How to tell if my SkyQ box supports UHD

[Negativepitch42]

I have just bought a 4k samsung TV, QE55QN95DAT.

I was upgraded to SkyQ from the older HD box about a year ago.

Is there any way to tell if my box is a UHD version.

I have gone into settings etc, picture resolution, and the highest is 1080p HD.

If I need to upgrade to a UHD box to give me 4K, does anyone know how much it currently costs?

Thanks for any replies.

[lettice]

Have a read of the Sky help advice in this help article, to check if your Sky Q box is capable of UHD and HDR.

https://www.sky.com/help/home/sky-tv/sky-tv-q/using-sky-q/watching-live-tv-q/watching-ultra-hd/artic...

More info on setting up UHD here;

https://www.sky.com/help/home/sky-tv/sky-tv-q/using-sky-q/watching-live-tv-q/watching-ultra-hd/artic...

[Negativepitch42]

Thanks for the links.

Sorry to sound a bit stupid, but I can't follow it where it explains what box you have.

My hardware version is 32C009

Software is Q280.000.08.00L (5vosfts)

Another question if that's ok.

We don't have the sport, or movie packs, or HD.

We just have a basic pack, so the only HD we do watch is BBC1 HD for example.

Is it worth upgrading to a UHD box (if I haven't already got one)?

My TV has HDMI 2.1 but the non UHD box comes with a 2.0? is it worth upgrading to a 2.1 lead.

[Negativepitch42]

I forgot to mention, my tv can upscale to 4k...more or less, would a 2.1 lead make this better?

[Chodley]

You're not stupid. That page is terribly organised and as far as I can see doesn't actually tell you which hardware versions have 4k and which don't. It also hasn't been updated to say the latest software is Q.280.

It implies a 32B0 does not by telling you what to do if you want to upgrade it but actually that's to get HDR (high dynamic range 10bit colour) on top of 4k. Your 32C0 box does not even do 4k so I'd follow that upgrade link as it's likely the same process.

if the cable works, with digital signals, it just works. No point upgrading in terms of picture quality. 2.1 cables are only really needed for 8k or high frame rates for video games.

for reference

 

[lettice]

---

@Negativepitch42 wrote:

Thanks for the links.

Sorry to sound a bit stupid, but I can't follow it where it explains what box you have.

My hardware version is 32C009

Software is Q280.000.08.00L (5vosfts)

Another question if that's ok.

We don't have the sport, or movie packs, or HD.

We just have a basic pack, so the only HD we do watch is BBC1 HD for example.

Is it worth upgrading to a UHD box (if I haven't already got one)?

My TV has HDMI 2.1 but the non UHD box comes with a 2.0? is it worth upgrading to a 2.1 lead.

---

Ok I see what your saying.

The article did used to have a small chart, as in post above with what boxes were capable of uhd  and hdr.

Your box is an original box and not capable of uhd or hdr. You would need to upgrade your box, as the article links.

From what you are saying, if you do not watch Sports or Movies and do not have the hd pack, there would be no benefit to you for getting a uhd capable box with your current packs.

If you wanted to also upgrade your packs and get an upgraded uhd and hdr capable box, you would need to upgrade your packs as well as upgrade your box. The pack you need is the Ultra HD and HD pack, normally about £12 a month, that would give you HD across many more channels and you would also allow you to be able to watch other UHD and HDR content for On demand content, like Sky Atlantic/Sky Max/Sky Nature etc.

Of course if you had Sky Sports and Sky Cinema packs, you would also then be able to view those in uhd and hdr for some content.

Just use the Sky Q hdmi cable that came with your Sky Q box, no need to change that.

[nigea99 · Accepted solution]

hi @Negativepitch42 

Just to be clear there is some UHD content from Entertainment channels  (mainly SKY Atlantic & SKy Max ) & not just movies and Sports.

I am not sure if your box, not being a UHD one, will let you see a 'rail' under catch up called Even Better in UHD (although note sometimes they accidently list content that is not available in UHD) . Note, also,  that list is not definitive

Some people also find the difference between good HD & UHD/HDR  not worth it anyway (non HDR UHD content - which some is - is, for most people, a barely noticable difference)   

Although in reality for those without Sports and/or Movies ,  for the amount of content , for most customers, it, probably, may not be worth it - especially as the upgrade of box is typically around £100 

[Negativepitch42]

Sorry, I didn't know how to multi reply.

nigea99, lettuce, Chodley.

Many thanks for taking the time to reply.

I guess I'll stay as I am then with my box and the HDMI lead.

Thanks again.