topic Re: SKY Q UHD HDR in Sky Q

SKY Q UHD HDR

Maverick88 — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 21:26:39 GMT

We have just signed up for a 2TB UHD Q box, when the engineer installs it in December, will it be the latest version box to include HDR ?

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

nigea99 — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 21:55:46 GMT

@Maverick88 wrote:

We have just signed up for a 2TB UHD Q box, when the engineer installs it in December, will it be the latest version box to include HDR ?

hi @Maverick88

Probably but no guarantee unless you called and specifically stated it

All 2TB are UHD capable but the original versions are UHD but not HDR - Hardware Version 32B0nnn but note this is not specified on the box - I can't remember the version references listed on external case labels

The other two 2TB versions are HDR caoable - 32B1nnn (this version has a separate power supply) & 32B2nnn

If you had ordered a UHD 1TB then it would be as the 1TB only comes in non UHD & UHD/HDR

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

Tarrantino — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 19:11:28 GMT

I upgraded to UHD with a self install, and I got the HDR box today.

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

Big+Stevie — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 18:12:13 GMT

I have the 32B064 2TB box, so it's UHD but not HDR compatible.

Is there much difference in picture quality between a UHD box and one that is also HDR?

I have the UHD subscription, so is it worth paying the upgrade fee for the HDR box?

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

nigea99 — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 19:10:30 GMT

@Big+Stevie wrote:

I have the 32B064 2TB box, so it's UHD but not HDR compatible.

Is there much difference in picture quality between a UHD box and one that is also HDR?

I have the UHD subscription, so is it worth paying the upgrade fee for the HDR box?

hi @Big+Stevie

Of course, it is always subjective but I found ordinary UHD over HD to appear mnimal, HDR makes a big difference & is generally very noticeable.

You do need to be aware that SKY's HDR uses a format called HLG which causes some lesser spec'd TVs to go very dark - although this spec is not always that easy to find (or available) but ideally you need a TV with 600 nits (aka cd/m2) peak brightness - any OLEDs are fine

I guess whether it is worth it depends on how much you might watch UHD/HDR content be it Sports and/or films/entertainment

Try watching somthing like the nature docs (e.g. Green Planet) on your TV's BBC iPlayer app in UHD (not the app on SKY Q ) as that also uses HLG HDR

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

Big+Stevie — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 19:37:32 GMT

Thank you

I do have a Panasonic JZ1500 OLED TV and I watch a lot of UHD content on 4K DVD, and like you I appreciate the improvement in picture quality over HD.

I was considering paying Sky to swap my UHD box to a HDR compatible version, but wasn't sure of the noticable difference visually between UHD content shown via my Sky box and a HDR box. So your answer has helped clarify that.

I might take the leap and request a new HDR box, and whilst I mostly watch films I'm also consider adding Sky Sports to my package, though I have 12 months left on my Sky contract and am not sure if I would then need to then sign up to a new 24 month contract if adding Sports? I guess thats a different topic.

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

MightyQuinn — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 19:36:10 GMT

Hi @Big+Stevie In my opinion, yes it is worth it if you watch sports. I wouldn't bother for films etc. As long as you have a quality TV.

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

Big+Stevie — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 19:39:20 GMT

Thanks MightyQuinn

I am considering adding Sky Sports to my package so it would be an ideal time to upgrade my Sky box. I just need to fnd the best way of contacing Sky to request a HDR box.

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

nigea99 — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 20:07:52 GMT

@Big+Stevie wrote:

Thank you

I do have a Panasonic JZ1500 OLED TV and I watch a lot of UHD content on 4K DVD, and like you I appreciate the improvement in picture quality over HD.

I was considering paying Sky to swap my UHD box to a HDR compatible version, but wasn't sure of the noticable difference visually between UHD content shown via my Sky box and a HDR box. So your answer has helped clarify that.

I might take the leap and request a new HDR box, and whilst I mostly watch films I'm also consider adding Sky Sports to my package, though I have 12 months left on my Sky contract and am not sure if I would then need to then sign up to a new 24 month contract if adding Sports? I guess thats a different topic.

@Big+Stevie In which case no problem with using HDR on your TV (I have a GZ980) & you will be used to HDR content via Discs - which of course SKY Q can't match (especially as it doesn't have DV) but it is not too far off

BTW You will probably have aready noticed with UHD content that the sound also can't match the discs even if it is Atmos (DD+ vs TrueHD /DTS Master is no contest really) - although this will also depend on your set up

Sports wise - you need to be aware that there are only 2 live HDR channels + odd ad hoc. SKY Sports Main Event which usually has the Football but at other times Cricket & fills with other upscaled content & the dedicated F1 channel (which I watch)

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

nigea99 — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 20:08:54 GMT

@Big+Stevie wrote:

Thanks MightyQuinn

I am considering adding Sky Sports to my package so it would be an ideal time to upgrade my Sky box. I just need to fnd the best way of contacing Sky to request a HDR box.

If you have the MY SKY app I think you may be able to find a number there - especially if you are a SKY VIP member
If not go this page & scroll to the bottom and expand the link need more help & scroll down

https://www.sky.com/help/home

If you have SKY Mobile or SKY Talk land line then I think you can also call 150

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

nigea99 — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 20:13:47 GMT

@Maverick88

P.S. If you do upgrade don't forget to take out your Viewing card before handing the box over for the swap

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

Big+Stevie — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 22:23:49 GMT

Thanks again. I'll give Sky a call tomorrow.

I understand that Sky Sports show NFL in UDR, with Denver Broncos vs Cleveland Browns on Sky Sports Main Event tonight.

I think NFL and F1 would be the main sports I'd watch in UHD, not sure if Darts woul dbe UHD? So I may give Sports and a HDR UHD box a try.

My only hesitation is whether to delay this as the NFL and F1 season is coming to an end, and any new 2yr contract would always expire mid season for these two sports. I'll either bite the bullet now or wait until after Superbowl 2025 so I get to watch Superbowl 2026 & 2027 in UHD.

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

Big+Stevie — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 12:48:19 GMT

So am I right in assuming that my 32B064 2TB box can play UHD content to my 4K OLED TV, but not HDR content?

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

nigea99 — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 12:54:12 GMT

@Big+Stevie wrote:

So am I right in assuming that my 32B064 2TB box can play UHD content to my 4K OLED TV, but not HDR content?

hi @Big+Stevie

That is correct

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

MightyQuinn — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 12:54:58 GMT

@Big+Stevie wrote:
So am I right in assuming that my 32B064 2TB box can play UHD content to my 4K OLED TV, but not HDR content?

Hi @Big+Stevie Debatable, certainly the 32B0xx does not switch HDR on but I found that when I had a 32B0xx, the results were acceptable if I turned on HLG HDR manually. All the 32Bxxx boxes play UHD content.

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

xenon81 — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 14:19:12 GMT

@MightyQuinn wrote:
@Big+Stevie wrote:
So am I right in assuming that my 32B064 2TB box can play UHD content to my 4K OLED TV, but not HDR content?
Hi @Big+Stevie Debatable, certainly the 32B0xx does not switch HDR on but I found that when I had a 32B0xx, the results were acceptable if I turned on HLG HDR manually. All the 32Bxxx boxes play UHD content.

The 32B0 boxes don't support HDR so there's no way it can be turned on manually. You might be switching your TV to a HDR effect picture setting mode but this isn't the same as real HDR.

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

Big+Stevie — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 14:33:44 GMT

Update - I called Sky today and they are sending me a 2TB UHD HDR box for free, in exchange for my current box. Good result.

Due to the Sky operators lack of English and difficulty in me understanding what she was saying it took some difficulty in gettingt there as they at first thought I wanted this as an extra box and therefore refused to supply it, payement or other wise as I already have one main box & 3 mini boxes. Eventually we gpt there in the end.

Now to sort out a Sky Sports sub. She offered it to me for £18/month on a 24 month contract, or £23/month on a 31 day rolling contract (plus £2 for Sports HD?) so £25/month.

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

MightyQuinn — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 15:05:54 GMT

@xenon81 wrote:
@MightyQuinn wrote:
@Big+Stevie wrote:
So am I right in assuming that my 32B064 2TB box can play UHD content to my 4K OLED TV, but not HDR content?
Hi @Big+Stevie Debatable, certainly the 32B0xx does not switch HDR on but I found that when I had a 32B0xx, the results were acceptable if I turned on HLG HDR manually. All the 32Bxxx boxes play UHD content.
The 32B0 boxes don't support HDR so there's no way it can be turned on manually. You might be switching your TV to a HDR effect picture setting mode but this isn't the same as real HDR.

Hi @xenon81 That is manually on the TV, not the Sky Q box. It is the TV that decodes the HDR from the 10bit stream. Are you saying that somehow the Sky Q box strips out the HDR coding?

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

DerekCGTSO — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:11:38 GMT

Hmmm interesting...I spent 30 mins on the phone yesterday with a Sky Customer service rep, who really didn't know what HDR was and also offered me a Sky Q 2Tb box for free, when I believe the upgrade was £99 ( or it was previously)..I didn't take the offer due to lack of what I was actually asking for which is Sky Q 2tb UHD WITH HDR?

I might just try again, receive the " free upgrade" then check what box model arrives. If it's UHD HDR the result otherwise I'll just return it.

I already have UHD Subscription, movies n sports

Re: SKY Q UHD HDR

nigea99 — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 16:17:58 GMT

@DerekCGTSO wrote:

Hmmm interesting...I spent 30 mins on the phone yesterday with a Sky Customer service rep, who really didn't know what HDR was and also offered me a Sky Q 2Tb box for free, when I believe the upgrade was £99 ( or it was previously)..I didn't take the offer due to lack of what I was actually asking for which is Sky Q 2tb UHD WITH HDR?

I might just try again, receive the " free upgrade" then check what box model arrives. If it's UHD HDR the result otherwise I'll just return it.

I already have UHD Subscription, movies n sports

hi @DerekCGTSO

As you mention 'Free upgrade', I think you may, also, wish to read some notes I have made for people considering switching from SKY +/HD to SKY Q

SKY +/HD to SKY Q

Yes the standard charge for an upgrade to an HDR box is £99 - if you do opt for this make sure you get them to commit to an HDR box (even if they are not sure what you mean) so that if you don't get one sent you can always refer back to the call.