mlb.com games on internet???

751542 · Post by **751542** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:05 am

has anyone purchased the package on the internet?? if so, is the streaming good?? i know in the past it wasnt very good. i have a great wireless connection so thats not the issue. let me know your thoughts...n thanks RT

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:13 am

Originally posted by RoundTrippers:

has anyone purchased the package on the internet?? if so, is the streaming good?? i know in the past it wasnt very good. i have a great wireless connection so thats not the issue. let me know your thoughts...n thanks RT I purchased it last season and it worked very well. It was pretty smooth from what I recall. There were moments when it would hang - it's not TV after all but I was happy with it. Not sure if you lose anything via wireless setup since I have that pc hooked via ethernet to the router. The pc is pretty robust (bought it last may) and I boosted the cable speed.

bluenose · Post by **bluenose** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:47 am

Be sure to check the blackout restrictions before you buy and make sure you're cool with them.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:02 am

I do the cable package (Extra Innings) plus Slingbox. Much better IMO

Liquidhippo · Post by **Liquidhippo** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:03 am

My experience is that its hit and miss, with a lot of misses. This spring, about 20% of time no games at all were available even though they had been advertised to be available. And in these particular instances, it had nothing to do with blackouts, but merely MLB technical problems of some sort. Virtually the entire week leading up to the drafts, when trying to watch games from my hotel room to scout players, most of the time I received a message that MLB.com was undergoing maintenance and that the game chosen was not available. This was the case for most games that 2nd week of March this year. When games were actuallly available this preseason, the streaming was extremely choppy about 60-70% of the time, making it unwatchable(fyi - this even with a high speed/hard wired connection). The 30-40% of the time that its been smooth, it has been fine.

Some caveats: Lots of blackouts during the regular season. For me there are 3 teams that have 100% of their games blacked out(Cincy, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh). I've heard other users, particularly out west, claim that 6 or more teams are always blocked out for them, even teams that are a 12 hour drive from their primary residence. There are also certain times when ALL games are blacked out no matter what, Saturday afternoon for example, due to some TV contract with Fox. Also, I've had the package for a while now, and every single year, starting in late April there is a 4-6 week stretch where every single time you switch games, you have to reauthenticate with not only your username and password, but your full name, mailing address, credit card number, exp date. If you don't have your credit card on you at the time, you are denied service. Process takes about 5 minutes each time and during those weeks I just don't use the service it because its such a pain. I don't use it to 'watch games', but to scout players, but the required reauthentication makes that not possible during those weeks. If you just plan on watching one game all the way through without switching then its not as big of a deal.

This inconvenient 'reauthentication' requirement tends to cease around June. From that point on service is inconsistent. Usually there will be a 2-3 week stretch where everything is smooth, followed by a 2-3 week stretch where everything is choppy, with freeze frames lasting anywhere from 1 second to up to 3-5 when its really bad(once in a while up to 30 seconds, but that is rare).

I'd recommend a wired connection over wireless if you're going to try it out.

[ March 26, 2008, 09:08 AM: Message edited by: Liquidhippo ]

DOUGHBOYS · Post by **DOUGHBOYS** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:18 am

Originally posted by Liquidhippo:

My experience is that its hit and miss, with a lot of misses. This spring, about 20% of time no games at all were available even though they had been advertised to be available. And in these particular instances, it had nothing to do with blackouts, but merely MLB technical problems of some sort. Virtually the entire week leading up to the drafts, when trying to watch games from my hotel room to scout players, most of the time I received a message that MLB.com was undergoing maintenance and that the game chosen was not available. This was the case for most games that 2nd week of March this year. When games were actuallly available this preseason, the streaming was extremely choppy about 60-70% of the time, making it unwatchable(fyi - this even with a high speed/hard wired connection). The 30-40% of the time that its been smooth, it has been fine.

Some caveats: Lots of blackouts during the regular season. For me there are 3 teams that have 100% of their games blacked out(Cincy, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh). I've heard other users, particularly out west, claim that 6 or more teams are always blocked out for them, even teams that are a 12 hour drive from their primary residence. There are also certain times when ALL games are blacked out no matter what, Saturday afternoon for example, due to some TV contract with Fox. Also, I've had the package for a while now, and every single year, starting in late April there is a 4-6 week stretch where every single time you switch games, you have to reauthenticate with not only your username and password, but your full name, mailing address, credit card number, exp date. If you don't have your credit card on you at the time, you are denied service. Process takes about 5 minutes each time and during those weeks I just don't use the service it because its such a pain. I don't use it to 'watch games', but to scout players, but the required reauthentication makes that not possible during those weeks. If you just plan on watching one game all the way through without switching then its not as big of a deal.

