Changing from satellite reception to streaming

[Jean751199]

I currently have sky Q, but thinking of changing to streaming. Do I need the glass tv, or will it work on my current tv. Will I have to wait until I am out of contract.

[Tim+Adams]

Hi @Jean751199 

You need either a Sky Glass or Sky Stream, Sky Stream connects to your current TV and allows you to use that.

You only want Glass if you actually want / need the TV. 

Sky will allow you to change product however they will put you in contract, you do get a 31 day cooling off period. 

Also note not all channels are available via Sky Stream / Glass

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/tv-channel-list-sky-glass

It's important to research if it's suitable for you.

Thanks,

Tim

[SlenderRobert]

---

@Jean751199 wrote:

I currently have sky Q, but thinking of changing to streaming. Do I need the glass tv, or will it work on my current tv. Will I have to wait until I am out of contract.

---

You don't need a Glass TV. You can get a Sky Stream puck and attach it to your existing TV. 
You can switch from Q mid-contract onto an 18 month Stream contract but you'll need to ring Sky to do it. 
Make sure you have fast & stable broadband otherwise it's pointless switching. 

[Paul+Boland]

@Jean751199 

Are you based in UK or Republic of Ireland

If you based in UK

You can chosse between either Sky Glass or Sky Stream Puck or get both if you wanted

If you based in Republic of Ireland

You need to get Sky Glass if you also want to have Sky Stream Puck

Sky Stream Puck not available on it's own yet in Republic of Ireland but should do at a later stage likely towards end of 2023

Channels and Apps available differ between UK and Republic of Ireland

[Jporch316]

@Jean751199 

Just to triple affirm what has been said above please please please check if stream is suitable for your viewing habits 

there are lots of YouTube videos / reviews and skys own YouTube videos that show in detail how the system works - it does not record in the conventional way 

also you will need at the very least a 30mb internet connection for any uhd viewing - possible more if you have other devices at home using internet 

[Anonymous]

If you are looking to switch just because Stream is a newer product then don't. It is not an upgrade to Q it is perhaps at this stage a slight step backwards.

Stick with Q if you can until such time Stream is stable.

[bob1234]

I had to change to stream due to building work and when completed there will no where to put a dish.

I like it but and it is a big but, it like original versions of Q I think it escaped too early.

There are many things that need improving but for me the main thing is that you cannot guarantee to "record" (I know it does not actually record but the claim made by Sky of a 1000 hours recording was ambiguous to put it mildly)

TCM in particular where you can put things in the play list and if you are lucky and it appears then it often links to a subscription channel which I don't have/want. Although I knew they were not there I also miss the "Great" series of channels.

Finally If a film is split into two parts with a news slot in the middle it seems impossible to "record" the whole film, you can't even unlike Q select both halves.

The main omission is cloud recording where you could guarantee and controllable recording even if that would be there only for a limited time.

[Fothergill1]

@Jean751199 I subscribed  to Glass last July when I moved home and was not able to get access to a communal dish. At that time a stand lone Stream puck was not an option.  If I was in the same position today I would get a soundbar and Stream puck rather than a Glass TV which is by no means a premium product.

Since last July Glass has improved considerably but it is still by no means perfect but then neither is Sky Q (I still had to reboot Q periodically).

As mentioned by @Anonymous do not consider Glass as an upgrade as it is not.  It is purely a different way of getting Sky when you can't have, or don't want, a satellite dish on the side of your property.

As others have said do your research but from a personally perspective I have got used to Glass and its quirks and would not go back to Sky Q if the opportunity arose.

Oh, also make sure your WiFi is up to the task with a fast and stable signal.

[Jean751199]

Thanks to everyone who has responded. I eventually got a phone number for sky, not an easy task, and spoke to someone. The streaming source does not allow recording of programmes. I never watch live programmes for various reasons, so that is no good. I will stick to my satellite sky but as they won't negotiate any more on price, I will be dropping sport and maybe movies.