channel requesting that i reviewed this device and whether it is actually worth it the device
is 120 bucks paid up front or you can pay five dollars a month for 24 months i chose option three
a refurbished model for fifty dollars if you've checked out any of my videos before
you know that i like roku devices but this directv stream device
may work out for people who've been putting off cutting the cord because they think it is just too
complicated compared to cable or satellite let's take a look inside the box you'll find a remote
and as you're about to see that is the key to providing the cable or satellite-like experience
there's also the directv stream device a power supply and an hdmi cable the setup process very
simple so i'm not going to go through it step by step there is a guide that comes with the device
and you follow the instructions on your tv set i've got the instructions right here they say
step 7 you're going to have to enter your directv stream username and password but i never had to
do that and that saved me a step because after the on-screen instructions directv stream just
loaded with my account automatically so now i want to show you around the directv stream app
with this device and you're going to see how directv streams remote with all of these keys
may actually be easier to use compared to a roku remote and will begin at the top of the
remote with the on and off keys when you select on directv stream will play automatically and it will
load the channel where you left off moving down to the second row on the remote it has three keys
guide home and list select home and you're taken to a home screen that looks like this and here you
can browse various content plus access the live guide and your library which is your dvr but if
you want to go straight to the guide the remote is faster you can just use the guide key and this is
what the live guide looks like if you want to add a channel to your favorites use the directional
keypad on your remote and navigate to that network then just hold ok on the network that you want to
favorite here on the left side of the screen you see various live guide filters including favorites
so you can select that to only see your favorite networks in the guide by now you've probably
noticed that there are channel numbers in this live guide and back to the directv stream remote
because unlike other streaming players this remote has a number pad toward the bottom so as you see
here just enter the numbers for the channel and you'll be taken directly to that channel a couple
other tips for navigating channels that you may find helpful while you're watching live tv you can
toggle up or down to change the channel and right below that on the remote you see the previous key
this is going to take you back to the last channel that you were watching in the center of the remote
you see the google assistant key you can click on this to make commands including changing
channels i'm back on the live guide now because i want to show you another feature of the remote
see that red record key click that twice and it'll record the program that you've highlighted you can
do this from the guide but also elsewhere in the directv stream app for example i clicked home
this is the what's on now section and when i tap record on the remote two times that show begins
recording watching live tv it's the exact same thing click record twice and you are all set so
why don't we talk more about those recordings now the list key on your remote again towards the top
that will take you to the dvr where you can see all of your recordings and here from the library
you can also manage your preferences like stopping and deleting recordings let me take you to one of
those recordings to show you a couple more things on the remote and we'll start with playback
controls there are keys to rewind fast forward and pause play and you can also use these with live tv
and see this key with three dots wherever you are in the directv stream app select this one and then
you'll see additional options follow me here to the left side of the remote and you see volume
and mute when you hit the mute key for the first time directv stream is going to prompt you to pair
your tv remote with the directv stream remote sounds complicated it's not just follow the
on-screen instructions also to the very bottom of the remote you see a key that says apps this
is a shortcut to the app section that you'll also find on the home screen and from here you can go
to the google play store and download other free and paid streaming apps that you may subscribe to
i'd say that directv stream is probably the most cable-like of the live tv services and
this device and particularly the remote really enhances that experience but just know this
device is not cheap and the service is not either and although i prefer the combo of youtube tv and
a roku device i understand why some people want the familiar look and feel that directv stream
offers if the price of this device is holding you back know this if you buy it and don't like it you
can return it within 14 days and get your money back same for the service itself and if you do
sign up please consider using my link down below in the description my content is never sponsored
and i paid for the directv stream device with my own money to provide you with this review