This inconvenient 'reauthentication' requirement tends to cease around June. From that point on service is inconsistent. Usually there will be a 2-3 week stretch where everything is smooth, followed by a 2-3 week stretch where everything is choppy, with freeze frames lasting anywhere from 1 second to up to 3-5 when its really bad(once in a while up to 30 seconds, but that is rare).

I'd recommend a wired connection over wireless if you're going to try it out. Perfectly described. I didn't sign up this year.

Ballfour · Post by **Ballfour** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:42 am

I had it last year during the regular season. Had some of the same problems as Liquidhippo but not to the same degree. Blackouts weren't as big of a problem as the closest MLB is over 3 hours away from me

but when games were televised nationally I was backed out then. I have a cable hook up to the Internet and the streaming was OK. You can buy it month at a time. Maybe that would be the way to go until you saw how it worked in your area.

751542 · Post by **751542** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:06 am

excellent insight and thanks to all who have responded!! i was hoping others would appreciate the info as well. i am definetly a bit skeptical about it as i was before. i am within 2 hours of balt, wash and phili and am nervous about being blacked out on numerous games...thanks again and will enjoy the extra innings package and my computer again this year. RT

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:34 am

RT, check out the Slingbox. Works great with the cable package. PM me for details if you need help.

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:02 am

Picture quality on the premium mlb subscription is excellent. Slingbox is much worse than even the lower quality MLB product even when its forwarding an HD channel. I agree on the hit and miss nature, but each year seems to improve over the prior as they get into the season.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 6:32 am

Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Picture quality on the premium mlb subscription is excellent. Slingbox is much worse than even the lower quality MLB product even when its forwarding an HD channel. I agree on the hit and miss nature, but each year seems to improve over the prior as they get into the season. Have to disagree, as last year's mlb.com ranged from horrible to unwatchable. I'm also seeing bad things during the pre-season this year. This is with absolute optimal computing conditions:

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 8MB, 3.67GHz factory OC'd

4GB^3 Corsair Dominator DDR2 SDRAM

800MHz OC'd to 1066MHz-4 DIMMs

Verizon FIOS 30 Mbps download speed

One other difference not already mentioned. With mlb.com, they run the exact same generic ad between innings -- extremely annoying to watch. The local advertising that's shown on the cable package is often amusing.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 7:56 am

How ridiculous is it that the cable version isn't offered in HD yet?

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:25 am

Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Picture quality on the premium mlb subscription is excellent. Slingbox is much worse than even the lower quality MLB product even when its forwarding an HD channel. I agree on the hit and miss nature, but each year seems to improve over the prior as they get into the season. Have to disagree, as last year's mlb.com ranged from horrible to unwatchable. I'm also seeing bad things during the pre-season this year. This is with absolute optimal computing conditions:

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 8MB, 3.67GHz factory OC'd

4GB^3 Corsair Dominator DDR2 SDRAM

800MHz OC'd to 1066MHz-4 DIMMs

Verizon FIOS 30 Mbps download speed

One other difference not already mentioned. With mlb.com, they run the exact same generic ad between innings -- extremely annoying to watch. The local advertising that's shown on the cable package is often amusing. [/QUOTE]Must vary by location KOQ, worked pretty well for me last season once they worked the early season bugs out.

Liquidhippo · Post by **Liquidhippo** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 9:55 am

Originally posted by King of Queens:

quote:Originally posted by KJ Duke:

Picture quality on the premium mlb subscription is excellent. Slingbox is much worse than even the lower quality MLB product even when its forwarding an HD channel. I agree on the hit and miss nature, but each year seems to improve over the prior as they get into the season. Have to disagree, as last year's mlb.com ranged from horrible to unwatchable. I'm also seeing bad things during the pre-season this year. This is with absolute optimal computing conditions:

Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 8MB, 3.67GHz factory OC'd

4GB^3 Corsair Dominator DDR2 SDRAM

800MHz OC'd to 1066MHz-4 DIMMs

Verizon FIOS 30 Mbps download speed

One other difference not already mentioned. With mlb.com, they run the exact same generic ad between innings -- extremely annoying to watch. The local advertising that's shown on the cable package is often amusing. [/QUOTE]It was great the first year when they did not have the generic ad or anything else, but just the announcers when they thought they were off the air, with their 'masks' off....a lot of amusing coments when they thought noone was listening, often just silence and background noise, but other times, crude comments, profanity, course jesting...funny stuff.

