Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

[AD941]

Just wondering what the delay time is like on sky sports when using sky stream? Also seen some negative reviews regarding lip sync? Can any confirm this

[mikealanr]

Hi @AD941 

There is a delay of 20 sceconds or so compared to traditional broadcasts. This is due to the nature of delivery by the internet. Sky however implemented a low latency mode that reduces this further.

Re the lip sync it's a known issue. Changing channel and back again resolves, but I've not noticed it much at all recently.

MikeAlanR

[Stephen+Mourton]

@AD941   Also Sky Sports Main Event channel 401 gives you the option to 'Live Sync' which brings the delay very close to being live.  This is not available as yet on other channels. 

[Wazza3]

Hi All, Why sky have not roll out sky sports channels for low latency surely it does not take long since they done for Sky Sports Main Event Low latency for Sky Glass?

[Nigelb1972]

@AD941 i'd imagine they're prioritising live sport, especially Premier League because a high revenue and high profile sport and the audience are more reactive to a slight delay between other platforms.

[MarkGoldsmith]

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@Nigelb1972 wrote:

@AD941 i'd imagine they're prioritising live sport, especially Premier League because a high revenue and high profile sport and the audience are more reactive to a slight delay between other platforms.

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Agreed. The technology is also quite costly to implement and roll-out so likely the channels that are more commericially attractive would be the ones that get the priority.

The BBC have been trialling low-latency technology as a beta feature in iPlayer for BBC Two recently.

[fgdfgdfg]

I'd love to hear from people about the delay on Sky Stream vs SkyQ.   If Sky want stream to a viable alternative they need to sort this out.

Is it still a 10-20 second delay?   Is there still this "low latency" channel or did it roll out to all the channels?

Seems that if there's still a delay then those of us that chat online, use live sports betting apps or follow F1 telemetry can't use Sky Stream for sports.

[GD1]

@fgdfgdfg  I'm at a loss as to how you think Sky can sort out what is a natural event with the internet, there will always be a delay of some kind even on the Low Latency channels (which has reduced delay significantly).   

All forms of broadcasting and streaming will have a delay due to process, however streaming something will always have a greater delay, unless you know of some way Sky can overcome physics?  If so do enlighten everyone.

[Jon34]

A 10-20 second delay is not a natural event for the internet, if that were the case the "internet" wouldnt be a viable option for say video calls on whatsapp etc.

The delay is likley more to do with processing, that is digital signal processing, upscaling, downscaling and encoding, then there is no doubt more processing going on for encrypiting the streams etc.

As suggested above there is likley more powerful hardware beidng used and even an "upgraded" servicing-platform.

As satelite and cable and terestrial are fazed out i would imagine technoligy and investment would improve, so theres a good chance in 5-10 yesrs this would be almost on par with live broadcasts as they currently are at present. 

[Nigelb1972]

Multicast delivery will reduce time delays on IP broadcasting but true multicast over the Openreach network is locked so it's only available on BT/EE TV.

BT have launched MAUD delivery which Sky currently use for SS Main Event Live Sync but it's far from perfect. 

[MarkGoldsmith]

The infrastructure required to use Multicastis typically more expensive to run as well, so it almost certainly needs to become more commercially viable before its more widely used.

[fgdfgdfg]

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@GD1 wrote:

@fgdfgdfg  I'm at a loss as to how you think Sky can sort out what is a natural event with the internet, there will always be a delay of some kind even on the Low Latency channels (which has reduced delay significantly).   

All forms of broadcasting and streaming will have a delay due to process, however streaming something will always have a greater delay, unless you know of some way Sky can overcome physics?  If so do enlighten everyone.

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Allow me to enlighten everyone then!   Or rather, enlighten you because others seem less baffled.

As others have said, EE uses multicast technology that somehow "overcomes physics" as you understand it.   

The BBC are also testing low latency iPlayer streams in time for the world cup next year...

[Hunter2660]

Ok let's simplify it a little. BT/EE use multicast to stream their channels. With that, in effect, you "join" the stream as it's "broadcast", so everybody receives the same packets or picture, (110 people will get the same stream). Sky, and other streaming services, use unicast. With that you "request" a stream from the server, everybody will get different "packets" so you will always get a delay (100 people will get 100 seperate streams). This way your next door neighbour will be either in front or behind the picture your receiving as the server deals with every request. With multicast your next door neighbour will be getting exactly the same picture. So with unicast there will always be a delay because that is the way the system is used, there's just no avoiding it

[fgdfgdfg]

@Hunter2660 This is a brilliant explanation thanks.   It's astonishing that BBC / Sky / Virgin etc don't offer a massive amount of cash for the multicast technology BT own?

Does multicast require bespoke hardware?   Wondering if Amazon, F1TV, Apple etc would also go for it for their live sports streams...

[Nigelb1972]

@Hunter2660 excellent explanation