Can you watch multiple channels at once on DIRECTV?

Is it Possible to Watch Several Channels at the Same Time on DIRECTV?

DIRECTV is one of the leading satellite television service providers in the United States, with up to hundreds of channels for entertainment news, sports, movies, and other programs. Given that there are thousands of channels to choose from, another question that people with Directv often ask is whether it is possible to view more than one channel simultaneously.

To answer the question simply, yes, one can watch multiple DIRECTV channels at once using a multi-view function, but there are several concerns to consider. Read on to find out more about the application of multi-view about DIRECTV and the limitations involved.

What is Multi-View on DIRECTV?

Multi-view, also known in DirectV as mix channels, is a function that enables the customer to view two or four live channels simultaneously. The available channels are divided into boxes, which means you can watch several programs without having to switch between programs constantly.

For instance, in football season, one could use the multi-view to follow two NFL matches happening on Sunday afternoon at the same time but in two separate windows. Or you could have the news playing in one box while watching a movie in another. The combinations are endless.

How to Use Multi-View on DIRECTV

The multi-view is compatible with DIRECTV, but to use it, one needs to have the right kind of DIRECTV equipment. This is the baseline requirement, and if you do not have a newer Genie model, then there are certain restrictions if you do not have a DIRECTV HD DVR receiver.

Here are the steps to activate multi-view:

• Point your DIRECTV remote towards the television and press the MIX button on the device. This brings up the mix channels menu.

• Choose the channels that you would wish to watch at the same time. It allows you to view two channels simultaneously, side by side, or up to four channels at once in the quad view mode.

• With the arrow keys and select button on your remote, you can select the channels across the bottom row as desired. The selected channel options will then appear on the screen at once.

• To leave the mix channels menu, press the exit button once you are done.

In split screen, the arrow keys enable you to move between the different boxes to access the playback controls, guide, as well as menus of the specific split screen.

Challenges and Barriers to Multi-View

While multi-view is handy for keeping tabs on multiple live shows, there are some frustrating limitations in place: Compatible with only some of the DVR models available on the market. Multi-view can be accessed on the DIRECTV DVRs or standard receivers, but they are not the older models. AT&T Uverse requires an HD DVR that is relatively recent, meaning that it was released in the last couple of years.

• Limited channel combinations. Unlike the split screen mode, in which you can choose any two channels to view side by side, quad view only allows you to select a group of four predetermined channels. And you cannot select any four channels of your choice.

• There is no high definition in quad view. If you connect four channels, the company reduces the picture quality to standard for all four channels. Despite this, HD is only possible when the two mixed channels are viewed.

• Audio from only one of the channels. The audio option always plays from just one channel, even when you are viewing two or four channels at a time. It is possible to select which channel’s audio is to be heard, but the option to listen to several channels simultaneously is not present.

• Cannot record mixed channels. With multi-view, you can record conventional DIRECTV channels as you normally would, but the mixed content cannot be recorded.

In conclusion, multi-view is similar to watching multiple channels at once and still has some limitations, though it may not be as useful as it looks at first glance. It is not in HD quality; you can listen to only one channel at a time, and you cannot record anything. There is not as much functionality as having a second or third tuned-in television set right beside the first one, but it is mainly just useful for watching two or more live shows at once.

Does Multi-View have multiple tuners?

Every time you switch to another program to watch or record one of the DIRECTV broadcasts, one of the tuners in your DVR is employed. DIRECTV Genie DVRs are designed with five tuners, allowing you to watch and record as many as five different channels at the same time.

When using multi-view, DIRECTV assigns one tuner for each of the channels you blend. For instance, if you view two channels at the same time in split screen view, two tuners are allocated to multi-view. If you increase to quad view with four channels, then four of the five tuners in the Genie DVR are powering the multi-view.

The catch here is that while those tuners are engaged with powering mix channels, you cannot use them for other channel viewing or setting up recordings. However, this brings us to the issue of multi-view, where you will lose some of the tuners that would otherwise be used for normal DIRECTV operations.

After you have exited the mixed channels by selecting exit, those tuners are again available for your normal live TV watching as well as recording as well.

Can Multi-View be Utilized During NFL Sunday Ticket?

The first thing that serious football fans want to know about DIRECTV multi-view is whether you can watch NFL Sunday Ticket games during the regular football season.

However, DIRECTV has a policy of not allowing the simultaneous streaming of mixed channels while watching NFL Sunday Ticket channels. Therefore, if you want to switch between a couple of Sunday afternoon NFL games, you are out of luck.

The reason can be attributed to rights restrictions that have been put in place by the NFL. Under the exclusivity agreement between DIRECTV and NFL Sunday Ticket, the satellite provider can only broadcast one game at a time to each viewer. Thus, watching multiple games on Sunday Ticket live at the same time is not allowed.

Multi-view does not work with other NFL Sunday Ticket broadcasts, but it does work with other game subscription services such as MLB Extra Innings, NBA League Pass, and NHL Center Ice. Thus, baseball, basketball, and hockey enthusiasts can watch several games simultaneously if their DIRECTV subscription package comes with out-of-market sports options. Soccer fans can also use mixed channels with the soccer packages, which are available exclusively on DIRECTV.

Do You Need a Second DIRECTV Receiver?

Due to the numerous drawbacks associated with the integrated multi-view feature of DIRECTV, some users with high television consumption habits install an additional receiver and digital video recorder.

The availability of two independent DIRECTV boxes enables one to scan and program distinct channels entirely without interference. For instance, one could be watching a football match on the TV placed in the bedroom via receiver A, while other family members watch a movie through receiver B in the living room.

The disadvantage is double the cost of equipment, wiring, monthly fees for the receivers, and cost per TV installation. For hardcore sports enthusiasts who wish to have full functionality devoid of multi-view limitations on the big game days, having multiple standalone receiver-DVR packages is the ultimate power couple.

When used along with the DIRECTV phone app, which lets you stream video separately from the in-home equipment, you get three different live channels on your mobile devices: the primary living room TV and the secondary bedroom or game room TV, all under one single DIRECTV account and subscription. Multi-view is surpassed by two receivers in the ability to mix and match sports, news, and entertainment programs.

The Bottom Line on DIRECTV Multi-View

The smooth square response to whether you can watch multiple DIRECTV channels at once is yes—with certain caveats. Though combining two or four channels on the same screen is ideal for watching several shows at once, it has drawbacks: for example, the quad view allows only SD video.

Our recommendation for the best setup for the most versatile and fully functional multiple rooms and multiple channels is acquiring two or more standalone DIRECTV receivers with DVR. That allows different tuning of channels with full HD without having to adhere to multi-view rules and regulations. But if you are willing to work with the limitations for casual channel surfing, use the multi-view whenever it is necessary to watch two or more live shows during the big game.

Ready for the ultimate viewing experience? Call us at (469) 213-7481 to get your satellite TV started!