xfinity.com
With Xfinity, you can watch live-tv and on-demand content, as well as record shows. This popular US cable TV network offers over 200 channels to choose from, covering a variety of genres and styles.
The Flex is a cable-replacement service that allows users to watch TV and streams content over the internet. The X1 is Comcast's traditional cable service that includes live and on-demand programming, as well as DVR capabilities. Both services have their pros and cons, so it is important for consumers to weigh all of their options before making a decision.
Many people are searching for a cord-cutting alternative, which often means looking into the different cable services available. Cable replacement, or cord cutting, refers to the act of reducing one's dependence on traditional television by using an alternate means of consuming content, such as over the internet or through a streaming device like an Xbox or Playstation. There are two main offerings when it comes to cord cutting: Xfinityâs Flex service and Comcastâs traditional X1 service. The Flex is a cable-replacement service that allows users to watch TV and streams content over the internet; while the X1 is Comcastâs traditional cable service that includes live and on-demand programming, as well as DVR capabilities. Both services have their pros and cons, so it is important for consumers to weigh all of their options before making a decision.
Xfinity X1
X1 allows users to watch live television and access streaming apps together. It is the most comprehensive package offered by Xfinity. You can schedule recordings, stream and download DVR recordings at any time. With X1 you can search everything at once and customize with YouTube, Prime Video, and Netflix. Moreover, you can also listen to Pandora, Amazon Music, NPR, and iHeartRadio.
This device has many amazing features such as voice commands, sports stats, other information, news, weather, traffic, photos, voicemail, stocks and even horoscopes. Some people find these features too much to handle, but that's not the case for everyone.
The latest series of Xfinity's X1 boxes come with a receiver box and DVR that links to not just your television or the internet but also with your computer, tablets, phones, and home security systems.
Flex
X1 is Flex's primary competitor in the cable market and they both have similar platforms. X1 has a larger content library and is better suited for watching TV and movies. However, Flex is 4K-compatible and has some competent features, such as RF remote control and voice activation.
Flex allows you to monitor and control your home network through its display on a TV. It includes features such as smart-home functionality, which allows you to access connected devices in your home through the television screen. Additionally, Flex can interact with other devices in your home to control settings like the thermostat or lighting.
History
In 2010, Comcast Corporation subsidiary Xfinity was introduced with the goal of marketing cable television, telephone, internet, and wireless services across the country. Within only 10 years it had become one of the top service providers in the United States and by 2017 it had served almost 40% of all markets. As of 2018, Comcast Corporation has 26.5 million customers.
Capitalizing on an opportunity
In 1996, Comcast helped found @Home Network. Under this banner, internet service was sold through the cable lines of Comcast. Later, in 2002, @Home merged with Excite and the company called for bankruptcy. At this time, Comcast moved the existing user base of 950,000 to their own network.
Launch of X1
In May 2012, Comcast launched X1 - a new software and hardware platform for its television services. This platform provides extensive support for integrating your internet, television, and home security in one place. By the end of 2013, Xfinity X1 was made available across the United States.
Launch of Xfinity Mobile
In April 2017, Comcast rolled out Xfinity Mobile, a wireless carrier band which surpassed 1 million lines in about 2 years. Xfinity Mobile makes use of a 4G LTE network to access 18 million Wi-Fi hotspots across the country. Xfinity operates as a MVNO which helps it to leverage its Verizon Wireless Network.
Design
The website's design is excellent. There is a lot of thought put into the graphics and everything on the website flows together nicely. The black and white contrast is present on all the pages and each element meshes well with banners that complement the menus and the inside pages. On the homepage, you have two menus - one is the header and the other is the general menu. The header menu features options such as Shop, My Account, Support, My Xfinity, and Comcast Business. The general menu features options such as Internet, TV & Streaming, Mobile, Home Security, Home Phones, and Deals.
The design I like best about Xfinity's homepage is that the general support has been separated from its services. The services on the homepage are more easily accessible since they are presented as a drop-down menu on the right, rather than being hidden below the general support section. This makes Xfinity's homepage quite different from most other websites, which I find refreshing.
