How many TVs can you watch at once on DIRECTV?

How Many TVs Can One Use to Watch DirecTV at the Same Time?

DIRECTV is among the leading satellite television service provider with a wide range of channel packages in the country. Another strength offered by DIRECTV is that it allows one to view various channels on different TV sets within the same house at the same time. However, how many TVs are you able to watch DIRECTV on simultaneously? Let me break down what you should be aware of.

How Many TVs There are Relies on Equipment

The number of TVs that can watch DIRECTV depends on the type of equipment you have with you. Particularly, it depends on the number of DIRECTV receivers you have linked to your satellite dish.

DIRECTV receivers can be described as the devices that enable you to demodulate the satellite signal and then display the programming on your television set. The basic package contains one primary DIRECTV HD DVR receiver, which can be connected to the dish and lets you watch and record shows on one television only.

However, you can expand the system up to three other receivers, HD or SD, to enable DIRECTV on multiple TVs. Multiple receivers are basically four separate satellite signals that allow you to show different programming on up to four different TVs.

The only case where this is not true is if you have a Genie HD DVR receiver. The Genie system instead works a bit differently and let you to utilize one Genie receiver and up to three Genie Minis. The Minis link to the primary Genie receiver, enabling you to view and record programs on up to four TVs with only the single Genie receiver and three client modules.

So in short:

• With a Standard Setup: Up to four TVs are allowed for a customer, including one DVR receiver and up to three additional receivers.

• With a Genie Setup: HDTV up to 4 (1 Genie DVR and 3 wireless Genie Minis)

  Thus, four TVs is maximum for simultaneous viewing.

  Regardless of your equipment setup, the number of unique channels that can be viewed at the same time in a household cannot exceed four TVs with DIRECTV.

  The reason is that the Directv has the ability to assign only a part of your given band width to each of the receivers. More than four would be a problem in terms of signal deterioration and hence the quality of the picture.

  So if, for example, you wanted to place 10 TVs around your house and the yard, and watch different games and shows at the same time, it will not work with DIRECTV’s technology. Four receivers dividing the signal is the maximum number possible before signal quality starts to be significantly impacted.

  However, in most scenarios, the ability to display four simultaneous views is sufficient for even the biggest families. Between having a large TV in the main family room, smaller TVs in the bedrooms, and a large TV in the kitchen or outdoor area, four TVs can always suffice for every individual in the house.

  Exemptions for Pay Per View and DIRECTV Apps

  While the four-TV limitation only prohibits the reception of different channels which are obtained directly from the satellite using DIRECTV receivers, it severely restricts the capacity and capability of the customers. However, there are a couple exceptions that allow you to expand your viewing beyond four screens:However, there are a couple exceptions that allow you to expand your viewing beyond four screens:

  Pay Per View Programming

  They are great for cable packages where your family wants to watch the same pay per view movie or event, such as a big UFC fight. Of course, you will pay the fee for each receiver, but everybody can watch the same event in different rooms on several screens.

  Available through the DIRECTV App

  You can also cast to more devices like mobile phones, computers, and other connected TV through the DIRECTV streaming app. It also enables one to stream much of the DIRECTV programming over the internet on devices including those outside the home.

  And the app streams are exempted from the four-TV limit because you aren’t pulling the live feed from the satellite dish using your receivers. Therefore, it is clear that with the help of the app, many more users could potentially watch simultaneously.

  The only thing that should be noted is that streaming does consume the internet data that your home has available. While available streams are available endlessly, you may not desire ten humans streaming High-Definition videos without break, if you have no infinite Internet connection.

  Watching DIRECTV on Multiple TVs: Some Useful Recommendations

  Once you know the limits for simultaneous viewing, there are a few helpful tips to get the most out of a multi-TV DIRECTV system:Once you know the limits for simultaneous viewing, there are a few helpful tips to get the most out of a multi-TV DIRECTV system:

  DVR recording – if you are DVR recording, then it is important to check tuner limits as the number of shows you can record simultaneously depends with the number of tuners in your DVR. Thus if all your TVs are streaming live content four views at a time is acceptable. If you want to record several programs, it is important to know that you might encounter some DVR restrictions.

  Manage series recordings – Since more than one receiver is implemented, manage the series recordings to prevent conflict in DVRs. For instance, record all children’s programs on one TiVO and dramas on another TiVO.

  Click on ‘Genie Recommends’ - It allows the Genie system to record the shows that you may be interested in on all the connected TVs considering your past viewings.

  Favorites lists – Create a separate list that has favorite channels based on the people who frequently watch at that TV.

  Engage in apps – Use apps specific to DIRECTV to get more content at home and not just be limited to your home.

  DIRECTV can easily feed programming to up to four TVs provided that the right equipment and a little planning are put into use. Thus, gather the family with snacks and drinks and enjoy a massive sports, movie, or TV show watching on multiple devices!