Moving from Sky Q to Sky Stream questions..

[Jezthomp]

We plan on cancelling out Sky Q as its gone upto nearly £85 a month and we dont even have sports or broadband with it!

Some of these questions i'm sure they're out there but i wanted normal people's opinions rather than Sky gloss.

1. I assume they'll offer us Sky Sream or we can request it? Setup as a new account maybe?
2. What happens if you order Sky stream and the connection is ropey, do you still have to pay even though it doesnt connect doesnt play, obviously worse case scinario but i assume Sky will just say its my fault? We have EE full Firbre but with some extenders downstairs (where sky stream will be) and the main EE router upstairs?
3. We currently have Netflix standard without Ads, via Sky... if we moved to Sky essentail tv the lowest one, would it remain the same or are we put on the Ads package?
4. The flexbile package of £18 a month, you can just turn on or off as you wish like with other services, Netflix, Disney etc?
5. Does ad skipping only work with Sky channels or also terrestrial?  
6. Can you record like the Sky Q box and setup series links etc even with terrestrial tv?

Thank you for any detail, just need to get of Q as its a fortune!

[BenJoBanjo]

---

@Jezthomp wrote:

We plan on cancelling out Sky Q as its gone upto nearly £85 a month and we dont even have sports or broadband with it!

Some of these questions i'm sure they're out there but i wanted normal people's opinions rather than Sky gloss.

1. I assume they'll offer us Sky Sream or we can request it? Setup as a new account maybe?

You'll need to request it.

1. What happens if you order Sky stream and the connection is ropey, do you still have to pay even though it doesnt connect doesnt play, obviously worse case scinario but i assume Sky will just say its my fault? We have EE full Firbre but with some extenders downstairs (where sky stream will be) and the main EE router upstairs?

It's up to you, the customer, to provide a fast and stable enough broadband connection to each Stream puck you wish to use. There have been reports of issues with EE broadband in the past and WiFi extenders rarely work well with Stream as the pucks are very sensitive to network speed/quality fluctuations. 

1. We currently have Netflix standard without Ads, via Sky... if we moved to Sky essentail tv the lowest one, would it remain the same or are we put on the Ads package?

You would be put on the standard with ads Netflix package unless you pay more for without ads.

1. The flexbile package of £18 a month, you can just turn on or off as you wish like with other services, Netflix, Disney etc?

The 31 day rolling contracts can be turned off with 31 days notice, but it's not quite so easy to turn it back on as the pucks are loaned to you and therefore have to be returned after you cancel each time. 

1. Does ad skipping only work with Sky channels or also terrestrial?  

Only on Sky on demand content can you skip ads. You can fast forward through the ads on ITVX, Channel 4 and 5 apps when watching on demand content on those services. 

1. Can you record like the Sky Q box and setup series links etc even with terrestrial tv?

You do not record on Sky Stream. You have playlists instead. You set a bookmark for a streamed on demand file from a server. You don't have a 'cloud hard drive' which you can add and delete from. You can set 'cloud recordings' for some (mainly sports) content but this is just a link to a saved portion of a broadcast stream which you can view for as long as Sky keep it on their server.

Thank you for any detail, just need to get of Q as its a fortune!

Sky Q deals are still being offered, there are just fewer of them available. It's best if you cancel and wait until a couple of days before the service is due to end then contact retentions for a deal. 

---

[lettice]

---

@Jezthomp wrote:

We plan on cancelling out Sky Q as its gone upto nearly £85 a month and we dont even have sports or broadband with it!

Some of these questions i'm sure they're out there but i wanted normal people's opinions rather than Sky gloss.

1. I assume they'll offer us Sky Sream or we can request it? 
   
   

Yes, you will need to call Sky ( you will not be able to do the upgrade online) to move to Sky Stream from Sky Q

 What happens if you order Sky stream and the connection is ropey, do you still have to pay even though it doesnt connect doesnt play, obviously worse case scinario but i assume Sky will just say its my fault? We have EE full Firbre but with some extenders downstairs (where sky stream will be) and the main EE router upstairs?

