Live TV on your smart phone: how's it for you?

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PlanetJosh

PlanetJosh

Golden Member
May 6, 2013
1,814
143
106
Wonder if many of us have it and how it's working. If enough shows are in hd and things like that. I just installed my first live tv app (ATT Uverse) on my Samsung S4. I realize apps for live tv have been around for at least a couple years or so, so I'm late to game.

So far it's not in hd on the shows I've watched but that may be because the reception is only 3G in my home. I need to get out a bit to the 4G areas which could trigger the shows to be in hd. I'm guessing on that, heck I'm not even sure the app allows many shows in hd. And I'm having trouble finding out in searching on the net how many Uverse live tv shows are actually in hd in the app.

Looks like atm only one local live show is offered. It's the local Fox channel in San Diego CA. But there are lots of shows/movies on my Uverse plan which is a step below premium networks. So no HBO or any of those for me, not until I decide to pay more. So I get on my cell what I get at home with Uverse tv, so it's over 70 channels, and maybe a lot more than 70, I haven't really checked the grand total.
 
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tsupersonic

tsupersonic

Senior member
Nov 11, 2013
867
21
91
With data plans being so limited, you'd really need wifi or an unlimited connection to enjoy live TV (especially HD streams)..

It's alright. I used to watch NFL games (when I was away) on my first smartphone in 2010 on a 3.7" screen. Nowadays 5"+ screens are common, which would make it better. I just can't stand TV, there's just too much junk.
 
Oyeve

Oyeve

Lifer
Oct 18, 1999
22,058
880
126
In my experience, its meh at best. I mostly watch NFL live on my phone and its more miss than hit. I know the app is horrible but damn, its really bad.
 
mmntech

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
A couple cell providers here in Canada did offer live TV streaming that didn't count towards your data cap. The service did cost extra though, and you were limited by hours watched rather than data consumed. However the government has since ruled it violated net neutrality. So now it does count towards your cap.

Would be something if you could just watch digital OTA broadcasts on your phone, like ye pocket TVs of olde. Problem is the signals are too unreliable the further you get from the tower. I'm assuming it would be prohibitively expensive to add more repeaters.
 
S

soccerballtux

Lifer
Dec 30, 2004
12,553
2
76
mmntech said:
A couple cell providers here in Canada did offer live TV streaming that didn't count towards your data cap. The service did cost extra though, and you were limited by hours watched rather than data consumed. However the government has since ruled it violated net neutrality. So now it does count towards your cap.

Would be something if you could just watch digital OTA broadcasts on your phone, like ye pocket TVs of olde. Problem is the signals are too unreliable the further you get from the tower. I'm assuming it would be prohibitively expensive to add more repeaters.
Click to expand...

MetroPCS bought a company that produced a phone that does just that. It has a long antenna that extends out of the device to pick up the signal. Perfect idea for their target market that rides public transit.
 
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