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Spend even a little bit of time reading this blog and you'll realize that I'm a pretty big satellite TV fan. I've personally had DIRECTV satellite at my home for over 20 years, and I've spent a decent amount of time behind the scenes trying to improve the product. I hung in with them during the bad days of AT&T's ownership, when it seemed like the company wanted nothing more than to self-destruct. Yes, I'm a DIRECTV aficionado. It doesn't stop me from calling them out when there's more work to be done. This is one of those times.
DIRECTV management first announced their streaming product in 2016. In those days, the idea of paying more than $10 for a streaming service sounded absurd, and here was DIRECTV touting a streaming service that could cost you $60 or $70 a month. A lot of people, myself included, wondered if this was just another misguided AT&T idea.
But I have to say, when the product (originally called DIRECTV NOW) launched, it was pretty good! There was a cloud-based DVR, a great selection of channels, and good device support. It seemed like a good deal for those folks who couldn't get a satellite dish on the roof for whatever reason.
As the years went on, the biggest change in the product was its name. The very same product cycled through being called AT&T TV, AT&T TV NOW, DIRECTV Stream, and is now called just "DIRECTV." Most folks call it DIRECTV for Internet because otherwise it would be too confusing.
You could tell DIRECTV was getting serious when they rolled out new hardware specifically designed to run that streaming service, whatever it was called. The new device, pictured above, had about as many names as the service it ran. Call it Osprey, C71KW, "the AT&T TV device, "The DIRECTV Stream device," or Gemini, it didn't matter. Like similar boxes from DISH and Comcast it ran apps using the Android TV operating system. Like a traditional DIRECTV receiver it had a custom remote with a number pad and dedicated buttons.
That device became so popular that another version of it renamed Gemini for Satellite, rolled out for the satellite TV crowd. The streaming crowd got a new device that was even smaller, the dongle-sized Gemini Air.
In late 2023, almost 2024, there are two services. Both are called DIRECTV and both have a device called Gemini. One uses a satellite dish and one uses the internet exclusively. The services are priced almost identically. There are only a few differences:
The problem comes when people want the service from one and the device from the other. Hardly a day goes by when someone doesn't ask about a Gemini Air for satellite, or a Gemini with an Ethernet port for streaming. The answer is simple: the satellite and internet services should merge.
If you have satellite, you can run the DIRECTV app on your phone, tablet or streaming device. This essentially gives you everything the streaming service offers except true cloud DVR. It also doesn't give you the Gemini Air. But beyond that it's pretty easy to get one service that works on satellite and internet.
However, in order to get it, you do need a physical address for the dish to be set up. For those who don't have it, they can only get DIRECTV for Internet. No Ethernet port, no local DVR.
So while the merge has kind of already happened, there's still room to cross that final hurdle.
It's time. There should be one service with one user interface that looks the same everywhere. Both the Gemini and Gemini Air should work with it. Period.
For those who want satellite and are willing to accept a two-year contract, they'll get satellite service. For those who want to be month-to-month, they're internet only. But it should be one account with one set of hardware and you can watch it anywhere.
I feel like at this point they're so close. It seems like there isn't much stopping them from doing it. And who knows, maybe they've been working on it for a year or so already and we just don't realize it. It's just such a logical move. Comcast and Spectrum have essentially turned their live TV services into streaming services. It's a little easier for them since they control the fiber that their services run on. But DIRECTV can't be that far behind, can they?
I'm going to take a look at this article in mid-2025 and see where we are. I'm hoping by then there will be one unified service. If not, I'll have to wonder why not.
The post Will DIRECTV ever offer one account for both satellite and streaming? appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.
Continue reading...
DIRECTV's flirtation with streaming
DIRECTV management first announced their streaming product in 2016. In those days, the idea of paying more than $10 for a streaming service sounded absurd, and here was DIRECTV touting a streaming service that could cost you $60 or $70 a month. A lot of people, myself included, wondered if this was just another misguided AT&T idea.
But I have to say, when the product (originally called DIRECTV NOW) launched, it was pretty good! There was a cloud-based DVR, a great selection of channels, and good device support. It seemed like a good deal for those folks who couldn't get a satellite dish on the roof for whatever reason.