If you have EE fibre you should be fine, speed wise.

A good local network is key to Sky Stream stability, using either wifi or ethernet.

The Recommended minimum broadband speed is 25Mbps.
Or 30Mbps if you add an extra Sky Stream puck or to watch in UHD

We currently have Netflix standard without Ads, via Sky... if we moved to Sky essentail tv the lowest one, would it remain the same or are we put on the Ads package?

Sky Stream comes with Netflix with ads for free.
But, within your MySky app or Mysky online you can move to a higher Netflix tier or Sky may be be able to do that when you order.

The flexbile package of £18 a month, you can just turn on or off as you wish like with other services, Netflix, Disney

etc?

When you call, they will go through the Sky essentials or Ultimate TV differeing packages.

Sky Stream is on a 24 month contract or can be offered for the Ultimate TV at a 31 day offering at a higher price.

Does ad skipping only work with Sky channels or also terrestrial?  

Ad skipping works for all on demand and catch-up of Sky channel content, along with iPlayer, ITVx, C4 app and C5 app.

Obviously, you cannot skip adverts in a live broadcast.

1. Can you record like the Sky Q box and setup series links etc even with terrestrial tv?

See the link below, that explains the playlist.

---

Have a read of the Sky Stream FAQ, that lays out all you need to know about Sky Stream;

https://www.sky.com/help/home/sky-tv/sky-tv-stream/sky-stream-faqs/articles/sky-stream-faqs

Within that FAQ, have a read and watch the videos in the features section on how the playlist works for 'cloud' recording and seeming a playlist link for linking to the apps for catch up and on demand content.

[Jezthomp]

Thank you Ben.

So Sky stream works by having a box that connects to your tv then 'pucks' ? Are these like WifFi extenders to bridge the TV box to your router?

Do you have a cooling off period, so i order Sky Stream for 24 months, it arrives set up and is ropey i have to pay for 24 months regardless seems a bit harsh?

[lettice]

---

@Jezthomp 

Do you have a cooling off period, so i order Sky Stream for 24 months, it arrives set up and is ropey i have to pay for 24 months regardless seems a bit harsh?

---

When you order Sky Stream, you’ll start a new contract and choose a new TV package.

The Sky Ultimate TV or Sky Essentials TV subscription includes Sky Entertainment and Netflix. It's available on a 31-day rolling contract or an 24-month contract – giving you ultimate flexibility. Both contracts come with a 31-day cooling off period. After then, 31 days' notice is required for cancellation and for the 24-month contact, early termination charges might apply.

[BenJoBanjo]

---

@Jezthomp wrote:

Thank you Ben.

So Sky stream works by having a box that connects to your tv then 'pucks' ? Are these like WifFi extenders to bridge the TV box to your router?

Do you have a cooling off period, so i order Sky Stream for 24 months, it arrives set up and is ropey i have to pay for 24 months regardless seems a bit harsh?

---

Sky Stream requires a single Stream puck attached to each TV you wish to have your Sky TV service on. They are independent devices and do not act as WiFi extenders so it is essential that you have fast and stable broadband available in every room you wish to have a puck in. 

There is a cooling off period of I believe 31 days. You can easily cancel during this period and revert to Sky Q if you wish. Sky have also allowed many people who have 24 month contracts to exit early, penalty free, due to ongoing issues with connection or lip sync, or general stability of the pucks. 

[Barry+Mc+Kelvey]

Hi

I came on here to ask a similar question or two about moving from Sky Q to Sky Stream. I hope the post creator doesn't mind me jumping in?

I currently have Sky Q, with 1 x Sky Q 2TB Box and 4x Sky Q Mini Boxes. Can I swap out all 5 Sky Q Boxes with Sky Stream Pucks, when taking out a new contract?

I have EE 1.6 Gig Broadband and use a Netgear Orbi Mesh System (WiFi 7), would I have any connection issues with the Sky Q Pucks?

