Folks, decided to sign up to USTVNOW (paid service) for the weekend. Here's my thoughts on the service:
USTVNOW is compatible w/ Apple TV, Roku, Google TV, XMBC, PC, Android/Windows/Apple phones, iPad, iPad mini, iPod, Android tablet, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, ASUS Transformer, Motorola Xoom, Sony tablet S, Kindle Fire and Microsoft Surface Windows 8 tablet.
PC
5 day guide
Easy recording features
Choice of LOW/MED/HIGH resolution and HD when available.
Roku
3 hour guide
No choice of resolution: Get the best available
Can pause/rewind programming without DVR access
Ipad w/ Chrome: Couldn’t connect (time out?)
PROS:
45 Day Free trial (ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, PBS, CW and MyTV)
Can view on 3 devices simultaneously (except on PC)
Nice selection of basic cable channels: Networks, A/E, Discovery, Comedy, FX, USA, TNT, Animal Planet, Nation Geographic etc.
Low buffering time (under 10 seconds)
Compatible with many devices
HD channels are very watchable, near HD quality in 16x9 (Roku)
Can pause/rewind shows you’re watching.
CONS:
Fast HD movments are blurry (ie- sports tickers)
Standard definition channels are poor in quality (Roku)
Does not list which Channels are HD or standard
DVR access is an extra
Price: 19$ for first 3 months/29% afterwards (no DVR service)
Roku has not guide.
No choice in locals (Pennsylvania).
Overall, it was fun to play with this service for the weekend. However quality/quantity and price ratio don’t balance out. For almost 30$ a month, I would normally expect full DVR features, full HD and more channels considering this is a streaming service.
Granted for ex-pats living abroad 29$ might seem like a real deal if they have no other options, but for the rest of US with several options, it's just too expensive and goes againsts the "cord cutting principles".
Cheers, K
USTVNOW is compatible w/ Apple TV, Roku, Google TV, XMBC, PC, Android/Windows/Apple phones, iPad, iPad mini, iPod, Android tablet, Nexus 7, Nexus 10, ASUS Transformer, Motorola Xoom, Sony tablet S, Kindle Fire and Microsoft Surface Windows 8 tablet.
PC
5 day guide
Easy recording features
Choice of LOW/MED/HIGH resolution and HD when available.
Roku
3 hour guide
No choice of resolution: Get the best available
Can pause/rewind programming without DVR access
Ipad w/ Chrome: Couldn’t connect (time out?)
PROS:
45 Day Free trial (ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, PBS, CW and MyTV)
Can view on 3 devices simultaneously (except on PC)
Nice selection of basic cable channels: Networks, A/E, Discovery, Comedy, FX, USA, TNT, Animal Planet, Nation Geographic etc.
Low buffering time (under 10 seconds)
Compatible with many devices
HD channels are very watchable, near HD quality in 16x9 (Roku)
Can pause/rewind shows you’re watching.
CONS:
Fast HD movments are blurry (ie- sports tickers)
Standard definition channels are poor in quality (Roku)
Does not list which Channels are HD or standard
DVR access is an extra
Price: 19$ for first 3 months/29% afterwards (no DVR service)
Roku has not guide.
No choice in locals (Pennsylvania).
Overall, it was fun to play with this service for the weekend. However quality/quantity and price ratio don’t balance out. For almost 30$ a month, I would normally expect full DVR features, full HD and more channels considering this is a streaming service.
Granted for ex-pats living abroad 29$ might seem like a real deal if they have no other options, but for the rest of US with several options, it's just too expensive and goes againsts the "cord cutting principles".
Cheers, K
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