You might think streaming is the only way to watch television anymore, but Google Fiber TV offers a wired alternative that rivals cable and satellite providers. It isn’t just a bundle of channels; it is a hardware and software ecosystem designed to handle everything from live broadcasts to your personal media library.
How the hardware and channel lineup work
The service centers around a set-top box that functions like a traditional DVR but with significantly more muscle. You control it with a remote that brings up a guide similar to what you see on cable. You can browse, search, and look at details for current and upcoming shows. On-demand content and movie rentals are available directly from the interface.
The channel count includes over 150 HD channels, along with some standard definition (SD) options. Local broadcast channels are part of the base package. Premium content is optional. You can add HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, STARZ, and various sports channels. While early versions of the service left out major networks like HBO, ESPN, Comedy Central, and Disney, those have since been added to the available lineup.
Why the storage and recording features matter
Most standard DVRs hold a modest amount of data and can only record one show at a time. Google Fiber’s storage box breaks that limitation. It holds up to 2 terabytes (TB) of data. That translates to about 500 hours of high-definition programming. You can record up to eight shows simultaneously. If you have a full schedule of conflicting events, this is a lifesaver.
The box does more than just record TV. It stores personal files. You can keep photos, music, and home videos on the device and stream them to any connected TV through the Apps & More menu. For audio files, you can play them through equipment connected to the TV box or the television itself. One caveat: the remote control cannot operate external audio devices.
Where to watch when you are away from home
Leaving the house doesn’t mean you lose access to your content. Google Fiber TV includes a feature called TV Everywhere (TVE). This allows you to watch shows from specific channels on a computer or mobile device when you are away from home. Access depends on your subscriptions.
Eligible TVE channels include:
– NBC Olympics TVE
– Showtime Anytime (requires paid subscription)
– STARZ Play (requires paid subscription)
– Watch ABC
– Watch ABC Family
– Watch Disney
– Watch ESPN
– Watch Longhorn
There is a nuance with HBO. As of August 2014, subscribers paying for HBO through Google Fiber could not access HBO GO, the online service that lets people watch HBO content away from their TVs. While that restriction existed, the possibility of a future agreement to include it was on the table.
How the built-in apps and mobile integration function
The interface includes several native apps: Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, and Weather. Netflix and Vudu require separate subscriptions for those services. Notably, the Netflix integration supports Super HD content through the Google Fiber platform.
You are not locked into the living room. Download the Google Fiber mobile app onto a compatible device, and that phone or tablet becomes your remote. You can search for shows and movies without pausing what is currently playing. You can schedule and manage DVR recordings. You can even share content to social media directly from the app. It turns your phone into a control center for the entire home entertainment setup.
Does a 2TB drive feel like enough? For most households, 500 hours of HD recording is a massive amount of buffer. But if you are a hardcore binge-watcher who records entire seasons of multiple shows, you might still hit the ceiling. That is the trade-off with hardware-based solutions: you are limited by the physical box, not the cloud.
