The CenturyLink Player – From LG & CenturyLink

Anthony Garera
 
Android TVlgcordcuttersCenturyLinkCenturyLink Player

Last week CenturyLink launched a new service designed with cord cutters in mind, CenturyLink Stream. Like other options it aims to offer consumers a way to have traditional tv without the need for a traditional contract aka pay as you go.  In addition to launching CenturyLink Stream, CenturyLink has also unveiled its CenturyLink Player – an Android TV device, manufactured by LG no less.

This is CenturyLink’s own solution for those who want to use its service but do not have the necessary hardware. So the downside here is that while this is a new Android TV device, it is only available from CenturyLink as it is a device designed to work primarily with CenturyLink Stream. However, that is not to say that it only works with CenturyLink Stream, as this box does seem to come with a full version of Android TV and the Google Play Store in tow. So this is not quite as limited as some of the other network and carrier-related Android TV boxes that have come through recently. To all purposes, this seemingly will work much like any other Android TV box. In terms of the specs, the CenturyLink Player comes loaded with 2GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, and is powered by a quad-core processor (clocking at 1.5 GHz). From the looks of it, the CenturyLink Player only comes equipped with one HDMI 2.0 port, although it does support voice control through the remote control, and includes 4K support and Bluetooth 4.1. In terms of its physical properties, the CenturyLink Player measures 5.09-inches in length, 5.09 inches in width, and 1.25-inches in height.

As for the price, the CenturyLink Player is listed at $89.99 excluding the cost of CenturyLink Stream which is likely to be a prerequisite to buying the box. Speaking of which, CenturyLink Stream is currently only available in two flavors, one labeled as an “Ultimate” package, and one which is designed for Spanish-speaking viewers. The “Latino” options comes in at $15 per month and includes access to a number of Spanish-speaking channels including BeIn Sports, Discovery en Espanol, ViendoMovies, and more. While the Ultimate package is priced at $45 per month and for that amount, CenturyLink Stream offers access to ABC, A&E, CNBC, Discovery Channel, Disney Channel, ESPN, MSNBC NBC, USA, and more. Both options also come with Cloud DVR for increased recording storage and the ability to watch from anywhere. And both packages also include the option to add various extras, such as a movies add-on, or a a sports add-on.

Of course if you’re already sporting the right hardware no need to buy new hardware. Users on Android ( But not other Android TV’s as of now) can download the app from the Play Store. PC users can stream from the internet and ROKU owners can download the app on the Roku Channel Store and CenturyLink says more support is coming soon.

CenturyLink Stream Phone
QR-Code
Developer:
Price: Free

Source: CenturyLink Stream

Anthony Garera

Anthony is usually tinkering with everything and anything because there's always one more thing to do, reviewing games and apps and complaining about things normal people don't think about.

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  • Craig

    The problem with Android TV will always be that you’re not dealing with a singular platform when it comes to Android builds and hardware. Android TV simply has too many variations of hardware and software to support for developers. It’s not like developing for one platform like FireOS-Android specifically on limited Fire TV sets, boxes or sticks. Or RokuOS specifically on Roku’s limited hardware configurations. Or tvOS specifically on the Apple TV. Developers literally have to tweak their IPTV apps to support Sling AirTV, Xiaomi Mibox, Sony Bravia TV’s or Nvidia Shield almost individually, certifying their app for each one, and support is limited to OEM implementation. Like say DRM support that these IPTV services require or even video codec capability. Not every Android TV is created and supported as equally as another. They’re all tweaked implementations which requires devs to get the hardware and tweak/test each one on their builds. And because of this? Android TV will simply always be last to land apps (especially DRM enabled/video decoder based) because it’s so much more work to support to maintain every software/hardware implementation by OEM. A company like Silicondust can’t even implement implement CableCard Copy Flags until Nvidia releases the DRM necessary. Hence another implementation of Android TV that has to be tweaked to support specific DRM. That’s the downside to Android TV’s semi-open nature. There’s simply no set standard of Android TV implementations between OEMs for a level-developing field across the board. Atleast Roku, Apple TV and Fire TV have that.

    • Nick Felker

      This has several statements which are incorrect. Android, and Android TV, are based on a common set of APIs and software support. While the hardware support may be a bit different, developers can target certain hardware configurations only or make an app which is simply better adapted. For many developers, they only need a single device for the form factor they want to target. Building for Android TV? You don’t need to get an AirTV, MiBox, Sony TVs, and a Shield. Google has the Android CTS, Compatibility Test Suite. Every Android OEM must conform to certain rules, and developers get certain guarantees about what APIs they can use.

      For video playback, one can use the built in MediaPlayer or libraries like ExoPlayer. These provide more support even with different hardware configurations.

      • Craig

        So where the flying fbomb are all the same freaking apps, Nick?!?!? Where’s DirecTV Now? TBS? TNT? Discovery Channel? A&E? History Channel, E! TV? Bravo? Where are they if I’m soo dang wrong? Funny how those damn apps show up on the Fire TV store but are MIA on Android TV when both are freaking Android! I must be pretty right about something! Where’s the TV channel developers!!!????? Why hasn’t DirecTV NOW launched for more than just Le-Echos that no one buys???? There must be some technical reason! No other excuse I can think of!

      • Craig

        Google either needs to throw the entire weight of the company behind the platform and deliver cash to these companies to get all the same apps Fire TV has? Or I’m jumping ship. There’s no excuse for Fire TV to have more apps when Android is Android even forked into FireOS. Lazy A$$ devs and Google’s half-azz support of it, is what it boils down to! And my patience grows thin each and every day. And a new launcher in O isn’t going to make the platform anymore viable! Something needs to be done by Google!

      • Craig

        I suggest you use your newly gained position at Google and start reaching out to management and telling them to get off their butts and get a new Pixel Player out the door to replace the long-discontinued Nexus Player if they want the platform to succeed. There’s no reason they haven’t released a new box by now and obviously Xiaomi has no intention to release a final build of Nougat for the MiBox at this point, let alone ever releasing O release for it.