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Good afternoon, all...
This message is coming from St. Croix.
I have BBVI's Basic Internet Service ($49.95 per month, 2Mbps down, 512 kbps up) and installed my Roku 3 box yesterday. Its performance has been very good so far...not too different from its behavior in the States, with a Cable internet connection.
Next (today) I installed the USTVNow channel on the Roku 3, and am evaluating the free trail period subscription, with an eye on hopefully replacing my Dish service with this less expensive alternative for live-TV programming.
As a test, I'm watching the NFL game currently airing on CBS-TV, and it has been MOSTLY glitch-free...perhaps 2 very brief pauses in 15 minutes of viewing. The picture quality does deteriorate at times, too.
I would appreciate the insight of anyone who has used USTVNow for a few months, hopefully on the paid subscription model, and can tell me how it has behaved over the long(er) run.
Thank you!
Posted : October 25, 2015 4:23 pm
I've been trying it for the last few months. In general, it is acceptable but other times it will make you want to smash your tv. I think the congestion issues are on the usatvnow side not bbvi because I can use other internet connections and the streaming is always great. Netflix never has issues, ESPN usually streams much higher quality (occasional hiccups) and NFL games through yahoo, nbc online, or gamepass never have a hiccup. I really wish usatvnow worked but it's not a replacement. I'll try the slingtv service next but liked the channel lineup on usatvnow. I also pay for the more expensive bbvi service but I don't think bbvi is the issue. I'm sure cable over Internet will be a reality someday but usatvnow is not quite there. I'd get dish but hate how you have to sign a two year contract.
Posted : October 26, 2015 12:41 am
FYI
You can get Dish without a contract. You just have to buy the hardware and installation instead of it being free and you don't get the promotions. Starts at $300.....
Posted : October 26, 2015 9:45 am
Topic starter
I'm finding USTVNow's streaming performance to be generally poor...granted, after one day of experimenting. As bobn noted, other streaming services like Netflix fare much better. I also installed Sling, and its quality often falters, too...degraded picture and occasional loss of signal.
So sadly, USTVNow and Sling can't be considered reliable substitutes for Dish, at least in my opinion.
If not for the desire to have live US-based news options like CNN and Fox, as well as the major networks (mostly for their sports coverage) I'd go exclusively with the Roku/BBVI combination.
Thanks for the input on this subject!
Posted : October 26, 2015 2:27 pm
