Comcast’s Flex streaming field is free, however it may possibly not be.
This past year, Comcast jumped in to the streaming-box company, attempting to sell an intriguing product called Xfinity Flex. It promised to place all your chosen streaming apps in a single spot, with a software that is just like that entirely on its popular X1 satellite tv field.
For cordcutters whom escaped from high Comcast cable TV bills to get all-streaming, it provided ground that is familiar. For Comcast, it had been equipment which could keep clients within the fold. And provided it could be alluring for internet-only customers who hadn’t yet settled on a way to stream shows and movies that it only cost $5 a month.
And when I had written in my own initial report on the Flex final June, it had downsides. It needed it didn’t offer apps for services designed to replace the cable bundle, such as the U.S. Version of Sling TV or YouTube TV that you use Comcast’s own modem/router combination, and. And that $5 monthly cost, which will be reasonable, added as much as $60 per year, ten dollars a lot more than the expense of a contending Amazon Fire television Stick.
But Comcast is currently offering the Flex package free of charge. (if you prefer several in your house, extra devices continue to be $5 per month each. ) The organization additionally no further calls for you to definitely utilize its modem/router combination – it really works with your own personal equipment.
The business has kicked down an advertising campaign when it comes to Flex, targeting its internet-only clients. It offers evidently been effective: Comcast announced week that is last now has 1 million Flex users on its community.
As a consequence of the push, I’ve heard from plenty of people who need to know if it is well worth getting one, no matter if they have ways to stream.
My admittedly glib response was, “Hey, it is free, why don’t you? ” In reality, I ordered one for myself because it cost nothing.
That is even though i personally use a fourth-generation Apple TV, that will be mounted on A samsung that is circa-2011 HDTV. The Samsung isn’t 4K, nevertheless the photo is great and we are content with our choices.
Installation is easy and fairly painless, with plain-language, step-by-step directions onscreen.
The image the Flex delivers is gorgeous – in reality, it appears superior to the Apple TV’s image. It very nearly looks it’s not like it’s 4K, but on my HDTV. The feature found on modern TVs that can make film look like it was shot on video for a while I thought it was using motion-smoothing. But Comcast assures me personally it is maybe perhaps maybe not anything that is doing because of the sign. It is simply great video clip equipment.
For apps, the Flex gets the suspects that are usual. There’s Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, CBS All Access, YouTube and many other things. But as once I first looked over Flex, here stays great deal lacking.
There’s still no ESPN, simply ESPN3, the lower-tier type of that activities solution. And, in the event that you’ve got children or Star Wars/Marvel fans in the home, there’s no Disney+. No Baby Yoda for your needs!
Most of all, the Flex continues to be lacking the bundled-channel apps which can be an option to a cable-TV package. There’s no TV that is sling YouTube television, AT&T television Now, Philo, fubo or Hulu with real time television. The apparent presumption is Comcast does not want any software regarding the Flex that competes along with its cable-TV solution.
Steve Meyer, Comcast’s vice president for Xfinity Flex, explained so it’s “not policy” that is keeping these cable-alternatives from the Flex package. He pointed out of the existence for the version that is international of television, and stated that Comcast has an agreement with Sling. Once I asked if it meant it absolutely was merely a matter of the time before the U.S. Software managed to make it, he stated that “we are onboarding apps once we get along. ” So, perhaps.
One application it will have, which for the present time you can’t get somewhere else, is Peacock, the latest service that is streaming NBCUniversal, that is owned by Comcast. That may be a little more accessible come early july, however it’s “premium” tier is absolve to Flex users.
Peacock attracts in the archive that is rich of content. Wondering where “The Office” went when it vanished from Netflix? It is here, along side “Parks and Recreation, ” “House, ” “Downton Abbey, ” “Cheers” and much more.
Unfortuitously, however, the variation you receive on Flex isn’t ad-free. With films, 160 moments of advertisements are stacked in the beginning of the movie. With indiancupid television shows, you can find standard advertisement breaks, though with less commercials than the thing is on community television. And also you cannot fast-forward past them, so time your bathrooms breaks correctly.
It is possible to, nonetheless, pay an additional $5 a thirty days rather than see advertisements.
The screen is, when I published earlier in the day, like the X1 field. Apps you employ frequently and demonstrates to you view usually bubble as much as the top the house display, additionally the sound remote stays the way that is best to navigate the service. It’s one of many voice controls that are best I’ve utilized.
During my initial review We talked concerning the slew of free television shows and films which can be included. The way that is best to locate them has been the vocals remote, with lets you request things in numerous means. You are able to request young ones programs, horror, comedy as well as other genres. You are able to require every thing that is free, or all content for sale in 4K. I must say I don’t make use of the display design to get material, We simply utilize my voice.
There’s one big improvement in the way in which Flex works: It not calls for that you apply Comcast’s xFi modem/router equipment. You can make use of your very own gear, though you won’t find some of this niftier features, such as for instance seeing which products are linked to your property system or use of your smart house abilities. But you’ll save the fee that is rental the xFi, which can be $14 per month.
You don’t really want to drop cable TV for streaming after all, you can re-sign up for Comcast’s cable-TV service and use the Flex as your set-top box if you decide. This ability is made in to the Flex, enabling the business to fully capture cable cutters that have regrets. You’ll need the xFi Gateway to work on this, but Meyer stated Comcast will quickly enable you to take action along with your own modem and router.
After coping with the Flex for a time, switching if I had to ditch it, I probably would not miss it between it and the Apple TV, I’m glad I have it but. I really could not endorse the Flex to those people who are a new comer to cord-cutting and who would like a cable-alternative application, because Comcast just isn’t publicly investing incorporating them.
But if you need free usage of Peacock; desire the familiarity of Comcast’s Xfinity television screen; only desire to use the most-common streaming solution apps; or simply are interested given that it’s free — go with it.
