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DirecTV to Launch Android TV-Based OTT Set-Top Box (variety.com)
Janko Roettgers, reporting for Variety: AT&T's DirecTV is getting ready to embrace internet-based content delivery beyond its DirecTV Now service: The company is about to introduce a new TV set-top box that's based on Google's Android TV platform and ditches satellite connectivity for over-the-top streaming, according to a new FCC filing. The new device, which goes by the model number C71KW-400, is being described by these documents as "the new AT&T/DirecTV Wireless 4K OTT Client." A user manual published as part of the filings specifies that the device won't be able to interact with any of DirecTV's existing Genie hardware, and hints at a future hardware product called HS27. Helpfully, the manual also supplies a definition of OTT as "the delivery of video via the internet directly into user-connected devices, allowing access to services anywhere, anytime, on any device." The manual also reveals that the set-top will shop with a voice remote with integrated touch pad, and photos show that it has Ethernet, digital audio, HDMI and USB ports, but no antenna connectivity -- meaning that any and all programming will indeed come over the internet.
which sets up for a buy-out
It needs more power! Ugh ugh ugh.
No really, what's the point? Too lazy to make your own OS to do a handful of things so you're going throw a full featured OS in there and just let it go nuts?
A billion dollar company should have its own stuff. And it shouldn't suck as bad as current set top boxes do.
"We won't let you cut the cord you damn ex-costumers, we'll cut the cord ourselves". o_O
USB antenna in the works as an addon?
Yet another content provider is trying to figure out why their marketing department's cost model isn't being accepted by the huddled masses and their tiered/forced channel plans aren't being well accepted.
Maybe they should look at the new line of Amazon streaming devices.. which in Q3 2017 include the ability to feed from local OTA HDTV content?
Lemmings... lemmings all.
It's all good I just cut the cord and I'm not regretting it. OTA HDTV signal (less than $100 including the antenna pole, antenna and 50 ft of RG6). Add to that a Tablo OTA HDTV DVR using a USB HD I had to spare.. and a couple of streaming sources and I've cut my viewing costs by almost 1/2.
I live in Thailand, and use Android boxes all the time for pretty much everything, and those boxes run "True anywhere" TV app, and a bunch of other apps that stream the various services I use. Netflix, KDS, etc. are all pre-installed. They're about $60/each and run all the free Android games too.
So how is this special? They probably just bought a stock Android box and branded it with their app.
https://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initiative_id=SB_20171024182206&SearchText=android+tv+box+8+core
(I'd recommend getting the 8 core newer ones S912 or better, they perform about as well as a Core i3 mobile certainly far better at graphics and games than the i3.).
OTT means "Over The Top". Netflix is a provider of OTT services. As is DirecTV Now. DirecTV requires a satellite, so it's using in house wiring rather than going Over The Top of existing wiring.
Good luck delivering massive quantities of 4K TV over metered, data-limited lines that most of us are getting now.
HDHomerun devices are very mature at this point. Integration with the "Google Channels" API just got support for subtitles.
This device will likely support HDHomerun as a OTA tuner out of the box.
. We've got computers, we're tapping phone lines, you know that ain't allowed - Talking Heads, "Life During Wartime"
DirectTVNow has teased a cloud DVR is coming but has not yet made it available beyond a limited beta test. I suspect they want to unify their DirectTV, DirectTVNow and Uverse into a single offering; right now the lack of a DVR makes DTVNow less than compelling for me. The 4 day look back doesn't correspond to my viewing habits but add a DVR, especially a cloud one that allows viewing anywhere, and DTVNow becomes interesting; especially if the combine the Uverse channel list with DTV's resulting in a border choice of channels.
I'm a consultant - I convert gibberish into cash-flow.
The bottom line is still the same: you have to pay for tens of channels in order to watch the three or four that you are interested in. Allow me to get those, just those, at a reasonable price (i.e. far less than what you charge me for those tens of channels that I am not at all interested in) and I might be tempted. Otherwise, forget it.
They still only offer TV on 80s style boxes and charge extra for HD. And refuse to sell good standalone internet without TV. That in the heart of Sillicon Valley, where people are painfully aware of the gap between what they are getting and what's possible in 2017. We need some hybrid middle range service between WiFi and cellular so that local companies can offer Internet service for a few blocks without breaking their backs on equipment.
Why would I or anyone else want to buy this one-trick-pony device versus DirecTV Now running on a Roku?
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