As the years went on, the biggest change in the product was its name. The very same product cycled through being called AT&T TV, AT&T TV NOW, DIRECTV Stream, and is now called just "DIRECTV." Most folks call it DIRECTV for Internet because otherwise it would be too confusing.
When they got serious
You could tell DIRECTV was getting serious when they rolled out new hardware specifically designed to run that streaming service, whatever it was called. The new device, pictured above, had about as many names as the service it ran. Call it Osprey, C71KW, "the AT&T TV device, "The DIRECTV Stream device," or Gemini, it didn't matter. Like similar boxes from DISH and Comcast it ran apps using the Android TV operating system. Like a traditional DIRECTV receiver it had a custom remote with a number pad and dedicated buttons.
That device became so popular that another version of it renamed Gemini for Satellite, rolled out for the satellite TV crowd. The streaming crowd got a new device that was even smaller, the dongle-sized Gemini Air.
So this is where we are now
In late 2023, almost 2024, there are two services. Both are called DIRECTV and both have a device called Gemini. One uses a satellite dish and one uses the internet exclusively. The services are priced almost identically. There are only a few differences:
- DIRECTV (for Satellite) has a local, unlimited DVR and more international programming and sports programming.
- DIRECTV (for Internet) has cloud DVR that deletes programs after 90 days but you can access it easily from anywhere.
- Gemini (for Satellite) has an Ethernet port.
- Gemini Air (for Internet) is so small it hides behind a TV. (You can still get a used device with an Ethernet port, but not a new one)
The problem comes when people want the service from one and the device from the other. Hardly a day goes by when someone doesn't ask about a Gemini Air for satellite, or a Gemini with an Ethernet port for streaming. The answer is simple: the satellite and internet services should merge.
The merge has already (kinda) happened
If you have satellite, you can run the DIRECTV app on your phone, tablet or streaming device. This essentially gives you everything the streaming service offers except true cloud DVR. It also doesn't give you the Gemini Air. But beyond that it's pretty easy to get one service that works on satellite and internet.
However, in order to get it, you do need a physical address for the dish to be set up. For those who don't have it, they can only get DIRECTV for Internet. No Ethernet port, no local DVR.
So while the merge has kind of already happened, there's still room to cross that final hurdle.
Come on, DIRECTV, just do it
It's time. There should be one service with one user interface that looks the same everywhere. Both the Gemini and Gemini Air should work with it. Period.
For those who want satellite and are willing to accept a two-year contract, they'll get satellite service. For those who want to be month-to-month, they're internet only. But it should be one account with one set of hardware and you can watch it anywhere.
I feel like at this point they're so close. It seems like there isn't much stopping them from doing it. And who knows, maybe they've been working on it for a year or so already and we just don't realize it. It's just such a logical move. Comcast and Spectrum have essentially turned their live TV services into streaming services. It's a little easier for them since they control the fiber that their services run on. But DIRECTV can't be that far behind, can they?
Let's see how this article ages
I'm going to take a look at this article in mid-2025 and see where we are. I'm hoping by then there will be one unified service. If not, I'll have to wonder why not.
The post Will DIRECTV ever offer one account for both satellite and streaming? appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.
Continue reading...
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401 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Anyone making their own breakfast sausage? I've recently been trying different recipes, found some I like, some I've modified...
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3528 views
S
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Who cares if it's cheaper than store bought. you do realize that ground beef is like hot dogs right lips and a**holes!!! you have no idea whats in it and what animal came from what carcass right
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Anyone else watch this show? Any guesses as to what was in the box Gibbs gave to Abby that was on her desk? It look liked it was glowing.
I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
I also heard that someone was leaving the show at the end of this season. Any guesses as to who thats going to be?
2134 Replies
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214741 views
Tony as the director.
Would you rather have LaRoche ???Tony as the director.
No. Bring in someone new.
Tony is not serious enough for me. Parker is too close to the team and Tim is too young to take over IMO.
I don't think Tim and Tony are that far apart in Age ...No. Bring in someone new.
Remember what Tony said to Tim when they first got back together ...
