Playstation Vue: THE cable killer?

[jetsaholic]

http://www.cnet.com/products/sony-playstation-vue/2/

Playstation just released their Vue live tv streaming service nationwide and it feels like a game changer. It gets past the shortcomings of the current "cable / live tv" alternative Sling by providing content from all 4 major networks (there's a catch*) as well as allowing multiple simultaneous streams (5 vs 1 with Sling). Basic package starts at $30 (55 channels) and includes ESPN, Disney and a bunch of other "big" channels. It has a cloud based DVR and allows you to pause, rewind and fast forward live content on all it's channels (very limited on Sling).

*The catch concerning the 4 major networks is that a live stream is only available in select markets (Orlando and DC are not part of those). For everybody else, said content is available on demand, kinda like Hulu, except for CBS which isn't available... kinda like Hulu.

For a cord cutter like myself, this is what I've been waiting for. Now I need to justify buying an Amazon Fire TV since there's no Roku app available yet.

Thoughts?

 

[1ofTheseKnights]

Read books

 

[cnsaguy]

Can I have your password? I don't feel like paying for it.

 

[Ace of Knights]

@jetsaholic, I agree with you. This is the kind of service I have been waiting for. $29.99 for 55 channels including all the major networks and ESPN, it's a steal!

 

[UCFKnight85]

I think that review was written by a massively obese lazy life type.

He complained multiple times about having to wait 30 seconds to access the TV (oh noz!) and made a big stink about having to use 2 hands to pick a show, rather than only having to use 1 with current controllers. I guess he can't continue shoving chips into his piehole if he must utilize his other hand for 30 seconds to get a show going.

 

[jetsaholic]

Can I have your password? I don't feel like paying for it.

I see what you did there...

... and so did Sony, so all 5 simultaneous streams available with Vue are only available while on the same IP. The escape goat is the fact that you can sign up to 60 different apps, like ESPN, WatchABC, etc, and that you can actually watch anywhere, but as far as the live Vue stream, gotta be all at home. I dig it, that way people can't ask their parents for their account info to log in to apps.

 

[jetsaholic]

@jetsaholic, I agree with you. This is the kind of service I have been waiting for. $29.99 for 55 channels including all the major networks and ESPN, it's a steal!

The second package, 70 channels for $34.99, is insane! It includes all 4 ESPN channels, FS1, FS2, Comcast sports, etc. And It looks like you actually don't need a PS3 or PS4 as a main device, just your PS Network credentials to sign in to the Fire Stick or box. Unless Sling does something quick, they will lose a lot of customers, me included. I think the only thing keeping Sling alive is having their app on Roku and (supposedly soon) on Apple TV. But as soon as Vue is available on Roku, forget it, it's over.

 

[CommuterBob]

VUE is an option I am highly considering. I hate paying all that money to BHN every month, but I definitely use what they sell me. The biggest issue I have with VUE (or Sling) is that you're largely limited to just one TV, whereas I would want service to all of the TVs in my house like I have with BHN.

 

[jetsaholic]

VUE is an option I am highly considering. I hate paying all that money to BHN every month, but I definitely use what they sell me. The biggest issue I have with VUE (or Sling) is that you're largely limited to just one TV, whereas I would want service to all of the TVs in my house like I have with BHN.

Sling, yes, but Vue allows for 5 simultaneous streams within the same IP address. So provided you have the hardware (Amazon Fire Stick starts at $38.99), you can watch TV on 5 different devices at the same time. And they also have an app on iOs, so gotta account for that.

Amazon just put their Fire TV box on sale for $84.99 (-$15.00) and it allows 4K.

I'm telling you, unless Sling starts allowing simultaneous streams, they will lose subscribers to Vue. I haven't switched because I have 2 Roku devices and I'm deciding whether to wait to see if Vue will put an app on Roku or not, but for a new cable cutter, this is a no brainer.

 

[CommuterBob]

Sling, yes, but Vue allows for 5 simultaneous streams within the same IP address. So provided you have the hardware (Amazon Fire Stick starts at $38.99), you can watch TV on 5 different devices at the same time. And they also have an app on iOs, so gotta account for that.

