DirecTV is among the leading satellite TV services available for subscription in the United States of America. DirecTV has millions of subscribers across the United States of America and claims to provide the best entertainment including live sports, movies, and TV shows. With increasing numbers of households incorporating smart devices and using the internet for media consumption, a usual query pops up – does DirecTV impact Wi-Fi data usage? This article will give a comprehensive answer to this question.
What is DirecTV?
DirecTV is a DBS service provider that operates under the ownership of the American telecommunication giant AT&T. It delivers digital satellite television and audio services to households within the United States of America. DirecTV uses a dish that is installed by the subscriber to receive the broadcast signal from satellites in geostationary orbit. This technology enables DirecTV to offer television services without the support of cables or fibers like those used in telephone networks.
DirecTV Set-Top Boxes
To be able to watch DirecTV on your television set, you require a DirecTV set-top box and a satellite dish. DirecTV offers set-top boxes with digital video recording or DVR and high-definition or HD technology for the recording of programs and viewing of high-definition programs respectively. A majority of the modern boxes also include internet compatibility and different applications that help you through your programs.
What Are The Requirements Needed For DirecTV Box?
A significant number of the current DirecTV set-top boxes include internet capabilities that have in-built Wi-Fi connectivity. Yes, of course, DirecTV Genie, Genie Mini, or any internet-connected receiver can connect to your home Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi connection helps your set-top box to get the On Demand programs, suggestions, and updates from the internet.
However, let it be noted that the normal DirecTV programming received through satellite is in NO WAY related to the Wi-Fi data you use. The satellite feed works off of satellites and does not require internet and therefore transmits the content directly to your dish. The primary purpose of Wi-Fi is not for browsing the internet, but it is used for the additional features that are available in compatible boxes only.
Does streaming DirecTV consume Wi-Fi data?
However, streaming DirecTV online does use Wi-Fi data, unlike the normal satellite service that is received through a dish. DirecTV subscribers can watch the service and stream it through web browsers and the DirecTV app. This works by accessing and playing programming over the home or mobile internet data plan on your devices.
Hence, watching DirecTV live or On Demand uses up the phone’s mobile data or home broadband internet plan. The quantity used depends on the streaming quality, the device, and the length of time that the show is being watched. In general, one hour of streaming of standard definition DirecTV requires about 1GB of Wi-Fi data. One of the most significant advantages of high-definition content is that it can take over 3 GB per hour.
Solutions to Reduce Wi-Fi Internet Consumption
Here are some tips to help manage your Wi-Fi data consumption if you have a DirecTV set-top box connected in your home: Here are some tips to help manage your Wi-Fi data consumption if you have a DirecTV set-top box connected in your home:
- Disable Auto Updates: This is to prevent the box from downloading updates in the background while you are not monitoring it. However, you can check the update individually once in a while on your own.
- Limit On Demand Viewing: Watching many shows and movies On Demand also consumes data at a fast pace. On-demand viewing time can be better managed by scheduling it to avoid going overboard.
-Disconnect When Not in Use: For Genie Minis placed in rooms that do not frequently watch DirecTV, you should turn off the Wi-Fi to avoid unnecessary data consumption.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the satellite programs offered through DirecTV do not consume any internet or Wi-Fi data in the normal course. The set-top boxes only rely on Wi-Fi for additional services such as On Demand content, recommendations, and software downloads. Yes, streaming DirecTV online does use data depending on the internet package that you are subscribed to. What these streaming activities and settings allow you to do is control your data usage for your Wi-Fi connection.