DIRECTV STREAM, previously branded as AT&T TV, is a live TV streaming service that provides access to a lot of cable networks. Another question that people usually ask about services such as DIRECTV STREAM is whether they support an on-screen guide just like cable or satellite TV services do. But does DIRECTV STREAM have a television guide that can show what is on and even the channels they can scroll through?
The answer is yes, but it is necessary to mention that DIRECTV STREAM offers TV guide that has many features in common with the cable guide. DIRECTV STREAM comes with the TV guide that enables one to view channels based on time and there is also the list of shows that are currently on air as well as those to be aired later. You can view the guide in couple of formats also Besides, you can view the guide in couple of formats also.
Being a DIRECTV STREAM TV Guide As you sign into the DIRECTV STREAM interface, you are immediately directed to the live TV screen by default. This view places the channels on the vertical axis and the time on the horizontal axis, which means that you have to scroll down to view different channels and different times. You can also watch what is currently live as well as view shows that will be aired in the future which you may want to, record or set a reminder.
There are a few different ways to navigate the DIRECTV STREAM TV guide:There are a few different ways to navigate the DIRECTV STREAM TV guide:
Swiping up and down will allow the user to switch between the different channels.
Swiping left and right is used to navigate between different timeslots.
You can view more information about a specific show by either clicking the show tile or selecting it and then pressing any button other than an arrow key.
You can also use the channel filter or the search section to directly go to a particular channel or program.
Use the bar at the bottom to select the time period you want to operate.
So, the browsing functionality is very similar to the cable TV guide where you can select a specific channel and view the programs on it. DIRECTV STREAM also has some extra features such as filtering as well as the timeline feature that allows you to go to various parts of the guide at a go.
Extra Guide Views & Characteristics However, there are a couple of other navigational tools for finding shows and channels in addition to the channel and time grid TV guide that come with the DIRECTV STREAM service.
In the My Library view you can find the scheduled recordings, purchased movies and shows and other contents available only from the particular account. The Sports view gives you a convenient way to access live and upcoming sports programs aired on subscribed channels. And, of course, there is the Movies view that displays the current and upcoming movies on all your channels. In these additional views you may pick any title to get more info about it, record or schedule it the same way you would do in the main guide.
Some other key features that DIRECTV STREAM provides in their TV guide include:Some other key features that DIRECTV STREAM provides in their TV guide include:
Playlists so you can quickly search for one particular show that you are looking for in all your platforms and libraries.
Filtering by category such as sport, movies, kids and news or by channel packages.
“Watch Now” consists of live shows that are being aired in the same time at which the list is being viewed.
Signs of new episodes of programs or live airings of events
Therefore, with the different given options with the viewing options or the helpful features as mentioned above, it is very simple to find shows to watch no matter if you are looking for an exact show or just the program for the current moment. This is particularly beneficial as it would mean that one would not have to spend a lot of time searching for the best programs to watch as it would be provided for by the guide.
TV Guide on other devices In addition to phones and tablets, the TV Guide app should also be available on other devices like smart watches. Not only can the web browser be used, but the TV guide is also available through media player apps on DIRECTV STREAM.
The directv smartphone and tablet application will feature the guide in the same manner, and with the same features and viewing options as described above. That way you can have the full guide experience on mobile and find your way around channels and content easily.
The DIRECTV STREAM set top box also has the guide feature which enables you to navigate through the available channels and schedule recordings or reminders using your own television set.
A drawback derived from this is that it allows for streaming on a maximum of 2 devices from a single account. Thus, if 3 people wanted to be simultaneously watching on the DIRECTV STREAM, one of those sessions would be disrupted. However, the general convenience of including the guide across the various applications and devices is useful.
Comparison To Traditional Cable TV Guides The DIRECTV STREAM TV guide is almost an exact replica of what you would expect from a cable box, satellite box, or any other paid TV service that offers live cable channel packages. By looking at the shows which are on air at the moment as well as those scheduled for later, making a choice by categories or by the channel package, and easy scheduling of recordings, the standard functionalities of the TV guide correspond to what the DIRECTV STREAM interface has to offer.
Possible advantages over a conventional cable box are the superior combined search option to search for content across all the libraries with the exception of live shows and added sections such as Sports and Movies to make it easier to find specific types of content. The streaming box or mobile apps also bring the convenience of having the guide available even if you are not using a cable box directly connected to your television.
The only notable distinction from a typical cable TV schedule is the existence of some channel constraints with DIRECTV STREAM’s packages and offerings. You would not get quite as rich a selection of channels or content as some of the more comprehensive packages sold by the leading cable providers. However in terms of usability the DIRECTV STREAM TV guide for the most part is quite strong and sufficient for browsing through various live channels.
In Summary Another key component that is required for DIRECTV STREAM to replicate the cable television experience is to have the interactive TV guide, and this they have as their guide does the job. The basic grids for browsing by channel and time slot are quite standard and supplemented by filters and search, as well as more categories for viewing and recommendations, it is easy to discover good content from the available packages.
The ability to watch the guide from mobiles and tv apps or set top boxes also contributes to the flexibility. So, in a nutshell, yes, DIRECTV STREAM, like all the other traditional cable providers, focuses on the ease of content navigation through their TV guide that lists channels and programs. This can provide the subscribers with a better experience when compared to some of the streaming TV options that may not have an in-built guide service.