/RFDVWGRHVQRWR̆HUDQ\SDUHQWDOFRQWUROIHDWXUHVWKRXJKIHZRWKHUOLYH79
VWUHDPLQJVHUYLFHVR̆HUWKHP,FDQLPDJLQHVRPHSDUHQWVZDQWLQJWRUHVWULFW
what their children can watch by parental rating (Locast lists these ratings
DOUHDG\ RUE\EORFNLQJVRPHFKDQQHOVDOWRJHWKHU
Locast does not allow you to change the resolution of streams, but some
FKDQQHOVWRP\H\HDSSHDUHGWRUHDFKIXOO+'SUHVROXWLRQ2WKHUFKDQQHO
streams were noticeably less sharp, but some may be limited by the original
resolution of the programming. Locast supports standard stereo audio.
Of course, as with any other live TV service, you still have to watch whatever ads
each channel broadcasts. There’s no way to skip or get rid of them. On the bright
side, Locast allows subscribers to stream on four devices simultaneously, which
is excellent for households that want to share the same account. Sling TV’s
combined Blue and Orange plan also supports up to four simultaneous streams,
but most other services only support two or three concurrent streams.
One of the biggest disadvantages of Locast is that you do not get the ability to
UHFRUGWKLQJVWR'95VWRUDJH(YHU\RWKHUOLYH79VHUYLFH,¶YHUHYLHZHGSURYLGHV
at least some DVR storage to subscribers, often with the option to pay for more.
,WULHGVWUHDPLQJWKH3*$7RXU&KDPSLRQVKLSRQ/RFDVWRYHUP\KRPH
(WKHUQHWFRQQHFWLRQ 0%3VGRZQORDG DQGGLGQRWUXQLQWRDQ\SUREOHPV
with stutters or reduced picture resolution. The audio synced up well with the
video playback, too.
LOCAST AND VPN
VPNs are a great way to protect your privacy online, since they send your
LQWHUQHWWUḊFWKURXJKDQHQFU\SWHGWXQQHOWKXVSUHYHQWLQJDQ\RQHIURP
intercepting it or snooping on your activities. VPNs can also help you spoof your
location online, a capability that may prove problematic for video-streaming
services with region-locked content. For example, Locast is listed as being
ṘFLDOO\DYDLODEOHLQRQO\86UHJLRQV
,WULHGVWUHDPLQJRQHRI/RFDVW¶VFKDQQHOVRQP\GHVNWRS3&DIWHUFRQQHFWLQJLW
WRD1HZ<RUN&LW\EDVHG0XOOYDG931VHUYHU,KDGQRLVVXHVVWUHDPLQJOLYH
FKDQQHOV1H[W,WULHGFRQQHFWLQJWKHVDPHGHYLFHWRDVHUYHULQ'DOODVDQRWKHU
location Locast covers. Locast still detected my location as being in New York
DQGZRXOGQRWOHWPHZDWFKWKHFKDQQHOVLQWKH'DOODVDUHD,YHUL¿HGWKDWP\,3