topic Re: Is multiroom connected by cables, or on wifi? in Sky Q

Is multiroom connected by cables, or on wifi?

Unhappy+lhb — Wed, 24 May 2023 07:56:29 GMT

Im thinking to get multiroom, but put off by the thought of cables through the house. Is this the case, or are the boxes just wifi connected? Also im guessing i wont be able to use the magic eye any more, so will need to replace that with a box too?

Re: Is multiroom connected by cables, or on wifi?

Quoman7 — Wed, 24 May 2023 08:12:59 GMT

Hi @Unhappy+lhb SKYQ Mini boxes connect to the main SKYQ box via their own wifi mesh.

Re: Is multiroom connected by cables, or on wifi?

Q-tips — Wed, 24 May 2023 10:39:43 GMT

You can turn off wi-fi in the engineer's menu and the Minis will still communicate with the box via wi-fi.

You could set the Mini network up via ethernet but that would require cables between all your Sky boxes and an ethernet network which isn't connected to your broadband network.

Re: Is multiroom connected by cables, or on wifi?

TimmyBGood — Wed, 24 May 2023 10:48:05 GMT

@Unhappy+lhb wrote:

Also im guessing i wont be able to use the magic eye any more, so will need to replace that with a box too?

There's no native RF output from a main Q box. HDMI to coaxial cable is possible, but frankly pretty pointless unless you're trying to avoid paying for the Multiscreen subscription.

Re: Is multiroom connected by cables, or on wifi?

TimmyBGood — Wed, 24 May 2023 10:47:28 GMT

@Q-tips wrote:

You can turn off wi-fi in the engineer's menu and the Minis will still communicate with the box via wi-fi.

Nope, turning off WiFi breaks Mini boxes unless they have ethernet connections.

Re: Is multiroom connected by cables, or on wifi?

Q-tips — Wed, 24 May 2023 10:56:21 GMT

@TimmyBGood wrote:
@Q-tips wrote:

You can turn off wi-fi in the engineer's menu and the Minis will still communicate with the box via wi-fi.

Nope, turning off WiFi breaks Mini boxes unless they have ethernet connections.

Yes, should have said that the Minis need to be connected via ethernet to the broadband network. But according to my Sky engineer last week, the Sky private wi-fi network can be replaced by cables if desired.

Re: Is multiroom connected by cables, or on wifi?

TimmyBGood — Wed, 24 May 2023 11:19:35 GMT

@Q-tips wrote:

But according to my Sky engineer last week, the Sky private wi-fi network can be replaced by cables if desired.

Certainly: I just wanted to make it clear that the option to switch off WiFi on a Q box removes it entirely, rather than just disabling the 'hotspot' function and leaving the 'television' backhaul in place.

Re: Is multiroom connected by cables, or on wifi?

Unhappy+lhb — Wed, 24 May 2023 12:36:04 GMT

So no they arent cabled?

But i cant use the eye - yes trying to avoid further cost of a second box. Its only me watching, but in different rooms.

Sorry most of these answers are too technical for me! Do i have to have an engineer visit or can an old Sky+ box be swapped out for SkyQ & mini boxes easily?

Thanks all.

Re: Is multiroom connected by cables, or on wifi?

TimmyBGood — Wed, 24 May 2023 13:03:22 GMT

@Unhappy+lhb wrote:

Do i have to have an engineer visit or can an old Sky+ box be swapped out for SkyQ & mini boxes easily?

An installer visit is required to change the LNB (receiver) on the satellite dish.

Re: Is multiroom connected by cables, or on wifi?

nigea99 — Wed, 24 May 2023 13:16:50 GMT

hi @Unhappy+lhb

I know this is slightly off topic regarding the multiscreen

but I thought you may also benefit from some notes I have put together

SKY HD to SKY Q

As @TimmyBGood mentions in post #4 there is no RF output (i.e. old style TV aerial connections) from SKY Q so no the Magic Eye won't work.

I think some customers have managed to use 3rd party HDMI to RF converters to allow the signal to be watched in another room (but this still doesn't allow the magic eye to work - although the SKY Q bluetooth remotes are actually quite good at working from other rooms)