Meanwhile, Zattoo also offers an on-demand area where selected programmes can be viewed up to seven days after broadcast.
The channel selection
We created a HiQ account for our Zattoo test. At the time we gained our Zattoo experience, we had 88 TV channels at our disposal, including 36 with HD-quality broadcasts. You can choose from the most popular German TV channels including the public regional channels, private channels like RTL, Pro7, Sat.1, KIKA, joiz, VIVA and various sports and news channels as well as some international channels like CNN, R1, Bloomberg TV and others. The offer also includes an erotic channel.
Zattoo Program Overview
The program overview at Zattoo.
If you want to watch more international TV channels, you can choose between different packages with costs:
Croatian with three channels
Turkish with seven transmitters
Polish with two transmitters
Bosnian with three channels
Pink (Serbian) with five transmitters
Globo with one transmitter
In another chargeable package – Zattoo Plus – digital channels such as Pro7 FUN, Sat.1 Emotions, Kabel1 Classics and others can be received, a total of 14 channels. When we did our Zattoo test, for licensing reasons, these channels were only available for PC and Macbook, not for Smartphone and Tablet.
TV channels with Recall
For some stations Zattoo has introduced the so-called recall. Until recently, this service was only available for the Swiss branch of the site, now a few selected stations are available in Germany: The TLC, DMAX, joiz, Blizz and Family TV programmes can also be watched seven days after broadcasting. Programmes that are available in Recall can be identified by the bold title in the programme overview. When you hover the mouse pointer over a show, the Recall icon appears, allowing you to start Recall. You cannot fast forward with the recall function.
How does television via Zattoo work?
To see Zattoo on your computer or laptop, you must first install Adobe Flashplayer. HiQ users still need the Silverlight PlugIn. System requirements are Windows version 7 or later or OS X 10.9 or later. Your computer should also have at least 1 GB RAM and a DSL line of at least 3,000 kilobits/second for smooth streaming.
On your desktop computer, you can either watch TV shows directly in your browser or download the desktop app. The advantage: With the app Zattoo always runs in front of the screen, the player size can be adjusted individually.
If you want to use Zattoo on your smartphone, you need at least Android 2.3, Android 4 is recommended, or at least iOS 7.
If the system requirements are met, simply select the show you want to watch and let it play. If you watch it on your computer, you can pause the current program and rewind it every 30 seconds.
Record shows with Zattoo
If you use Zattoo on your computer, you can also record TV shows and watch them later. These recordings cannot be downloaded, but they can be added to a private recording list. To start a recording, simply select a past or currently running programme from the programme overview, click on it and then select “Save”. HiQ users can add up to 250 shows to their recording list and keep them until they cancel their HiQ subscription.
Picture and sound quality tested at Zattoo
Unfortunately, not all programmes can be watched in HD quality, but the standard quality is also quite convincing. With our HiQ access, the programmes start quickly and, the big advantage, without advertising. Switching also works without any problems. The picture on the laptop screen is satisfactory in standard quality, HD is pin sharp. Even on the small smartphone screen, broadcasts can still be viewed well. On the big TV screen, HD broadcasts have a clear advantage, the standard quality clearly drops here.
Of course, the actual sound quality always depends on the device you’re using Zattoo on. Streamed onto the TV with decent speakers, the sound can be convincing all around, however, on all devices the sound in the Zattoo test ran synchronously to the picture.
For some stations there is two-channel sound in the WebPlayer as well as for the Android and iOS app:
ARD
ZDF
ZDF Culture
3sat
species
SRF Info
You can switch between the languages with a simple click.
Zattoo Customer Service and Advice Experience
In the detailed FAQ area you can already inform yourself about numerous questions about use, subscription and technology. If you still have questions, you can post them in the Zattoo Forum.
Where and on which devices can you use Zattoo?
Zattoo currently offers its services in Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark and the United Kingdom. The available channels vary from country to country.
You can watch TV with Zattoo on a variety of computers, notebooks and of course mobile devices:
on your computer or laptop via your browser or desktop app.
on iPhone or iPad
on the Android Phone or Tablet
Alternatively, you can watch Zattoo directly from a Smart TV or streaming box. Currently the following devices are supported:
the Amazon Fire TV Box
Apple TV with the Zattoo App for Apple TV 4.0
the Nexus Player from Google
the Humax Streaming Media Player with TV App
the Xbox
The Zattoo Cost Comparison
Besides the free access Zattoo HiQ offers you a premium access with different packages. The practical thing is that you can try out the service with the daily package without obligation. If you write Zattoo via mobilcom-debitel, you can even test streaming for up to two months. If you opt for the 24-month subscription, you’ll also save €0.34 per month on mobilcom-debitel.
In addition, there are the following regional additional packages, which can be cancelled monthly.
Zattoo Plus for €9.99 per month
Turkish: 7 channels for 5,90 € per month
Bosnian: 3 channels for 8,90 € per month
Croatian: 3 channels for 2,90 € per month
Polish: 3 channels for 7,90 € per month
Pink: 5 channels for 11,99 € per month
Globo: 1 station for 12,90 € per month
Zattoo Test: Our Conclusion on Online TV
Do you need Zattoo if you have a cable or satellite TV? Not necessarily. But if you want to watch TV on the go, the streaming service is very convenient. Streaming can be used on a variety of devices, so you always have your favourite show with you. The clear structure, the simple operation and the good picture and sound quality are well received in the Zattoo test. It’s a shame, however, that many channels can only be watched in the paid add-on package, which is relatively expensive.