PlayStation Vue!

[Midpack]

I was under the impression that PS Vue included locals. True or false?

I did not realize that!

It may not be true everywhere, but it's true where I live - that's a game changer for us! Makes PS Vue a true full alternative to cable or satellite for us, at $40/mo vs $98/mo with Dish Network - saving $700/year. We get everything LIVE including all the major networks on up to 3 devices (TV, iPad, smartphone) except sadly PBS, but we'll stream that free on demand. PS Vue makes Sling TV and DirecTV Now irrelevant for us as they'd both force us to futz with an OTA antenna, and CBS All Access at $6/mo with DTVN.

The PS Vue guide on the mobile app is excellent, the interface isn't quite as intuitive thru streaming devices on TV and PC's - but entirely workable. And to our surprise, our favorite shows are all automatically DVR'd and available for 28 days. But most are available on demand beyond 28 days anyway.

We lose a few channels, but gain others. And the few we care about and lose post on YouTube the next day, so we can stream them.

We've been test driving PS Vue since Thurs, flawless so far, and we have a paltry 10 Mbps internet connection. If all goes well this weekend, we're cancelling Dish Network on Monday.

Cable and satellite are going to have a tougher and tougher time in the years ahead IMO.

Thanks!!!

 

[GTFan]

No, they'll just keep imposing data caps to get the same money because cable/telco is still your ISP.

If you're on AT&T/Cox/Comcast and stream all the time, frex, you're going to hit that 1TB cap with more than a couple of folks using it.

 

[Sojourner]

Very interesting. I'm watching this space carefully and will be very tempted to make the switch once I see that all (or the vast majority) of my favorite channels are available and the DVR functionality is robust and not artificially hobbled.

When you say "our favorite shows are all automatically DVR'd and available for 28 days", do you mean this happens for all channels without your having to do anything? Beyond 28 days, if you wanted to watch a particular episode of something that aired several months ago, is that possible for all (or most) channels? Is the FFW and REW functionality smooth and responsive? Anything notable that you find you can't do with PSV that you're used to doing with Dish?

 

[Midpack]

When you say "our favorite shows are all automatically DVR'd and available for 28 days", do you mean this happens for all channels without your having to do anything? Beyond 28 days, if you wanted to watch a particular episode of something that aired several months ago, is that possible for all (or most) channels? Is the FFW and REW functionality smooth and responsive? Anything notable that you find you can't do with PSV that you're used to doing with Dish?

I am no expert after 2 days, but PS Vue allows the user to identify their favorites in My Shows - they're automatically DVR'd. But if there's something else past you want to watch, it's probably available On Demand if it's any network other than CBS, some CBS on demand episodes are there and some aren't. But again, if they're in My Shows, they record CBS included IME. Again, based on 2 days experience...

We haven't seen any live shows blocked yet, on any network including CBS.

And we'll probably subscribe to Netflix or Amazon video for movies, and past seasons of many TV shows are there too I'm told.

 

[Carpediem]

Thank you for the update, Midpack. Hopefully local channels are available in my area but I highly doubt it. But that's okay because I'll just pick up an antenna like the one below are Walmart. We're going to be cancelling Dish soon.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/36606756...75035&wl11=online&wl12=36606756&wl13=&veh=sem

 

[John Galt III]

Basic question. Is Playstation Vue available via wireless internet only? Could one access it via a cable internet connection also?

 

[Carpediem]

You access Vue via one of several devices - Amazon Fire TV, Roku, etc. So, yes, you can access Vue via a wired connection to a device that accepts an ethernet connection.

Midpack, what device are you using to access Vue?

 

[Midpack]

Basic question. Is Playstation Vue available via wireless internet only? Could one access it via a cable internet connection also?

If I understand your question, I've used PS Vue on my Ethernet connected Win PC (wifi off).

You access Vue via one of several devices - Amazon Fire TV, Roku, etc. So, yes, you can access Vue via a wired connection to a device that accepts an ethernet connection.

Midpack, what device are you using to access Vue?

I've used our Win PC, iPad, iPhone, a Samsung Smart TV with Chromecast and a dumb Sony TV with a Roku Streaming Stick so far...it's only been 2 days but all perfect so far.

 

[Midpack]

The only niggle so far, the mobile app has a traditional guide like cable and satellite users are accustomed to, the streaming app doesn't as far as I can tell. It will take a little getting used to.

OTOH, PS Vue shows me all my content options all the time, live - DVR - on demand - and next episode.

 

[Midpack]

Another cord cutting option for those who can't get local channel/major networks with PS Vue, but OTA is available https://airtv.net. Integrates OTA, Sling TV, Netflix, etc. into one interface so you don't have to deal with switching sources. For me at least, DW wasn't happy about dealing with multiple UI's, this solves that for some. FWIW

 

[Midpack]

I've been shamelessly promoting PS Vue because it can completely replace cable/satellite where we live,

• including an automatic DVR function
• live local major networks including NBC, CBS, ABC & Fox
• on up to 5 devices simultaneously

for $40/mo and up.