Amazon just put their Fire TV box on sale for $84.99 (-$15.00) and it allows 4K.

I'm telling you, unless Sling starts allowing simultaneous streams, they will lose subscribers to Vue. I haven't switched because I have 2 Roku devices and I'm deciding whether to wait to see if Vue will put an app on Roku or not, but for a new cable cutter, this is a no brainer.

Thanks. Just read up on that. They allow for Chromecast to use it, too. The only thing it won't do is DVR the local broadcast channels, which I'd have to watch over HD rabbit ears, but that's not the end of the world. Seriously giving this some thought.

 

[jetsaholic]

Thanks. Just read up on that. They allow for Chromecast to use it, too. The only thing it won't do is DVR the local broadcast channels, which I'd have to watch over HD rabbit ears, but that's not the end of the world. Seriously giving this some thought.

Yeah, but the solution to that is the on demand ABC, FOX & NBC. Instead of watching right after, you have to wait a day. It's just like Hulu, I got used to that quick.

CBS already has their own standalone live tv app but it's also no contract so you can just get it for a month, binge watch stuff, and then cancel.

The main thing about cable cutting is that you have to change your tv watching habits somewhat. Once you get past that, it's worth it.

 

[CommuterBob]

Yeah, but the solution to that is the on demand ABC, FOX & NBC. Instead of watching right after, you have to wait a day. It's just like Hulu, I got used to that quick.

CBS already has their own standalone live tv app but it's also no contract so you can just get it for a month, binge watch stuff, and then cancel.

The main thing about cable cutting is that you have to change your tv watching habits somewhat. Once you get past that, it's worth it.

Considering that we watch roughly 90%+ of our must-watch shows on DVR or On Demand anyway, I don't think we're that far off. The amount of live TV we watch that isn't live sports is usually limited to channel surfing between HGTV and a few other channels. The only downside is having to wait a full day for some of my wife's shows (Bachelor, Shondaland, Bravo shows, etc.) that I can't stand anyway. But if mama ain't happy...

 

[jetsaholic]

Considering that we watch roughly 90%+ of our must-watch shows on DVR or On Demand anyway, I don't think we're that far off. The amount of live TV we watch that isn't live sports is usually limited to channel surfing between HGTV and a few other channels. The only downside is having to wait a full day for some of my wife's shows (Bachelor, Shondaland, Bravo shows, etc.) that I can't stand anyway. But if mama ain't happy...

Same here. Sports is pretty much the only thing I watch live. The rest of it is indeed channel surfing between HGTV, DIY, TBS, etc.

 

[jetsaholic]

Update:

So I decided to give the 7 day free trial a test. Signed up on the Playstation Network website with no issues other than it kept detecting the wrong zip code (it let me change it). I tried using the iPad app first but it wouldn't let me log in because it says I needed to set up my profile first on my PS3. If this is the case for the Amazon Fire Tv or Stick app, this is a major flaw.

So I finished the process on the PS3 and then put the championship game on the tv and watched FX on the iPad at the same time. No issues. Here are some observations on Vue:

• Picture quality is good. I think Sling looks better (perhaps 1080 vs 720, although I can't be sure what the PS3 is pushing) but Sling "buffers" more often, as in the signal gets blurry but doesn't go away. Vue had zero buffering for me and I watched for over an hour on 2 devices while my wife watched stuff on YouTube. I have to mention this was on a 32" Vizio. I'm moving the PS3 to the living room tonight to test out Vue on the 47" LG.
• The interface is confusing. You press triangle (I have the PS3 Blueray remote and it works perfect) and it brings up the pop up menu. You can then access the guide, which looks similar to a cable guide except that it scrolls from left to right instead of up and down. Sling's interface has a guide that scrolls left to right as well but it stays at the bottom of the screen, whereas Vue's guide covers the whole screen.
• I was able to pause, rewind and fast forward during the game. In the initial setup, Vue asks you permission to loop 30 minutes of what you're currently watching in order to allow for the pause-rewind-fast-forward feature. So the limitation as to how long you can do this for is, you guessed it, 30 minutes.
• Lots of channels that I like. I signed up for the (I think?) Core Slim package which has 70 channels for $34.99 a month. FX, Discovery, TBS, All 4 ESPN's, AMC, etc. Has also the local Comcast sports network so I'll check out a Nationals and a DC United game this week to see how it handles local feeds.

