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Understanding U-verse TV streams

How high-definition (HD) and standard-definition (SD) streams work and U-verse TV and AT&T Fiber streaming capacities.

HD and SD stream overview

Live TV, Pay Per View, U-verse Movies, On Demand, and other applications are delivered to your U-verse receivers as streams of program content. U-verse® TV can deliver a maximum of four streams of content at the same time. If you also have AT&T Fiber®, you can get up to six HD streams Learn more about AT&T Fiber

Types of streams available to watch live, record, and play back

With U-verse TV and AT&T Fiber you can get up to six streams of programming at the same time (requires 1TB Pace DVR). Without fiber, you can only get up to four streams.

  • The types of streams that can be delivered depends on the capacity of the network in your area and your subscriptions.
  • The UvClass affects the bandwidth coming into your home (network sync profile).
  • Based on the bandwidth of your connection and your account profile, the number of HD and SD streams that can play at the same time may vary (view the table for details).
Streams available by UvClass
 UvClass 18g
and UvClass 16g
(AT&T Fiber)		UvClass13UvClass12UvClass11UvClass10UvClass09
WAN profile6HD/0SD4HD/0SD4HD/0SD4HD/0SD3HD/1SD2HD/2SD
Live streams6 HD
0 SD		4 HD
0 SD		4 HD
0 SD		4 HD
0 SD		3 HD
1 SD		2 HD
2 SD
Recording streams6 HD
0 SD		4 HD
0 SD		4 HD
0 SD		4 HD
0 SD		3 HD
1 SD		2 HD
2 SD
Watching recorded shows4 HD4 HD4 HD4 HD4 HD4 HD

Want to review your account specifications on your TV?

  1. Press Menu on your U-verse TV remote.
  2. Scroll to and select Options, then System.
  3. Select System Information, then Resources.

Household receivers vs. how many program streams you can receive

Streams are per household and not to specific receivers; so, it’s possible for the DVR receiver to use multiple or all streams by recording. The number of receivers in a home doesn't affect the number of viewable programs. All receivers in the home can play, pause, and start recordings of live programs, and play back recorded programs The non-DVR receivers can only use one stream..

Heads up: Each household can have up to eight receivers including only one DVR receiver.

Stream conflicts and on-screen messages

Any time you run into a stream conflict, you'll get an on-screen message letting you know all TV services are in use. You’ll also get a list of available options.

You might experience stream conflicts if you're attempting to:

  • Record five TV shows at once
  • Access five different live TV shows at the same time
  • Record and watch live TV that adds up to more than four separate streams
  • Watch or record more than the available number of HD streams
  • Use a seventh stream (if you have Fiber service on the 6HD profile)

Good to know: Streams are prioritized based on the type of stream and the remote control activity on the receiver. If a conflict occurs, preset priorities are used to choose which streams should be active. In the event the streams have the same priority, you'll get presented with the on-screen messaging. If the streams have different priorities, the lesser stream will be interrupted.

Last updated: October 9, 2026

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