Best way to watch the Cavs this season?

[mhi]

Is Ballstreams something that would even be in danger of being shut down or having awful speed/buffering? I have no problem using non-official means to watch all the games, I just don't want my chief source to get shut down 60% through the season.

That's my chief concern, as well as the existence of a tape delay (non starter because I watch the games with laptop in hand so I can keep up with my fantasy teams, switch to hot games, etc). From asking around, ballstreams' delay (i heard ~5s) is better than NBALP (10-15s terrible).

Can anybody shed some light on the delay times ?

 

[RapsCavs]

I too am planning on purchasing ballstreams since everyone I know of prefers it over League Pass. Also, Ballstreams price right now is $10 cheaper but onll until September 30. If you want to save $10, then you should consider buying it soon.

 

[Ohio]

That's my chief concern, as well as the existence of a tape delay (non starter because I watch the games with laptop in hand so I can keep up with my fantasy teams, switch to hot games, etc). From asking around, ballstreams' delay (i heard ~5s) is better than NBALP (10-15s terrible).

Can anybody shed some light on the delay times ?

NBALP on the laptop doesn't have too much of a delay time. I can't compare to ballstreams, but just from following fantasy, it is pretty close to live.

NBALP on the console, however, definitely has a significant delay. The price you pay for HD quality and no freezing. Probably at least 30 seconds behind live.

 

[Bandwagoner305]

I'm too broke to buy League Pass. I guess I'll have to settle for shitty buffering streams instead.

 

[MirORich]

Looking into BallStreams and giving it some pretty heavy consideration.

For those who already use it, it lists VLC player as a way to watch it. Is that in tandem with an actual device(like XBox, Apple TV, etc.) or can I just use VLC(which I already use for ....other purpose) standalone to stream from BS?

 

[wuck]

Although, to Nate's point, NBALP blocks National TV games. But I have cable so that's not an issue for me.

If I remember right, NBALP broadband has started to carry archives of the national TV games. Obviously that doesn't help much during the actual game, but I remember it as being an upgrade if you wanted to watch a game later in the week or anytime the rest of the season. This was when the Cavs were not being shown on national TV at all...

 

[Ohio]

If I remember right, NBALP broadband has started to carry archives of the national TV games. Obviously that doesn't help much during the actual game, but I remember it as being an upgrade if you wanted to watch a game later in the week or anytime the rest of the season. This was when the Cavs were not being shown on national TV at all...

Yes there was something like that. I never watched an archived game but they were definitely available.

 

[MirORich]

NBALP on the laptop doesn't have too much of a delay time. I can't compare to ballstreams, but just from following fantasy, it is pretty close to live.

I don't mind a slight delay, because when I watch I'm pretty zoned in and not checking scores online or keeping up with fantasy league stuff. What I would hate is freezes. If it happens once or twice a game and for a minimal amount of time, not concerned, but if its a common occurrence or long freezes, then I wouldn't want to pay a premium. Do like that Ballstreams has the instant archived games though, as that would be nice for the 7PM eastern games that I miss while still at work(although that would require supreme self control from me to not have already checked around on the score)

 

[The Process God]

I've used ball streams for the past year, and it's been satisfying. They've had basically everything but the USA basketball, including all the regular season games of every team, all playoff games, all all-star events, all preseason games of every team, and even every summer league game. The picture has been great in the 3,200 kbps version. Even the 800 kbps is survivable and much better than any internet stream. I love that everything is archived too, so you can go back and literally watch anything over the past year that you want.

 

[Adam]

A lot of users used ball stream without much of an issue last season. For those reading interested in international viewing I have used international league pass broadband fir the last 3 years and it is certainly worth the money.

With the full pack I get every game for the last 2 seasons on archive (with home of away commentary) I also got summer league and USA warm up games and well as access to NBA TV. As far as live I watch the Sunday lunch games live without an issue, the rest are on archive due to 5 hour time difference making it hard to watch the live. They also tag the archive with the box score events so in a rush you can skip all the timeouts a efts etc..

 

[blivv]

In the past i have used International League Pass. But i really hate the fee of $250 so i usually wait till mid season or towards the end until i purchase it.

I'm really tempted to try out this ballstream..

 

[Simmy]

My international League Pass must be different to what you guys get in the States?

This is where I stream from: http://watch.nba.com/nba/home.

Yes, it's bloody expensive. But it's worth it like you wouldn't imagine. Often (because of the time difference), I'm at work during Cavs games. If I can't watch them there, I can either replay them as soon as I get home in full HD in either a condensed or full format. You also get access to NBA TV, home commentary (very important IMO as there's nothing better than the FS Ohio feed) and a whole bunch more.

Australia is so behind in Internet speed, yet I hardly every have a problem with lag or quality. My feed never lags and if there is an issue with the connection, it'll only reduce the quality of the video until the Internet has been reclaimed again.

With regards to Apple TV, an NBA Game Time widget exists on the Apple TV unit, allowing you to log in to your account and watch games straight from your television.

I usually use Apple mirroring to the Apple TV though, as I like the ability to be able to pause, rewind etc. during a game in case there's things I missed or I have to run out for a moment.

Put it this way: Don't be phased to pay above $200. For 82 games of every team + playoffs + all the features you get (including archived games), you really can't ask for more.

 

[Omar The Horse]

Naked with a Cuban cigar and bourbon in a snifter glass. One ice cube.

 

[Ohio]

Something else I just thought of: NBALP typically does a free week or 2 trial period to start the season. So you can try it out and see how it works for you then make your decision.

They also have free trial weekends periodically throughout the season.

 

[Man Called X]

The international LP has always been better than the standard us version. I have no idea why but I've always heard that.