Sky Q 32b1 box vs Sky Q 1TB UHD box

[giggleberry]

Looking at the specs of the two boxes, the UHD 1TB being the newer version, it looks as though the 32B1 model has a HDMI 1.4 output compared to the 1TB model that has a HDMI 2.0 output. My question is has any body found a difference in picture quality if they have upgraded their box? And how you can upgrade your box. 

[nigea99]

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@giggleberry wrote:

Looking at the specs of the two boxes, the UHD 1TB being the newer version, it looks as though the 32B1 model has a HDMI 1.4 output compared to the 1TB model that has a HDMI 2.0 output. My question is has any body found a difference in picture quality if they have upgraded their box? And how you can upgrade your box. 

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There is very little difference ebtween the 32B1 2TB UHD (V2) box & the v3 boxes.

The 32b1 is HDMI 2.0 as that is what is needed for UHD 

Functionally the only difference that I know of is that the V3 (both 1TB & 2TB)  UHD boxes have a UHD capable version of iPlayer that the v2 box doesn't. 

Some people say they notice a slight speed difference between the v2 & V3

THe V2 box has a separate power supply that does mean the box itself runs slightly cooler.

I don't think you can upgrade and people with a UHD Sub that have upgraded to (or initially given) a UHD/HDR box could be given either a V2 or V3 box - although the 1TB HDR vesrion is only available as a V3 (there was no V2 version & the v1 1TB was non UHD) 

[oldfella]

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@giggleberry wrote:

Looking at the specs of the two boxes, the UHD 1TB being the newer version, it looks as though the 32B1 model has a HDMI 1.4 output compared to the 1TB model that has a HDMI 2.0 output. My question is has any body found a difference in picture quality if they have upgraded their box? And how you can upgrade your box. 

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Hi @giggleberry 

It's the 32B0 box that has the HDMI 1.4.   This is non HDR version

The 32B1 is HDR capable and no known picture variation.

Only know variation is that the 32B1 2TB box will not show UHD in the iPlayer App whereas the 32B2 will

Only way to upgrade your Q box is to contact Sky directly and there will be a. charge.

[stereohaven]

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@nigea99 wrote: 

...Some people say they notice a slight difference between the 2...

I can vouch for that @giggleberry having recently had my v.3 replaced with a v.2.

To me, the v.2  seems more solidly built and (in my experience), the v.3 box is faster in every day operation.

The problem you have is the box is loaned, so you can try and specify the v.3 box, but you have no guarantee you will get one. 

My original 2TB box was a v.3, when that failed after 6 months I received another v.3, when that died after 16 months, I got a refurbished v.2. Technically I now have a box with less functionality, but trying to get Sky CS to agree is like talking to the floor.

[giggleberry]

According to skys website the box specs for the 32b1 is HDMI 1.4 output. 1.4 is UHD compatible but not at 50/60hrz but it hard to tell exactly what my box has! 

[nigea99]

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@giggleberry wrote:

According to skys website the box specs for the 32b1 is HDMI 1.4 output. 1.4 is UHD compatible but not at 50/60hrz but it hard to tell exactly what my box has! 

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Sorry I meant UHD/HDR (which runs at 50 Hz)

[TimmyBGood · Accepted solution]

@giggleberry 

HDMI 1.4 is not compatible with commercial UHD content encrypted with HDCP 2.2.

Q Mini boxes (32Dxx) and the pre-2019 1TB main Q box (32Cxx) do not output UHD.

All other main Q boxes have HDMI 2.0/HDCP2.2 and are UHD capable.

The first 2TB main Q box (32B0xx) can do UHD but not HDR.

[bob1234]

I could tell no difference in picture quality in HD between the 1TB V1 box and the 2TB V2 box however if you want UHD you have to upgrade from the 1TB V1 box and pay for it.