How Stable is the puck

[freddielk]

I can see quite a few threads about the puck being un-reliable, needing rebooting, it's putting me off a bit, so in reality what's actually like?

If you had problems with freezing, voice synch, glitching and so on how was it resolved, and how quickly?

Does using ethernet fix these issues, is WiFi part of the cause?

Did 5Ghz channel help?

[Tommy2]

Ethernet is always better than WIFI for any device, Ive had the puck since April, its not perfect but, its got much better than it used to be when they first launched, I can only recall two carshes, software updtaes have fixed issues and im happy taht theres always support avalible. You do need to have reliable interent for it to work efefctively though.

[Jporch316]

Hi @freddielk 

I have 2 x glass and 2 x pucks running off my WiFi. No issues with connectivity. However i do have a wifi mesh system for extra coverage and stability. Worth noting that Ethernet on the sky devices is hardware restricted to 100mbs. 

[Gincap]

The Puck itself is fit for function, most issues have been software related and that reflects on the Puck performance. Connectivity is key a decent signal whether WiFi or ethernet is essential for smooth operation. Software has improved and following the current release the puck appears punchier in its performance.

I've been a critic of Stream for a long time but because I'm from the industry I keep a subscription going more out of interest of the evolution of the service. Personally 'and there are still glitches' I would recommend a Puck if you are embedded into the Sky experience but connectivity is crucial.

If Sky had only got into bed with Apple before eetv did and run their streaming service through an Apple TV box nobody could beat them for performance and quality. If only.

So get a Puck the picture quality is great and the ease of use is unquestionable. 

[Angel_Aka]

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@freddielk wrote:

I can see quite a few threads about the puck being un-reliable, needing rebooting, it's putting me off a bit, so in reality what's actually like?

If you had problems with freezing, voice synch, glitching and so on how was it resolved, and how quickly?

Does using ethernet fix these issues, is WiFi part of the cause?

Did 5Ghz channel help?

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In my experience of Sky Stream, I agree with others that it's a fantastic way of getting access to an awful lot of content with one subscription. SkyOS is a simple, advertising-heavy, easy to use system for the mass market. 
For the vast majority of people it's great - those that want their TV served up to them in a straightforward, easy to use manner. 
But that was actually my biggest issue with it - it was just too controlled by Sky. Any issue that arises is down to Sky to fix and historically they are not fast at fixing issues. 
The Stream puck is fine - it's cheap but does the job. It's the server-based nature of SkyOS that seemed to cause most of the issues for me. Gigabit fibre on 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz or Ethernet didn't stop any of the niggling issues from recurring.
I'm fussy about speed and reliability of my tech and Sky Stream just didn't cut it for me. 

[Sanderce]

I have come to sky steam from virgin media, the device is quite good but has a few issues during playback regarding skipping adverts. This being said it is far superior to the VM box as that requires a coax connection to their router. I think the downfall is the Ethernet port rated at 100Mbps most kit is now at least 2.5Gbps, so a good WiFi connection would be essential.  
I have had so far a better experience, with better overall experience with sky stream than VM

[TimmyBGood]

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@Sanderce wrote:

I think the downfall is the Ethernet port rated at 100Mbps most kit is now at least 2.5Gbps, so a good WiFi connection would be essential.  

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Nothing a puck can do requires more than around 30Mbs at most (streaming UHD with Atmos data)

Why do you think they specified a 100Mbs port in the first place?

[Sanderce]

It's to keep the cost down .

i used to work in the industry and cost is the main priority especially as they are giving away the streaming device. It will eventually cost them more it's like fitting a 1980s engine in a modern car

[TimmyBGood]

@Sanderce 

The video chipset on any current Stream puck will never output more than 4K resolution, so the box has absolutely no need for more bandwidth capacity now or in the future.

Even in the extremely unlikely event that 8K streaming ever arrives (with a corresponding revised puck model) a 100Mbs ethernet port would still be sufficient.

High capacity ethernet is potentially desirable on devices which can make use of it: downloading a AAA game to a console, perhaps.  Otherwise, as you indicate, it's an unnecessary cost.

[Sanderce]

People do not want cables running everywhere, they want WiFi as they can move things.

Ethernet over twisted pairs is very old technology in networking terms and started at 10Mbps. 
UHD is the current standard and even though the 8k exists there is no international standard currently because the difference to the human eye is not perceptible.   
The problems with stability of the puck, is imho, is the very poor WiFi propagation by ISP routers, this has been a major issue this century, all isps are aware but use cheap routers, then sell add on devices to overcome these shortfalls. They have also created a new issue with those routers, to try and keep the best connection change channels to avoid each other, I call this the dance of death.  There are 13 channels but as they overlap, this becomes in effect 3 and most modern devices bond two together, this has made the situation worse.