What I didn't realize was that we happened to luck into one of the few/only 7 metro areas that have ALL the channels we'd watch, or enough we'd be willing to forego the few we'd lose. It would cost us 2-3 times as much to replicate PSV with a cable or satellite service where we are.

Though prices start at $30/mo and up in all other areas, you'd have to rely on OTA or another source for local major networks - a decidedly less convenient alternative to cable or satellite.

Just an update...though I assume PSV hopes to offer the more comprehensive package in more areas eventually.

Until today Vue was only available in seven major metropolitan areas: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco and Miami. Packages in those cities start at $40 per month and include local broadcast TV channels, namely ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC (but not PBS).

If you live in one of the 203 other TV markets newly served by Vue -- places like Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, Phoenix, Portland, and St. Louis, as well as smaller cities and towns in all 50 states -- you'll only be able to subscribe to what Vue is calling "Slim" versions of its channel packages, starting at $30 per month.

 

[Sojourner]

That quote appears to be from an article on CNet from one year ago (Mar 14, 2016), and I'd assume now there are more areas that have the full set of major local broadcast channels available. I know here in Atlanta, the four majors are available, but two of them (ABC and NBC) are only on-demand. Not a big deal, though, since you'd still be able to watch anything(?) that's broadcast live, but only after it's aired live. I vastly prefer on-demand for anything that's not a major sporting event.

I wonder why Sony hasn't been able to get access rights to certain live broadcast networks but has gotten on-demand access. With a service like DirecTV, it seems that "any access is full access", and if you get the live channel you automatically get the on-demand, and vice versa.

 

[Sojourner]

Oooh... I just read this on the PS Vue website. Could make it a non-starter for me unless I'm not understanding it properly. Sounds like the only time you can actually FFW through commercials just like with a regular DVR is when a show is in "My Shows".

Your ability to fast forward through commercials will be similar to that on other television services. Any airing recorded to “My Shows” will have no restrictions on fast forwarding. You will not be able to fast forward through commercials within Catch-up or while watching On Demand programming.

 

[Midpack]

I vastly prefer on-demand for anything that's not a major sporting event.

Agreed re: sports but I'd add news/weather, we'd want that live too. Most anything else could be on demand, or via the web vs TV.

Your ability to fast forward through commercials will be similar to that on other television services. Any airing recorded to “My Shows” will have no restrictions on fast forwarding. You will not be able to fast forward through commercials within Catch-up or while watching On Demand programming.

Oooh... I just read this on the PS Vue website. Could make it a non-starter for me unless I'm not understanding it properly. Sounds like the only time you can actually FFW through commercials just like with a regular DVR is when a show is in "My Shows".

We did FFWD thru commercials during our trial period (now over), but I did not pay attention to whether it was DVR, CATCHUP, or ON DEMAND programming.

Nevertheless, we'll save $509/year with PS Vue vs Dish Network, and be free to view on more eevices. There's no way around commercials with live viewing and not having as much freedom to blow thru commercials isn't worth paying another $509/year to us.

 

[Dawg52]

I've been shamelessly promoting PS Vue because it can completely replace cable/satellite where we live,

• including an automatic DVR function
• live local major networks including NBC, CBS, ABC & Fox
• on up to 5 devices simultaneously

for $40/mo and up.

What I didn't realize was that we happened to luck into one of the few/only 7 metro areas that have ALL the channels we'd watch, or enough we'd be willing to forego the few we'd lose. It would cost us 2-3 times as much to replicate PSV with a cable or satellite service where we are.

Though prices start at $30/mo and up in all other areas, you'd have to rely on OTA or another source for local major networks - a decidedly less convenient alternative to cable or satellite.

Just an update...though I assume PSV hopes to offer the more comprehensive package in more areas eventually.

I'm perfectly fine watching my local channels with an antenna. I'm going to be chapped if they do include the locals and I have to pay more as a result. The locals s/b optional imo. In my small market, I doubt it happens anytime soon tho.

 

[Midpack]

I'm perfectly fine watching my local channels with an antenna. I'm going to be chapped if they do include the locals and I have to pay more as a result. The locals s/b optional imo. In my small market, I doubt it happens anytime soon tho.

I guess you'll be chapped then as PS Vue is $10/mo more ($39.99 vs $29.99/mo) in the metro areas that include live and on demand for all of ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox & Telemundo. We'll gladly pay $10/mo to have it all together and avoid OTA and constantly switching between TV input sources - DW wasn't keen on that. We still save $509/yr vs Dish Network, a no brainer for us.

If you want to use OTA for locals, and stream the others at even lower cost than PS Vue - Sling TV may be more appealing for you starting at $20/mo. We ruled Sling TV out for no DVR and only one stream allowed at a time for the $20/mo package (more for higher $ Sling TV packages).