Overall, I like it. I don't love it, but I haven't had time to play around with it enough. I think Sling has an easier interface, but I've also had Sling for over a year. Like I said, today I'm moving the PS3 to a bigger TV to compare picture quality to Sling and I'm going to set up a few shows on the DVR to test that feature as well. I will keep you all posted.

 

[Bob the Citronaut]

I hope the escaped goat was caught.

 

[Poolside Knight]

smart move by the NFL

 

[UCFhonors]

Update:

So I decided to give the 7 day free trial a test. Signed up on the Playstation Network website with no issues other than it kept detecting the wrong zip code (it let me change it). I tried using the iPad app first but it wouldn't let me log in because it says I needed to set up my profile first on my PS3. If this is the case for the Amazon Fire Tv or Stick app, this is a major flaw.

So I finished the process on the PS3 and then put the championship game on the tv and watched FX on the iPad at the same time. No issues. Here are some observations on Vue:

• Picture quality is good. I think Sling looks better (perhaps 1080 vs 720, although I can't be sure what the PS3 is pushing) but Sling "buffers" more often, as in the signal gets blurry but doesn't go away. Vue had zero buffering for me and I watched for over an hour on 2 devices while my wife watched stuff on YouTube. I have to mention this was on a 32" Vizio. I'm moving the PS3 to the living room tonight to test out Vue on the 47" LG.
• The interface is confusing. You press triangle (I have the PS3 Blueray remote and it works perfect) and it brings up the pop up menu. You can then access the guide, which looks similar to a cable guide except that it scrolls from left to right instead of up and down. Sling's interface has a guide that scrolls left to right as well but it stays at the bottom of the screen, whereas Vue's guide covers the whole screen.
• I was able to pause, rewind and fast forward during the game. In the initial setup, Vue asks you permission to loop 30 minutes of what you're currently watching in order to allow for the pause-rewind-fast-forward feature. So the limitation as to how long you can do this for is, you guessed it, 30 minutes.
• Lots of channels that I like. I signed up for the (I think?) Core Slim package which has 70 channels for $34.99 a month. FX, Discovery, TBS, All 4 ESPN's, AMC, etc. Has also the local Comcast sports network so I'll check out a Nationals and a DC United game this week to see how it handles local feeds.

Overall, I like it. I don't love it, but I haven't had time to play around with it enough. I think Sling has an easier interface, but I've also had Sling for over a year. Like I said, today I'm moving the PS3 to a bigger TV to compare picture quality to Sling and I'm going to set up a few shows on the DVR to test that feature as well. I will keep you all posted.

You're a good guy. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jetsaholic]

You're a good guy. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks, fam.

 

[jetsaholic]

Playstation Vue Update #2:

• Tried out the DVR. I don't get it. It's not really a DVR in the sense that you can't schedule a specific recording to happen, but rather add shows to your list of favorites and Vue will start keeping a queue of said shows for the next 28 days. Will have to look further at this.
• Local sports content is there and that's a plus for all sports outside of NFL football. NFL prioritizes local markets and the local affiliates broadcast local games, whereas for most other sports, it's up to the local cable sports network affiliate. Up here is Comcast. Remember I'm on the second tier channel package, not the first.
• The feed on Playstation Vue is pending on the Playstation Network, so if the network is down or if you lose connection to the network, it will drop your Vue stream until the connection is restored. Happened a few times yesterday, which is a bit annoying, but Sling also loses signal from time to time. This is the main drawback of streaming media anyways.
• I really like the iOs app. In order to switch channels, you have to back out to the channel menu and find the programming you're looking for. It's pretty responsive and I didn't experience any lag or buffering while on the app. I have a retina iPad Mini.
• Picture quality is really good. I have the PS3 hooked up to the LG 47" tv in the living room now. I don't have much to say other than the fact that the quality is on par with cable.
• I signed up to a few apps on my Roku: ESPN, ABC, FX, NBCSports, etc. I was able to watch a stream on ESPN on the Roku, a movie on FX on the Playstation, the Capitals game on the iPad Vue app and HGTV on my wife's iPad. All simultaneously and without issue. This is by far the main advantage Vue has over Sling. Even when watching the ESPN app with your Sling login, you can't watch the Sling app at the same time because it counts the ESPN app as your one allowed stream. Also, by allowing me to log in to several apps, I can keep my Roku and watch live TV on a few of the apps (FX, HGTV, DIY, FOOD, COOKING, TRAVEL, NBSSports) without having to invest in an Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick.
• I still like the Sling menu better. It's just an easier interface that has been tweaked a few times already to become what it is today. Vue hasn't had that yet and I expect some tweaks to the system to come out in the next few weeks.

