Comcast’s Flex streaming field is free, nonetheless it is almost certainly not.

Just last year, Comcast jumped to the streaming-box company, offering an intriguing product called Xfinity Flex. It promised to place all your preferred streaming apps in a single destination, having an user interface that is just like that available on its popular X1 cable television field.

For cordcutters whom escaped from high Comcast cable TV bills to get all-streaming, it offered ground that is familiar. For Comcast, it had been equipment that may keep clients when you look at the fold. And provided it could be alluring for internet-only customers who hadn’t yet settled on a way to stream shows and movies that it only cost $5 a month.

And when I published during my initial overview of the Flex final June, it had disadvantages. It needed it didn’t offer apps for services designed to replace the cable bundle, such as the U.S. Version of Sling TV or YouTube TV that you use Comcast’s own modem/router combination, and. And that $5 fee that is monthly which will be reasonable, added as much as $60 per year, ten dollars a lot more than the price of a contending Amazon Fire television Stick.

But Comcast is currently offering the Flex package free of charge. (if you would like one or more at home, extra devices continue to be $5 per month each. ) The business additionally no further calls for one to make use of its modem/router combination – it really works with your own personal equipment.

The organization has kicked down an advertising campaign when it comes to Flex, focusing on its internet-only clients. It offers evidently been effective: Comcast announced week that is last now has 1 million Flex users on its community.

Due to the push, I’ve heard from plenty of people who wish to know if it is worth getting one, even in the event they currently have ways to stream.

My admittedly glib https://hookupwebsites.org/friendfinder-review/ response was, “Hey, it is free, why don’t you? ” In reality, since it are priced at absolutely nothing I ordered one for myself.

This can be even though i take advantage of a fourth-generation Apple TV, which can be mounted on A samsung that is circa-2011 HDTV. The Samsung is not 4K, nevertheless the image is great and my wife and I are pleased with our alternatives.

Installation is straightforward and fairly painless, with plain-language, step-by-step directions onscreen.

The image the Flex delivers is gorgeous – in fact, it appears a lot better than the Apple TV’s picture. It very nearly appears want it’s 4K, but back at my HDTV, it’s perhaps not. The feature found on modern TVs that can make film look like it was shot on video for a while I thought it was using motion-smoothing. But Comcast assures me personally it is perhaps perhaps not anything that is doing because of the signal. It is video hardware that is just great.

For apps, the Flex gets the suspects that are usual. There’s Netflix, Amazon Prime movie, Hulu, CBS All Access, YouTube and many other things. But as once I first looked over Flex, there remains a complete great deal lacking.

There’s still no ESPN, just ESPN3, the lower-tier type of that activities solution. And, in the event that you’ve got children or Star Wars/Marvel fans in the home, there’s no Disney+. No Baby Yoda for you personally!

Above all, the Flex continues to be lacking the bundled-channel apps which can be a option to a cable-TV package. There’s no TV that is sling YouTube television, AT&T television Now, Philo, fubo or Hulu with real time television. The apparent assumption is that Comcast does not wish any application from the Flex that competes featuring its cable-TV solution.

Steve Meyer, Comcast’s vice president for Xfinity Flex, said so it’s “not policy” that is maintaining these cable-alternatives off the Flex field. He pointed out of the existence of this version that is international of television, and stated that Comcast posseses an agreement with Sling. It had been merely a matter of the time before the U.S. Software managed to get, he stated that “we are onboarding apps once we get along. Once I asked if that meant” So, perhaps.

One software it will have, which for the time being you can’t get any place else, is Peacock, the latest service that is streaming NBCUniversal, that will be owned by Comcast. That may be widely accessible come early july, however it’s “premium” tier is liberated to Flex users.

Peacock attracts regarding the rich archive of NBCUniversal content. Wondering where “The Office” went when it vanished from Netflix? It is here, along side “Parks and Recreation, ” “House, ” “Downton Abbey, ” “Cheers” and much more.

Unfortunately, however, the variation you obtain on Flex just isn’t ad-free. With films, 160 moments of advertisements are stacked in the very beginning of the movie. With television shows, you can find standard advertising breaks, though with fewer commercials than the thing is on community television. And also you cannot fast-forward last them, so time your bathrooms breaks appropriately.

You are able to, but, spend an additional $5 a month rather than see adverts.

The screen is, when I published early in the day, much like the X1 field. Apps you utilize frequently and demonstrates to you watch frequently bubble as much as the top your home display screen, therefore the sound remote stays the way that is best to navigate the solution. It’s one of many most readily useful sound settings I’ve utilized.

Within my review that is initial I in regards to the slew of free television shows and films which are included. The way that is best to get them has been the sound remote, with lets you request things in numerous means. You can easily require young ones programs, horror, comedy along with other genres. You are able to request every thing that is free, or all content for sale in 4K. I must say I don’t utilize the display design to locate material, We use my voice just.

There’s one change that is big just how Flex works: It no further calls for that you use Comcast’s xFi modem/router hardware. You need to use your equipment that is own you won’t get some good associated with the niftier features, such as for example seeing which products are linked to your property system or usage of your smart house abilities. But you’ll save the fee that is rental the xFi, that is $14 30 days.

You don’t really want to drop cable TV for streaming after all, you can re-sign up for Comcast’s cable-TV service and use the Flex as your set-top box if you decide. This ability is made in to the Flex, enabling the ongoing company to recapture cable cutters who’ve regrets. You’ll need the xFi Gateway for this, but Meyer said Comcast will quickly allow you to take action together with your very own modem and router.

After coping with the Flex for some time, switching if I had to ditch it, I probably would not miss it between it and the Apple TV, I’m glad I have it but. I possibly could not endorse the Flex to those people who are not used to cord-cutting and who would like a cable-alternative software, because Comcast just isn’t publicly investing in including them.

But because it’s free — go for it if you want free access to Peacock; want the familiarity of Comcast’s Xfinity TV interface; only want to use the most-common streaming service apps; or just want it.