Are you a fan of HBO original programming, but do not want to pay for cable to watch your favorite shows? Or are you skeptical about cutting the cord with the cable because you do not want to lose your HBO subscription? Good news! Now you can watch all the content, past and present HBO without cable subscription as HBO joined the online video streaming kingdom. HBO is now a standalone streaming service that gives you all the original HBO series and comedies, documentaries and new films. You can even watch live broadcasts as it is broadcast on cable television regularly. With HBO Now you have unlimited access to every episode and season of the network's shows. Since HBO is now a newcomer to the world of online video, we decided to test it for ourselves and see if it is actually worth. Here's what we found.
How does it work?
To use HBO Now you must subscribe from the application and then choose how you want to look, whether on a TV, PC or mobile device. Currently, you can download the app on Apple devices (iPhone or iPad with iOS 7.0 or higher), Android devices (with version 4.2 or later) and tablet Amazon Fire (third generation or later). After downloading the application and created your account, you can log in to one of the supported devices.
Who can use it?
Anyone who downloads the app HBO NOW and sign for the service can use. Unlike HBO GO, which is a part of your HBO subscription with your cable, HBO NOW is not associated with an HBO subscription. Once you have signed in using your Amazon Fire tablet, iPad, iPhone or Android device, you can connect to other supported devices to listen instantly. This means you can watch content on your mobile devices, Roku, your TV with Chromecast or Apple TV or laptop or Mac or Windows desktop. HBO NOW is supported on Roku and Mac OS 10.6 or later and any Windows computer with Vista or later. It also works on almost all web browsers, including Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox and Chrome. HBO plans to make longer supported in its streaming service in the future devices, starting with the Amazon Fire TV.
What can I watch?
As an HBO service, you only have access to HBO shows. That said, the streaming service gives you access to all of its original programming, including older shows like "The Sopranos," as well as more recent shows such as "Game of Thrones" and "Ballers." Unlike other streaming services that make you wait for the next day to see a new episode, HBO now allows you to watch a show or movie when it is broadcast live on the network's cable channel.
When you connect to your HBO NOW account on a computer or mobile device, you can see all the content available to instantly watch and filter by things such as series, movies, comedy, sports and documentaries. You can also see what will happen soon and see a live calendar of HBO programming is broadcast on all its channels for that day if you want to watch live content with HBO your account now. In addition, there is no limit to the number of devices you can use with your HBO subscription NOW, so several people can be signed at a time. It is important to note that you must have at least a 3G connection or use a high-speed broadband connection if you are viewing on a mobile device.
Are there parental control features?
HBO now have an enhanced security feature for parental controls. This function is available regardless of the device you are using. First, you must create a numeric PIN. Then you can adjust settings for both TV and movies, and select the maximum level allowed. For example, if you let your kids use your HBO NOW account and you want to be sure they do not look anything inappropriate, you must click on parental controls, enter your PIN and set the maximum rated G , PG or PG 13. in this way, they will be limited to any display with an R or NC-17; those preferences will remain in place until you enter your PIN again and make adjustments.
How much?
HBO NOW is currently offering a free 30-day trial. After that, the service costs $ 14.99 / month and will continue to charge you every month, unless you disable the "automatic renewal" option in the application. Note that although you can use the service on a computer, you must register for the service by downloading an application on one of the supported devices.
Bottom line
HBO now offers a lot of great content, new and old, and allows you to stream TV shows and live. However, you only have access to HBO shows, making the price $ 14.99 / month rather high considering most other streaming services cost less than $ 10 / month for access to thousands of shows and network films. And if you do not have one of the supported devices to download the application, you will not be able to use the service at all. Unlike other streaming services, HBO NOW is currently only compatible with some very certain devices. If you want more than HBO shows or have a smart TV or game console that will not work with this service, Amazon, Netflix or Hulu can be a better option for you. Visit our video reviews online for information on how to get started with one of these services.