MLB.tv free preview RIGHT NOW

I realize that it's a bit late for this as it's in the sixth inning and it's the friggin' Red Sox vs. the friggin' Yankees, but since it's an oft-discussed topic around here, MLB.tv is offering a free preview/beta test of their video streaming service right now. I have to say, the quality looks awesome -- I subscribed to this a couple of years ago & it wasn't nearly this crisp. And this isn't even the premium stream, which I assume is going to be better.

So, if you're debating between EI and MLB.tv, could be worth a look to see if it's good for you.

almost 3 years ago zempf 30 comments 0 recs |

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And yes, this is all part of my plan to fill the entire left column with my own FanShots. strokes chin evil-like

DISCLAIMER: I may be bitter.

by zempf on Mar 24, 2009 8:34 PM EDT reply actions

Ya gonna do one about Rick Ankiel?

by mauichuck on Mar 25, 2009 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I’ve been an MLB.TV subscriber for a few years now, and they’ve really brought it this year. The premium feed is bomb. And to add in picture in picture, 4×4, pull up box scores and picture in picture alerts for various players around the MLB, it’s a lot of goodies.

by JRontherim on Mar 24, 2009 9:47 PM EDT reply actions

Anyone know if you can pause and move back and forth within feeds using the new player? Without paying for the Premium subscription, that is? Cuz I can do that now (the video just loads inside Quicktime), and it’s really useful… Might be worth more to me than improved video quality.

by Logodaedalus on Mar 24, 2009 10:15 PM EDT reply actions

According to the site, DVR function is only available for Premium subscribers.

by JRontherim on Mar 25, 2009 3:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, I think that’s officially true now, too…. But I can do it with the old player without Premium — maybe because I’m using a Mac, and it opens in Quicktime instead of Silverlight? I’m wondering if the same “workaround” will still work for the new player.

by Logodaedalus on Mar 25, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

The new player uses Flash instead of SIlverlight (2008) or Windows Media (2007), so I doubt it.

by FredOx on Mar 26, 2009 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions

EI question, since I think I’m moving over this year … how often (if ever) do you get HD feeds?

Il faut d'abord durer.

by CU Adam on Mar 25, 2009 12:22 AM EDT reply actions

This is the first year that MLB.TV is going to HD quality. I really don’t know much about the technical side, but I know last season’s premium feed went up to 1.2b. This season, in only the beta version, I’ve gotten 3b. Whatever that means. HD is promised for every game this season.

by JRontherim on Mar 25, 2009 3:48 AM EDT up reply actions

On Extra Innings, I think it depends on your cable provider. Comcast never gave us HD last year at all, but other providers might.

DISCLAIMER: I may be bitter.

by zempf on Mar 25, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

Not true — some games were in HD, though I’m not sure any Indians games were.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 25, 2009 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Weird, was it on the usual 770-784 channels?

DISCLAIMER: I may be bitter.

by zempf on Mar 25, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Yep. But I don’t know how to configure it to work.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 25, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

I have Comcast. We’re not allowed to use streaming video of any kind at work, and with games usually starting at 5 here in the mountains, I’d miss the beginnings of most games anyways, not to mention if I ever did anything after work. I want EI to DVR it, I’m betting that even the new player won’t let you re-watch a game later that night; if memory serves, they usually put a game online the next day. I’m just trying to figure out people’s complaints with EI so I know what I’m getting into.

What percentage of games did people actually get? Especially while the NHL season is still going on and EI shares channels with hockey?

Il faut d'abord durer.

by CU Adam on Mar 25, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

For what it’s worth, games are usually archived right after they end, so you would be able to watch it whenever you want.

by JRontherim on Mar 25, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, anyone know if MLB.tv is still automatically resubscribing people? I tried to delete my credit card info, but I can’t figure out how.

Il faut d'abord durer.

by CU Adam on Mar 25, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions

it did for my audio

by Brick. on Mar 25, 2009 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

They make it really hard. After a full year of Manning and Underwood (not to mention Hawk and DJ) at ten times the price of Hammy, I decided to go back to Audio. You actually have to email the customer service people to get out of the auto-subscribe.

(extended pause)

OK, I just dug around and this is the address I used— “”mailto:cssubscriptionfeedback@website.mlb.com">cssubscriptionfeedback@website.mlb.com“. I put "mlb.tv non-renewal” in the subject line, but I can’t remember if that was required or not. Also! I did this back in January, so hopefully it’s not too late.

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Mar 25, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure what happened with the formatting there. I really should learn how this site works at some point.

Though I look right at home, I still feel like an exile

by Manhattan Tribe Fan on Mar 25, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

There is an option on the initial subscription to automatically re-subscribe. It was very small and I was lucky enough to notice it the first time I went through the process and unchecked the box

by Roger Dorn on Mar 25, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Last season some how I managed to have a dual subscription to MLB.TV, eventually they did refund the money.

This year they have already charged me for the upcoming season ($160 NZD) and I haven’t been able to watch anything, just get a black screen. Have sent them an email, but haven’t heard anything back.

One day I'll get over to watch the Tribe play

by new zealand tribe fan on Mar 26, 2009 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m guessing that you’ll be OK when the season starts and they start using the new player. You might want to try watching one of the games using the new Flash player to see if it makes a difference – it looks like today’s Jackasses game against the Phillies is going to be in the new player.

by FredOx on Mar 26, 2009 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Time Warner Cable had no HD feeds for Extra Innings last year. I am not sure about this year yet

by Roger Dorn on Mar 25, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

There’s a Phillies/Yankees game on right now that I believe is also free if anyone missed this the other day.

DISCLAIMER: I may be bitter.

by zempf on Mar 26, 2009 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

My first exposure to the new version. Picture quality is good, but not awe-inspiringly good. Be sure to download and install the NexDef plugin, or you won’t be getting the best quality. I didn’t realize I needed it until I tried to use the in-game DVR feature.

The good: using the Jump to Inning feature to watch Utley and Howard take Justin deep back-to-back. The bad: the Yankees are still jackasses, even in HD.

by FredOx on Mar 26, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Today’s Angels @ Indians game is on the MLBN schedule at 4:00.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

by Jay on Mar 26, 2009 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

And it probably goes without saying MLB.TV, too, but I’ll say it anyway.

by FredOx on Mar 26, 2009 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Not in the fancy new player though, just the 400k “spring training player.”

DISCLAIMER: I may be bitter.

by zempf on Mar 26, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Only the Yankees are worthy of the fancy new player.

by FredOx on Mar 26, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Of course, Comcast only has MLB Network in standard def & they’re giving us the STO HD feed. Hopefully nothing happens to the left or right of the picture cause it’s ust cut off.

DISCLAIMER: I may be bitter.

by zempf on Mar 26, 2009 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions