![]() PlayOn subscribers can pay a 2-per-month subscription fee for PlayOn Desktop, or utilize the company’s pay-as-you-go PlayOn Cloud option. The service allows users to record video onto a cloud drive that can be accessed from anywhere. AT&T has set a limit on two concurrent streams per account, so you can stream to two separate devices simultaneously. PlayOn is an online cloud DVR service that bills itself as an SVR, or streaming video recorder. The user interface is consistent on the mobile phone and TV, so it’s easy to adapt. I didn’t have that on Sling TV or my PlayStation Vue on Roku, and DirecTV Now offers an easy way to figure out the shows coming up. But it’s a handy way to add movies to a watchlist so users know when it will play on a channel. The movies section categorized films based on subject matter, and none seemed to be on demand. That should make surfing for programs easier. Over time, the service tracks users viewing habits and provides recommendations on shows to watch. An AT&T representative said that thousands of programs were available on demand. DirecTV Stream says it now supports up to 20 simultaneous streams per account on the same home network, and up to three away from it. I surfed through the list of TV programs based on category, and the video-on-demand and upcoming shows were easy to distinguish. One can search for programs or there’s also a guide option that lists programs. Programs can be surfed based on shows, movies or networks. The DirecTV Now interface is clean and intuitive, with large icons showing live shows and videos on demand. AT&T says it is looking to add that feature, but hasn’t said when.ĭespite some shortcomings, there’s a lot to like with DirecTV Now. Sling is adding that service, and PlayStation Vue already has it. This requires a fair amount of setup and extra costs, however, so most folks are better off just streaming shows from these services on demand instead of trying to record them.Also lacking in DirecTV Now is a cloud DVR service, where selected shows could be saved to be watched at a later time. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you can combine those recordings with a Plex or Channels DVR server to get streaming and over-the-air video in one place. PlayOn produces video files that you can play on any device, or cast to your streaming devices over Wi-Fi. Recording from streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime is trickier, but it’s doable with a pair of services called PlayOn Cloud and PlayOn Home. Check out my illustrated guide to over-the-air DVR for examples. If you’re using an antenna, there are several products that can record those broadcast channels, from Tablo and TiVo to Plex DVR and Channels DVR. What about over-the-air TV and other streaming services?įor most people, a live TV streaming service will be the easiest way cut the cord without giving up the DVR, but it’s not the only option. To summarize, here’s a chart for all the major live TV streaming services showing how their DVR features stack up:
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