860 agoodmovietowatch Staff Lists (Page 5)

If you’re a tech nerd or a gamer, you probably already know how high-end the Nvidia Shield is. The combination of its powerful processor and 4K, Dolby Vision, UHD, and TrueHD compatibility justify the fact that units sell for $200 and upwards.

All these features make the the Nvidia Shield a great cord-cutting device too. As an Android device, it comes pre-installed with many traditional TV replacement apps like DirecTV Stream, Sling, YouTube TV, and Hulu with Live TV. But in case you get overwhelmed, we’re rounding up the best of them below. We’re basing the list on picture quality (to maximize the Shield’s 4k and Dolby features), channel offerings (live sports on a screen like the Shield is a must), and general ease of use. You can read all about the best Shiled-friendly live TV streaming services in the list below.

Not that Android users need any convincing, but in case you didn’t know already, The Nvidia Shield is one of the most powerful (and expensive) streaming devices in the market. Its $200 pricetag makes sense when you consider it’s currently the only device to offer 4K, Dolby Vision, UHD, and TrueHD.

As an Android device, Nvidia Shield is also compatible with most on-demand streaming services. It comes pre-installed with popular services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Max, and Hulu, but you can just as easily go to the Google Play Store to download services that aren’t on the homepage yet, like Apple TV+, Paramount+, and Peacock. In this article, we’re rounding up the best on-demand streaming services you can watch on the Shield. These streamers are top of the list when it comes to quality of content, 4k and Dolby availability, and just general ease of use. You can read more about them below.

DirecTV Stream is a popular live TV streaming option among cord-cutters, while Optimum is a tried-and-tested cable provider available in some (but crucially not all) parts of the country. They may seem completely different, but they have their similarities. Both are contract-free, for one, and both have generally okay (but not stellar) DVR features. So which one is for you? We take a closer look below.

Advantages of Optimum Cable over DirecTV Stream: more channels + bundles + contract buyout

Because it relies on good ol' cable, Optimum has more and better-quality channels than DirecTV Stream. With DirecTV Stream, you'll have to settle for 720p (1080p if you're lucky), which isn't necessarily bad, but that won't do if you're a movie buff or sports fan scanning every square corner of the screen. Optimum is also less likely to buffer since it doesn't rely on the internet, although if you are looking for quick speeds, Optimum has many internet plans you can conveniently bundle with its TV plans. This is good news for people who prefer to pay for everything in one go.

Another potential draw is that Optimum can buy out your current contract with another provider for as much as $500. Not a lot of packages have that offer - the only other one we know of is Spectrum TV.

Advantages of DirecTV Stream over Optimum Cable: availability + free trial + better customer service

A significant advantage DirecTV Stream has is that it's available in most (if not all) parts of the country, whereas Optimum can only be accessed in 21 states. DirecTV Stream also works with any setup box or internet plan you currently have, while Optimum Cable is only available to existing Optimum customers, making it the more flexible and accessible option. Another feature DirecTV Stream has going for it is that it has a 5-day free trial you can use to see whether the service is for you. You can channel surf, record shows on its cloud DVR, and even check its claims of unlimited simultaneous streams at zero cost, as long as you remember to cancel before the trial period ends.

Lastly, DirecTV Stream's customer service is good—or at least better than Optimum's customer service. Users have reported that the latter tend to be dodgy and untransparent.

In the end, the better option depends on your needs. If picture quality and channel quantity are important to you, then opt for Optimum. But if you want more flexibility, then DirecTV Stream could be for you. Both have popular channels and contract-free guarantees, so you're not losing out on too much either way.

Though DirecTV Stream is a cordless service and Fios is more traditional cable, it can be tricky to choose one over the other. For one, they're similarly priced at around $80-$85/month. For another, they're both contract-free and offer 2-year price locks, making them viable options for the risk-averse viewer. But they have their advantages and differences, and we've broken them down below to help you decide the right service for your needs.

Advantages of Verizon Cable over DirecTV Stream: more channels + bundle options

Simply put, Verizon Fios has more channels than DirecTV Stream. Its cheapest plan, Your Fios TV, has 125+ channels, five of which you can handpick out of hundreds of (HD) options. In comparison, DirecTV Stream's cheapest plan has about 90 channels, many of them resting on the 720p to 1080p picture quality range. Not bad, but not exactly stellar either. If you're unsure about what you like, Verizon conveniently has a "test drive" plan that lets you try out all of its 400+ channels; after 60 days, it recommends a channel lineup based on your viewing preferences.

Unsurprisingly, Verizon also has more options in the way of internet and mobile deals. If bundles are your thing, then Verizon is right up your alley. The Your Fios TV plan itself already comes with a set-top box and a $50 gift card, but be wary of installation fees and hidden fees, which can climb up to the double digits.

Advantages of DirecTV Stream over Verizon Cable: free trial + more sports + $5 cheaper

It may not have a test drive, but DirecTV Stream has a 5-day trial that lets you try out all of its channels and features for free. And even though it doesn't have as many channels as Verizon, it has more numbers in the sports department, which for some people, is all that really matters. It has specialty channels like Willow and more RSNs than Verizon Fios.

