Picture quality - YouTube TV on Channels Plus / Nvidia Shield

Channels DVR Server
#1

Hi there!

I'm a long time Cable Card / DVR user now considering cutting the cord to switch to Channels Plus DVR running on Nvidia Shield, and using the "TV Everywhere" feature to record directly from a package purchased with, say YouTube TV (even though Youtube TV provides a DVR, the auto commercial skip from Channels Plus is a big draw for me).

Are there any observations / anecdotes on recording quality? Will there be expected to be any degradation in picture quality?

(I searched the forums but couldn't fine any)

#2

The TVE streams seem to have bitrates around 2Mbps, and the audio is stereo only. They are the exact same streams you would get by logging in to a network's website and streaming from there. (The streams delivered within the YTTV are different, and can sometimes even be different from the streams in a network's app.)

#3

This isn't directly related to your question, but it sounds like you might be considering to run the server on your Shield Pro itself. Just a fyi, YouTube TV/TVE integration wont work on the shield when acting as the server. Now if you're planning to host the server on something else and use the Shield Pro as a client, then this is a non-issue and you can ignore this post. Just throwing it out there.

2 Likes
#4

Also important to note you will not be able to access all channels in your YTTV with Channels via TVE. I would highly recommend reading the documentation provided for TVE to get a full understanding of how it works. I’m also including screenshots of the channels I currently get via YTTV.

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#5

Thank you all for all your prompt responses!

I should add that I currently run TiVo via CableCARD with a Verizon FIOS package, so instead of switching to YouTube TV, I could in theory also use the FIOS TV app/streaming channel via Channels

@racameron - 2 MBPS bit rate and stereo sound does sound pretty poor, but even though my TiVo recordings via CableCARD are of a much higher bit rate, I don't necessarily think that translates into higher video quality for some reason (maybe the compression of the TV signal on Verizon's end, or maybe even TiVo's compression algorithms themselves)

@froach85 - your point is indeed directly related to my question thank you. I was planning to use the Shield Pro both as a server and a client (similar to how I have Plex running as both the server and client on the Shield). Is that not possible using Channels? Why so? (I have a Roku as well but Channels doesn't have a client for that, so it doesn't help here, I think)

Macnbaish - thank you for sharing your screenshots. I see that you're getting ABC (channel 6001) but not the other network TV channels (NBC, CBS, FOX)? Is it because they're not available in your YouTube TV lineup, or is it because Channels can't pick them up?

#6

Local channels via TVE are still considered experimental and are kind of hit or miss, I believe. What you will get might vary widely from market to market. As such, I wouldn’t count on TVE for local channels. Personally I use an antenna for that but many others use Locast, if that’s an option in your city.

Edit: To clarify, I do have access to all my local channels via YTTV, but only get ABC and PBS via TVE in channels.

#7

The streams would be sourced from the same place regardless of which provider you use for TVE credentials: TVE streams always come from the networks' website feeds. Nothing is coming from Verizon or YouTube; they are only checked for authorization.

If you have an existing CableCARD, your best option is to purchase a Prime (HDHR3-CC), and use your CableCARD with that. Plus, if you have FiOS, Channels can record and playback the 4K feeds.