NorCalAtlFan · Post by **NorCalAtlFan** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 12:35 pm

Originally posted by bjoak:

How ridiculous is it that the cable version isn't offered in HD yet? I'm sure it will be soon. Directtv is offering their Super Fan package with HD games.

bjoak · Post by **bjoak** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:40 pm

Originally posted by NorCalAtlFan:

quote:Originally posted by bjoak:

How ridiculous is it that the cable version isn't offered in HD yet? I'm sure it will be soon. Directtv is offering their Super Fan package with HD games. [/QUOTE]When I called the cable company, the not very well informed person told me I'd have to call back after March 31 and said she didn't think it'd be in HD.

I see this on the extra innings web site:

Q: ARE HIGH DEFINITION GAMES INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE?

A: Yes, up to 10 games a week in high definition are included in the package at no additional cost. HD games are available in select areas, please check with your local provider for details.

Sounds like they will have 1 HD channel and play select games on it. Let me guess the first week's schedule:

March 31 Toronto vs. Yankees 1:05 ET

April 1 Boston vs. Oakland 10:05 ET

April 2 Boston vs. Oakland 3:35 ET, Toronto vs. Yankees 7:05 ET

April 3 Toronto vs. Yankees 7:05 ET

April 4 TB vs. Yankees 7:05 ET,

April 5 No scheduled game.

April 6 TB vs. Yankees 1:05 ET

JohnZ · Post by **JohnZ** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:46 pm

Originally posted by bjoak:

quote:Originally posted by NorCalAtlFan:

quote:Originally posted by bjoak:

How ridiculous is it that the cable version isn't offered in HD yet? I'm sure it will be soon. Directtv is offering their Super Fan package with HD games. [/QUOTE]When I called the cable company, the not very well informed person told me I'd have to call back after March 31 and said she didn't think it'd be in HD.

I see this on the extra innings web site:

Q: ARE HIGH DEFINITION GAMES INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE?

A: Yes, up to 10 games a week in high definition are included in the package at no additional cost. HD games are available in select areas, please check with your local provider for details.

Sounds like they will have 1 HD channel and play select games on it. Let me guess the first week's schedule:

March 31 Toronto vs. Yankees 1:05 ET

April 1 Boston vs. Oakland 10:05 ET

April 2 Boston vs. Oakland 3:35 ET, Toronto vs. Yankees 7:05 ET

April 3 Toronto vs. Yankees 7:05 ET

April 4 TB vs. Yankees 7:05 ET,

April 5 No scheduled game.

April 6 TB vs. Yankees 1:05 ET [/QUOTE]HDNet??

There were games on there last year in this mode.

NorCalAtlFan · Post by **NorCalAtlFan** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:54 pm

I don't think HDnet. I'm sure the package on Directtv, will just have dedicated channels, like they do for the NFL Ticket.

NorCalAtlFan · Post by **NorCalAtlFan** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:05 pm

I don't think HDnet. I'm sure the package on Directtv, will just have dedicated channels, like they do for the NFL Ticket.

slopshot · Post by **slopshot** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:17 pm

Directv is saying that they will have about 40 games a week in HD if you purchase the superfan package for the extra 50 bucks.

Dub · Post by **Dub** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 4:54 pm

I see that this year MLB.com is offering a regular or premium package (which they state should make the streaming quality better)

Wax_Poetic · Post by **Wax_Poetic** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 8:44 pm

I purchased the premium package this year which offers superior quality video and the "mosaic" feature where you can watch up to 6 games at a time. It was $120 for the whole year. In my mind, the best route would probably pay month-to-month since it's the same price per month ($20).

You don't get a discount for buying the whole year up front.

So far, the premium broadcasts are excellent, but we'll see once things start to heat up on Monday.

-Andy Park

Jesse Homer · Post by **Jesse Homer** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:40 am

I once again signed up for MLB.TV Premium.I love it. For simple fact that they archive every game, so you can go back and watch any game you want.

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 5:50 am

Originally posted by homer:

I once again signed up for MLB.TV Premium.I love it. For simple fact that they archive every game, so you can go back and watch any game you want. This is a good point that I had forgotten about. I think the best plan of action is to sign up for just one month and see if the service has improved.

Great thread!