It's also $5/month cheaper. For context, you could purchase a Paramount+ subscription with a dollar more with that money and watch Paramount+ originals and select CBS live sporting events, including NFL on CBS and UEFA Champions League.

Internet or satellite? DirecTV Stream or Dish? You'd think the two were different enough for the answer to be clear, but with streaming prices skyrocketing to cable-level highs, it's easy to get confused by it all. If you're not careful, you might even go with a package that costs you more than it should. If you've been considering these two similarly-priced services, we break down their unique advantages and significant differences below.

Advantages of Dish Cable over DirecTV Stream: HD channels + powerful DVR

The power of having a satellite dish is that you get a stable connection like no other. Dish, in particular, boasts 200 HD channels (and 4k where available) that won't buffer thanks to the strong signal of its receiver. It's the payoff that comes with attaching a clunky device to your roof. In comparison, DirecTV Stream's picture quality generally rests at 720p. It's still crisp, but it's not as sharp and guaranteed as a satellite signal.

If recording shows is a big deal for you, you might also appreciate Dish's Hopper 3 DVR unit more than DirecTV Stream's cloud DVR. To be fair, DirecTV Stream has unlimited storage on cloud, but it deletes recordings after just 90 days. With the Hopper device, you can record 16 shows at the same time, power up to 7 TVs, and watch 4 games at once with its split-screen function. It just has more features overall, though it will cost you an extra $10/month.

Advantages of DirecTV Stream over Dish Cable: no contract + free trial+ flexibility

While both Dish and DirecTV Stream have price locks that prevent them from increasing their monthly fees for 24 months, only DirecTV Stream is contract-free. That means the lock doesn't go both ways with DirecTV Stream - you can choose to cancel your subscription with them anytime you want. Meanwhile, Dish, like most cable providers, has you sign a 2-year contract that binds you to them for that period. If you cancel before then, you'll have to pay a $20 termination fee for each of the remaining months.

If you're still on the fence, DirecTV Stream also has a 5-day trial that lets you test all of its features, from channel lineup to DVR features, at zero cost. Lastly, DirecTV Stream is just generally more flexible, since you don't have to purchase any extra equipment or receivers to use it.

Live TV streaming or traditional cable? That's what you're really asking when comparing the cordless DirecTV Stream with the cable-connected Spectrum TV. They have notable similarities (both don't require contracts) and differences (the $15 price gap), but they also have their unique strengths. So below, we break them all down to let you know which is the better choice for your viewing needs.

Advantages of Spectrum Cable over DirecTV Stream: more channels + contract buyout

While both Spectrum and DirecTV carry local networks and basic sports channels, Spectrum's 150+ channel count still trumps DirecTV Stream's 90+ lineup. We go into more detail below, but basically, Spectrum has The CW, Lifetime, and even more sports channels than DirecTV Stream. These sports channels include beIN, PAC-12, and SEC Network.

Another advantage Spectrum Cable has over DirecTV Stream is that it can buy out any existing contract you might have with a different provider. The cap is at $500 and is only limited to one user, but you must admit that's a tempting offer when considering a switch.

Advantages of DirecTV Stream over Spectrum Cable: flexibility + better mobile viewing + price lock

Unlike Spectrum Cable, which is exclusive to Spectrum internet customers, DirecTV Stream lets you watch live TV regardless of who your internet provider is, making it a more flexible option, especially for those who want to deal with their internet bill separately. Its 5-day free trial and cloud DVR inclusion at no additional cost also add to its flexibility, well, flex.

DirecTV Stream also lets you access your local channels on the go, a feature that many Spectrum Cable users complained about not having. According to users, Spectrum tends to blackout their channels when they stray too far from their registered home internet.

Lastly, DirecTV Stream has a 24-month price lock, which beats Spectrum's one-year lock. But take this advantage with a grain of salt, since DirecTV Stream does have a more expensive monthly price, while Spectrum's surge can go as high as $30/month after the period lock.

In the mid-2010s, NXT would build a reputation as a safe haven or pseudo-alternative for WWE fans who had gotten sick of the company’s rotten creative direction. While branded a developmental show for WWE rookies, it would also serve as a baptism of fire for new signings who had been darlings elsewhere but still needed to adapt to the company’s presentation. The so-called “Black and Gold” era that ended in 2019 is commonly heralded as its peak, but fans watching on the USA Network today know that the brand would slowly find its groove again, in a game-changing collaboration with TNA wrestling. You can tune into WWE NXT on USA without cable with a subscription to any of these cord-cutting services.

Raw is WWE’s flagship show since 1993. The last decade has seen a drastic decline in the weekly product creatively, in large part due to its move from a 2-hour program to a 3-hour program, which sounds as draining to execute as it is to even passively consume. But since the long-overdue ousting of WWE’s previous head honcho, the company (at least creatively) has enjoyed a massive improvement in its TV presentation, being more consistent with “edgier” content and long-term stories.

With the announcement of Raw moving to Netflix in January 2025, many speculate on the boundaries that they may push. But at least for now, you can watch WWE Raw without cable on the USA Network through the following cord-cutting services.