PlayStation Vue Review: PS Vue DVR, Channels, and More

Cutting the cord has never been easier. Thanks to cable replacement streaming services from the likes of YouTube TV and Hulu, dumping cable or satellite but maintaining access to live streaming television is feasible. PlayStation, while a long-time gaming heavyweight, honed its chops in the home theatre space. Although both the PlayStation 2 and original Xbox flaunted DVD playback capabilities, the Xbox required Microsoft’s DVD Playback Kit to play DVDs. Compare that to the PS2’s controller which doubled as a remote. Likewise, the PlayStation 3 launched with a Blu-ray drive inside, whereas the Xbox 360 offered an HD DVD drive sold separately. Cleverly, Sony integrated home theatre functionality with its gaming consoles. As such, the next logical jump was a foray into the streaming space. This manifested in a cable replacement streaming service, PlayStation Vue. PS Vue offers tons of channels, a solid DVR, and apps for a variety of devices. Find out if PS Vue is any good in this PlayStation Vue review!

PlayStation Vue Review: What is PS Vue?

PlayStation Vue is an over-the-top (OTT) cable replacement streaming service. Similar to Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV, there’s a live television component, DVR functionality, and on-demand content as well. Because PS Vue operates much the same as a traditional cable or satellite package, it’s a familiar experience for many.

PlayStation Vue Cost

The first consideration when looking at PS Vue as a cable alternative is the cost of PlayStation Vue. Similar to a traditional cable package, PS Vue arrives in a few different tiers. First, there’s the basic Access plan, branded “essential live TV.” Next up, there’s Core. Elite offers a more robust selecting of movies, sports, and live TV streaming. Then Ultra tacks on premium channels such as HBO and Showtime.

PS Vue packages:

• Access: $50/month
• Core: $55/month
• Elite: $65/month
• Ultra: $85/month

PS Vue Channels

Since PlayStation Vue operates on a tiered structure, channel lineup differs based on package. Its entry-level Access option retails for $50 and boasts a beefy selection of 50 channels. You’ll find a few local stations which will vary by location. In my area, I was able to stream ABC, CBS, Fox, and Telemundo. Unfortunately, NBC and The CW weren’t available. Supplementing with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna should fix that issue, however. Aside from local channels, there’s a pleasant mix of sports streaming stations such as ESPN and ESPN2, plus news, entertainment, and lifestyle channels including AMC, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, and SyFy.

Stepping up to Core added a slew of sports channels, the likes of ESPNU, ESPNews, FS1, FS2, MLB Network, NFL Network, and NBA TV. Although ACC Network on PS Vue is available in my area, it’s not bundled in the Access tier. Instead, you’ll have to jump up to Core which grows from around 50 channels to 75.

Elite further expands the PlayStation Vue channel selection with about 100 streaming stations. You’ll unlock BBC News, Boomerang, ESPN Deportes, the Tennis Channel, Universal Kids, and Fox Deportes. Finally, the top-shelf $85 monthly Ultra tier bundles HBO and Showtime with the entire Elite channel lineup.

Sports Streaming on PS Vue

One of the most compelling reasons to opt for PS Vue over one of its competitors is a robust sports streaming lineup. You’ll find the usual suspects in ESPN and its affiliates, Fox Sports, and a handful of other channels. Plus, several sports-specific channels including NFL Network, NBA TV, and MLB Network are available. Thus, PS Vue is an excellent consideration for football season.

Disappointingly, ACC Network in my area demands at least an upgrade to the Core tier. Similarly, there’s a $10 a month Sports Pack which adds sports-centric channels such as NFL RedZone, MLB Strike Zone, ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN Classic, and regional networks. But it’s not available for Access users, requiring Core or higher.

PlayStation Vue Add-ons and Premium Channels

In addition to its tiered structure, PS Vue features premium channels and add-ons for a modular subscription. Core, Elite, and Ultra members may select the $10 a month Sports Package with NFL Network, NBC Sports, Fox Sports, ESPN Classic, and Fox College Sports. Depending on which package you’ve got, there may be a bit of channel overlap.

HBO, Cinemax, Epix, Showtime, CuriosityStream, the Espanol Pack, Fox Soccer Plus, and Hi-Yah! are all available for an extra fee. Certain premium channels such as Epix Hits, Showtime, Cinemax, and HBO may be bundled for more savings. While owning a PlayStation console isn’t mandatory, PS Plus subscribers can save on premium channels.

