SkyGlass Awful

[Adam-93]

A lot of the confusion and upset over what Sky Glass is, has unfortunately come from a lack of clear information from Sky.

Coming from the postion as a Sky Q user; when using catch-up services - including for terrestrial channels - the download quality is in full HD, and in many cases there are no ads, or the ads have been dramatically reduced.

The impression I got from the launch videos and from reading the website was that Sky Glass would be similar, in that we could 'playlist' a show and (instead of downloading like Sky Q) stream it in HD when we wanted to watch it. With no contradictory information, my assumption was that Sky would serve up full HD shows on demand, as they do with Sky Q.

Once people started receiving their TV's, it became clear that many channels only serve up SD quality and stereo audio catch-up with ads, from the bog-standard third-party apps available everywhere. And even then we would have to wait for the TV show to appear in catch-up on the app.

So many of the complaints would have been prevented by being much clearer at launch about what the TV could do.

All the stuff about '1,000 hours of cloud recording' was superfluous marketing speak, and gave the impression it applied to all channels.

In reality the most convenient features mostly only apply to Sky channels, everything else (including channels showing some of the most popular TV shows)  is farmed out to apps with much poorer picture and sound quality.

Of course this is absolutely fine for many users, but it should have been clearer from the start.

The main Sky Glass website is still woefully poor on detail, with links saying 'Take a closer look' linking back to the page you're already on. And I still can't find a confirmed channel list.

[S44TUH]

@Satele I do think you are being a bit OTT and agressive. Chill out.

I will say it again - I am pleased with the TV, picture and sound.  I've had the TV for only 36 hours and I did say (here and on other posts) that I am prepared to give it a 'reasonable' go.  You will see on my other posts that I have also tried to give level headed information and help people with queries.  I'm on this group to learn, share expereinces and help if I can - not have arguements with people!

If Sky can't rectify the issues that I (and many others) see as an issue with the Playlist function - I am going to cancel Glass.

What I am investigating is with the Glass TV credit agreement is keeping the TV and plugging Sky Q back in!

[Jon+Reeve]

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@Adam-93 wrote:

A lot of the confusion and upset over what Sky Glass is, has unfortunately come from a lack of clear information from Sky.

Coming from the postion as a Sky Q user; when using catch-up services - including for terrestrial channels - the download quality is in full HD, and in many cases there are no ads, or the ads have been dramatically reduced.

The impression I got from the launch videos and from reading the website was that Sky Glass would be similar, in that we could 'playlist' a show and (instead of downloading like Sky Q) stream it in HD when we wanted to watch it. With no contradictory information, my assumption was that Sky would serve up full HD shows on demand, as they do with Sky Q.

Once people started receiving their TV's, it became clear that many channels only serve up SD quality and stereo audio catch-up with ads, from the bog-standard third-party apps available everywhere. And even then we would have to wait for the TV show to appear in catch-up on the app.

So many of the complaints would have been prevented by being much clearer at launch about what the TV could do.

All the stuff about '1,000 hours of cloud recording' was superfluous marketing speak, and gave the impression it applied to all channels.

In reality the most convenient features mostly only apply to Sky channels, everything else (including channels showing some of the most popular TV shows)  is farmed out to apps with much poorer picture and sound quality.

Of course this is absolutely fine for many users, but it should have been clearer from the start.

The main Sky Glass website is still woefully poor on detail, with links saying 'Take a closer look' linking back to the page you're already on. And I still can't find a confirmed channel list.

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Good post. Definitely agree with all that. I think many Q owners would not have moved over had this been clear. I know I wouldn't have done so if I was a Q user. I came from BT and I'm quite happy with how the Playlist works. But if I'd been used to recording stuff in Q, I'd probably be unhappy.

Sky could have made it easier for themselves had they been clearer.

[bob1234]

@S44TUH 

"What I am investigating is with the Glass TV credit agreement is keeping the TV and plugging Sky Q back in!"

You can't do that as such as your Q account will have been closed and you will have been transferred to a glass account when the glass is activated. No doubt you can revert to Q but you would need to contact Sky.

Whatever you do it needs to be done within 60 days as you only have that to return the Q boxes and you don't want the hassle of getting charged a non return fee and having to get it back.

[S44TUH]

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Good post. Definitely agree with all that. I think many Q owners would not have moved over had this been clear. I know I wouldn't have done so if I was a Q user. I came from BT and I'm quite happy with how the Playlist works. But if I'd been used to recording stuff in Q, I'd probably be unhappy.

Sky could have made it easier for themselves had they been clearer.

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This is the issue - I'm a long standing Q user and it is a downgrade.  I fell for the Sky promotion and marketing.  I got in early and got Glass without seeing any reviews or feedback. That's my bad.

I would have hoped/expected that the viewing experience for a Q user would have, at least, been on a par.  Heyho - it's not the end of the world, it's not worth getting into arguements over - it is only a TV sevice after all - which I can cancel and send back at any time!

[Jon+Reeve]

To be honest a lot of these companies need to improve their catch up offering. They need to be in HD and upload stuff from the live broadcast quicker.

Fewer ads would also be better but accept that may be necessary but the first two are needed urgently. That's the way TV is going. They should use the BBCs iPlayer as a model.

