Thinking of dropping DirecTV for Sling TV - Anyone done that? Suspend or cancel?? Help!

Sorry about the divorce man.

 

Not that I plan to drop Directv, but I have heard great things about Vue and their cloud DVR like feature.

One thing to keep in mind is the Directv OTT service coming up later this year. I have a feeling it will beat Vue and Sling in both features and price (including programming). Google "directv now).


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Since you asked about SlingTV, I'll try to get back on topic... sort of.
Friend asked if I would help him install SlingTV Arabic.
Can't get DBS.
Told him to read the user reviews (almost all highly negative) and if he still wanted to go forward I would assist.
Has vision problems and can't differentiate SD from HD programming on his HD sets so he concluded it would not make a difference to him.
Had him get a Fire streaming device and helped him signup.
Every Arabic channel (20 or so as I recall) in the $25 basic programming package was unwatchable... horrible quality and constant buffering / drops on his 25mb/s connection.
It did make a difference... so he cancelled.
Since none of the programming was "live" anyway, setup his youtube and found a bit more than half of the programming that he had on SlingTV was readily available... at no cost and substantially better quality.
Can't speak to any other programming besides the Arabic programming... may be the issues are limited to only international...

 

Not sure about Kodi, but you might sign up for a month of CBS All-Access. Not only would you get the TV episodes, but the live feeds are included for the $6/monthly fee. You can watch both in HD thru the CBS app on the Fire Stick/box. Just do one month of non-renewing & you're save a LOT over keeping DirecTV just for this one show.

I have tried Sling twice & both time found it an unwatchable mess. The quality is constantly up & down & the interface is awful. The 2nd time was just so I could get the Cinemax add-on for Banshee. It was such an un-enjoyable way to watch TV that I just gave up on the season.

 

CBS all access is live some areas and won't be different than the VUE subscription and based on location if you get a live feed. If its already streaming live you can get it with the Vue subscription. You can check if live streaming is available here...https://www.cbs.com/all-access/?cbsclick=VwfxeCSg7QAN1uOR3Rz7FQPAUkkwT9VzhzEAR40&clickid=158101&sharedid=&ftag=AAM98bbc2a

 

I dropped Directv in May (after 13+ years) and installed a ChannelMaster DVR+, which included the Sling TV app. The app worked fairly well but after 3 months I found I wasn't using Sling more than a few hours a month, so I dropped it. I find that having (and being able to DVR) OTA programming is all I really need. I added a second DVR+ for the bedroom. Unfortunately there is no whole-home, which would be nice. The DVR+ uses Rovi for guide data and it has a few problems but is still much better than no guide at all.

Now I am getting mail from Directv every few weeks trying to get me to return but no thanks.

 

If you are using OTA only, then do yourself a favor and get TiVo . Roamio OTA has lifetime service included in the purchase price then you can add some Mini's for your other tvs. Mini has no service fees either. Or a Bolt with annual service of $150.

TiVo is by far the best whole home DVR solution for OTA


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

My personal observation is that ChannelMaster passes a superior image compared to the TiVo, even just for channel surfing. However, TiVo's tuners more easily receive OTA signals, whereas the ChannelMaster needs an amplifier for many stations. But given a stable signal, the PQ from Channelmaster is definitely better, even superior to my Sony TV's built-in tuner. The TiVo's image is clearly below that from the 32-inch Sony's tuner.

 

Good topic. VUE handsdown.

 

I'm guessing interested to see what DIRECTV now will be. Should be very interesting on how it Competes with these others.

 

Agree will they even try and compete with Sony. Will Sony up the ante? This is actually exciting seeing Sony enter this part of the entertainment industry with everything they do seemingly successful.

 

Thanks for the update. I appreciate you taking your time to do so.

How is the Guide? Channel numbers?

Do you know if you can put the DirecTV account in suspension while still under contract?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

So how easy is it to watch a show on CBS say an hour or two after it's over?

 

I can answer the question about suspension, yes you can suspend while under contract. However the contract clock stops while under suspension so it does not get you out of any paid service time.

 

Thanks!

Do you know if it affects the discounts when I restore service?

Would it mess up my Unlimited data I have with AT&T because of bundling?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Of course on discounts it works the other way, the clock does not stop. If you suspend for two months you lose two months of any time limited discounts. I have no idea on the bundling and unlimited data. I would think it would stay since you still have a DirecTV account but I dont really know.