HellOnICE Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Hey guys and gidgets. I am wondering if it's worth cancelling my cable TV subscription in favor of NETFLIX, Hulu and a NHL game center subscription through my APPLETV. Does anyone have experience with Gamecenter, how do you like it, is it worth it, are the streams high quality/how far behind the actual action is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onddeck Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I have gamecenter. I live in Phily, so I wouldn't get any devils games, so an NHL service was pretty much required for me. Sometimes the reception is a little choppy and is always about a minute or so behind the actual game Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satans Hockey Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I don't have any experience with it on the apple tv but it works great on the xbox 360 and roku. The games tend to be maybe around 90 secs to 2 mins behind cable. Are you in a blackout area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brown Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I would like Gamecenter if they didn't blackout so many games. National games I can understand. But the games on NHL network get blacked out too. Why? NHL Network games use the regional feed usually of the home team. I also don't understand why I can't get Flyer games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsfan118 Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 (edited) Yeah you're not going to get the local games or big ticket ones on NBCSN which is kinda infuriating, but you can always stream them on various websites if you must watch. Otherwise, it's a good service..very dependent on your internet speed though, obviously. If you have a slow connection expect some issues with an HD stream - but you mentioned Netflix so I assume you're already aware of that situation. It's occasionally 'unavailable' on my 360 - not sure if that's on my end of theirs but it's annoying. Overall, I'd say it's worth it if you're not a resident of NJ..a little pricey if you buy it at the beginning of the season but there's not really a better option out there if you're streaming off Apple TV. Edited February 26, 2014 by Devilsfan118 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmann422 Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 (edited) I would not be able to live without gamecenter. That being said, if I lived in market I probably wouldn't bother because the devils games would be blacked out anyway. I do watch other games on it often but really the primary reason I have it is to watch every devils game. So if you live in the NYC are don't bother because you wouldn't get the games anyway. That being said in the 3 seasons I've had it I really don't have any complaints in terms of quality. I think opening night this season there was an issue where I missed the first period but outside of that I find it runs smoothly, a little lag from time to time but not really bothersome. I have it in ps3 though but I'm sure Apple TV is similar. Edited February 26, 2014 by dmann422 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerzey Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 This is the exact set up I have. Netflix, Hulu+, Amazon Prime, and NHL Gamecenter. Plus I have a digital antenna for live sports (On NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, etc.). Only problem I have with Game Center are the blackouts which consist of any game that is nationally broadcast (this year there haven't been many of those for the Devils) and games that are played locally to where you are. I live in Orlando so every Lightening game is blacked out. I think Panthers games too but I forget right now. I just go to wiziwig and stream the games from my computer if that's the case. Also the streams are a little behind so if you try to follow along on a message board or chat room you will read everything before it happens on your TV. Still I think it's very worth it. As soon as HBO becomes available to buy without a cable or satellite subscription there won't be any need for cable or satellite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostondevil11 Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I have had gamecenter for a few years now. I love it. Stream through a roku box and don't have much trouble with choppiness. For blacked out games I will find and illegal feed but those can be really choppy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SterioDesign Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 (edited) Personally i love it cause it gives me access to the games everywhere. If im at my buddies place i can still log in there on their PS3, Apple tv, computer or wtv and watch it, can watch on my ipad, iphone anywhere while im on the go too. You can re-watch games, rewind during games. Watch many games at the same time. Choose your feed/announcers. Sucks that there's no playoffs thought and blackouts sucks too when games are on tv and that im stuck at the office with no cable. then i need to find the game online somewhere. basically it just gives you a lot more access to you games. Than through cable where you pretty much have to be home to get the games Edited February 26, 2014 by SterioDesign Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Namelesz Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Sucks that there's no playoffs thought and blackouts sucks too when games are on tv and that im stuck at the office with no cable. then i need to find the game online somewhere. waitaminute! Gamecenter doesn't show playoff games??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brown Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 waitaminute! Gamecenter doesn't show playoff games??? All playoff games are nationally televised. So you shouldn't need GameCenter. It sucks only if you don't have access to a TV. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Namelesz Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 All playoff games are nationally televised. So you shouldn't need GameCenter. It sucks only if you don't have access to a TV. Well that was what I was thinking to do with my cable contract almost up, was to only have internet service and stream anything I needed. Watching playoff games I would have to drag myself to a bar or to all home games during, hehe *wink wink* (yea I still have hope dammit) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsfan118 Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Well that was what I was thinking to do with my cable contract almost up, was to only have internet service and stream anything I needed. Watching playoff games I would have to drag myself to a bar or to all home games during, hehe *wink wink* (yea I still have hope dammit) For nationally televised games, you can find a stream on your laptop and then connect it to your TV via HDMI to watch the stream on a bigger screen. Quality will obviously suffer though in most cases. Man do I miss Microwavepizza's stream at times. ..I mean, I've heard this can work. I've never streamed games illegally or anything along those lines.