[S44TUH]

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@bob1234 wrote:

@S44TUH 

"What I am investigating is with the Glass TV credit agreement is keeping the TV and plugging Sky Q back in!"

You can't do that as such as your Q account will have been closed and you will have been transferred to a glass account when the glass is activated. No doubt you can revert to Q but you would need to contact Sky.

Whatever you do it needs to be done within 60 days as you only have that to return the Q boxes and you don't want the hassle of getting charged a non return fee and having to get it back.

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What I can do - is cancel Glass TV services within the cooling off period.  I can then contact Sky and say - will you re-instate my Q services on the deal I had previously?  Of course they can say no - you have to pay full price - so be it!  I can then decide whether to go with Apple TV, Now TV, etc and see what functionality I get with the Glass TV.  If it's no good - I can also choose to send it back within the cooling off period.  I'm not stressing - there's options - including sticking with it!

[MarkyMamil]

I've worked out if I left Sky (after 21 years) I could get ITV HUB+ app and Channel4 HUB + app and Now TV for as little as £22.31 per month.

Thats HD Channels with no adverts cheaper than SKY.

Indeed Sky has changed the way I view my TV.

I will no longer be with Sky and saving money. 

[Satele]

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@S44TUH wrote:

@Satele I do think you are being a bit OTT and agressive. Chill out.

I will say it again - I am pleased with the TV, picture and sound.  I've had the TV for only 36 hours and I did say (here and on other posts) that I am prepared to give it a 'reasonable' go.  You will see on my other posts that I have also tried to give level headed information and help people with queries.  I'm on this group to learn, share expereinces and help if I can - not have arguements with people!

If Sky can't rectify the issues that I (and many others) see as an issue with the Playlist function - I am going to cancel Glass.

What I am investigating is with the Glass TV credit agreement is keeping the TV and plugging Sky Q back in!

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You can think what you like but you'd be wrong. I'm perfectly chilled and any reasonable person can see this.

We're all sharing our experiences. Some just can't handle that what they see as an 'awful' omission or problem, many other people will not be remotely concerned about. I'm paying Sky for Sky content, not for BBC/STV/C4 content so the set delivers brilliantly for me and I'll continue to say that. If folk want to get really upset about having to use the content provider's apps for terrestrial stuff, that's up to them.

Brilliant - we've acknowledged that if you don't like your Glass set you can return it for free and go to a different product. Really good of Sky to basically let customers try Glass risk free for 31 days. 

[Jon+Reeve]

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@MarkyMamil wrote:

I've worked out if I left Sky (after 21 years) I could get ITV HUB+ app and Channel4 HUB + app and Now TV for as little as £22.31 per month.

Thats HD Channels with no adverts cheaper than SKY.

Indeed Sky has changed the way I view my TV.

I will no longer be with Sky and saving money. 

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I was with BT and subscribed to their Big Sport package which gave me BT Sport and Sky Sport via Now TV.

I just didn't like their whole interface. I found it easier to just use my Smart TV apps and go to each one as and when I wanted to look for something to watch. I am paying more for Glass but I'm fine with that. I get a snazzy and attractive interface and I no longer need to access individual standalone apps.

Sky are absolutely unbeatable when it comes to UI.

[Laing1]

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@MarkyMamil wrote:

I've worked out if I left Sky (after 21 years) I could get ITV HUB+ app and Channel4 HUB + app and Now TV for as little as £22.31 per month.

Thats HD Channels with no adverts cheaper than SKY.

Indeed Sky has changed the way I view my TV.

I will no longer be with Sky and saving money. 

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@MarkyMamil If you don't watch Sky branded channels at all then it sounds a good deal for you 

[stereohaven]

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@Adam-93 wrote:

A lot of the confusion and upset over what Sky Glass is, has unfortunately come from a lack of clear information from Sky...

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I agree with this entirely, but people shouldn't be surprised, it's marketing selling the sizzle not the sausage.

Apple do it all the time, it's normally a few weeks or even a couple of months before early niggles are fixed or you have a clearer picture what kit can or can't do in the real world.

Early adopters are always beta testers without benefits. 

[MarkyMamil]

Totally agree @Laing1 

The funny thing is I never priced it up or compared until this debarcle with SkyGlass.

One door closes another opens up.

It's a shame, I always enjoyed SkyQ.

Worse decision was on my part was to go for SkyGlass. That's down to me but I'll save in the long run.

My whole intention was to highlight that Skyglass, from a TV package perspective, is a real downgrade from SkyQ.

[Annie+UK]

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@MarkyMamil wrote:

I've worked out if I left Sky (after 21 years) I could get ITV HUB+ app and Channel4 HUB + app and Now TV for as little as £22.31 per month.

Thats HD Channels with no adverts cheaper than SKY.

Indeed Sky has changed the way I view my TV.

I will no longer be with Sky and saving money. 

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You do realise NOW (TV) is a Sky sister company 🙂

[SB.23]

@Satele you seem to be 'active' on quite a few threads, where you've disagreed with various commenters on issues they're experiencing which you aren't.

I think people would have less of an issue with you advising them that they're 'factually wrong' or their experience is down to 'user error' if you provided screenshots of your experience.  So far whilst many have asked you to provide screenshots of your experiences (and have done so of their experiences) you've not shared anything other than your word.

If you're able to provide some screenshots, I think this would help a lot of people on these threads.