Sky Glass is a downgrade on SkyQ

[Mark39]

---

@trevforum wrote:

BTW I have both Sky Glass(as a secondary TV)and a Sky Stream puck attached via a Pioneer receiver to a Panasonic DX902 TV which I used with Sky Q.

---

I have a similar setup; Glass as a secondary (dining room) tv, where it works fine and Puck linked to a Pioneer receiver and a Panasonic tv.

The only irritation for me is the renowned 'continue watching' rail which is unreliable.

[Fothergill1]

@Mark39 I fully agree about the continue watching rail which I have complained about may times on this and the closed forum.  It is often infuriating and to me is the biggest down side to the streaming platform.  I do think it is a little better than it used to be (or maybe I have just got used to its faults).

[BigD1011]

So having read all of the responses to razor1986 I still have to agree.. .we mustn't get distracted by the 'is sky glass an upgrade ' issue because it definitely is presented as one by sky, but what's worse is that all of the issues sky are currently aware of are not disclosed at sky glass sign up. For example, I too have been with sky for a very long time but had not been told that I would not be able to view my subscription channels like Racing TV on sky glass or that there would be fewer channels available to me on Glass, for example like a reduction in news channels and a plethora of others, or that sky go would become so depleted it is fast becoming pointless (there is no Q box for sky go to connect to) so, so many channels are missing, in fact the only news channels available to me on sky go since the switch are sky news and GB news. Sky say that all of this has to do with licencing issues with sky glass.  How can it be that I can no longer watch a premium subscription channel on my television? I imagine we weren't informed about these issues because it would be more likely we'd stick with sky Q. It simply cannot be right that we are encouraged to 'upgrade' and pay more for a radically reduced service/choice.  Come on sky, this is all very disappointing.

[Anonymous]

I was an early adopter of Sky Glass and I've never seen it pushed by Sky as an upgrade to Sky Q. 

At the time it was launched it was a product that was intended to appeal to potential customers who were not able or allowed to have dishes installed on their outside walls. 

I took Glass because I was not able to get Q installed in my rental property correctly to enjoy the UHD features. It was only available on the main box and as that couldn't be located in the living room and my landlord wouldn't allow cables to be run through the property, Glass was the way to resolve this issue for me.

In an ideal world where I would have an equal choice then Q is the superior product but I don't feel Glass has been a downgrade. It meets my viewing requirements and until the recent black screen issue haven't had any issues with its stability. 

Glass and Stream I still see as a product for those who can't have dishes. It's not an upgrade or downgrade, it's just an alternative. 

[stereohaven]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

Glass and Stream I still see as a product for those who can't have dishes. It's not an upgrade or downgrade, it's just an alternative. 

---

And at some point, will be the only choice.

Q is really starting to show its age now as well and while it remains a top tier PVR, viewing habits continue to change, channels continue to close on satellite and it is struggling to deliver the app experience available on other, more modern hardware.

[Razor1986]

I am the originator of this post. I posted it over 15 months ago. I decided to keep Sky Glass in the end. I've just read my post back, and I do still agree with most of my points. I guess I've just got used to it, but I still maintain that Sky Q is better. There doesn't seem to be any improvements made in the last 15 months.

[Getting+angry+wit]

Got to agree.  Sky glass is total **bleep**.  First few weeks every time I complained to Sky I was told that it just takes getting used to, and I will realise that it is much better than Sky Q.  After sticking with it for a while I have come to the conclusion that it is a massive backward step in every way, but Sky won't let me swap back. Can't wait for the contract to end 

[82bit]

Agree: don't bother with it. And to those saying "Glass was never pushed as an upgrade to Q"... go look at the Sky website right now and try to order Q. References to it are buried deep into the menus with Stream/Glass pushed front and centre. 

To summarise, it's garbage and broadcast TV is on its last legs. The future is coming, but Sky Glass isn't it. 

[Caz125]

I hate my Sky Glass, frustration after frustration. My tv is paid for in 18 months time and I can't wait to get rid. I'd like to know though whether I will be able to use the tv with any other system as with a normal smart tv or will I just have to take it to the local recycling tip?

[BenJoBanjo]

---

@Caz125 wrote:

I hate my Sky Glass, frustration after frustration. My tv is paid for in 18 months time and I can't wait to get rid. I'd like to know though whether I will be able to use the tv with any other system as with a normal smart tv or will I just have to take it to the local recycling tip?

---

You can use Sky Glass with any other system you like right now. You would just need to attach whatever device you want to use to one of the HDMI ports on the Glass TV.

You could use a Sky Q box if you still want Sky's service, a Freesat box if you want a recordable satellite service without subscription, a Freeview PVR such as those by Manhattan or Humax if you want to record FTA TV channels, or you can attach any dedicated streaming device such as  a Firestick, Roku, Android TV or Apple TV box. 

If you continue to have issues with Sky's streaming service you can ask Sky to leave any long term contract early, without penalty. There are many people who have been allowed to leave due to ongoing issues or their inability to provide a stable enough broadband connection for the service to function. You need to contact Sky though and follow their troubleshooting. You also will obviously still need to pay for the Glass TV itself - the payment for which is entirely separate from the streaming service. 

A Glass TV without a subscription can still be used as a monitor with the soundbar attached. If you keep your SkyID active you can also still use the apps on it and the basic free-to-air tuner with an aerial attached. 

[Caz125]

Thank you so much for that explanation, I'm very reassured now!