Can Sky Sports Football Matches be added to a Playlist, to be watched later that day or the following?

Thanks in Advance 

Barry 🙂

[lettice]

---

@Barry+Mc+Kelvey wrote:

Hi

I came on here to ask a similar question or two about moving from Sky Q to Sky Stream. I hope the post creator doesn't mind me jumping in?

I currently have Sky Q, with 1 x Sky Q 2TB Box and 4x Sky Q Mini Boxes. Can I swap out all 5 Sky Q Boxes with Sky Stream Pucks, when taking out a new contract?

I have EE 1.6 Gig Broadband and use a Netgear Orbi Mesh System (WiFi 7), would I have any connection issues with the Sky Q Pucks?

Can Sky Sports Football Matches be added to a Playlist, to be watched later that day or the following?

Thanks in Advance 

Barry 🙂

---

Your current broadband speed and your mesh system providing wifi across your property should be fine for Sky Stream.

When ordering Sky Stream, there is an initial limit of 4 pucks.

But once, your other pucks/s are setup and activated, you will be able to order another two pucks up to the maximum of six pucks per household.

Your first puck is normally free, any additional pucks are charged a one off fee of £39.95

You may have to negotiate a possible deal on getting a better deal when ordering multiple pucks.

 To watch on multiple Sky Stream pucks, you'll need to add the Whole Home monthly subscription pack.

Yes to your football question.

I have  all the Sky PL and EFL live weekday, weekend and Monday night games added to my playlist.

Have had no issues watching them later from my playlist. They start off as cloud recordings ( as a recording of the live broadcast) and then eventually move to an on demand version. 
Any On demand full match version normally for PL stays there for about a month.

The On demand rails for Sky Sports is exactly like you see on Sky Q.

[Barry+Mc+Kelvey]

Hi @lettice 

Thanks for your reply, very much appreciated. Your advice in the past has been well received. 

Just another two questions that comes to mind.

How many Sky Stream Pucks can be in use at the same time? I know with Sky Q, from memory you can only watch on the Main Sky Q Box, and two other Sky Q Minis at the same time.

This next question may seem a bit stupid. Currently with Sky Q I can record 6 programmes at the same time. I know with Sky Stream you can't record, but add to a Playlist instead. What's the maximum number of programmes you can add to a Playlist at the same time?

Thanks in Advance 

Barry 🙂

[lettice]

---

@Barry+Mc+Kelvey wrote:

Hi @lettice 

Thanks for your reply, very much appreciated. Your advice in the past has been well received. 

Just another two questions that comes to mind.

How many Sky Stream Pucks can be in use at the same time? I know with Sky Q, from memory you can only watch on the Main Sky Q Box, and two other Sky Q Minis at the same time.

This next question may seem a bit stupid. Currently with Sky Q I can record 6 programmes at the same time. I know with Sky Stream you can't record, but add to a Playlist instead. What's the maximum number of programmes you can add to a Playlist at the same time?

Thanks in Advance 

Barry 🙂

---

You can watch on up to six Sky Stream pucks at the same time.

Plus if you use Sky Go and have whole home, you can watch on additional multiple devices there too.

You can add to your playlist from TV channels and apps as often as you like.

There is no limit.

The playlist adds a playlist link for 'cloud' recordings for the likes of live Sky Sports channels that have the rights (tennis being one sport that has limited full match rights) or do not offer on demand, like the channels Legend, Great... and for some of the content on channels that even though they have an app for that particular programme has no on demand for that,programme or is a one off or even some delay to On demand. ITV do this delay for some sports like the BTTC.
C5 offers quite a mixture of cloud recording and on demand across  its channels programme content.

A cloud recording will be a shared asset on a Sky server, so available to all who have playlisted it.

For non cloud recording playlist, all others are just links to the On demand or app for when the new episode arrives and appears upfront on your playlist profiles you have setup.

Have a read of the features section in the Sky Stream FAQ section for further guidance, text and video;

https://www.sky.com/help/home/sky-tv/sky-tv-stream/sky-stream-faqs/articles/sky-stream-faqs

Happy to answer any further questions.