 

[Dawg52]

I guess you'll be chapped then as PS Vue is $10/mo more ($39.99 vs $29.99/mo) in the metro areas that include live and on demand for all of ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox & Telemundo. We'll gladly pay $10/mo to have it all together and avoid OTA and constantly switching between TV input sources - DW wasn't keen on that. We still save $509/yr vs Dish Network, a no brainer for us.

If you want to use OTA for locals, and stream the others at even lower cost than PS Vue - Sling TV may be more appealing for you starting at $20/mo. We ruled Sling TV out for no DVR and only one stream allowed at a time for the $20/mo package (more for higher $ Sling TV packages).

I've had Sling and its fine. I will do that if I have to. Switching between sources from OTA to my Fire TV box is basically one click. No hassle.

 

[tulak]

I use an AppleTV to prevent switching from multiple inputs. A Roku could work even better, since it has an app for Amazon. The only downside to non-Apple solutions is that their remote doesn't include volume control. I wish they did.

My perfect solution is all apps with a single remote. As it is, we have everything except Amazon. For Amazon content, I use Apple AirPlay, which is not spouse friendly.

As for apps, we mostly use Tablo for OTA, Netflix, and PBS. We've tried the free subscriptions to SlingTV and Hulu, but they haven't been worth it for us to keep.

 

[pb4uski]

I think when we get home we'll probably run Vue "parallel" with Dish for a month or so to make sure that it works for us and then get rid of Dish if it works like I think it will.

 

[Midpack]

I use an AppleTV to prevent switching from multiple inputs. A Roku could work even better, since it has an app for Amazon. The only downside to non-Apple solutions is that their remote doesn't include volume control. I wish they did.

My perfect solution is all apps with a single remote. As it is, we have everything except Amazon. For Amazon content, I use Apple AirPlay, which is not spouse friendly.

As for apps, we mostly use Tablo for OTA, Netflix, and PBS. We've tried the free subscriptions to SlingTV and Hulu, but they haven't been worth it for us to keep.

You plug OTA into Apple TV and go between OTA and streaming content without switching input source on your TV's? That's what I was talking about, not individual streaming apps.

Most streaming devices consolidate apps - Apple, Roku, Amazon but not Chromecast.

 

[Dawg52]

A Sideclick remote solved a lot of problems for me in cord cutting. No it won't give you a one source input or add the local OTA channels on the TV guide with the rest of your streaming channels. But it will easily get you back and forth with basically one remote. Two clicks with this device gets me back and forth. I have my Fire TV, regular TV and stereo receiver all on this one device for basic everyday control of my TV viewing. There are not enough buttons to program everything(stereo receiver only for example), but for normal daily viewing it does. Works great for me. Cost $20-29 depending on where you buy it.

https://www.sideclickremotes.com/

 

[MissMolly]

We have an OTA antenna and a Tablo to record those shows. The Tablo as well as all our streaming apps (Amazon, Netflix, Channel Pear, XTV, Vudu, Crackle, TubiTV and about 60 more apps) are all on the Roku. We never have to switch inputs on the TV. Everything is contained within the Roku. When we had cable, there was even a TWC app on the Roku that we used, but have since cancelled cable.

 

[Midpack]

We have an OTA antenna and a Tablo to record those shows. The Tablo as well as all our streaming apps (Amazon, Netflix, Channel Pear, XTV, Vudu, Crackle, TubiTV and about 60 more apps) are all on the Roku. We never have to switch inputs on the TV. Everything is contained within the Roku. When we had cable, there was even a TWC app on the Roku that we used, but have since cancelled cable.

+1. I'd heard that was the case with the Tablo. If we needed a DVR, that would be an ideal solution.

Maybe I'm the only one (I doubt it), but DW isn't keen on multiple remotes and having to switch TV inputs - cable and satellite integration spoiled viewers. Just switching input sources to watch Blu-Ray annoyed her. I had BluRay, OTA, Dish and Chromecast on our upstairs TV while I was evaluating our options - she was very confused. The simpler I make this, the better chance she'll approve. YMMV

 

[Carpediem]

We have an OTA antenna and a Tablo to record those shows. The Tablo as well as all our streaming apps (Amazon, Netflix, Channel Pear, XTV, Vudu, Crackle, TubiTV and about 60 more apps) are all on the Roku. We never have to switch inputs on the TV. Everything is contained within the Roku. When we had cable, there was even a TWC app on the Roku that we used, but have since cancelled cable.

Which version of the Roku are you using?

 

[MissMolly]

There are inexpensive universal remotes that can be purchased. Then a single remote would control both the TV and the Roku.
$10 Universal Remote Control Works With Roku

We have one TLC Roku TV and Roku sticks on the other TVs. The TLC Roku TV is also controlled with a single remote.