TVApps - WebSite? AppStore? Other?

Earl Bonovich · 07-20-10, 07:16 AM

I had this discussion with a group of DBSTalkers last week... but now I wanted to have it with everyone....

For DIRECTV TVApps... where do you go to find, setup, and configure TVApps?

Do you use the Website? http://tvapps.directv.com
(Did you even know there was a website?)

Do you use the AppStore from the TVApps Dock ?

Do you use both of them?

Why do you use the method that you use... what can be done to either method to improve them?

Would you be intrested in using a 3rd parties website, to setup and add TVApps to your setup... (This would be done via secure method, that your DIRECTV credentials would only be communicated with DIRECTV)

Please be blunt, honest, detailed... this is your chance to give your feedback on how to make it easier to use TVApps.

RawisTheGameHhH · 07-20-10, 07:23 AM

It won't let me sign into the apps website and it never has. I access them via the AppStore on the TV Dock which is quite slow. I have a few apps setup that I look at a few times a week. I would be in favor of a 3rd party website if it actually let me sign in.

Frank5575 · 07-20-10, 07:25 AM

I occasionally use the AppStore. I haven't used it in quite a while because it was painfully slow. Has this improved?

BTW I didn't know there WAS a website

fluffybear · 07-20-10, 07:25 AM

While I have used both the Website and the AppStore, I prefer the AppStore as I consider it to be more convenient.

**Stuart Sweet** · 07-20-10, 07:26 AM

I've used the App Store, it's there when I want it, right on the TV.

ffemtreed · 07-20-10, 07:28 AM

I honestly gave up on using TVapps awhile ago because they took SO long to load. It also only worked 1/2 of the time when it did load. I always used the TVapps dock to add new apps to the menu.

I do still use it every now and then when I want to check the weather or sports scores, but other than that its more of a pain to use than it is to just get up and log onto my computer.

I would love a custom app that would allow access to Netflix streaming!

hdtvfan0001 · 07-20-10, 07:30 AM

Use the website and the Appstore.

While it's actually nice having those choices, and each brings some value to the table, I don't see this as a frequent maintenance function.

Once you choose and set them up, only minor changes/additions/deletions tend to be needed.

Given that..the secure 3rd party website would seem to be best for the initial setup....and keep the app store.

RawisTheGameHhH · 07-20-10, 07:34 AM

We need more and better apps too!

kfcrosby · 07-20-10, 07:38 AM

TV apps ? When and where did this come from and how would I have known ???

Earl Bonovich · 07-20-10, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RawisTheGameHhH

We need more and better apps too!

Most certainly and with some new tools and features for developers to use coming this year... my goal is that soon, that will not be an issue.

speedcouch · 07-20-10, 07:44 AM

I downloaded the free DirecTV (dvr scheduler) ap for my Droid as soon as it came out. Thing works like a charm and it SO much faster than logging into DirecTV on the computer to schedule a recording. That takes SO long. Use the ap on the Droid all the time and it's never let me down.

Cheryl

gully_foyle · 07-20-10, 07:44 AM

I tried TV Apps in beta. Very very slow and buggy store then. When I finally got the apps, they seemed pretty lame. And really, with smartphones, ipod touch and etc, who needs apps on a TV?

So, put me down for "tried that and gave it up as a bad idea."

barryb · 07-20-10, 07:50 AM

I always use the DirecTV app store.

wilbur_the_goose · 07-20-10, 07:50 AM

Tried them and stopped - they were way too slow. It's quicker for me (HR20-700) to go to my laptop than to get the weather radar from TV Apps.

Great idea, but way too slow.

To the poll - the "AppStore" is also painfully slow and essentially unusable.

RyanX · 07-20-10, 07:51 AM

On the rare occasion that I use it, I use the App store. The apps are so slow to load that they are not really useful. I used to look at the weather radar, but it is much easier to look that up on my ipod touch.

NASCR2424 · 07-20-10, 07:51 AM

I used the app store, but rarely pull the apps up because they are slowwwwwwwwww

Earl Bonovich · 07-20-10, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gully_foyle

I tried TV Apps in beta. Very very slow and buggy store then. When I finally got the apps, they seemed pretty lame. And really, with smartphones, ipod touch and etc, who needs apps on a TV?

So, put me down for "tried that and gave it up as a bad idea."

Have you tried it lately? No so much the store (As we are going to improve it's performance), but the TVApps / Dock itself?

Even though I have my smartphone typically close to me, I now almost a nightly basis (and multiple time a night), hit the right arrow so I can keep up with the current score on the WhiteSox.

And it is pretty darn close in speed to using the smartphone (overall between time to wake up the smartphone, navigate to the app, wait for it's refresh)

Give it another shot.

Directvlover · 07-20-10, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedcouch

I downloaded the free DirecTV (dvr scheduler) ap for my Droid as soon as it came out. Thing works like a charm and it SO much faster than logging into DirecTV on the computer to schedule a recording. That takes SO long. Use the ap on the Droid all the time and it's never let me down.

Cheryl

This is not the kind of app this survey is asking about.

Grydlok · 07-20-10, 08:10 AM

The apps a boring.
Everything is old and I can't use the website because it won't log me in.

Go Beavs · 07-20-10, 08:47 AM

I use both.

I use the app store for convenience mostly. I have to agree with others about its speed though: Slow.

If I find stuff I want on both my receivers I usually use the website so I can copy/add to both receivers from one place.

I would use a third part site for configuration as long as it remained secure.

Captain Spaulding · 07-20-10, 09:01 AM

I tried the apps in the past. The painfully slow load times made me wonder why anyone would use them. As others have said, its much faster and easier for me to use a computer to find the same or similar information.

Until I saw this thread, I did not know there was an app web site.

MartyS · 07-20-10, 09:33 AM

This is one feature that I don't use at all. I find the information slow and kludgy to get to, even on my HR24. I also, don't see too much that interests me there that I can't get faster and easier on my iPhone.

hobbes · 07-20-10, 09:53 AM

Hey Earl-

I've used both the Web site and the AppStore. I find the Web site to be much quicker, and use it as my preferred method.

I use the AppStore more for checking what is new, but I would still go back to the Web site to load something I want on both of my HR20s.

I'd be curious to see how a 3rd party site differed from DirecTV's set up.

wilbur_the_goose · 07-20-10, 09:59 AM

Earl,
You asked, "Have you tried it lately?".

In fact, I did try it last night and it didn't work at all. I get the blue pop-up and then nothing happens. (on both of my HR20-700's, both have good internet connections)

Crystal Pepsi Ball · 07-20-10, 10:11 AM

I have tried to use TV Apps on my R22, with it being connected directly from router to receiver, and it always says "TV Apps is still initializing, please try again later. (301)" This has been going on now for about 3 weeks, and I do every CE.

View Poll Results: TVApps: How to do YOU add/configure them
I use the TVApps website	189	24.29%
I use the AppStore	356	45.76%
I don't use TVApps	329	42.29%
I would use a secure 3rd party site	51	6.56%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 778. You may not vote on this poll