type of service where I could go back and watch missed network shows. However, all it appears they have are a few shows from each cable network, and not even complete seasons at that (excluding some of the Premium Networks).

Anyone else feeling this way?
 
#80 ·
sdirv said:
I use it more and more as time goes by, snagged 5 episodes of the 1967 TV series "The Prisoner" last night.

I was somewhat concerned about hitting my "limits" with my ISP, but after talking to them about it (and I'm getting my D* service through them) I was told I'd have to stream stuff over my connection 25 hours a day, 7 days a week, all month long to even get close. 7 or 8 programs a week are no big thing.
Really? Who's your provider. I figured an hour long of HD would be around 3.5 to 4 GB. that around 60 to 70 hours would hit the limit Comcast 250GB limit, just from DOD. These caps are a concern, more and more is becoming available to download over the net, not just Directv, there's always Hulu and Netflix, etc...
 
#81 ·
brucegrr said:
I find it too much of a hassle to scroll through the channels I DON'T get to find the channels I DO get.
Is this something DirecTV might fix in the future? The GUI is very clunky. I'm also still looking for a way to filter out all paid content. Just want to see the free stuff.

Other than this limitation, VOD seems pretty good to me so far. I used it to watch Season 1 of Mad Men.
 
#82 ·
aldamon said:
Is this something DirecTV might fix in the future? The GUI is very clunky. I'm also still looking for a way to filter out all paid content. Just want to see the free stuff.

Other than this limitation, VOD seems pretty good to me so far. I used it to watch Season 1 of Mad Men.
A keyword search will do the trick. It would be something to the effect of VOD NNOT PPV. That may not be it exactly, but it will be pretty close. This will only pick on-demand titles without prices associated with them. If you got more specific (with CCHAN) you could filter out premiums to which you do not subscribe.
 
#84 ·
Ever since upgrading my Internet service from DSL to FiOS, I've used DOD more often. i find it very useful for when I "discover" a series after a few episodes have aired. When that happens, it's nice to be able to download and view the missed episodes before watching new episodes recorded on my DVR.

Although this is not a great example, because one episode has no bearing on the next, the most recent occurrence of me not realizing that a new season of a series had stared is Penn & Teller's Bull****. By the time that I realized that it was on again, they were already on Episode 3. Because of DOD, I was able to still watch Episodes 1 & 2.
 
#85 ·
goober22 said:
I use it maybe 2% of the time. I used it more before the content "expired" after so long. I can record a show and keep it as long as I want - or VOD a show and have to watch it with XX days.

I use it now for shows I missed. I never use PPV BTW, as I use Netflix.
One can hit a highlighted show with a button on the remote -- blue, maybe? -- that "keeps" it with a "k". Will this override the expired date?

Stan
 
#86 ·
Stanley Kritzik said:
One can hit a highlighted show with a button on the remote -- blue, maybe? -- that "keeps" it with a "k". Will this override the expired date?

Stan
No. Marking it Keep Until Delete will prevent the show from being deleted if you run out of space, but the show will still automatically delete itself on the expiration date.

- Merg
 
#87 ·
The Merg said:
No. Marking it Keep Until Delete will prevent the show from being deleted if you run out of space, but the show will still automatically delete itself on the expiration date.

- Merg
Thanks for the info. I think I'll try to burn one onto a DVD and see how things go that way. I assume that the "delete" function is software related (on the DVR) rather than something inherent in the programming. Anyway, I'll give it a try, for better or worse.

Stan
 
#90 ·
I rarely use it but i did recently download and watch all the seasons of Dexter (so far) now that I've got Showtime again.
 
#91 ·
I use VOD to see Deadwood in HD then use DirecTV2PC and watch in HD :D
(I have an R22)
 
#92 ·
I it use with Comcast Highspeed internet and it works great-Comcast has a great FAP 250 gig's a month :D

I run 16/2 and can download any and everything D* has to offer. Very happy, As always there could be more but perhaps there will be in the future and with that comes ADDED COST $$$$$$$$$ If you wish to have more someone has to pay for it, The Gov't is just now starting to find this fact out.
 
#93 ·
The last time I used it, about two weeks ago, I downloaded all of The Closure offerings, about 4 I think. Every single one was unwatchable, breakups, freezing while the audio continued, and other problems. I didn't make it through any of the shows. I haven't used it since.
__________________
 
#96 ·
I find myself using more and more as I look through the offerrings. Downloads of SD are fast. HD offerrings are little slower but not horrible.

If DTV can get CBS/ABC/Fox/NBC up and running, I see my use increasing.

I really like DoD.
 
#97 ·
We use DoD infrequently. For awhile, we did check the listings regularly for programs to watch. And, when my gf was sick for a week, she always had something downloading. But, now we find that we look for programs when their is nothing on live tv or in our list.
 
#98 ·
HoosierBoy said:
If DTV can get CBS/ABC/Fox/NBC up and running, I see my use increasing.
This really amounts to "if the broadcast networks will allow DirecTV to distribute shows via VOD." NBC did makes shows available for a very short period of time, but charged a fee for them (99 cents, I believe).

If, during the summer, they made their primetime shows available via VOD, I think they'd have a pretty good product.
 
#99 ·
gregjones said:
This really amounts to "if the broadcast networks will allow DirecTV to distribute shows via VOD." NBC did makes shows available for a very short period of time, but charged a fee for them (99 cents, I believe).

If, during the summer, they made their primetime shows available via VOD, I think they'd have a pretty good product.
Why would you want to pay $.99 for a show through VOD. You can watch most of the network shows on your PC for free through Hulu if you miss them. Link: Hulu

Some people have software to watch Hulu on their flat screen TV over their network. If you don't, you can connect your a laptop or PC to your flat screen and watch it. Although you will need wireless or a network connection to do it.

Also, I do use VOD to watch some of the Showtime series. Also, downloaded a 1080P movie the other day. You have to plan ahead for those movies though. It took about 3 hrs to download a 2 hr movie.
 
#101 ·
RACJ2 said:
Why would you want to pay $.99 for a show through VOD. You can watch most of the network shows on your PC for free through Hulu if you miss them. Link: Hulu

Some people have software to watch Hulu on their flat screen TV over their network. If you don't, you can connect your a laptop or PC to your flat screen and watch it. Although you will need wireless or a network connection to do it.

Also, I do use VOD to watch some of the Showtime series. Also, downloaded a 1080P movie the other day. You have to plan ahead for those movies though. It took about 3 hrs to download a 2 hr movie.
Obviously, I don't want to pay to watch network programming. I'm more than familiar with Hulu. I was answering a question of availability. The networks obviously do not put it as a priority to be a VOD option. NBC did, for a time, make shows available as PPV VOD. It may have something to do with affiliate agreements.
 
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