PS Vue premium add-ons:

• Sports Pack: $10/month
• HBO Cinemax Pack: $22/month ($20 with PS Plus)
• HBO: $15/month
• Cinemax: $15/month
• Epix Hits Showtime Pack: $14/month ($11.50 with PS Plue)
• Showtime: $11/month ($9 with PS Plus
• CuriosityStream: $3/month
• Epix Hits: $4/month ($3 with PS Plus)
• Espanol Pack: $5/month ($4 with PS Plus)
• Fox Soccer Plus: $15/month ($13 with PS Plus)
• Hi-Yah!: $3/month ($2 with PS Plus)

PlayStation Vue DVR

Among the most sought-after features in a cable alternative is a DVR. PlayStation Vue DVR functionality is excellent. You can rewind, pause, and fast forward at your leisure, and there’s unlimited recording of as many as 500 shows at a time. Recordings are kept for 28 days. Certain channels aren’t DVR-friendly though, and some channels prohibit fast-forwarding.

PS Vue Interface and Streaming Experience

PlayStation Vue quality is superb. There’s 1080p compatibility, though disappointingly some channels are limited to 720p. Streaming on my Nvidia Shield TV Android TV set-top box, my Android Samsung Galaxy S9+, and a Windows 10 PC was fantastic. Live TV streams looked flawless. The interface, regardless of device, is simple to navigate. You’ll find helpful tabs for My DVR, channels, live TV, and a guide. Any recordings show up under My DVR, while channels lists various streaming stations and what’s currently playing. Live TV sorts by program, and guide presents a traditional cable guide.

The PlayStation Vue tab houses a mix of trending content, DVRed programs, recently watched movies and shows, as well as on-demand content. There’s a logical layout with simple yet clean navigation. Streaming quality really impresses. PS Vue does allow for simultaneous streams. Initially, you’ll have three simultaneous streams in-home and out-of-home. Then, after setting up your home device, you’ll have two more in-home streams for up to five concurrent streams, two in-home and three on mobile. But you can’t stream via two PS4 devices or PS3 consoles simultaneously. But a PS3 and PS4 both watching PS Vue as the same time is fine. Overall, PlayStation Vue is a great cable replacement option. Tiers can quickly get pricey, and the base package doesn’t match the price to performance ratio of competing cable alternatives such as YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV.

PS Vue Compatible Devices – PlayStation Vue Apps

The most obvious PlayStation Vue compatible devices are, well, PlayStation consoles. Both the PlayStation 3 and PS4 run PS Vue. Additionally, PlayStation Vue apps are available for Roku set-top boxes and TVs, Apple TV, Android and Android TV, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire tablets, Chromecast, and browser-based streaming. Furthermore, there’s a PS Vue Kodi app which is pretty easy to install. As such, you can watch PlayStation Vue on Kodi.

PS Vue compatible devices: 

• PS3 and PS4
• Roku
• Amazon Fire TV
• Amazon Fire tablets
• Apple TV
• Android
• Android TV
• iOS
• Chromecast
• Browser streaming

Is PS Vue Good – Should You Use PlayStation Vue?

Now for the real question, is PS Vue any good? With its tiered plans, top-notch streaming quality, and lush user interface, PS Vue is a worthy cable replacement. I was a bit disappointed at the lack of certain local channels such as NBC, though an OTA antenna quickly resolves that issue. While the Access package remains competitive, the channel lineup isn’t as robust for the price as services such as Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV.

Especially if you opt for the comprehensive $85/month Ultra package, it’s quite expensive. PlayStation Vue falls in an awkward spot that’s not as affordable as budget-priced options such as Sling TV, AT&T Watch TV, or Philo. Nor does it boast the channel lineup, at least at its most reasonable tier, of YouTube TV and Hulu with Live TV. Yet, I quite appreciated the streaming quality which, in a web browser, may be the best in-class. Plus, the Kodi PS Vue add-on is a pleasant option for Kodi buffs. Sports streaming truly dominates, especially with the availability of sought-after channels like NFL Network. For gamers benefitting from PS Plus discounts, PS Vue is a no-brainer.