Overall, I'm more satisfied with the system today than I was yesterday. The next test is going to be watching on the app outside of the house, both on WiFi and LTE. Stay tuned!

 

[anon_x731qvsnsyb8i]

It works on ps3. I dusted off my old ps3 and may be getting the service. It also will show up soon on Bravia smart TVs.

It should be noted however, MS's Win TV service embedded in win 10 is coming in the fall...will compare both objectively.

 

[UCFRogerz]

It works on ps3. I dusted off my old ps3 and may be getting the service. It also will show up soon on Bravia smart TVs.

It should be noted however, MS's Win TV service embedded in win 10 is coming in the fall...will compare both objectively.

I anxiously await the "I told you so" thread in the fall.

 

[jetsaholic]

I anxiously await the "I told you so" thread in the fall.

Nobody is going to acknowledge or apologize.

 

[anon_x731qvsnsyb8i]

I anxiously await the "I told you so" thread in the fall.

Take a good look at this picture when Win 10 was released:

The Windows 10-based smart TVs will be coming before the Holidays also. Some are already out in India.

 

[UCF-icenhl-06]

When you subscribe to something like Vue or Sling...does it also give you access to the standalone Watch ESPN app for ESPN3, etc? NBC Sports Live Extra? Fox Sports Go?

Edit: Vue looks like it has all the NBC cable channels EXCEPT FOR NBC Sports Network. That's a deal killer for me personally between EPL and NHL.

 

[jetsaholic]

When you subscribe to something like Vue or Sling...does it also give you access to the standalone Watch ESPN app for ESPN3, etc? NBC Sports Live Extra? Fox Sports Go?

Sling allows acces to the ESPN app and all of it's content, baring you have the required subscription; if you only have ESPN & ESPN2 (basic Sling), you can watch ESPN3 but not ESPNNews or ESPNU as well as SEC Network, Longhorn Network, etc. Sling has a $5 sports package that adds all that. So is the case with Vue, as I have Core Slim which has sort of like a sports tier.

The main difference is that Sling only allows one stream at a time, while Vue allows five simultaneous streams. So while you can be watching a tv show on Vue and stream the ESPN app at the same time, Sling will only allow you to do either or. If you're watching Sling and you then start the ESPN app, it will prompt you to close either or. Vue beats Sling in this aspect.

Vue's credentials also work with over 50 tv apps including NBCSports, Fox Sports Go, etc. Sling only works with ESPN.

 

[jetsaholic]

Edit: Vue looks like it has all the NBC cable channels EXCEPT FOR NBC Sports Network. That's a deal killer for me personally between EPL and NHL.

I have NBCSports on my Core Slim package.

 

[UCF-icenhl-06]

I have NBCSports on my Core Slim package.

youre right. It just has a thin logo and i missed it.

