Here’s just one more reason to connect your DIRECTV DVR to the internet. There are a whole set of “TV Apps” which are available just by pressing the RIGHT ARROW button on the remote while watching live TV. When you do that, you’ll see not one but two different weather apps. If that’s not enough to satisfy your curiosity, I’m not sure what is.
TWO weather apps?
That’s right, you’ll see a Weather Channel app and an Accuweather app. I’m not sure why, really. I have to believe that it has something to do with contracts. Several years ago, a spat between DIRECTV and the Weather Channel led to that channel being pulled from the schedule for a short while. During that time, the lawyers decided to make nice with other weather channels like AccuWeather and WeatherNation. I guess this was just a backup plan. When the Weather Channel came back, I think that the deals were already in place to feature an alternate app as well. So, that left us with two weather apps, which is fine. It’s better than no weather apps.
How to use The Weather Channel’s app
Start by pressing the RIGHT ARROW button. It takes a minute for the apps to load the first time. Arrow down to WEATHER and press SELECT. If you’ve never used it before, you will be asked to set your city. You can set up several cities, not just the one you live in. After you do, you’ll see The Weather Channel’s app:
Here you’ll get a quick view of things as they look today, what they’ll look like for the rest of the day, and what they’ll look like for the rest of the week. If that’s not enough, press SELECT again and you’ll get a more detailed view:
You can also get radar which will give you an idea where things are rainy or snowy. In this case, when I did these screen captures, it was clear all across metro Detroit, so that would have been a pretty boring picture.
To get out of The Weather Channel app, press EXIT on your remote.
How to use the AccuWeather app
To use AccuWeather, it’s a very similar process. Start by pressing RIGHT ARROW on the remote. Arrow down to AccuWeather and press SELECT.
AccuWeather’s approach is somewhat different. They start with a full-screen view with live TV in a small window. From there you can arrow over to see more forecast information including maps and alerts.
When you’re done looking at the weather, press EXIT to go back to live TV.
The question I know you’re asking
I know you’re thinking, why not just use your phone? We all have weather apps on our phones and they’re pretty good. So this would seem to be a solution no one needs. And yet, I end up using it about once a week. I don’t know, maybe I’m too lazy to put down the remote and pick up the phone. Or maybe I just don’t want to pick up the phone because it means I’ll see I have more emails. If that sounds like something you struggle with, an app like this makes a lot of sense.
It’s all part of the great experience you get with DIRECTV satellite. If you’re looking for the best in satellite equipment and accessories, shop the great selection at Solid Signal!
