Buying a Sky Television

[Coldeb]

I am looking for a New TV, all I need is a 50 or 55 inch with a great picture and more importantly a good clear sound. I've been a bit disappointed with other TVs I've seen so far, to boring to explain why. I was told that SKY GLASS TVs have terrific picture quality and a fabulous sound system ( its clarity I need over volume) I already have a broadband service I am more than happy with ( National Broadband that uses a sim card, not a cable, which works surprisingly very well ) so I don't need or want a Sky subscription, my Question is , can I just buy a Sky TV without taking out a Sky subscription, and will it still work for FREEVIEW  with catch up services like BBCiplayer , TVX,  MORE4 and MY5 ? (to be hones thats all my wife and I watch) does it come with other apps and will they still work without a SKY Subscription . Also, does a Sky Glass TV have Bluetooth , Ethernet socket and HDMI and USB ports? Many  Thanks 😊 

[IntVic]

"....I was told that SKY GLASS TVs have terrific picture quality..."

Oh really... I would suggest "terrific picture quality" is subjective and might be worth testing for yourself.

Suggest you look at the price you are prepared to pay for Sky Glass and see what other TVs you can purchase for the same price. If you can visit  Richer Sounds, they might be worth the visit as  you can see a number of TVs and their picture quality.

[Mark39]

@Coldeb In my view (as an owner of a 43" Glass) picture quality is adequate but you could do better more cheaply elsewhere. Mine serves as a dining room tv for casual viewing

Sound quality is better than the average panel tv, but Glass is prone to bass speaker distortion, as I know from personal experience. I added a decent soundbar to improve sound quality.

The interface is designed for a Sky subscription, though the tv will work without one.

There are rumours about a Mk2 Glass being announced next month.

[TimmyBGood]

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@Coldeb wrote:

I was told that SKY GLASS TVs have terrific picture quality and a fabulous sound system ( its clarity I need over volume)

Current Glass sets are three years old and have never significantly reduced in price.  I'd suggest not taking much notice of outdated advertising hype: maybe read some independent reviews from October 2021 and then contemplate technology advancement since then.

Question is , can I just buy a Sky TV without taking out a Sky subscription, and will it still work for FREEVIEW  with catch up services like BBCiplayer , TVX,  MORE4 and MY5 ? (to be hones thats all my wife and I watch) does it come with other apps and will they still work without a SKY

Subscription .

Realitically that's not how Glass is intended to function: it's a bespoke platform for delivery of Sky subscription content.

Also, does a Sky Glass TV have Bluetooth , Ethernet socket and HDMI and USB ports? 

Bluetooth for the remote and A2DP headphones, one ethernet socket, three HDMI ports, one USB-C which is only for the Sky Live camera accessory and cannot access external storage.

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[Coldeb · Accepted solution]

Many Thanks, I may have to have a major re-think, I have been looking at TVs until I'm practically dreaming of them !, trying to get all the planets to line for what I want and need to one particular TV has been almost painful. I will give Richer Sounds a look, ( they can't be worse than Curry's, what a pain in the rear end they were 🫤). 

[TimmyBGood]

@Coldeb

There's supposed to be a Sky announcement next month (February 2025) which press speculation links to Glass. 

Alternatively any 2024 television from an established manufacturer used with a Stream puck, particularly if OLED or mini-LED, is almost certainly 'better' than a 2021 Glass model at the same or even a lower price.