 

[jetsaholic]

Playstation Vue update #3:

• So the DVR works, it's just different. It shows you the latest episode you scheduled to record and then it shows you a list of previous episodes available on demand. This was on HGTV. Pause, rewind, fast forward, all of it works like a normal DVR.
• Instead of looking at the science awful guide, I scrolled down to live tv and found all available channels there on tiles. Much easier to maneuver. This made me like the system more and more.
• PSN did drop once but I was able to sign back in quickly. I'm going to try hard wiring the console, see if that helps (it should).
• To answer your question, @UCF-icenhl-06, I specifically signed in to the NBC Sports and Fox Sports Go apps and I was able to simultaneously watch the Red wings game, the women's soccer game (both on iPads) and Iron Man 3 on FX on the console. Zero lag, zero buffering.
• The wife forgot to test watching over LTE during her lunch break. I'll remind her today so I can get that part of the test over with. Remember only available option on mobile is iOs for the moment.
• I found a blog online (I can't access at work because #screwyouproxy) and the blogger reassures that he was able to just create a PSN ID online and sign in to the Fire Stick without having to use a PS3 or PS4. I'm seriously debating on spending the $40 for the Amazon Fire Stick in the name of research.

I keep liking the system more and more as days go by. I was surprised to come home and find my wife watching HGTV on Vue on the PS3, a system that she has never ever used. She said she was watching on the iPad and when she turned on the Vue app on the PS3, it defaulted to the same channel she was watching on the iPad. That's a pretty cool feature.

I probably have one, maybe two more updates in me but it seems that I will definitely do the switch from Sling to Vue. I really can't find a reason not to.

 

[UCF-icenhl-06]

The system seems good. I just need to see Atlanta get the 'non-slim' packages (with live ABC/NBC/Fox/CBS) before i seriously consider it. But they do have all the main stuff and i already own a PS4, PS3, and an Amazon Stick (just got it for no reason when it was $20 from Prime members).

My only other major issue is NHL Network - which becomes huge when the playoffs start. Unfortunately you cant get NHLN Live even as an NHL Gamecenter subscriber :/

 

[KnighttimeJoe]

On a side note (and keep the revues coming because this is interesting): has anyone read anything about the new Nintendo system coming out? Is this going to be anything good, is there nothing out there, or is this the company's last chance to do something worthwhile?

 

[jetsaholic]

The system seems good. I just need to see Atlanta get the 'non-slim' packages (with live ABC/NBC/Fox/CBS) before i seriously consider it. But they do have all the main stuff and i already own a PS4, PS3, and an Amazon Stick (just got it for no reason when it was $20 from Prime members).

My only other major issue is NHL Network - which becomes huge when the playoffs start. Unfortunately you cant get NHLN Live even as an NHL Gamecenter subscriber :/

There's an app for that on Amazon, I assume, right? And you can get all the networks over the air with an antenna and just either use the DVR feature or get Hulu.

This is the main aspect of cable cutting that takes time getting used to. The fact that everything is there but it's not all in the same place. You have to switch from Antenna to an app to another app, etc. It's all about how much you value convenience versus saving money.

 

[jetsaholic]

On a side note (and keep the revues coming because this is interesting): has anyone read anything about the new Nintendo system coming out? Is this going to be anything good, is there nothing out there, or is this the company's last chance to do something worthwhile?

Thanks!

I can't find anything substantial on the Nintendo NX. IMO, Nintendo should ditch the console game completely and focus on software. They have franchises that would own the market if they were available across multiple platforms (Super Mario, Zelda, etc).

 

[KnighttimeJoe]

Thanks!

I can't find anything substantial on the Nintendo NX. IMO, Nintendo should ditch the console game completely and focus on software. They have franchises that would own the market if they were available across multiple platforms (Super Mario, Zelda, etc).

Yeah, that's really the only thing that keeps me coming back. I love the metroids, marios, and zeldas of the the past.

 

[UCF-icenhl-06]

This is the main aspect of cable cutting that takes time getting used to. The fact that everything is there but it's not all in the same place. You have to switch from Antenna to an app to another app, etc. It's all about how much you value convenience versus saving money.

Convenience is a huge thing and i dont want to deal with too many 'things'... So yeah not doing the antenna thing. Just not a fit for me, personally.

 

[jetsaholic]

Convenience is a huge thing and i dont want to deal with too many 'things'... So yeah not doing the antenna thing. Just not a fit for me, personally.