Since we are focused on TV and streaming prowess, let's discuss that. As you hover on the menu, you get several options which include: Overview, X1 TV, Flex Streaming, Channel Lineup, Add-on Channels, and Latino. If you click on any of these pages, you will be taken to a dedicated page that highlights that particular service. For instance, I clicked on X1 TV and I entered a new page that highlighted X1 TV's USPs and features such as - DVR, 4K Ultra HD, Movies on Demand, streaming and music in one place.
I loved the differentiation between X1 and Flex the most on the entire website. Even someone without any information about the service can understand the difference between the two services. You can easily make out that both services are the same except Flex doesn't offer live broadcast and cable networks, Xfinity Cloud DVR or Sports Zone app with live scores and stats. Everything else is similar in both services.
Content
Do you want to watch cable TV programming but not everything is available through streaming? The same is true for Comcast's X1 and Flex services. With X1, you get the complete package. With Flex, you get a tailored package that is specifically designed for your content needs.
Xfinity X1 TV offers over 200 HD channels, compared to Flex's mere 20. Moreover, the content found on Hulu, Disney, CBS All Access, and ESPN linear channels are not supported by Flex. This means that the availability of live TV content and saved content differs vastly between X1 and Flex. I have already explained the difference in terms of how each platform supports live TV and DVR recordings.
With Xfinity X1 TV and Flex, you can subscribe to additional services, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu (only for X1), which presents you with an opportunity to expand the content library. Since, X1 also provides access to Disney, Hulu, and CBS All Access, you can watch a wide range of live channels and on-demand content that can range from epic Marvel movies to Hulu Originals.
Xfinity Stream on Demand
Xfinity Stream offers a whopping 20,000 programs, four times as many as any of its closest competitors. This great selection includes both quality content and the convenience of availability on-demand. That means you can watch it anytime, anywhere - without having to worry about recording it!
Desktop/Mobile experience
Xfinity's X1 display a visual guide which helps you to choose titles by reading the descriptions. The TV guide features ratings, release dates, cast details and other crucial information. If you're streaming via the Xfinity Stream app, you'll still have a responsive app that functions great. I didn't find any nagging issues while testing the app.
Before I move towards the compatibility, it is important to note that there are many services offered under Xfinity. So, if you want to receive these for more than one TV, you will need to pay the additional cost. There are extra charges for additional installation and DVR functionality. However, let's learn about a few important points:
First, there are various extra costs associated with having more than one TV hooked up to Xfinity service. For example, you will need to pay extra for additional installation and DVR functionality. Secondly, keep in mind that there are some important things to know about this compatibility: first of all, you will be required to pay the additional cost even if you only want one of these services activated on each television; additionally, there are extra charges for having more than one of these services active simultaneously. Finally, I would like to remind everyone that this is not a complete list of all the benefits and services that Xfinity offers; so please explore the full range of options by checking out the website or calling customer service.
Recording with Xfinity X1
Allows viewers to preview and schedule recordings up to two weeks in advance of the premiere. Can be done on any device. Can also use the X1 box to record either a single episode or an entire series, up to 60 hours in HD and 300 hours in SD quality. Additional hard drive is recommended for recording more than 300 hours in quality.
Compatibility
Xfinity only supports Roku, iPhone/iPad, web browsers and Android phones. It is not compatible with Android TV, gaming consoles such as Xbox and PlayStation, Amazon Fire TV, Nintendo devices, Google Chromecast, Apple TV or Samsung Smart TVs.
Plans & Pricing
As mentioned earlier, each of the services have different price tags which differ from region to region. Nonetheless, on a broader level, the three plans can be bifurcated into three categories - digital starters at $49.99 which offer 140+ channels, digital preferred at $59.99 that offer 220+ channels, and digital premiers at $104.99 that offer 260+ channels.
Suggestions I have for Xfinity
I do not understand why Xfinity is putting all of its eggs in the X1 basket when Flex, which is supposed to be the service that would hatch in the near future, is not doing well. I would like them to pay more attention to turning Flex into a powerhouse and focus on their customer service- which is judged by user rating to be quite bizarre.
Conclusion
Xfinity aims to be an alternative to AT&T in the home and is actually doing so on a streaming level. Is it better than DirecTV? That's up to you.
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