Mutliscreen limits?

[garyrp]

I have Sky multiscreen, had it for a while now, recently added a 3rd mini-box, the blurb says you can have up to four:

"You can watch different Sky channels on different TVs at the same time. All the channels you subscribe to are available on all Sky boxes, and you can have up to four Sky+ boxes."

However it seems only two mini-boxes can connect at the one time, how do I get all three mini-boxes working?

[oldfella · Accepted solution]

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@garyrp wrote:

I have Sky multiscreen, had it for a while now, recently added a 3rd mini-box, the blurb says you can have up to four:

"You can watch different Sky channels on different TVs at the same time. All the channels you subscribe to are available on all Sky boxes, and you can have up to four Sky+ boxes."

However it seems only two mini-boxes can connect at the one time, how do I get all three mini-boxes working?

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Hi @garyrp 

You can have up to four minis installed on loan each subject to a one off upfront charge and all under by one single Q monthly Multiscreen subscription
However only two minis can be used simultaneously on all 2 TB boxes and the 1 TB UHD Main boxes to watch Sky Q content.
The original 1 TB non UHD box (32Cxxx) only permits the use of one mini at a time.
If Sky Apps are already being used on some of the minis these will not normally be counted as in Q use and therefore can be used in addition to the above limits.
See the following link for the Versions of main Q box referred to above.
https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-software-updates.
Subject to the above limits Sky Q minis can be used completely independently of the main Q box and the same or different program or recording can be viewed on each Q box. Even if viewing the same content it is completely independent and can be viewed at the same or different point.
Minis can do all the features same as the main Q box and can set or delete recordings on the main Q box hard drive. There is one single storage area on the main Q box with no profiles and no indication of which Q box has set a recording. (Unlike Sky+HD Multiroom which has independent storage and planners).
It should also be remembered that minis cannot view UHD recordings or content.

[garyrp]

So Sky have set a limit on the number of mini-boxes that can be used at the same time, funny how they don't mention that in their sales pitch! 😡

[PandJ2020]

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@garyrp wrote:

However it seems only two mini-boxes can connect at the one time, how do I get all three mini-boxes working?

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The terms will state only 2 are available concurrently.  It's a hard limit with the Q hardware - there is no solution.

There is one exception - If one of the mini's is using an app (e,g. Netflix) then the other 2 should be able to work too.

[TimmyBGood]

@garyrp 

It's been a limit (and referred to in the 'small print') since Q was launched in early 2016.

As @PandJ2020 indicates, it's defined by the availability of tuner circuits in the main Q box.

The Sky product for content in multiple rooms (including UHD) is Sky Stream.

[garyrp]

OK, though I don't want Sky Glass, happy with my TVs, pity they haven't put the same tech into boxes.

[PandJ2020]

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@garyrp wrote:

OK, though I don't want Sky Glass, happy with my TVs, pity they haven't put the same tech into boxes.

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You don't have to have Glass - the alternative is Stream but it's quite a different product to Q (no dish, no hard disk).

[garyrp]

Can you get terrestial TV on Stream?  Or just streaming services?

[MightyQuinn]

Hi @garyrp   Expand "Sky Ultimate TV" https://www.sky.com/help/articles/tv-channel-list-sky-glass

[TimmyBGood]

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@garyrp wrote:

Can you get terrestial TV on Stream?  Or just streaming services?

Stream carries an EPG which has all the PSB stations, as well as most (but not all) of the major channels present on the satellite platforms.

It doesn't receive terrestrial television broadcast (from a local mast) in the UK even though it is equipped with a DTTV tuner: that's for regulatory compliance in other territories.

[garyrp]

That would be OK actually, I didn't see anything we ewatch on the list of channels not included...

[TimmyBGood]

@garyrp 

When considering Stream in multiple rooms, be aware of the necessity for both adequate culmulative bandwidth and robust local WiFi.

Three pucks in simultaneous use really requires FTTP (or G.fast) broadband of at least 100Mbs: even good FTTC isn't likely to be adequate.

[garyrp]

Thanks for the heads up. Supposedly I get 400Mb/S although I usually measure less 280-300Mb/s ( Sky claim it's not them, they clearly listen to Shaggy), I have boosters in every room.

[garyrp]

Can you mix Q and Stream, I don't want to give up recordings however there are only two rooms where we watch recordings, the other room is just TV, could I swap the 3rd mini-box for a streaming puck?

[Daniel0210]

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@garyrp wrote:

Can you mix Q and Stream, I don't want to give up recordings however there are only two rooms where we watch recordings, the other room is just TV, could I swap the 3rd mini-box for a streaming puck?

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@garyrp 

No, it's one or the other.