This article will provide you with details and a review of DirecTV Stream.
DirecTV Stream is a Legal IPTV Service that hosts sports and entertainment channels.
The service was previously known as AT&T TV Now but has been rebranded as DirecTV Stream.
It can be installed on any device including the Amazon Firestick, Fire TV, Fire TV Cube, and more.
For those unfamiliar with IPTV, these streaming services offer live TV channels at a set time delivered over the internet.
Viewers can watch the latest news, sports events, sitcoms, and other entertainment shows on an affordable subscription-based service.
To stream Live TV, you need a high-speed and stable internet connection, a streaming device such as the Amazon Firestick, and a subscription to a streaming service.
You can also install a digital antenna should your live TV streaming service provider offer no over-the-air TV networks such as ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and PBS.
This provides you with the flexibility and full entertainment experience that other types of service providers cannot offer.
Best OTA Indoor & Outdoor Antennas
TROYPOINT has created a complete list of Streaming Services that provide live TV Channels and more:
Best Live TV Streaming Services
Or, if you would like to use a free service, we also have a tutorial that lists these alternatives.
Best Free IPTV Services for Live Streaming
While many of these free services work well, they are not always reliable. Oftentimes, streams are only available in SD (Standard Definition) and typically have buffering issues.
If you want reliable, high-quality television with no buffering, TROYPOINT suggests purchasing a paid IPTV Service. These services provide hundreds if not thousands of live HD TV Channels for a small monthly fee.
Read below for complete DirecTV Stream Review.
What is DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream is the re-brand of the once-popular AT&T TV Now service that is no longer available.
It combines both live streaming and VOD options into one useful service.
Subscribers also have the option to purchase a DirecTV Stream device that features access to popular Streaming Apps such as HBO Max, Amazon Prime, and more.
There is no annual contract which means users can cancel at any time without cancellation fees.
DirecTV Stream currently offers 4 subscription plans, but no free trials.
DirecTV Stream Highlights
- 4 package plans
- 65+ channels for Entertainment plan and more for higher plans
- Local Channel Options
- Stereo audio
- 25-second live delay
- Less than 4 seconds in channel switching time
- 20 hours of cloud DVR recording
- Parental controls
- Streaming capability during traveling (limited to home market)
- 3 devices allowed for simultaneous streaming
DirecTV Stream Review
Channel Lineup
Channel availability depends on the type of subscription plan. The Entertainment plan has 65+ channels while the Premier plan offers 140+ channels plus wider sports coverage. HBO, which is a paid add-on channel in most IPTV services, is also available in the Premier subscription
DirecTV Stream provides channels that are not covered by its competitors. These include Comedy Central, BET, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., MTV and VH1.
You can pay more for extra channels on its premium network lineup such as Cinemax, Epix, and more.
Take note that some regional sports and local channels are not available in select markets.
CLICK HERE for complete channel lineup.
Pricing Packages and Inclusions
There are four featured packages offered by DirecTV Stream. The Entertainment plan is priced at $69.99 per month while the Premier plan is priced at $139.99 per month.
NOTE: Purchase of the Premier plan includes a subscription to HBO Max which regularly costs $14.99/month.
Details for each plan option are shown below:
User Interface
What’s unique about DirecTV Stream is its viewer-friendly features. It is easy to navigate and has various options to choose from.
The Search settings does a great job at presenting results, which also allows to be filtered by TV shows or sports programs.
Compared with other IPTV services, it still has to be further developed to reflect more precise results when typing in searches.
Streaming and Picture Quality
DirecTV Stream requires at least 8 Mbps for better quality streaming. However, since it allows up to three devices for simultaneous streaming, you need at least 23 Mbps to maintain better quality.
For mobile data, it’s best to have at least 2.5 Mbps for SD streaming but at least 8 Mbps for HD quality.
I used a 200 Mbps internet connection so there were no lags when streaming using such a reliable network. When streaming on my mobile, it can be a bit laggy, especially when traveling.
I find the streaming and picture quality, however, consistent with 720p resolution for most programs.
Switching channels requires an average of four seconds before a new one loads. This is quite the norm for almost all IPTV services these days.
Cloud DVR Functionality
If you’re particular with cloud DVR recording, then DirecTV Stream feature may not be for you.
While YouTube TV doesn’t have a cap on the number of hours and would store it for nine months, DirecTV Stream only offers 20 hours of recording and stores if for 30 days only (With the option to purchase more.)
I tried using this feature and was easily impressed by it. I was able to record TV shows that were already airing and those that were still upcoming in a few days.
Take note that it does not record a program from its beginning automatically so you have to choose the Restart feature so you can playback from the start. However, not all programs allow such feature.
Accessing my recordings from the My Library section was also easy. There was hardly any lag or bugs even when playing it multiple times.
Bottomline
There’s a lot to like about DirecTV Stream, especially for cord-cutters who want to get the best deals from their monthly plans. It provides more subscription options at varying prices.
The problem, however, is with its high price point, its rivals such as YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV can beat it out in terms of other functions such as cloud DVR recording, channel lineup and even streaming quality.
If you’re a fan of HBO, then it can be cost-effective since it already comes in the bundle.
But, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives that can accompany you with nearly all the same features of this service.
We suggest Vidgo that only costs $10 for the first month and $55/month after.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream is a streaming service available for installation on streaming devices such as the Amazon Firestick to watch Live TV.
Is DirecTV legal?
Yes. DirecTV Stream is a verified service and is 100% legal to use.
Does DirecTV Stream have Live TV?
Yes. DirecTV Stream offers Live TV channels across many different categories.
What devices can DirecTV Stream be installed on?
DirecTV Stream is available for installation on tons of devices including the Amazon Firestick which is the most popular streaming device available. Users can also download on Android and more.
What channels does DirecTV Stream have?
DirecTV Stream offers numerous channels to choose from for live viewing. These include News, Shows, Movies, Sports, Tech, Kids, Music, and more.
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