Tony said: I am the New Tony, Tim .... (something to that effect)
Tony has changed, he's been running his Security Business ... I'm sure he has grown up.
Give it time ... your judging the New Tony from the old Tony.
It sounds like Tim won't be around the Team much longer either.
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....
68507 Replies
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2671442 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n43A0sNukCg
Direct YouTube Link - SpaceX Seeks to Conduct 450 Starship Launches a Year in Texas!
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n43A0sNukCg
Direct YouTube Link - SpaceX Seeks to Conduct 450 Starship Launches a Year in Texas!
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
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14 views
Marques Brownlee
Time for another AWESOME video from Marques Brownlee!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scwlR0QHGOk
Direct YouTube Link - The NEW Tesla Roadster: My Honest Reaction
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scwlR0QHGOk
Direct YouTube Link - The NEW Tesla Roadster: My Honest Reaction
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
0 Replies
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9 views
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m44iKsdN1-Q
Direct YouTube Link - NVIDIA RTX Spark launch party!!!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/m44iKsdN1-Q
Direct YouTube Link - NVIDIA RTX Spark launch party!!!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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26 views
For quite a while now, people with a VIP211k have been losing their recordings on their activated external HDDs... even when there's nothing physically wrong with HDD. I believe this is an intentional and underhanded tactic that Dish is pulling in an attempt to force users away from the VIP211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
They are obviously regretting that they ever let users have a "non-dvr" dvr in the first place. You would think they would be happy charging you a $40 one time fee... and then be happy letting the customer be the one responsible for HDD failures.
Dish clearly hates the 211k bitter-clingers. This recording deletion problem is intentional (IMO), and I think it is just one more tool that they are using. Hopper and a 2-year agreement... that's what they want you to have. Think about that... a 2-year agreement... with a company $30 Billion in debt (that's with a B). What happens when all that debt causes them to drop the channel that may have been your whole reason for having Dish in the first place? Guess who's stuck with a service that no longer suits their needs... for the remainder of the 2-year agreement.
On top of that, they don't want you to install it yourself. I purchased and installed all my equipment myself. That used to be common. Now, they lie to me and tell me that my dish must be updated to use a Hopper. Funny thing is... they don't even know what dish I have because they didn't install it, and I didn't tell them. If you ask what type of dish/LNBs the hopper needs... good luck getting an answer. All they know is that whatever you have needs to be upgraded by an installer.
It is quite apparent to me that they care much more about staying in their box, than they do working with the customer. That's too bad, because it hasn't always been that way. It's like they are totally unaware of the current business environment that they are trying to compete in.
I have been a customer since 2010. I will be cancelling my service before the next period. Yeah, I know, my $1,200 a year won't make a difference to them. It just seems like they have forgotten who needs who, especially when you consider the competition in today's streaming world. But hey, they will have succeed in forcing me off the 211k.
168 Replies
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7527 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Has anyone subscribed to NBA League Pass for 2026-27 and try to link their account to NBA.com to stream League Pass? I purchased it for 2026-27, and when I linked, I got a message saying success, but then I receive an error that my linked subscription does not include the preseason games for NBA League Pass. Is that how it has always been? I know satellite doesn't have the preseason games on the NBA League Pass channels, but I thought that I was able to stream the preseason once I linked my account on NBA.com?
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107 views
Supporting Founder
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
143 Replies
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1490 views
Nah, you just don't understand how ignore works, which is why you made your own NFL thread thinking there wasn't one
For some reason, the satelliteguys.us site is loading a lot slower than usual on both Chrome on my Asus laptop and Safari on my iPhone.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
I'm also seeing longer appearances of the blue bar at the top and the "3 blue bars" loading symbol.
Is anyone else also having the same problem? Thanks in advance.
530 Replies
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18146 views
Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat. 
WTF… …What the Foxbat!Remember folks... just like DNS... its always Foxbat.
S
wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming youWTF… …What the Foxbat!
I know. Here's what Scott has in store for me if I get out of line:wow what a kick in the balls!!! the wife blames you when things don't work now scott's blaming you
S
OMG to freaking funny
You're no fun.
