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Xfinity Set top Box vs Streaming App

24.23.218.189
Posted on July 5, 2021 at 11:39:22
jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15166
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003
 Do I keep the set top box or get a TV that can stream (assuming I keep the same Xfinity service)?

I'm a bit confused at the trade-offs. I understand that I may need to purchase a new TV OR get a Roku (which I assume is much more unassuming that the Xfinity X1 box which gets hot, becomes noisy over time and is slow to start up if you power it down.

 

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Living with the Xfinity streaming app, posted on August 14, 2021 at 10:21:19
jdaniel@jps.net
 It's OK, and very convenient but:

1) finally figured it out: streaming app is limited to 1080. You'd need a box that supports 4K.
2) not all live sports channels are equal. Baseball and Golf look great, Basketball is OK, and Soccer (from "Paypal" Park in San Jose no less), looks like a broadcast from the 70s. I have no idea why, unless the original feed isn't hi-res.
3) 4K is not exploding as promised, but if certain events such as the World Series are broadcast in 4K on a network like NBC, you'd still be limited by the streaming app.

 

Not all TVs include the Xfinity app. My new 4K Vizio did not, and it also doesn't allow downloading of apps., posted on July 17, 2021 at 13:36:44
jdaniel@jps.net
 I picked up Xfinity streaming specifically because one of their packages offers NBC Sport California without an additional charge and I didn't feel like dealing with a box. Since the Vizio doesn't carry the App I simply "cast" programming from either my computer or use a firestick.

Interestingly, I can't get more than 720p when casting from computer, but the picture isn't bad at all and quick movement, (baseball, basketball, horse racing, auto racing) is very fluid.

When watching from the Xfinity app (which I downloaded into the firestick), my TV reports that it's in 1080P and Dolby Vision but picture doesn't look good to me at all: images are too sharp and etched, and quick physical movement is "blocky". On my downstairs TV 1080P looks great, possibly because the set tops-out at 1080?

Some claim that Xfinity limits all live streaming to 720, though prerecorded material and news programs are 1080 and look great.

Of course, the one reason I got the TV and the xfinity service was live sports, and that's where I'm having the only issue!

 

RE: Not all TVs include the Xfinity app. My new 4K Vizio did not, and it also doesn't allow downloading of apps., posted on July 17, 2021 at 14:05:54
rivervalley817
 did you enable HDR support for the Firestick HDMI port?

default for external devices is 720p so ... see the link

regards,

 

Thanks! I'm assuming that's the 4:4:4 color option? I enabled but can't tell the difference. , posted on July 17, 2021 at 18:29:22
jdaniel@jps.net
 But seriously, I'm OK with 720p, (which I would have never believed would fill-out a 56" screen as well as it does), but I have this nagging feeling that I'm missing some simple setting adjustment.

 

RE: Thanks! I'm assuming that's the 4:4:4 color option? I enabled but can't tell the difference. , posted on July 17, 2021 at 19:09:17
rivervalley817
 I'm not sure what my old Vizio labels the option

Alexa wanted to connect to it when I plugged it in though

kinda creepy when you think about it

regards,

 

Update, I discovered that Resolution on firestick wasn't set to Auto. Now getting 2160P for live sports, but, posted on July 18, 2021 at 10:37:43
jdaniel@jps.net
 extreme quick movements, like the Tour de France cyclists flying by, is still a touch blurry. All else, like basketball and racing is vastly improved. Probably limitations of the network? I wonder at which rate they broadcast.

 

RE: Update, I discovered that Resolution on firestick wasn't set to Auto. Now getting 2160P for live sports, but, posted on July 18, 2021 at 12:15:37
rivervalley817
 ah ... that's cool! figured it was a settings issue somewhere in the chain

'I wonder at which rate they broadcast'

go to the link and find out ....

 

my biggest gripe with streaming..., posted on July 12, 2021 at 17:50:28
budget fi
Audiophile

Posts: 709
Location: seattle
Joined: August 8, 2004
 not so much with netflix or prime but apps like sling tv the audio doesn't always sync with the picture and it's only stereo. The cable companies do a better job with sound if that's important to you.

 

RE: Xfinity Set top Box vs Streaming App, posted on July 7, 2021 at 09:31:12
Audio Snob
Audiophile

Posts: 462
Joined: April 5, 2000
 We have Xfinity with a "Box" for our main viewing and use the Xfinity App on Roku's for other lesser used TV's in the house.

As Apps go, the Xfinity app is not too bad, but it is nowhere near as smart as the functions on the box.

The Xfinity box is faster to use/operate and does a whole lot of clever things that the app does not.

Price wise I do not think there is much difference. If I recall, if you choose not to use the box they still charge some kind of access fee, a little less than the box, but not much less.

For the little extra cost of the box you get much greater ease of use.

 

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