MLB.TV question - previous subscribers help please.

by rlgosnell on Dec 13, 2008 3:13 PM EST Comment 15 comments

So I live in Houston and annually order the MLB Extra Innings package through the cable provider to catch the Cardinals games, but we are looking at switching to AT&T which does not offer the most important service on my list. Sadly the GF does not rate it as such a high priority. So I'm looking at subscribing to MLB.TV to catch the games on the computer but I have a couple of questions.

1. Can you watch previous days games if you miss them that night and want to watch them the following day?

2. How is the video quality? Does it depend on the internet speed?

3. Any other pros/cons you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

1 recs | Comment 15 comments

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I got it last year

To answer your questions:
1) All games played are archived a couple hours after the game. You can watch the entire game or a shortened version that goes out by out and shows scoring plays. The latter is usually about 5 minutes I think.
2) The video quality does depend on your internet. There are three types of video quality. The top one looks pretty good IMO. They also have plugins to help smooth the feed when you are watching it.
3) My favorite thing MLB.tv has is the MLB Mosaic program. It is a program you download and use like an application. The application allows you to watch six games at once (smaller picture for each game), or 4 games, or 3 games, or just one. I found this useful when I wanted to know what the Cubs were doing or if something crazy is happening like a no hitter or something.

Overall I liked MLB.tv. I stopped using it as much when the Cardinals were falling out of contention but for most of the year it was very useful. I will most likely get it again this year (I live in CA- never any Cards games on tv). I hope this is helpful in your decision making.

by 916baller on Dec 13, 2008 4:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Also, be warned that you will be blacked out of all national games and all cardinals/astro games

and last year, there was this weird thing were certain saturday games were blacked out, even if they weren’t national.

But yes, I was quite happy with my mlb.tv subscription.

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Dec 13, 2008 11:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The system can be gamed easily.

by JI on Dec 14, 2008 9:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Anonymizer?

by spants on Dec 14, 2008 9:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Mongolian proxy server?

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Dec 14, 2008 11:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Something similar, yes.

I’ve said too much.

by JI on Dec 15, 2008 8:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

games on Saturday being blacked out

I have had MLB.tv for the last 3 seasons, this usually happens when a network buys the rights to multiple games at the beginning of the season and they show the one with the “most interest”. Usually, in my area anyway (FL), they play the game that has a northeastern team in it- Yankees or Red Sox

by showmejoe on Dec 14, 2008 12:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the info

the saturday blackouts happened with the mlb extra innings package as well.

by rlgosnell on Dec 14, 2008 1:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Exactly, and it's not that big of a deal

I think the Cardinals have wised up on the whole Saturday thing (as has most of the MLB) and are starting games on Saturday (not televised by Fox) after 6 pm Central time which gets around the blackout. Overall, it doesn’t effect many games.

And as far as Cardinal/Astro games, I’m sure you get that on your local Fox station or whatever so who cares if it’s blacked out on mlb.tv (since it’d be blacked out on EI as well).

Btw, I’ve had MLB.tv for about 4 years and I think it gets better every year. There’s always some issues for the first week or two and if you check message boards you’ll find that A LOT of people bitch and moan about it (btw, their customer service sucks). But it always works itself out and all is fine.

Plus, you get more games with mlb.tv. EI only shows 60 games per week (I think its 60?) while mlb.tv shows every game every week except for anything blacked out by the Fox Saturday telecast and the Sunday Night game on ESPN, which you can watch on ESPN.

The boys are all here for ya...we'll back you up...we'll be there...cause, Billy, we don't stink right now. We're the best team in baseball right now...right this minute...because of you. You're the reason. We're not gonna screw that up, we're gonna be awesome for you right now. Just throw.

by Tackle Box on Dec 14, 2008 5:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

it annoys me because I don't have cable

I would literally be paying $40 a month to watch cheers reruns, cardinal/astro games and the Daily Show.

They say that it's never too late, but you don't get any younger...

by Valatan on Dec 14, 2008 5:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, if you don't have cable then I can see your side

But, forgive me for assuming everyone had cable. It’s not everyday you run across someone who doesn’t.

My neighbor asked me the other day what I had for internet service and I asked why she was asking. She said, “Well, I need to get internet and was just wondering what you had”. I almost fell down. And it’s not like she’s 90, she’s in her early 30s and is a high school teacher.

I just find it interesting and amazing that anyone can get by without cable and/or internet. It’s like when you run across someone who doesn’t own a cell phone. I’m like, “how do you ever meet up with people” and I grew up when they didn’t even exist. I guess we’re just spoiled.

by Tackle Box on Dec 14, 2008 6:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

mlbtv worked great for me

EVERY. SINGLE. GAME. is available and you can take it anywhere. It’s vastly superior to EI if you already have highspeed internet.

by JI on Dec 14, 2008 9:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

there are

ways to watch blocked live mlb season games on the internet actually.

by J.Wu on Dec 16, 2008 9:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Care to

elaborate?

by spants on Dec 17, 2008 12:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

from all the way over

on Guatemala, I can say mlb.tv is the only thing that keeps me linked to Cardinal baseball.. I don’t get all games here via cable or radio so mlb.tv is really my only resort. The quality is good, the accessibility is great and it is great value for your money. I recommend it strongly.

Yadi swings and hits a high fly ball... Endy Chavez goes back, to the track, to the wall... ITS A GUNNER!! Yadi gives St. Louis the lead in the top of the ninth!

by Paulspike on Dec 16, 2008 9:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs