topic Re: Sky stream remote - no source button in Sky Stream

Sky stream remote - no source button

DavyBee — Thu, 14 Mar 2024 22:28:07 GMT

We switched to Sky Stream a few weeks back but discovered there is no source button on the new remote. I'm now unable to switch sources between sky, firestick or any other hdmi connection. (Why on earth Sky decided to remove this is beyond me)

I'm unable to use the original tv remote (puppy ate it) so need to buy a replacement. I was thinking about getting a universal remote to control tv, sky, soundbar and firestick. I've just discovered the firestick is a bluetooth remote which makes things more complicated.

Does anyone have a decent solution for this problem? Could anyone recommend a decent multi device remote control? Is the sky stream remote infra-red or bluetooth?

Regards and TIA

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

Fothergill1 — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 00:38:46 GMT

@DavyBee The input control is normally controlled from your TV but I note your remote has been chewed by your puppy which makes it a little more problematic.

There should be a setting on your TV somewhere named something like HDMI CEC which you need to enable. I have a Samsung and this setting is in the External Device Manager but different makes of TV will have their own menu structure.

Also on your Stream puck go to Settings > Startup & Standby menu and make sure HDMI control is turned on.

Doing the above should result in the TV changing input automatically when you select your Stream Puck or firestick.

You could of course just order a replacement TV remote from Amazon. Many years ago our remote went missing and we found it half buried in the garden by the dog 🤣 (not funny at the time though).

Good luck.

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

Chrisee — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 07:43:15 GMT

@DavyBee I use a Logitech Harmony remote to control my system but unfortunately Logitech have discontinued the range. The Sky Stream remote uses both infra red and bluetooth. Voice input requires the remote to be paired over bluetooth and the TV and power controls are always infra red. However apart from voice input the puck can be controlled by a learning IR remote if you can find one. Few of the pre-programmed remotes carry the clodes though so you have to teach the remote. Sky Q remotes will control most but not all functions if you have one of those.

It is rare that people need to switch inputs as modern TVs should support HDMI CEC control where bringing a device out od standby should power up and switch the input on the TV automatically using a signal over the HDMI cable.

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

Exiled-in-HH — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 09:15:14 GMT

@DavyBee have you disable HDMI-CEC .... selecting a device using the device's remote should switch input?

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

TimmyBGood — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 10:57:07 GMT

@DavyBee wrote:

(Why on earth Sky decided to remove this is beyond me)

Probably because source selection using previous Sky remote models was proving to be increasingly unreliable with various makes of television set, but it's Sky which has to pay for call centre staff to listen to complaints even when the television manufacturers are at fault.

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

MarkGoldsmith — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 11:07:58 GMT

The new streaming remotes are more akin to the type of remotes you get with other streaming devices, e.g Amazon Fire or Roku which makes sense for a streaming platform, rather than being based on the older Sky TV remotes.

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

Padam_Padam — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 12:03:08 GMT

What's interesting is that the Xumo Stream Box in the USA (which is essentially a re-badged Stream puck, running a version of Entertainment OS) has an input selection button on the remote...

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

Exiled-in-HH — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 12:36:10 GMT

Aren't those voice commands and Live TV means Live Streaming channels?

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

Padam_Padam — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 12:44:29 GMT

@Exiled-in-HH wrote:
Aren't those voice commands and Live TV means Live Streaming channels?

Yes, but if you look at the button top right, it's an input selection button instead of the four coloured dots on the UK Stream puck remote.

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

Exiled-in-HH — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 13:01:19 GMT

The Xumo boxes are second generation boxes, does that button activate the DTT tuner as found on Sky Italy first generation boxes... Is it a HDMI port selection button?

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

MarkGoldsmith — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 13:50:48 GMT

@Padam_Padam wrote:
@Exiled-in-HH wrote:
Aren't those voice commands and Live TV means Live Streaming channels?
Yes, but if you look at the button top right, it's an input selection button instead of the four coloured dots on the UK Stream puck remote.