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerzey Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Is it illegal to stream something that is free? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devilsfan118 Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Is it illegal to stream something that is free? I honestly have no idea. I just know streaming NFL games will get you a hefty fee if caught, I would think NHL games fall under the same category. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerzey Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 (edited) I honestly have no idea. I just know streaming NFL games will get you a hefty fee if caught, I would think NHL games fall under the same category. I mean I can kind of understand why the games that are on NBC Sports are blacked out considering you'd have to be paying for cable to watch them but the games that are on regular free TV should be available on game center. Morally I have no problem streaming them considering I'm trying to pay to watch every game I can. Edited February 26, 2014 by Jerzey Devil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2ELIAS6 Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 i use my buddys and it doesnt cost me a dollar... just find someone else who already has it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brown Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Well that was what I was thinking to do with my cable contract almost up, was to only have internet service and stream anything I needed. Watching playoff games I would have to drag myself to a bar or to all home games during, hehe *wink wink* (yea I still have hope dammit) hockeystreams.com Although I think it's too late to register for this year. It's cheaper than GameCenter, and the you can get HD streams. And there's no blackouts. It is illegal though, but chances are you should be fine. Is it illegal to stream something that is free? Yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Rattlehead18 Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 I would think it takes away from their ratings which effect their advertisement deals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammyk Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Have it, love it. Use it on Roku, iPad, Android tablet, laptop, PC, iPhone, Android phone, etc. Picture quality is HD level, at least to my eyes. Of course, this can change based on your internet connection. Yes there is a small delay so if you have alerts on your phone, turn them off if you are watching. I've only noticed that the NBCSN and NHLTV games are blacked out, but I am in Texas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Man Posted February 26, 2014 Share Posted February 26, 2014 Most people who have "cut the cord" from cable or satellite are NOT sports fans. It's great if you can cut the cord and save money, but probably 99% of sports telecasts are on pay TV channels. If you're just a hockey fan, you can still watch through GameCenter, but good luck in the playoffs when the only over-the-air televised games are weekends on NBC and 2 or 3 SCF games. I've sampled GameCenter, but the quality is nowhere near what you get through Center Ice on DirecTV. Center Ice through Comcast is a complete joke, you're lucky if you get 2 HD games a night. Plus they share channels with MLB Extra Innings. I'll gladly stick to satellite and SlingBox, which lets me watch anything when I'm not home from my computer, tablet or phone (live TV, DVR, etc). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostondevil11 Posted February 27, 2014 Share Posted February 27, 2014 Most people who have "cut the cord" from cable or satellite are NOT sports fans. It's great if you can cut the cord and save money, but probably 99% of sports telecasts are on pay TV channels. If you're just a hockey fan, you can still watch through GameCenter, but good luck in the playoffs when the only over-the-air televised games are weekends on NBC and 2 or 3 SCF games. I've sampled GameCenter, but the quality is nowhere near what you get through Center Ice on DirecTV. Center Ice through Comcast is a complete joke, you're lucky if you get 2 HD games a night. Plus they share channels with MLB Extra Innings. I'll gladly stick to satellite and SlingBox, which lets me watch anything when I'm not home from my computer, tablet or phone (live TV, DVR, etc). The quality through gamecenter is HD. I will have to figure out what I will do for the playoffs if the Devils make it. Last year was my first year with out cable and I was fine with the feeds I found or watching games a day later (since the playoff games will be on gamecenter the next day.) But I am not really a big sports fan outside of hockey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neb00rs Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) I had it. This was two years ago though. Nonetheless, it was generally useful but also had a whole slew of glitches and issues that arose every so often. What was nice was that often times if I didn't get around to watching until late at night, I could see the game on rerun instantly (sometimes they had already archived it though - in which case you had to wait until 24 hours after the game to see it...don't know how it works now though). Then the playoffs came and I couldn't see any games because of blackout restrictions. Taking these reasons into account along with the fact that sites like atdhe.tv are good enough, I cannot recommend buying Gamecenter, there is little to no point, unless you desperately need high quality (and the game was only HQ for me half the time on my pretty decent internet connection). Additionally, you get enough highlights and replay footage for free on NHL.com, so unless you really want to watch full replays of games, you should not buy it. Also, you didn't note in the OP if you are in the local market or not. If you are, you won't be able to see any Devils, Rangers, or Islander games on Gamecenter anyways. All playoff games are nationally televised. So you shouldn't need GameCenter. It sucks only if you don't have access to a TV. Not entirely true for the early rounds. Edited February 28, 2014 by Neb00rs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brown Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 Not entirely true for the early rounds. Yes it is. Every single playoff game is on national television. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neb00rs Posted February 28, 2014 Share Posted February 28, 2014 (edited) Yes it is. Every single playoff game is on national television. Not entirely true. NBCSN (and CNBC to an extent) while in a majority of households, is still not available to about 30% of the nation's households. And I am not sure about NHL network, but its probably the lowest of the four. Edited February 28, 2014 by Neb00rs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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