The power watch series or movies On-demand is something that, little by little, is becoming common since, in this way, users decide when they want to see the content. Thanks to TotalChannel and the payment of a monthly fee this is possible and, in addition, with HD image quality.
The channels that can be accessed with TotalChannel are the following: AXN HD, AXN White HD, Calle 13 HD, Canal Historia y Crimen & Investigation, Cosmopolitan HD, Fox HD, Fox Crime HD, National Geographic HD, Paramount Comedy, SyFy HD and TNT HD. That is, the most important in our country in terms of series, films and documentaries. By the way, it is important that when using this service the connection is the best possible, since in this way you can make the most of the 720p images. How is it used streamingIdeally, WiFi or 4G should be used if possible and, also, that the terminal that will play the content is compatible with HD.
There are two different TotalChannel subscriptions with which you can access the content. In both cases, the available channels are those listed above, but there are differences in the additional services that cause the price to vary: Premium (€ 9,99) and Premium XL (€ 14,99). Premium offers 20 hours of cloud recording validity of 30 days, possibility of linking up to 3 dispositivos y 1 simultaneous stream. Premium XL increases the capacity at 100 hours, extends the valid for 90 days, allows up to 5 dispositivos linked and maintains 1 simultaneous streamThese differences are key if you plan to record full seasons or share the account across multiple devices in your home.
There is an additional possibility called Total Iberialia TV which, at a price of € 5,95 per month, gives access to a channel focused on hunting and fishing in Spain. It is a specific service, but it has its options for lovers of both sports.
What TotalChannel offers
Compatibility with respect to different devices where you can enjoy the contents of TotalChannel is wide and, to be quite clear, here is a list with which you can use:
- Smart TVs: LG models (with LG Channels on Android TV) and Samsung compatible with their app stores and TotalChannel applications.
- Blu-ray and Home Cinema Players: Samsung Smart TV Compatible that support the platform app (and options to see Free channels with Samsung TV Plus).
- Console PlayStation 3
- PC and Mac via application or browser compatible with HTML5
- Tablets: iPad, iPad Mini and Samsung Galaxy from the Note and Tab 3 and 2 ranges (in this case only 10.1-inch screen models)
Regarding the content that can be found on the different channels, they are their own and range from well-known series such as Homeland or Arrow, so they also have their present. Besides, documentaries of all kinds and films are also available. In the latter case, the options are not so great, since the available titles are not very topical. Yes indeed, by being able to see at any time, the utility is the best “weapon” of TotalChannel (for this, in addition, there is an online hard disk in which the different chapters can be recorded, for example). The TV guide, synopsis, categories and ratings help discover content and prioritize recordings.
Additionally, as in services such as My TV, it is also possible to see what is broadcasts live in each of the channels that exist in the TotalChannel catalog. To do this, you should only use the corresponding button on mobile devices or, failing that, a specific shortcut (for example, on computers this is the D key). The “Watch Later” option may be available on some specific channels and episodes, but not always for everyone, so the function of cloud recording remains the most reliable way to watch on-demand content.
What TotalChannel is and what it isn't
It is important to understand the focus of the service: It is not a typical on-demand video store with immediate access to the entire catalog, but a platform for premium live channels with tools for recover emissions (You missed it), see some content under availability (See later) and schedule recordings in the cloud. In series, in some cases the system record full seasons without allowing you to choose individual episodes, something to keep in mind if you want to optimize space.
The online PVR functionality is very powerful: you can program from the grill with a tap on the record button (red dot). Everything is centralized in MiTV, where you manage your recordings, with its limit of hours and days according to plan. In specific scenarios, the metadata integration between chains and platforms could fail and cause some recordings to not run, so it is advisable to check the key schedules.
Image, audio and connection quality
Regarding the quality of the reproductions, if you have a good connection and a compatible terminal, when you reach 720p there is nothing to object to... but it is true that the service "autoconfigures" when the stability of the data flow is not the best possible (in this way, it is always possible to be able to organize series and movies to watch). The player adaptively adjusts quality to avoid cuts; if you force maximum quality without enough bandwidth, you may experience jerks in fast scenes.
For now, the platform focuses on standard audio tracks and does not always offer original version or subtitles. It's an aspect that advanced users often miss, and if enabled, it will represent a leap in accessibility. In the meantime, it's best to prioritize a stable connection (WiFi in 5 GHz band or cable) and monitor the mobile rates, since HD streaming consumes data quickly.
Interface and usability
The truth is that there is no difficulty whatsoever in terms of use, everything is really intuitive and it does not differ from the usual applications, regardless of the terminal in which it is used. An example of this is that if you want to see the contents of a specific channel when it is in a live broadcast, you just have to display the additional menu where all the available ones are. The menus are large and very visible, which is ideal for TVs and tablets; on computers, some users may notice oversized elements, although navigation through channels, guides and MiTV is straightforward. On some devices it is also possible to use the picture-in-picture mode to keep playing while performing another task.
To access the content already broadcast, you have the option You missed out, where you can choose the desired content with the T and start playback by pressing Play. Another option here is that, if something was recorded on the hard disk online (which is as simple as pressing the button with the red dot when the grid is being reviewed), you access MITV where all the saved broadcasts are stored. As for playback quality, if you have a good connection and a compatible device, when you reach 720p, there's nothing to complain about... but it's true that the service "autoconfigures" when the stability of the data stream isn't optimal (this way, it's always possible to do so). Remember that there is only one simultaneous stream per account.
Practical advice and comparison in context
– Schedule your plans in advance favorite series to avoid relying on “Watch Later”.
– If you share the bill at home, share it paired devices (3 or 5 depending on the plan) and agree on the schedules, since the stream is unique.
– Review periodically MiTV to free up space and prevent recordings from expiring.
– If you notice micro-cuts live, activate the adaptive mode and avoid downloading heavy data in parallel.
In front of services purely on demand where you choose any title from the catalog at any time, TotalChannel stands out for the access to premium channels without complex installations, the multi platform and Cloud PVRIf your priority is watching premieres from channels like FOX, AXN or TNT and you want a “live TV” stream with the flexibility to record, this approach fits; if you are looking for a great on-demand catalog permanent and original version with subtitles, you may prefer to complement it with another specialized platform.
The proposal combines reference channels, Adaptive HD, functions of recording and a clear interface. With a good connection and taking advantage of cloud programming, it's easy to build your own "on-demand" schedule without missing the live shows you're interested in.