I'm guessing the "red button" tpye services don't exist in the US, so perhaps it was easier to just replace the input button for that.

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

Padam_Padam — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:03:25 GMT

@MarkGoldsmith wrote:
@Padam_Padam wrote:
@Exiled-in-HH wrote:
Aren't those voice commands and Live TV means Live Streaming channels?
Yes, but if you look at the button top right, it's an input selection button instead of the four coloured dots on the UK Stream puck remote.
I'm guessing the "red button" tpye services don't exist in the US, so perhaps it was easier to just replace the input button for that.

Seems to be the case. Presumably when the remote is paired to a TV it also gets the HDMI input source selection command as well as power and volume.

In Australia they've managed to squeeze a row of three app selection buttons onto the remote for the Hubbl hub, which is their just-launched version of the Stream puck. Still no hardware upgrades though.

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

MarkGoldsmith — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:12:02 GMT

@Padam_Padam wrote:
@MarkGoldsmith wrote:
@Padam_Padam wrote:
@Exiled-in-HH wrote:
Aren't those voice commands and Live TV means Live Streaming channels?
Yes, but if you look at the button top right, it's an input selection button instead of the four coloured dots on the UK Stream puck remote.
I'm guessing the "red button" tpye services don't exist in the US, so perhaps it was easier to just replace the input button for that.
Seems to be the case. Presumably when the remote is paired to a TV it also gets the HDMI input source selection command as well as power and volume.
In Australia they've managed to squeeze a row of three app selection buttons onto the remote for the Hubbl hub, which is their just-launched version of the Stream puck. Still no hardware upgrades though.

That remote must be slightly longer in order to fit that extra row of buttons (unless all the buttons are smaller 😀).

A row of app buttons would certainly be a nice addition.

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

Fothergill1 — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 14:36:36 GMT

@MarkGoldsmith Yes some shortcut buttons would be nice. Both my TV and Firestick remotes have a selection of shortcuts.

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

TimmyBGood — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 15:24:39 GMT

@MarkGoldsmith wrote:

That remote must be slightly longer in order to fit that extra row of buttons

Presumably the companies who choose to purchase button space are effectively paying for the additional manufacturing cost.

Eventually we'll end up with someone complaining here that they are using that remote in the UK but the app doesn't work...

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

Padam_Padam — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 15:30:26 GMT

I personally don't like direct app buttons on my remotes - it makes them look a bit garish & tacky IMHO. My TV and Firestick have them but I don't think I've ever used them.

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

lettice — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 03:56:12 GMT

Not really a fan of direct app buttons either.

Some TV remotes tend to have one app button on there you do not use regularly and in my view they just clutter the remote.

As for stream, it's a one button press and a simple voice command to launch any of the apps.

As for source change, if your TV has Alexa or Google built in, it can be setup with some to control the switching of hdmi ports or attached devices.

Still, a once pick up of any of the different source devices remotes will change the source anyway and you will need the remote when using and changing to that device source.

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

DavyBee — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 12:52:24 GMT

Hi,

Thanks for the advice. I've checked the settings on both sky and the tv and both are enabled. My tv remote works intermittently (it only seems to stop working when I'm not home so it's the mrs who has the most frustrating time with it. I think she may divorce me if it carries on much longer. 😂

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

DavyBee — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 13:01:14 GMT

I'm not sure I understand your comment. I'm not trying to switch apps, I'm trying to switch sources. I.e firestck and dvd player (yes, we still use one)

On the old sky remote it was top right of the remote and has been replaced with 4 coloured dots (which I have no clue on its function). So basically, sky have replaced a button I used with one I don't.

Re: Sky stream remote - no source button

DavyBee — Sat, 16 Mar 2024 13:04:43 GMT

This function isn't working, hence my o.p. When I try to go to my firestick, the source doesn't switch from sky.