Moving from YouTube TV to Cue Streaming has it pros and cons. When considering content and price, Cue Streaming is, hands down, a much better value with thousands more options for less money. Setting up each service is wildly different and is discussed in a different article.
This article will discuss the major differences of the user
interface of these two services. User Interfaces – both YTTV and Cue Streaming are
available on Smart TVs with an app and via a web player on common web
browsers. This article will break them
out separately so that you device of choice comparison is simple and easy to
follow.
Let us begin with the Smart TV App’s and compare the user experience
with each.
Live TV –
When viewing the live tv grid, and scrolling right to see the future programming, Cue Streaming provides schedules three days out while YTTV provide schedules beyond 3 days. Scrolling on Cue
Streaming can be done by holding down the navigation wheel while YTTV
requires a button click for each time period as you scroll right making scrolling
the live TV Schedule on Cue Streaming much faster.
Selecting a future program allows for the same functionality
on both systems. On YTTV you can “add to
library”, set reminder and browse episodes.
On Cue Streaming you can set reminder or set to record.
On Cue Streaming you can create a favorites list of the
channels you want to see and on YTTV you can customize the order of channels by
going to you YTTV account on a computer.
On the live TV Programming grid, you can scroll down quickly on
both by holding down the proper button on your remote.
One huge advantage with Cue Streaming with live TV
Programming is that you can display two channels at once using the multi screen
function. This cannot be done with YTTV.
Another major difference in the two user interfaces is the
way you access premium content. On Tube
TV, you can access premium content from within the app with a trail or subscription. YouTube TV has a browse feature that will
present the user with content based on viewing history. Cue Streaming has no such function but it
will recommend programs based on your search inquiry.
Let’s talk recording.
YTTV has an easy to
use Library function. This function
allows users to add programs to the Library and, once done, all future airings
of the program are captured in the Library.
This allows users a carefree way of knowing that the app will capture all
episodes of the program without any additional user requirement. The Library is organized by type of content (i.e.
shows, movies, sports, events etc). There
is no apparent limit to how much you can add to your Library and the Library is
available via the app on the smart tv as well as the app on your Android or IOS
device and the platform on your web browser.
Cue Streaming uses the storage connected to your streaming
device. Currently, Firestick Lite and
Firestick 4K Max are supported streaming devices. Once installed, the Cue Streaming App on the
Firestick can be set up to record to the Firestick device or to an external
memory device. This makes recording on
Cue Streaming both more difficult to set up and limited by the size of the
storage device that you choose to include in our set up. How to set up additional storage is discussed
in a separate article.
Let’s talk VOD
Both services offer Video On Demand. The search capabilities are similar while the
user interface does differ. For example,
when search results appear, included on YTTV is content similar to what a google
search would provide (cast information, detailed description etc) whereas Cue Streaming
returns what is usually expected from a digital cable service.
Of course, the most significant difference is the vast
amount of content available on Cue Streaming as well of the content that his
shared by both services but that is included in the monthly fee for Cue Streaming.
As of this writing, as a new subscriber to either service, will
pay $59.99 per month for Cue Streaming and $72.99 for YouTube TV. There is a promotion right now where new
subscribers get 8 off for the first three months.
As a user of both services, it
is the writer’s opinion that the content available with Cue Streaming far out
weighs the recording function of YouTubeTV, especially since in this family we almost never watch current programming.
We hope this comparison has helped you decide if you want to try out Cue Streaming. Remember that if you do, we welcome you to use our affiliate link https://brianandjudy.mycuestreaming.com/
