Luke Pensworth
Sure, we know most people cut the cord and switch to a streaming service to save cash. But as a bonus feature, streaming TV services have created some great interfaces for merging TV programming and Internet data.
Consequently, some traditional TV service providers, such as Comcast, are starting to borrow features from streaming services to improve their customers’ experiences. Even though we’re typically skeptical about items like this, we have to admit that the X1 TV box with the Comcast DVR is a pretty cool effort.
If you’re curious about what is Xfinity X1, we’ve broken down the key aspects of this service, (including its DVR, remote, and mobile app) in our Comcast Xfinity X1 review.
What Is Xfinity X1?
At its heart, X1 is all about delivering your entertainment options in an easy to use format. In fact, Comcast calls it the ultimate entertainment experience. You can access live TV, on demand TV, streaming music, games, and other information with X1.
Physically, Xfinity X1 is a DVR (digital video recorder). Comcast uses it to create an interface that combines traditional TV programming and information from the Internet, allowing you to take full advantage of both mediums.
And did we mention it’s a DVR, the greatest invention of all time for a television aficionado? (How did anyone watch TV before they could fast forward through commercials?)
To receive the most satisfying performance from the Xfinity X1 DVR, you will need a fast and reliable Internet connection. Fast data uploads and downloads are vital to your enjoyment of this service. If you have glitches in your Internet data performance, you’ll notice it with X1.
Xfinity X1 DVR
While compiling our Xfinity X1 review, we found a host of cool features with the DVR for X1. These features make it extremely easy to find the programs you want and to control your television viewing experience. The features of X1 include:
- Six separate simultaneous recording streams
- Storage capacity for 60 hours of HD programming
- Recordings are saved for up to 1 year (unless overwritten or deleted)
- Live TV paused for up to 60 minutes
- Easy to use TV guide interface
- Voice remote that controls the DVR
- Multiple streaming apps preloaded on the X1
- Parental controls available
You can access your stored programming content from anywhere, as it is stored in the cloud. This feature allows you to pass shows stored on the DVR to your mobile devices for on-the-go watching.
You even have the option of downloading the shows from the cloud DVR onto your mobile device for offline viewing. This allows you to watch shows on a long car trip without having to burn through the data on your cellular plan.
For customers who have multiple set-top boxes in their homes, you’ll have a primary X1 Xfinity cable box that has access to the cloud DVR service, while the other boxes will not have direct access to the cloud DVR, instead piggy-backing off the primary box.
Xfinity X1 Remote
The X1 remote is so impressive, it’s almost worth subscribing to the service just to gain access to it. (We did say almost.) The Xfinity voice remote allows you to perform a variety of functions simply by speaking, including:
- Changing channels
- Finding a specific show
- Finding shows with a certain actor
- Finding songs with a certain musician
- Finding particular sports programming
- Finding games of particular teams
- Searching the on demand library
- Controlling the DVR
- Opening apps
You also can ask the remote for recommendations on what shows are popular or what shows you may like. Or it can answer questions, like a voice remote assistant.
If you have the Xfinity Home service, you can control those settings with your X1 voice remote.
Xfinity X1 App
With the Xfinity Stream app on your mobile device, you’ll be able to manage the DVR or watch television on any mobile device. The Xfinity remote app interface works well, making it easy to access your account’s features.
You also can access pre-loaded apps for popular services inside the X1 interface, including:
- Amazon Prime Video
- iHeartRadio
- Netflix
- Pandora
- Tubi
- Xfinity xFi
Best TV Service Providers
If you’re trying to decide to go with Comcast or another pay-TV provider, we’ve compared all of the best TV service providers.
Xfinity X1 Prices and Availability
Both existing and new Comcast customers may be able to add X1. However, the Xfinity X1 box DVR is not available everywhere in the United States. Even if you are a Comcast Xfinity TV subscriber, you may not automatically have the ability to use X1.
