DirecTV Stream, which used to be called AT&T TV, lets users watch live television and on-demand content through the internet connection. The functionality of the service is another interesting aspect as much as the number of devices that can be utilized. In terms of compatibility, DirecTV Stream allows the registration of up to 20 devices to a single account. This provides an opportunity to many people in a given household to enjoy entertainment on different gadgets.
The 20-devices limitation is very lenient compared to most live TV streaming services. For instance, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV have limited the number of profiles per account to 6, with only 3 streams at a time allowed. Similar to Hulu, FuboTV also supports the family sharing for up to 10 profiles. Among all the major cable alternatives, DirecTV Stream undoubtedly emerges as the clear winner in terms of device compatibility.
What is the rationale for so many devices to be permitted on DirecTV Stream?
There are a few reasons why DirecTV Stream allows up to 20 device registrations per account:There are a few reasons why DirecTV Stream allows up to 20 device registrations per account:
For big families – Families with many members are glad they can register all phones, tablets, computers, and even TV streaming devices. This helps to avoid rivalry over the accounts and login details.
Travelers rely on streaming devices – Many of them carry Rokus, Fire Sticks, Chromecasts, and so forth when they embark on trips to hotels and other forms of accommodations. The 20 device allowance ensures that they cannot be barred from accessing the service on the go.
Household members move out – When the kids grow up and establish their homes or go to college, families do not need to return devices they have taken. The kids can continue to use their profiles and have access to the recorded calls they may have saved.
Buying in bulk is prohibited – Repetitive streaming accounts can be purchased in the black market by scalpers. This is because by accepting many device registrations, DirecTV Stream makes it possible for other genuine members in a household to access their accounts even when the account owners change their credentials.
Which gadgets are compatible with DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream is compatible with all the major device platforms, it has dedicated apps. It can be used on iOS and Android devices, Roku players, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and many others.
Here is the full list of supported devices:Here is the full list of supported devices:
iPhone and iPad
Android Smartphones and tablets
Amazon Fire TV and Fire tablets Stick
Apple TV HD and Apple TV 4K
Google Chromecast and Chromecast with Google TV
Roku streaming players
Portal TV
Only smart TVs of LG and Samsung brands
Web browser of computers
As for the device type that is not supported natively, there is no gaming consoles here. Nevertheless, you can reflect DirecTV Stream on Xbox, PlayStation, or the Nintendo Switch through Apple AirPlay or Google Cast.
Is there a limit to the number of individuals who can stream DirecTV Stream at once?
DirecTV Stream offers up to 20 registered devices per subscription, but only three devices can be active at the same time. This avoids the situation whereby the whole big family tries to watch different programs at a certain time.
You can opt for additional streams in case your home has more than 3 members requiring the entertainment at the same instance where the extra stream costs $5 per month. This means there can be up to 2 more concurrent viewers.
Therefore, it is possible for up to 5 members of a household to be viewing DirecTV content at the same time if you subscribe to the add on streams.
As for the signal, I am unclear if all the 20 devices can transmit data at the same time.
As highlighted above, despite the fact that each account can register 20 devices, only 3 people can stream simultaneously by default. The extra streams package would have had to be added.
This makes sense from both technical and business perspectives:This makes sense from both technical and business perspectives:
Watching multiple channels stream simultaneously consumes a lot of bandwidth, which might not be good for the device. Data caps could also become an issue.
Media companies only permit DirecTV to provide clients with a limited number of simultaneous streams per broadcast or channel. With increased streams, this translation comes with a cost of higher licensing fees.
With extra simultaneous streams being priced, DirecTV is able to offer standard pricing for smaller households while offering larger families a solution for an additional cost.
So, the 20 device registration allowance is for convenience and flexibility, whereas stream limits are measures to avoid abuse of resources.
Maximizing the value of 20 streams
Here are some tips to take advantage of being able to register up to 20 devices:Here are some tips to take advantage of being able to register up to 20 devices:
It is also important to register every phone, tablet, or streaming device owned by a member of the household. This eliminates the need to be deregistering and adding gadgets every time people upgrade their equipment or go on vacations. It also allows users to record their own shows and keep track of everyone’s watch history.
Make sure you identify the devices in your account settings. It saves up to 20 device names to iPhone 7 versus iPad mini and so on, assisting in tracking.
It may be helpful to get a tablet holder for the kitchen or garage television. Then buy another inexpensive Fire Tablet or iPad and connect it to that TV using the mount. It allows receiving DirecTV Stream everywhere.
To accommodate neighborhood parties or friends who may spend the night, you can use Roku sticks that you dedicate for the guest room television or the outdoor entertainment patio. Take out the sticks between bookings.
Sign up for other gadgets you own but do not frequently use and retain as contingency equipment in the event that the principal devices fail. There are things like old tablets, Fire sticks that were used but not anymore, and the like that can still give one access.
Is 20 devices enough?
For most of the households, it is more than enough to register up to 20 devices in DirecTV Stream. Large families would also have the ability to access content for every member on all of their devices.
However, exceptions above 20 registrations cannot be made on a single account. Business accounts do allow for increased limits – for example, more than 20 devices may be registered at the account if the reason is bars, hotels, or senior living communities, for instance. However, for individual consumer plans, the limit is up to 20.
Gone are the days when the idea of streaming was considered a joke. Only several years ago, most services were limited to 2 concurrent streams and had a very narrow set of supported devices. Now DirecTV Stream is at the forefront of making media accessible across all our phones, tablets, TVs, and Laptops, for very big families, and even multi-generational households.