DIRECTV is among the top satellite television services providers in the United States, with hundreds of television stations for clients across the country. A typical question that people have is if there is also an on-demand movie service offered by DIRECTV like what cable providers offer. The answer is yes – DIRECTV does have an on-demand movie library that is accessible to the majority of customers.
DIRECTV On Demand is the video on demand service offered by the American direct broadcast satellite service provider directv.
DIRECTV On Demand is a DIRECTV’s huge movie and TV shows database available for watching at customers’ convenience. It provides the liberty to several subscribers to watch thousands of movies and shows at any time they wish to but not as per the operating schedule of a television set.
DIRECTV’s servers host the on-demand content and send the material to customers through the satellite link when the customers require it. This is not the same with normal DIRECTV channels which are transmitted live over satellite all through twenty-four hours. On-demand allows you to choose a title from a list of library and start watching without being tied to a specific schedule.
DIRECTV On Demand movie choices are also free with the majority of DIRECTV plans. In order to watch the on-demand shows and films, you only require an internet connected DIRECTV receiver.
Availability of On-Demand Movies
DIRECTV provides approximately ten thousand movie and show titles for on-demand at one time. The specific amount varies throughout the year depending on expiring content and newly released titles.
Genres of on-demand movies available include:Genres of on-demand movies available include:
Action/Adventure Animation Classics Comedy Documentary Drama Family Horror Independent International Romance Sci-Fi/Fantasy Thrillers
This great library means most cinema aficionados can always find something they want to watch no matter when it is. No matter if you want to watch the newest movie which was just released in theaters, a blockbuster movie or some less typical indie gems, most likely you will find something you are looking for in DIRECTV On Demand.
That is how on-demand streaming works with DIRECTV.
The process of using the DIRECTV on-demand service is not complicated at all. The first thing to do is ensure that your DIRECTV receiver is connected to the internet and on a network. This makes it possible for you to be accessing the content library that is stored in the cloud.
Following this, with your DIRECTV remote in hand, pass through the on-screen menu and look for “On Demand”. On this, there are countless numbers of movie posters that you can go through, each arranged by genres. Locate something that attracts your attention, grab it and decide to either watch it right now or record it.
DIRECTV offers you hundreds of hours of on-demand programs and movies to watch.
In case you decide to streaming it now, it will begin to play in a few seconds. Buffer times are usually very short because it runs through your satellite link instead of regular cable internet.
Subscribing to DIRECTV On Demand is very similar to subscribing to any other streaming application like Netflix, Hulu, etc. It also means that you can stop, reverse, or move forward at any time you wish. The only drawback is that the movies are on demand, meaning that you have a limited time to watch the movie, which is usually 24-48 hours depending on the program. But in other aspects, it provides an incredibly seamless, cable-like content streaming.
In this article, we shall be presenting information on the cost of DIRECTV On Demand.
Another advantage of DIRECTV On Demand is that the movies available for purchase are available at no additional monthly cost for the appropriate packages.
The only thing that is wrong with DIRECTV is that they do offer additional charges to rent or purchase the latest movies. Usually $5. 99 for a 48 hour rental or $19. 99 to buy it. This works in a similar fashion to on-demand video and streaming services through the cable providers.
Yet, thousands of movie titles are available in the On Demand catalog for DIRECTV subscribers with no extra cost to them. While these $0 on-demand films may be a few months to years old before they enter the “free” tier, it is one of the few streaming services that offer a really deep library of movies without extra charges.
Of course, DIRECTV does have premium add-on channels like HBO, Showtime, and STARZ that increase your on-demand selection for an additional fee per each channel per month. Yet, the basic package for DIRECTV Cinema on-demand is a great value added for almost all English and Spanish TV plans.
Restrictions and Limitations
While DIRECTV gives customers tremendous on-demand movie and show options, there are a few restrictions in place:While DIRECTV gives customers tremendous on-demand movie and show options, there are a few restrictions in place:
Needs high speed internet connectivity
It can only be offered through Mobile Set-Top-Boxes (MSTBs), and not through smartphone apps.
These are of slightly higher rental/purchase fees than new releases
Media content is on the platform as an on-demand library
Thus, it cannot be said that it is fully open and free for everyone to access and use. However, DIRECTV does provide a vast and constantly changing library of movies available on demand at no additional monthly cost. Enough to satisfy even the most avid moviegoers seeking diversity in their choice of films.
Some of the things that one needs to do to enjoy DIRECTV On Demand include the following:
Here are some tips to get the most value from the DIRECTV Cinema on-demand package:Here are some tips to get the most value from the DIRECTV Cinema on-demand package:
On Demand Selections - Visit the On Demand New Releases section in the On Demand category to take a look at the newest movies that have been added to the library.
Set Recordings – If you discover a movie that you are interested in watching at a later time, you should set the recording because this will save it for you in My DIRECTV library.
Read Description - Before watching, read the description of the on-demand movie, especially the duration for which it will be available since some lasts for only 30 days if not recorded.
Upgrade Your Package (Optional) – The companies also offer additional packages that are even more extensive than your on-demand library, such as HBO.
Watch on Multiple TVs – This will allow VOD on all TVs by connecting all your DIRECTV receivers to broadband.
DIRECTV On Demand vs Streaming Apps
While DIRECTV provides thousands of pay-per-view choices, streaming services such as Netflix or Hulu enable you to view at any time on more devices. DIRECTV on demand is beneficial because it is typically included with the majority of packages, and can provide the option to rent or purchase newer releases early. However, Netflix and other similar platforms offer their own proprietary content and can be accessed away from the home environment. In fact, many subscribers watch DIRECTV on-demand and standalone streaming applications to access the largest library of movies and television programs.
The Bottom Line
On-demand availability of films is now a basic requirement for any contemporary television service. DIRECTV provides the customers with thousands of movies to be viewed on demand by different categories with monthly changes. This capability is provided at no additional cost with qualifying programming packages and delivers consistently speedy streaming due to satellite technology. It seems that selection and compatibility with the device is less flexible compared to pure on-demand platforms, however, DIRECTV on demand provides an easy and relatively affordable way of watching new releases and catalog movies all in one package.