New Xfinity Customers
| Features | Blast + Extra | Blast + Preferred |
|---|---|---|
| Internet download speed | Up to 200 Mbps | Up to 200 Mbps |
| Xfinity TV channels | 125+ | 200+ |
| X1 voice remote | Yes | Yes |
| X1 DVR | Yes | Yes |
| Introductory 24-month price | $70 per month | $90 per month |
| Regular price | $130 per month | $150 per month |
| More information | View Packages | View Packages |
As a new Comcast subscriber, you can order Internet and TV service together, and you should be able to add X1 to your account at the same time. The services and prices we’ve listed here are an average of locations we surveyed. You may have different options and prices in your area.
Existing Xfinity Customers
To be able to order the Xfinity X1 service with the DVR, you must be a current subscriber to Xfinity TV and Xfinity Internet from Comcast.
Depending on your location, you then may be able to add X1 to your subscription. The prices vary, but the average price is $10 per month extra for the DVR service. Sometimes, the X1 fee may be waived, depending on where you live and what deals are being offered.
X1 Deal Offers
If you want to see the latest Xfinity X1 cost and deal offers that are specific to your location, visit the Xfinity web site and enter your address.
Xfinity X1 Bundles
| Features | Blast + Extra + Xfinity Voice Bundle | Extreme + Extra + Xfinity Voice Bundle | Extreme + Extra + Xfinity Home Security Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet download speed | Up to 200 Mbps | Up to 300 Mbps | Up to 300 Mbps |
| Xfinity TV channels | 125+ | 125+ | 125+ |
| X1 voice remote | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| X1 DVR | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Xfinity Home Security | No | No | Yes |
| Landline telephone | Unlimited calling | Unlimited calling | No |
| Introductory 24-month price | $80 per month | $90 per month | $100 per month |
| Regular price | $160 per month | $160 per month | $160 per month |
| More information | View Packages | View Packages | View Packages |
Your bundled package options may differ from city to city, and price points may differ too. (The prices we’ve entered here are an average of multiple locations that we sampled and do not include additional taxes and fees.)
The 24-month introductory price for the X1 bundled service does require the customer to sign a contract. So if you try to cancel before the end of the two-year deal, you will pay early termination fees.
FAQ
What does cloud storage mean with the Xfinity X1?
Rather than having a hard drive inside the DVR that stores your programs on site, the Xfinity DVR uses cloud storage for your shows. The service provides 500 GB of data storage, which is equal to about 60 hours of HD programming. Cloud storage means that the data is stored away from your physical site, using a high speed Internet connection to pass the data to the off-site storage area.
How does the cloud DVR with Xfinity X1 compare to other DVRs?
One downside to the DVR from Xfinity is that it only offers storage capacity for 60 hours of HD programming. This is about half the storage capacity of DVRs with hard drives from AT&T U-verse or DIRECTV services. It does match or outperform some streaming service cloud DVRs, though.
- Xfinity Instant TV DVR: 20 hours HD programming
- AT&T TV Now DVR: 20 hours HD programming
- fuboTV DVR: 30 hours HD programming
- Hulu Live TV DVR: 50 hours HD programming
- YouTube TV DVR: No storage limit (shows stored for nine months)
Recap
As we found during our Xfinity X1 review, this cloud DVR service has a great interface with several desirable features. But to be able to use X1, you need both Internet and TV service from Comcast, which can be pricey.
Fortunately, Comcast does offer some nice 24-month introductory TV and Internet packages with X1 for new customers, as well as competitive bundle choices. This at least will save you quite a bit of money over the regular price for the first couple of years.
If you don’t mind paying for a good level of Internet and TV service, you’ll appreciate the way the X1 pulls all of your entertainment options into one easy to use interface. And the voice remote actually works as advertised, which is another significant bonus.
The Xfinity X1 DVR is made for those who:
- Want the best of traditional TV programming and streaming TV interfaces
- Want to share DVR stored shows among mobile devices
- Don’t mind a higher than average bill that comes with these services
- Love the idea of controlling the TV with a voice remote
- Have a fast and reliable Internet connection
