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With the latest version of its streaming, phone and tablet apps, DIRECTV has re-enabled and improved a feature that was part of its service for years, until it wasn't. Starting with the new recordings you make after updating the app, you will once again be able to stream the actual recordings you have made from your home DVR rather than their on-demand counterparts. This means that you'll be able to fast-forward through commercials. It brings the streaming app one step closer to being a replacement for a Genie client, too. I'll show you a little of the process, but first let's look back at where we were.
DIRECTV's ability to take your programming with you predates DISH's. Back in 2010, the DIRECTV team developed Nomad, a standalone device that re-encoded programming into a format that could be loaded directly onto your phone. The original review seems to have been lost when DBSTalk reorganized their site but here is a later review I created when local content was supported. Even before that, a program called DIRECTV2PC allowed you to watch local content on your computer. Here's an early review that still exists.
Nomad had a rocky life. It was largely unloved because it took a very long time to prepare programs for transfer to your computer. The first version took about two hours to prepare a 30-minute program, including a 5-10 minute transfer to your phone. Later versions, like the renamed GenieGO 2, improved this significantly. In the end it was usually possible to transcode a 30-minute program in 15-20 minutes, but that still took a lot of planning.
In 2016, DIRECTV rolled out a new service where the Genie DVR itself could transcode programs to be streamed live from the home. It was called Mobile DVR and I reviewed it here. It worked a lot better but the video quality was still far worse than other streaming options, even DIRECTV's own on-demand programs. Mobile DVR was such a non-starter that when it was discontinued three years later, practically no one noticed. Since then, the only way to get DIRECTV programming when away from home has been through on-demand.
Version 4.0.50 of the DIRECTV app quietly returns the ability to stream programs from your home DVR. When you launch the app, you'll see something like this:
You'll want to be on your home network when you press Link DVR. It's almost instantaneous and you'll get this message when it's successful:
Starting with any new recordings, you should be able to stream most programs straight from your home DVR. However, existing recordings will still play from on-demand sources. That means you may still see this message:
Here's the simple fact: this feature does what it says. I can't say if the quality is quite as good as watching live in HD, but it's just as good as streaming from on demand. Your cell company's "stream saver" service may cut the quality for you, but it's very acceptable on a phone. It's also quite good on the DIRECTV app when used on the same network.
By putting this feature in place, DIRECTV regains feature parity with DISH. DISH has had the ability to remote stream in high quality ever since their Hopper with Sling came out about ten years ago.
The bottom line is that after 15 years of trying this or that, I think DIRECTV has gotten pretty close to getting it perfect here. You can't stream directly to a PC, but I'm not sure that's a dealbreaker for most folks. It still doesn't give the full Genie client experience when you're viewing from a streaming box. But for those who just want to watch a recorded program while waiting at the doctor's office or in a hotel finally have what they've been looking for.
With this function, you'll be able to see more locally recorded programs, and forward through commercials. This takes away two hurdles that existed in the app before, and they're certainly welcome.
The DIRECTV app is available through the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, and it's free. This is a very decent benefit for DIRECTV satellite subscribers and I'm glad it's here.
If you have questions or want to upgrade your DIRECTV subscription, call us at Solid Signal! We're here for you during East Coast business hours. Call 888-233-7563. If it's after hours, fill out the form below. We'll get right back to you!
The post DIRECTV re-enables streaming from home appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.
Continue reading...
Operation Nomad
DIRECTV's ability to take your programming with you predates DISH's. Back in 2010, the DIRECTV team developed Nomad, a standalone device that re-encoded programming into a format that could be loaded directly onto your phone. The original review seems to have been lost when DBSTalk reorganized their site but here is a later review I created when local content was supported. Even before that, a program called DIRECTV2PC allowed you to watch local content on your computer. Here's an early review that still exists.
Nomad had a rocky life. It was largely unloved because it took a very long time to prepare programs for transfer to your computer. The first version took about two hours to prepare a 30-minute program, including a 5-10 minute transfer to your phone. Later versions, like the renamed GenieGO 2, improved this significantly. In the end it was usually possible to transcode a 30-minute program in 15-20 minutes, but that still took a lot of planning.
DIRECTV Mobile DVR
In 2016, DIRECTV rolled out a new service where the Genie DVR itself could transcode programs to be streamed live from the home. It was called Mobile DVR and I reviewed it here. It worked a lot better but the video quality was still far worse than other streaming options, even DIRECTV's own on-demand programs. Mobile DVR was such a non-starter that when it was discontinued three years later, practically no one noticed. Since then, the only way to get DIRECTV programming when away from home has been through on-demand.
And now, it's back
Version 4.0.50 of the DIRECTV app quietly returns the ability to stream programs from your home DVR. When you launch the app, you'll see something like this:
You'll want to be on your home network when you press Link DVR. It's almost instantaneous and you'll get this message when it's successful:
Starting with any new recordings, you should be able to stream most programs straight from your home DVR. However, existing recordings will still play from on-demand sources. That means you may still see this message:
Quick review
Here's the simple fact: this feature does what it says. I can't say if the quality is quite as good as watching live in HD, but it's just as good as streaming from on demand. Your cell company's "stream saver" service may cut the quality for you, but it's very acceptable on a phone. It's also quite good on the DIRECTV app when used on the same network.
