NHL Center Ice

[Senka]

So I've never had it, but always wanted it. But now that I've moved to Virginia, I have no choice but to get it. A few questions...

-Did they release prices yet?
-Is there a better, cheaper way to get it directly or through an independent employee/office?
-Does Comcast blackout games? I oonly see 2 HD channels ... I feel like that needs fixed.
-If the prices aren't yet released, any idea what it may be? should be? prediction? random number?

I'm happier today than yesterday with this morning news.

[TheHammer24]

I completely expect it to be full price. It's priced at full price even half way through a full season. That's just the price point for the rabid fan that purchases it.

[heshootsandscores]

I completely expect it to be full price. It's priced at full price even half way through a full season. That's just the price point for the rabid fan that purchases it.

I'll have to pass on that:)

[Senka]

that sucks. I won't have a choice really... I wont get to see anything

[Bioshock]

The NHL doesn't have control over the price of Center Ice. However, they do have control of Gamecenter. Expect that service to have a discount.

[offsides]

I am pretty sure it goes to half price right around playoff time. At least that is what I got it for through Comcast.

[DelPen]

Local games and national games will be blacked out. I prefer gamecenter through Apple TV, roku or anything else since I can take a roku with me out of town or watch on my iPad. And that also charged monthly over the season instead of all at once.

Now if the NHL was smart they would figure out away to make it all free this season.

[heshootsandscores]

Local games and national games will be blacked out. I prefer gamecenter through Apple TV, roku or anything else since I can take a roku with me out of town or watch on my iPad. And that also charged monthly over the season instead of all at once.

Now if the NHL was smart they would figure out away to make it all free this season.

hmmm, I have a Roku...i'll have to check that out! Thanks.

[bhaw]

can you play GameCenter through a PS3?

[columbia]

I recently switched to Comcast (didn't have a choice) and discovered that they only offer two HD channels for Center Ice.
Depending on how the prices shake out, I'm thinking of getting the online one and just running an HDMI cable to my TV.
(I have NBCSP and NHLN, so wouldn't miss any games.)

[mikey287]

I recently switched to Comcast (didn't have a choice) and discovered that they only offer two HD channels for Center Ice.
Depending on how the prices shake out, I'm thinking of getting the online one and just running an HDMI cable to my TV.
(I have NBCSP and NHLN, so wouldn't miss any games.)

That was the case for me a few years ago when I had Verizon Fios as well...not sure if that's specific to Comcast or not any more...

[ulf]

Time Warner only had 2 HD channels. That was 2 years ago when I had it. Now it's DirecTV and all are in HD

[offsides]

I recently switched to Comcast (didn't have a choice) and discovered that they only offer two HD channels for Center Ice.
Depending on how the prices shake out, I'm thinking of getting the online one and just running an HDMI cable to my TV.
(I have NBCSP and NHLN, so wouldn't miss any games.)

Hey, that sounds like a pretty good idea. Let me know how it works out for you.

[DocEmrick]

If you are in the local area and don't have cable, but want/are planning on GameCenter for coverage:

http://www.hotspotshield.com

Will allow you to view in market games. Get the free version (has ads, but doesn't affect streaming).

[columbia]

I recently switched to Comcast (didn't have a choice) and discovered that they only offer two HD channels for Center Ice.
Depending on how the prices shake out, I'm thinking of getting the online one and just running an HDMI cable to my TV.
(I have NBCSP and NHLN, so wouldn't miss any games.)

Hey, that sounds like a pretty good idea. Let me know how it works out for you.

I was kind of hoping that someone here had tried it.

I'd be running out of an iMac and the signal would definitely transfer to the TV.
I just have no idea how large the image could/would be on the TV and still be at a good resolution....Part of it, is that I've never seen the game center website in the flesh, so not sure how that it is set up.

[offsides]

I recently switched to Comcast (didn't have a choice) and discovered that they only offer two HD channels for Center Ice.
Depending on how the prices shake out, I'm thinking of getting the online one and just running an HDMI cable to my TV.
(I have NBCSP and NHLN, so wouldn't miss any games.)

Hey, that sounds like a pretty good idea. Let me know how it works out for you.

I was kind of hoping that someone here had tried it.

I'd be running out of an iMac and the signal would definitely transfer to the TV.
I just have no idea how large the image could/would be on the TV and still be at a good resolution....Part of it, is that I've never seen the game center website in the flesh, so not sure how that it is set up.

