It's my experience stream has a little better PQ than satellite probably because of the Gemini Air. I would think stream is better than the app.

 

The PQ on the Apple TV DIRECTV app is far better than my HR24’s, HR54, and C61K and about the same as the Gemini.

 

I have DTV Stream and alternate between using the app on an AppleTV and using a Gemini Air. I was a satellite subscriber for 30 years. While I no longer have satellite for an A/B comparison, I think the picture quality of DTV Stream is excellent, at least as good as I remember with satellite.

As far as comparing using the app vs. using the Gemini Air, I find either approach to be completely satisfactory. While the Gemini Air remote has some keys that provide direct access to things like the guide and the library list, the app can be reasonably functional if you use the ATV remote app on an iPhone or iPad.

The most important take-away is that after being a 30-year dedicated satellite user, I have become completely comfortable with DTV Stream and have no regrets making the change.

 

Thank you all for the replies. So if I switch from satellite to stream, will it affect my current contract? And what equipment will I need to do so?

 

If you still have a contract on satellite you will have to pay the ETF when you cancel. There is no contract on streaming you have to worry about though.

DIRECTV will have to let you know if you need to send back anything from your satellite account when you cancel.

You can continue to watch DIRECTV Stream on the app on your Nvidia Shield or any other streaming device with no need for a DIRECTV device and there is no extra fee if you use the app. If you want the Gemini Air from DIRECTV you can get it when you sign up for the streaming account and there is no initial charge to get the device but you will have to pay the $10 per month lease fee for each Gemini device for as long as keep the device and/or the service.

 

I was a DIRECTV satellite customer from 1997 until 2022. I switched to DIRECTV Stream and run the DIRECTV app on my Amazon Fire Cube. The Cube upscales my picture as well as my TV does. The picture is consistently better than the satellite and no more rain interruptions here in Florida.

 

Your DirecTV satellite box pulls a broadcast feed from the dish. Bitrates are higher, compression is lighter, and motion holds up better, especially on sports. The DirecTV app on Nvidia Shield delivers an internet stream, so it behaves like DirecTV Stream in practice. It does not mirror the satellite box’s picture quality. Streaming quality changes with bandwidth, device support, and how the app encodes each channel. That is why your Shield looks softer or shows more motion blur than your satellite receiver.

 

The picture quality on the app on my Apple TV is far better than any satellite receiver I have except the Gemini which is about the same.

 

No matter how fast your internet speed is. Satellite is still more reliable

 

Unless it rains. And then streaming saves the day for you with SignalSaver...unless you are trying to record something. Then...you lose

 

I'm in the process of switching and have to say on my LG OLED the stream looks much better than the sat feed. I'm using Firestick 4k Max.

 

27 year Satellite sub and a three year streaming sub.
satellite out much more frequently than internet (my internet -- Fios --NEVER goes down outside of power which prevents me from watching TV anyways) streaming so much better picture than sat not even close i think there are some 1080p feeds streaming vs. 1080i (or720p) feeds on sat but EVERY SINGLE CHANNEL FEED looks equal or better Streaming vs. sat.

get with the times and u probably will save money too

 

IF you have great internet your argument holds water. For a lot of us very rural dwellers sat is our only option. Way to far for an antenna and DSL or equivalent doesn't cut it. There are millions just like me in a rural area that dont have options like you.

 

Starlink is an option.

 

Starlink is $120 per month for 118-264 MB data speed (in my area). The "Lite" plan and introductory offer saves some money for "deprioritized data" service. ("Users on Residential Lite plan are prioritized behind Residential and will see slower speeds during peak hours. Residential Lite is not available in all areas.")

Residential Lite is not available in my area so go back to $120 per month with no discount. (Lite is only available in the white areas.)

Yes, it is an option. Less of an option in many areas.