By putting this feature in place, DIRECTV regains feature parity with DISH. DISH has had the ability to remote stream in high quality ever since their Hopper with Sling came out about ten years ago.
The bottom line is that after 15 years of trying this or that, I think DIRECTV has gotten pretty close to getting it perfect here. You can't stream directly to a PC, but I'm not sure that's a dealbreaker for most folks. It still doesn't give the full Genie client experience when you're viewing from a streaming box. But for those who just want to watch a recorded program while waiting at the doctor's office or in a hotel finally have what they've been looking for.
With this function, you'll be able to see more locally recorded programs, and forward through commercials. This takes away two hurdles that existed in the app before, and they're certainly welcome.
The DIRECTV app is available through the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store, and it's free. This is a very decent benefit for DIRECTV satellite subscribers and I'm glad it's here.
If you have questions or want to upgrade your DIRECTV subscription, call us at Solid Signal! We're here for you during East Coast business hours. Call 888-233-7563. If it's after hours, fill out the form below. We'll get right back to you!
The post DIRECTV re-enables streaming from home appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.
Continue reading...
5 Replies
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732 views
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
Thanks to Fitch Ratings ( who gives the ratings on Credit and debt, as approved by the SEC, so they have accurate numbers) we have the totals.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
8 Replies
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389 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
So let the game continue!
The last song was added by Bobby who posted...
One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters
CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!
Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game
Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.
Example:
Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow
Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio
Another example:
Ride the Lightning -- Metallica
Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne
Get it?
An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....
67111 Replies
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2662411 views
Mexico takes on South Africa to open the World Cup Final (it is called the Final... this just isn't the World Cup Final... Final). The tournament has been plagued with rife malfeasance as FIFA has been committing all sorts of fraud with the ticket sales. Hotel rooms have gone unfilled as the prices to attend a game and stay somewhere are through the roof. I swear this is impacting Mansfield, OH hotel rates which are higher than average for the Indycar race. And there is a broadening VAR presence which will ruin things as nothing worse now when scoring a goal and knowing you can't quite celebrate yet as they check to see if a player was offside by a pixel a half-hour ago.
The Group Stage used to mean something, but now 32 of the 48... yeah, 48 teams are going to the Knockout Round. Getting into the Knockout Round used to be a big deal, even for the US. But now... if you don't lose all of your group stage games, you get to move on. Oi! And this is avoiding all the political stuff!
I have never been so unexcited for a World Cup before. Every game used to matter. But FIFA be darned if they don't try to squeeze out every dime they can out of the players, refs, and fans.
The Group Stage used to mean something, but now 32 of the 48... yeah, 48 teams are going to the Knockout Round. Getting into the Knockout Round used to be a big deal, even for the US. But now... if you don't lose all of your group stage games, you get to move on. Oi! And this is avoiding all the political stuff!
I have never been so unexcited for a World Cup before. Every game used to matter. But FIFA be darned if they don't try to squeeze out every dime they can out of the players, refs, and fans.
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55 views
Supporting Founder
Since the Reds have there thread we should too!
Last watched Nine inch Nails
Next 3:10 to Yuma
Last watched Nine inch Nails
Next 3:10 to Yuma
5347 Replies
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509351 views
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
7 Replies
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122 views
Recently came back to DirectTV Satellite service and have two boxes, Gemini and a main HR54.
DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
24 Replies
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948 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
I feel like this was discussed in another thread, but I can't find it. I have T-Mobile and my last iPhone upgrade was in 2020. I want to get a new iPhone, but what is the best way to go about doing it? Should I order the iPhone from T-Mobile directly, or should I buy from the Apple Store? I feel like there are pros/cons to each option.
2 Replies
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47 views
I have a Hopper with Sling. (Don't know exact model.) A couple nights ago, I went into the DVR screen, and noted that it was recording three programs. Yet I was able to view live TV (that was not one of the channels being recorded.) Did something change? In the past, it would only let me watch one of the channels being recorded, or any recording in the DVR menu. Maybe it was streaming, although there was no indication of that?
Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.
Thanks.
Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.
Thanks.
9 Replies
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370 views
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s
Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s
Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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12 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
WANTED DirecTV LCC
Anyone have a DirecTV Local Channel Connector that you'd like to get rid of at a reasonable price? DirecTV is currently in a contract dispute with owner of my local ABC affiliate.
12 Replies
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317 views
I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.
Could be out of them I guess ... I'd keep trying, every 3-4 days.I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.
If they are not out of them as them WHY you can't get one, seeing Your in a Dispute. Thats what they are for.
I would make them give you a real answer, don't let them off the hook.
I had one, and it worked well, but I believe I gave it to another D* friend (also had a AM21), I know I gave them away ...
According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.
I'm not sure your going to find any Refurbished ones as D* doesn't ask for them back.According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.