Go for it, someone has to be the guinea pig.

[It'sagreatdayforhockey!]

Some of this is going off of memory so don't hold me to it but...

If you care about quality (HD) or feed (Home/Away) then you should really only get Center Ice if you have Directv. Otherwise I'd recommend Gamecenter. It gives you the ability to watch the games any place that you have internet/streaming device (which can be things like a computer/laptop/ps3/apple/android/roku but a few are still missing such as xbox) without the need for a slingbox or similar. Like most of the others have mentioned you only get a few games in HD with the other cable/satellite providers and you only get the feed for one of the teams typically. Both Gamecenter/Center Ice have the same blackout restrictions so any national game (NBC/NBC Sports but not NHL network) or your local team is blacked out except playoffs (I believe?). The prices last year were around $160 for the full season, $100 for around halfway and $60 for playoffs only. I've never seen any sort of deals besides an early bird special which may have saved you $20.


Edit: added notes about gamecenter quality.


Last season gamecenter started out mediocre and got better by the end of the season. At the beginning I ended up trying a number of devices and would rate them as follows:
1) Computer
2) Apple TV
3) PS3

I also used an Android phone and an iPad and they were both fine (hard to compare it to full screen tv so I left them off).

The PS3 had problems with it being pixelated/having buffer issues (which was present in all of them some, but most noticeable on PS3), started late on most games and did a wierd thing where it added in a couple hours of black before the game so it made it hard to fast forward/rewind through.


By the end of the season I was happy with the Computer and Apple TV so I stuck with them. Also, of note is that internet isn't really an issue as we have something in the range of 30MB service (actual = 10-20MB)

[ulf]

^ agreed with the above, but only if you have a good, dependable internet connection. Nothing more frustrating than watching hockey with lag.

[Elementary Penguin]

From DirecTV's Center Ice FAQ...

Will I be charged for my NHL CENTER ICE subscription this year if there is no season?
DIRECTV has plans in place to protect our NHL CENTER ICE customers if the entire season, or part of the season, is lost. You will not pay for games that are not played. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and clearly communicate with our customers about any changes to their NHL CENTER ICE subscription.

[thepittman]

I recently switched to Comcast (didn't have a choice) and discovered that they only offer two HD channels for Center Ice.
Depending on how the prices shake out, I'm thinking of getting the online one and just running an HDMI cable to my TV.
(I have NBCSP and NHLN, so wouldn't miss any games.)

Hey, that sounds like a pretty good idea. Let me know how it works out for you.

I do it every year, they have an app on the PS3 as well. I also have a VPN I use to get around local blackouts. It's great for watching games I miss.

[relantel]

From DirecTV's Center Ice FAQ...

Will I be charged for my NHL CENTER ICE subscription this year if there is no season?
DIRECTV has plans in place to protect our NHL CENTER ICE customers if the entire season, or part of the season, is lost. You will not pay for games that are not played. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and clearly communicate with our customers about any changes to their NHL CENTER ICE subscription.

I would expect the cost to be prorated based on the actual schedule aired.

[Senka]

So it may be better to get this gamecenter option. I don't care if it Is on my computer, ill run hdmi. I just don't know how good center ice is. I want to see all the pens games. I don't mind a steep price, I just don't want to pick the wrong thing. I only get caps games down here now and I'm not thrilled.

[scals37]

sounds like the gamecenter option is the best choice, I've been looking to cut cable for a while now.. never realized how easy the VPN option is, anyone else in the Pittsburgh area use that option? I'd love to hear more

[FallenHero96]

I have had NHL Center Ice for 6 years, all with DirecTV. I love it, and have had no issues with it at all. For me it only blacks out Pens games that are nationally televised or on NHL Network. All games are in HD, and I usually get the home and away feeds, and I record them both on my DVR so I never miss anything. I haven't heard anything about how much it will cost this season yet.

[DocEmrick]

sounds like the gamecenter option is the best choice, I've been looking to cut cable for a while now.. never realized how easy the VPN option is, anyone else in the Pittsburgh area use that option? I'd love to hear more

I do, works fine. Hotspot Shield is what I use (for all my questionable online activities ) and it works great with GameCenter. No lag - there are ads, however if you maximize the view of the game you can't see them. Just deactivate it when the game is over. Best of all the free version works great.