Winter’s here. You probably didn’t need me to tell you that. Even if you live in a nice balmy climate, the year’s already seen its share of rough weather. And folks, it’s only February. Luckily, DIRECTV has finally given us all a way to make it through the winter a little more easily.
Telling the truth about satellite TV
Folks, obviously I’m a satellite TV fan. After all, this is what I write about all day, right? But even I have to admit a few things about satellite TV that can be a little bit of a challenge. While satellite TV is more reliable than cable or streaming in terms of uptime, it is affected by severe weather. Heavy rains can block the dish’s view of the sky, and snow can accumulate on the dish in the winter. A dish heater helps with the snow, but it’s not safe to install one while the roof is icy. It’s something better done in the summer.
For years, people who had occasional rain fade or snow issues were told “just wait it out.” It’s true, that does work. DIRECTV satellite TV is has over 99% uptime and unlike most cable TV and streaming issues, service comes back quickly and automatically without your having to do anything. Still, I get it. If you’re in an area where the rain showers come in hot and heavy once a day, it’s going to be frustrating. At least that’s the way it used to be.
Enter SignalSaver
SignalSaver is DIRECTV’s new technology which will switch you to streaming if it detects temporary signal loss. If there’s a sudden bout of rain or snow fade, you’ll see a message like this one on your TV:
Press OK on your remote to keep watching. You’ll stream the same program you were watching, in 720p resolution. You can watch for up to 90 minutes uninterrupted. If there are still issues after that, you will get the message again.
Let me tell you, this is one of those features you don’t think about until you need it. And then, the skies open up just as someone in your house is starting to watch their favorite program. That’s when you’ll be glad you have it.
How DIRECTV does it
DIRECTV operates a live streaming TV service in addition to its satellite TV service. In the past, you could switch to the DIRECTV app on a phone or streaming box to access it. But now, your internet-connected Genie system will do it automatically. If the channel is available on DIRECTV’s streaming service, you’ll switch to that while the signal level is low. It’s automatic and it works incredibly well.
How many times has it saved you this season?
If you’re a DIRECTV subscriber with satellite TV, you might have needed SignalSaver sometime recently. Share your experiences! I always love to hear how people in the community use DIRECTV technology. As far as I know, they are the only company with anything like SignalSaver. A cable company couldn’t really do anything like this, I wouldn’t think. If the fiber line to your home breaks, you lose internet as well as live TV if you get both from the same company. There wouldn’t be any way to implement this sort of thing.
It’s your turn! Tell the world about your SignalSaver experience, good or bad. Leave a comment below. If you’re having consistent issues with your internet service that stop you from using SignalSaver, it might be time to upgrade. That’s why you’ll be glad to hear that Solid Signal can help you get residential internet. We work with all the major players to bring you the best prices and the best bundles. If you want to know more, call us at 888-233-7563 during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below and we’ll get right back to you!