From your five puck possible setup, sounds like profiles will be welcome.

So each  family member can have a playlist.

We have set up our playlist profiles as Genres, so have them as;

Sports, Drama, Sci-fi and fantasy, News docs and Westerns Old TV films

That generally allows us to easily keep tabs on what's new in each genre. 
In the News docs for instance, we add thinks like Shop Smart, Save Money (Gadget show), all those C5 progs like Secrets of Supermarket, historical series, Uni challenge, Only Connect, Cooking series, Gardening series, Martin Lewis, Four in a bed etc.

[Barry+Mc+Kelvey]

Hi @lettice 

Thanks again for a detailed response. What's your honest experience with Sky Stream? I know that everyone's is different. Reading through the Sky Community, seems there's a lot of issues with lip sync and other issues with My5. I'm a bit concerned about.

Thanks in Advance 

Barry 🙂

[lettice]

---

@Barry+Mc+Kelvey wrote:

Hi @lettice 

Thanks again for a detailed response. What's your honest experience with Sky Stream? I know that everyone's is different. Reading through the Sky Community, seems there's a lot of issues with lip sync and other issues with My5. I'm a bit concerned about.

Thanks in Advance 

Barry 🙂

---

I've had Sky Stream for a year and two months now, moving from Sky Q.

In my signature below is my journey from Sky Q experience thread.

I have had not really had any issues with Sky Stream over that time.

Like any kit, I do restart it from the Sky Stream settings option once a week, I'm sure that helps and it keeps the cache and connections refreshed.
Have not had the lip sync problem with my Sky Stream on either of my pucks or via their TV and soundbar setups.

Not had any issue with My5, that I use regularly through the week.

The key to a good Sky Stream or Sky Glass is having a good local network.

I run my Sky Stream on wifi with my Sky Ultrafast+ 500Mbps fibre broadband using the sr203 router, that for me puts out a good wifi signal all around my house.

Have used the pucks in the past as a test on ethernet, they worked fine. The ethernet ports are limited to 90Mbps, but that is plenty enough for Sky Stream to operate.

[Barry+Mc+Kelvey]

Hi @lettice 

Thanks again 🙂 I'm surprised the Sky Q Pucks are limited to 90 Mbps. If I remember correctly, Sky Q was limited to 100 Mbps via Ethernet.

Are you still a Sky Tester? I remember you from the Sky Beta Community. I was kicked out years ago, fir lack of activity. I'd love to be part of the program again.

Thanks in Advance 

Barry 🙂

[Jezthomp]

Are there any tests you can do, like doing a broadband speed test where the puck will sit, on your phone something like that?

Seems a bit of a gamble that you're stuck for 2 years but you're not sure if you internet can manage it.

I have full fibre currently, but even now the Sky Q box decides to forget the internet connection now and again, for it to reconnect on its own or if i turn it on or off, doesnt fill me with confidence about something that relies soley on the internet.

[lettice]

---

@Jezthomp wrote:

Are there any tests you can do, like doing a broadband speed test where the puck will sit, on your phone something like that?

Seems a bit of a gamble that you're stuck for 2 years but you're not sure if you internet can manage it.

I have full fibre currently, but even now the Sky Q box decides to forget the internet connection now and again, for it to reconnect on its own or if i turn it on or off, doesnt fill me with confidence about something that relies soley on the internet.

---

An easy test is if your TV that your Puck is going to be connected to is a smart TV.

Do the following test with the TV Netflix app.

It should give a good idea of what kind of speed you can get in the area near to your puck.

Launch Netflix on your TV  (you do not need to be logged into it, if you do not use netflix) and scroll down the left menu to Get help.
Choose Check Network.
Would suggest running the test a handful of times or at the busiest time your household uses the internet, say over an hour period.

If you use a phone, run tests using an app like the Ookla speed test app ( rather than a browser) at different points around the room you are looking to have the Sky Puck installed in.