Is there a delay on live tv on sky stream?

[Nigelb1972]

@fgdfgdfg it requires a Multicast compatible router/hub and is only currently available on the Openreach network if you are a BT/EE TV customer because the GEA (Generic Ethernet Access Multicast product is a BT Wholesale product who BT/EE effectively by their package from. Sky don't supply BT Wholesales TV product which is fundamentally why it isn't available. Tbh, it's all a ball ache but it's because of how BT are structured and buy and sell their products. 

The new MAUD system is a BT product that is provided to Openreach on a customer basis. It's slowly gaining more traction though and Sky do have plans to expand it to other channels at some point.

MAUD reduces lag down to a similar level as satellite delivery.

[TechGuy007]

Interesting thread. I had a look at the BT article on MAUD. As someone thinking of switching from an ageing Sky HD  box (over 15 years old) to Stream, the big question for me is how it will cope with streaming demand for major sporting events on BBC and ITV, like last year's Euros football and the World Cup next summer. Did anyone experience any streaming issues last year when watching the England games in particular? 

[Nigelb1972]

ITV aren't currently using MAUD for delivery and the BBC are only trialling it on selected iPlayer broadcasts... 

Personally, I don't think the capacity is there yet at BT's end so in effect it's still really in a trial phase...

[Dazzasky]

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@Hunter2660 wrote:

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

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A very concise explanation, Interesting.