What Is DirecTV on Demand?

By offering digital streaming video, DirecTV offers its customers the ability to choose their programming from an available selection of movies, television shows and specials. Customers browse available titles through the on-screen menus generated by their DirecTV boxes, and select the programming with the included remote control on a menus system much like regular television.

Customers interested in DirecTV on Demand must already have, or upgrade to, a selection of specific equipment. Digital video recorder, or DVR, service is required for the service's streaming and downloading features, as well as DirecTV's Plus HD DVR Receiver (HR20 or HR21 or newer). Also needed are a broadband Internet connection of 750 kbps or higher and a network router with one free Ethernet port. Installation can be completed by the customer with an optional self-installation kit.

DirecTV on Demand includes many movie and television show titles in its basic subscription, but the service also allows many opportunities to gain access to more material. Pay-per-view sports and special events are available at an additional cost, as are downloadable movies. Some content is only available if the customer already subscribes to a particular channel. For example, Starz network films are available on demand only if the customer holds a current subscription to Starz.

Reviewers tend to enjoy the width and breadth of available content with DirecTV on Demand. Critics point out that some content includes integrated expiration dates rather than a permanent download. Download speeds are also dependent on the customer's Internet provider rather than DirecTV itself. Positive features of the service include being charged only after a program is viewed, rather than downloaded, and that one program can be downloaded while watching another, much like traditional DVR systems.