Thinking about switching from Stream

[Blinxtts]

Hi everyone, 

recently I've been getting more and more fed up with Sky Stream and its many issues, so I've decided I want to switch to Q instead.
The only issue I can think about is the trees in my area, as they are quite tall and very large.

Is there a way to check that I'll be able to get this service before signing myself up for a contract or do I just have to sign up and wait for an engineer to come out?

Also is there any additional costs or add-ons I need to be aware of?

Many thanks.

[stereohaven]

@Blinxtts 

Your options are probably buying Sky Q and seeing what the engineer says on install day or talking to a local satellite installer to see if an installation is feasible before committing.

Its impossible to talk about price differences because there are so many variables.

Whilst you may have problems with Sky Stream, I think it is fair to say that the Q hardware is really starting to show its age. But it's still a fairly reliable PVR and for many, that is all they want.

[nigea99]

hi @Blinxtts 

There are a few Satellite Finder apps that seem to give a view where the Satellites are but I have no idea how good they are and I am assuming you might need to be able to use them whilst up a ladder at the height you think the dish woudl be needed   

There is a website that also gives detailed information of dish angles etc but not too  sure if this helps to see if the trees are too high unless you can measure accurately 

https://www.dishpointer.com/

[oj01]

@Blinxtts Do you have any neighbours with satellite dishes that you can see, which would give you an idea as to the direction (roughly South East) and elevation that the dish would need to be positioned at.

[Blinxtts]

Hi, thank you all for the fast replies.

My neighbour has a dish mounted to the side of their house opposite from me (I'm currently in a semi-detached).  However it was installed years ago, a long time before the recent work done on the trees behind my house in which a couple were removed. 

I've had a look through a satellite finder app and feel like my best bet would be to mount the dish to the chimney as it's the highest point on the house but even then it's not too clear whether or not we would receive a signal.

[nigea99]

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@Blinxtts wrote:

Hi, thank you all for the fast replies.

My neighbour has a dish mounted to the side of their house opposite from me (I'm currently in a semi-detached).  However it was installed years ago, a long time before the recent work done on the trees behind my house in which a couple were removed. 

I've had a look through a satellite finder app and feel like my best bet would be to mount the dish to the chimney as it's the highest point on the house but even then it's not too clear whether or not we would receive a signal.

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hi @Blinxtts 

Unfortunately SKY's engineers will no longer mount them to Chimneys

Also you need to remember if it is marginal now, tree growth in future could be a problem

Sorry this may not be what you wish to hear

[Godfrey]

@Blinxtts   Once you have established the required azimuth and elevation using DishPointer, if you can track down a suitably qualified specialist engineer who has access to a clinometer, it would be an easy task to establish if any position on your property has a clear 'line of sight' to the Astra 28.2 degrees satellite cluster, and establish exactly how much clearance you would have to counteract new growth reducing that clearance above your local trees.

for example;

Godfrey.

[Blinxtts]

Thanks again for the fast reply’s and useful information nigea99 and Godfrey. Whilst sky engineers are unable to fix a dish to the chimney, would I be able to get an independent contractor to install a dish then use that for Sky Q? If I must then I will stick to Sky Stream but it’s one of the most bug ridden and least user friendly devices I’ve used in a while for watching live TV.

[nigea99 · Accepted solution]

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@Blinxtts wrote:
Thanks again for the fast reply’s and useful information nigea99 and Godfrey. Whilst sky engineers are unable to fix a dish to the chimney, would I be able to get an independent contractor to install a dish then use that for Sky Q? If I must then I will stick to Sky Stream but it’s one of the most bug ridden and least user friendly devices I’ve used in a while for watching live TV.

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hi @Blinxtts 

I believe the 'official' SKY response is no - they do not support 3rd party installed LNBs (unless it is a Communal system), although we think  that sometimes they may be pragmatic  and do so but, as you may guess, there are no guarantees, unfortunately

[simon194]

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@Blinxtts wrote:
Thanks again for the fast reply’s and useful information nigea99 and Godfrey. Whilst sky engineers are unable to fix a dish to the chimney, would I be able to get an independent contractor to install a dish then use that for Sky Q? If I must then I will stick to Sky Stream but it’s one of the most bug ridden and least user friendly devices I’ve used in a while for watching live TV.

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You will also need to check your local planning regs. Many local councils won't allow a dish to be mounted higher than the apex of the roof.