MLB.TV?

by Roberbola on Feb 15, 2007 1:38 PM MST

I am considering subscribing to MLB.TV this year. We don't have cable and I'd prefer not to get it since the only thing I would watch are the Rockies.

I'm interested in others' experiences. For example.

How is the video quality through a DSL connection?
Are there ways around the blackout restrictions? Can I give them a fake zip code so I can watch the games?

Any other feedback would be helpful.

Eat. Drink. Be Merry. But the above FanPost does not necessarily reflect the attitudes, opinions, or views of Purple Row's staff (unless, of course, it's written by the staff [and even then, it still might not]).

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The video quality's been subpar

But the word is that they are going to almost double the bandwidth they use for the broadcasts which should improve it this season significantly.

As far as the blackout restrictions, that's a little more tricky, but unless I'm mistaken, it shouldn't affect you if you use your ISP's address, unless they're playing the Mets. MLB uses a similar tracking program to know where you're logging in from.

by Rox Girl on Feb 15, 2007 1:50 PM MST reply actions

Bummer...

Thanks Rox Girl - I'm at work right now, which is probably why I show up as New York. I live in Highlands Ranch, so I assume they would be able to tell that right away and block me.

If I can't watch the Rockies games live then there isn't much point to subscribing.

by Roberbola on Feb 15, 2007 2:00 PM MST up reply actions

I can't remember

if they track where you are or if you enter your zip code when you register for the site. It's based on what zip code you live in... the only time I have problems is when they're playing the Braves or the Reds.

I've got a bad habit of picking losers... Rockies, Vanderbilt, Grizzlies...

by Rox Fan in TN on Feb 15, 2007 3:43 PM MST up reply actions

Now that I think about it, I think you're right

They actually track the zip code where your credit card bill is sent to. I know this because a couple of my fellow bloggers who travel haven't been able to watch games even when they are out of their local blackout area.

By asking for the credit card zip, they verify you aren't stealing somebody else's card, but also pinpoint your home fairly well.

by Rox Girl on Feb 15, 2007 4:09 PM MST up reply actions

So technically

I could make arrangements to use someone else's credit card that lives out of the region, and then would get access to all games except for ones played in the credit card's area?

Seems too easy...

by Roberbola on Feb 16, 2007 8:57 AM MST reply actions

Yes, that should work.

At least with the system from last year. I think it was Al, the Bleed Cubbie Blue blogger who was in Denver when the Cubs were still at Chicago, but he couldn't watch from his laptop anyway.

by Rox Girl on Feb 16, 2007 9:09 AM MST up reply actions

Any other opinions?

Is it worth the money? It's either get MLBTV or save a few bucks and get MLB Gameday Audio (which I might buy anyway) but I've heard some positive and some negative feedback on MLBTV, so any opinions would be appreciated.

Drew in Kansas City

by rockiesfan06 on Feb 17, 2007 6:50 PM MST reply actions

I'd get it

assuming you're out of the blackout area. Even without major improvements to the feed, I still thought it was a good product. It's nice to have every game at your fingertips, especially if you want to watch upstart rookies or potential trade candidates.

by David "ohno" on Feb 17, 2007 9:10 PM MST up reply actions

I definitely thought it was worth it

Although not close to cable quality, the feed wasn't terrible and if it's getting better, so much the better. And as David "ohno" says, the freedom to watch any game was nice for when the Rockies weren't on the schedule. I actually got the "all access" package, so I could watch archived games as well, but that's because I'm an uber-geek when it comes to baseball.

by Rox Girl on Feb 18, 2007 11:17 AM MST up reply actions

Although it looks like they don't have that

feature to watch full archived games anymore. Sneaky MLB bastards. They pretty much bumped the mosaic thing into the "premium" category and have the improved bandwidth as an extra money feature. And people wonder why our generation is cynical when it comes to the "integrity" of the game.

by Rox Girl on Feb 18, 2007 11:40 AM MST up reply actions