Sky Sports Main Event Low Latency

[D+Hig]

That explains that when it gets higher demand then it glitches even more so the channel stutters like it did last night and before that too at times 

[Chrisee]

@Nigelb1972 do you have a source for your theory that Sky are using multicast? I ask as that doesnt fitvwith what I understand  is how Sky are engineering the change.

[Nigelb1972]

@Chrisee 

https://newsroom.bt.com/bt-group-announces-live-tv-technology-breakthrough-to-meet-growing-customer-...

[Chrisee]

@Nigelb1972 there are other techniques and systems for reducing latency. Sky have not said whiich technology they are using but BT's is certainly not the only system for reducing latency there are commercial systems based SRT explained here https://www.harmonicinc.com/insights/blog/low-latency/ which Comcast are reported to be looking at see https://www.haivision.com/blog/broadcast-video/broadcast-srt-comcast-nbc-low-latency/

While its not impossible that Sky have completly redesigned their content delivery method to adopt BT's system I think its unlikely especially as the Stream platform is used in multiple markets worldwide. 

[Nigelb1972]

Ok then 👍🏻

[Chrisee]

The firmware update QS030 that brings the low latency switch landed on my pucks overnight. With the update if you tune to ch 401 Sky Sports Main Event after a few seconds option to either start again or  Live Sync appears select the latter and the programming switches to ch 921 or 922 depending on whether you are watching in HD or UHD. Seems to work well as long as you have a reliable data connection as the system reduces the resiliance to interference etc of course you can stick with the standard stream if the low latency stream gives you issues.

Assuming there are no issues Sky should roll out the update to all pucks soon.

[lettice]

Also had Q30 sent to both my Pucks overnight.

Can say the Live Sync works very well.

It does use a little more of your local bandwidth when used, so be aware you will need a good reliable connection. It roughly uses a few more Mbps per puck above the Sky recommend broadband requirements for a puck on either hd and uhd.

A photo of how the Live Sync option sits on the lower left of your screen, next to the Watch from Start option;

Hopefully, as mentioned above if all seems well, Sky will be releasing Q30 to all soon, if you have not had it overnight yet.

[D+Hig]

Hi, does this new update work any better for watching live sports etc

[JonnyThePanda]

I had BT/EE TV for a year and a half before I came back to Sky and their latency was only about 8 seconds behind on ALL sports channels and they were in internet mode. Why can't Sky do this on their OWN channels???

[Nigelb1972]

@JonnyThePanda because BT Retail used their own Multicast network to deliver their tv service. 

The Live Sync on Sky is their branding for Openreach's MAUD (multicast assisted unicast delivery) product which is being rolled out to Openreay customers.

Sky are currently using it for selected football events with further expansion planned for the future.

[JonnyThePanda]

When? Do we have any idea when they'll catch up to BT???

[Nigelb1972]

@JonnyThePanda nope but it's unlikely that Sky will offer Live Sync on all channels.

Bear in mind that BT/EE TV only works on their broadband. The MAUD product from Openreach will work with any ISP offering a TV product over the Openreach network without any special kit required by the customer. It's knocked around 22 seconds off the delivery delay and bringing it to within a couple of seconds of Multicast.