I get it. I bought the antenna and I barely use it anymore. I didn't like having to switch inputs so much so I just watch everything from the networks on Hulu. Last time I watched something live on CBS was the Super Bowl.

My TV viewing habits have changed a lot since I became a cord cutter. Lucky enough my wife and I like the same shows, movies, etc, but if that wasn't the case or if we had any kids, it would've been a way tougher transition.

 

[jetsaholic]

It's done. I canceled my Sling subscription and switched to Vue. And I also got an Amazon Fire TV box as my main device. Personally, I think the Roku 3 blows it out of the water (sans 4K) but Vue runs so much smoother on the Fire TV than on my 8 year old PS3, it's pretty much a non issue.

IMO, Playstation Vue is, by far, the best cable cutting alternative on the market right now. Maybe this will push Apple to stop lollygagging and release their service as well because cable companies need all the competition they can get and consumers deserve all the alternatives they can get.

 

[SublimeKnight]

Thanks for the reviews @jetsaholic.
I think this article sums up the differences well, but having little experience with sling and zero with Vue I'd like to hear your opinion.
We're moving soon and I'm taking that as the opportunity to switch to unlimited bandwidth broadband and probably Vue.

Is skipping commercials restricted on Vue? What about for cloud DVR content?

 

[jetsaholic]

Thanks for the reviews @jetsaholic.
I think this article sums up the differences well, but having little experience with sling and zero with Vue I'd like to hear your opinion.
We're moving soon and I'm taking that as the opportunity to switch to unlimited bandwidth broadband and probably Vue.

Is skipping commercials restricted on Vue? What about for cloud DVR content?

Let me start by saying that there is no DVR in Sling. You can't pause, fast forward or rewind on most of their stuff. They have some on demand stuff, but it's very limited or not free.

After playing around with Vue's DVR, I can say it works like a normal DVR. Pause, fast forward, rewind, you can skip commercials, etc. Set up a specific episode to record or just, what I do, add shows to your queue and Vue will keep episodes in said queue for 28 days. Vue is the closest you will get to the feel of cable.

Vue will also let you stream up to 5 devices at the same time, as well as use their credentials to sign in on more than 60 tv apps, including WATCHESPN, ABC, FOX, NBC, FX, FS1, NBCSports, Disney, etc.

The main flaw Vue has is that you cannot really watch anything over wifi on the iOs app unless you are in your house. If you sign in over wifi on a different IP than your home IP, every channel in their app pretty much becomes mobile restricted. That is not the case if you're using 3G, LTE or whatever service your iPhone (or iPad) uses. It does bring up some mobile restrictions, but you can watch most channels that way. It sucks if you don't have unlimited data. However, the way around this hurdle is watching tv online remotely on any of the 60 TV channel apps. I can honestly tell you that, when I'm away from the house, the only TV I ever watch on my phone is ESPN.

May I also suggest that you invest in the Amazon Fire TV box. If Vue had an app for Roku, I would tell you to go that route because I believe Roku is the best TV box on the market, but unless you have a PS4, the Fire TV box is the way to go. It's super fast, compared to my PS3. I've never tried the Fire Stick so I can't comment on that.

Like I said before, the main principle of cord cutting is sacrificing convenience for monetary savings. You can still watch everything you want to watch, you just have to go around it in a different way.

Sorry it took so long to answer!

 

[SublimeKnight]

Thanks @jetsaholic for the review, definitely giving it a shot when we move.

 

[UCFKnight85]

There's an app for that on Amazon, I assume, right? And you can get all the networks over the air with an antenna and just either use the DVR feature or get Hulu.

This is the main aspect of cable cutting that takes time getting used to. The fact that everything is there but it's not all in the same place. You have to switch from Antenna to an app to another app, etc. It's all about how much you value convenience versus saving money.

This is why I have no interest in cutting for now.

I pay $130 a month for BH and frankly that's perfectly fine, instead of having to use 8 different apps and a streaming device to piecemeal together what I want to watch, all while missing out on many of the sports channels that I do watch frequently.

The big winner will be the company that can someday package everything into one "app" and rope in the sports channels. One stop shopping.