Important: Vidgo is currently unavailable. The service stopped accepting new subscribers in late 2023 and it currently remains unclear if and when the service will resume normal operations.
Vidgo does provide subscribers with a cloud DVR for recording shows, movies, and live sports, although it is not quite as robust as some of the other live TV streaming services. Not to mention, there is a difference in the quality of the DVR support between the service’s two main plans. Still, as DVR is a relatively new feature to Vidgo, the support for recordings is better than before.
Vidgo has not been around for quite as long as some of the other services and that has impacted on the depth and quality of the features available, and DVR is a prime example. During Vidgo’s early days, the ability to record videos was not an option. Instead, Vidgo encouraged subscribers to use its playback feature to catch up on videos shown during the previous 24 hours.
In late 2021, Vidgo added DVR functionality, finally making it possible for subscribers to record videos. However, Vidgo does offer two main plans and they do treat DVR differently. While subscribers signed up to the Premium package get access to 20 hours of DVR included for free, Plus and Mas subscribers only get 20 hours of recording space for the first 90 days.
Irrespective of the plan, 20 hours is not that much when compared to the recording experiences offered by competing services. For example, Sling TV costs half as much as Vidgo and offers 50 hours for free (or the option to upgrade to 200 hours for $5 per month). Most of the other popular live TV streaming services tend to now offer an unlimited cloud DVR, with the exception of fuboTV and its 1,000 hours of recording space.
How Vidgo’s DVR works
In addition to the general limitation on hours, there are some other restrictions that might affect a subscriber’s ability to make recordings. The most notable is that Vidgo currently only lists DVR support for Apple TV, Fire TV, Google TV, and Roku. If using the Vidgo website, or a different platform or device, subscribers may find their ability to access the DVR is restricted or altogether unavailable.
Proving a supported device is being used, subscribers are able to take advantage of a typical recording experience, including the ability to record single episodes or all episodes for a series or event. Once a recording has been scheduled, it will enter the In Queue section of the app before eventually becoming available in the Recorded section.
Due to the limited number of hours available, subscribers will want to take more of a proactive approach to library management and ensure that any watched videos are deleted to make room for future recordings. Once again, as Vidgo’s DVR functionality is also dependent on the device, subscribers may find that they are unable to manage or even access recordings on some devices. Basically, if a DVR tab is not listed in the main menu, it is likely that the Vidgo app on that device doesn’t currently support DVR.
Why cloud DVR is important
Cloud DVR is important for a number of reasons although one of the most basic is the level of freedom it offers to subscribers. Having access to cloud DVR is one of the most common features among the major live TV streaming services. While the price or storage capacity might vary, any cloud DVR is better than none.
With access to a DVR, users receive an experience more similar to what they are already accustomed to with traditional TV and recording. In many ways, it is an upgraded experience as while storage limits exist, live TV streaming users tend to not have to worry about tuners. Instead, they can usually record multiple channels at the same time, and stockpile content for when they want to watch.
Without a cloud DVR feature, live TV streaming becomes a very basic service requiring subscribers to sit down and watch content when it is being broadcast live on the channel. This not only results in a situation where if you are not there on time then you miss out, but consumers also then lose access to the additional benefits typically associated with recordings, such as the ability to skip commercials.
Making the most of Vidgo’s DVR
With only 20 hours of recording space to play with, management of Vidgo’s DVR is key to ensuring recordings are not missed. In some cases, it may even make more sense to skip recording a video altogether, thanks to Vidgo’s Advanced Playback.
As mentioned, Vidgo’s Advanced Playback makes it possible to watch previously aired episodes and even sports games. What’s more, there’s nothing a Vidgo subscriber has to do to enable the feature. Instead, they just need to head to the program, or find the listing in the live TV channel guide, and then click on the Playback button.
Another way to maximize the Vidgo experience is to take advantage of the service’s on-demand support. Just like most other live TV streaming services in 2022, Vidgo’s On Demand library is available at any time and includes shows and movies available through the channels included with a subscription. In cases where a subscriber didn’t record a video, and it’s no longer available through the Advanced Playback feature, then it may actually be available to watch in the on-demand section.
Better still, simply watch live. Vidgo is unique in the sense that it places an unusual degree of importance on watching live events and this is summed up with its watchalong support. Thanks to its Social TV, Vidgo makes it super easy to not only watch live events with friends and family but also strangers. With such a focus on watching live, the more often a Vidgo subscriber makes use of Social TV, the less often they might need a DVR to fall back on.
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