Sky Stream or Sky Q

[Lordy1981]

I am currently with BT TV and Fibre Broadband, and contract ends early April. I am considering returning to Sky as I am not particularly happy with the BT TV service. 

Are Sky still selling SkyQ to new customers, I have a dish, but didn't have SkyQ before, so not sure if I'd need a new dish, or whether I just go with Sky Stream. My issues with BT are pixelating when watching live tv and/or watching recordings back. I also don't like that I have to switch between apps to watch stuff, but assume that is the same with Sky Stream. 

In terms of the package I want (500 Fibre, Sky Sports, BT Sports, Multi Room (one puck), Ultimate TV, No Ads) the price is similar to what I am paying BT. 

My sons watch sports via the apps on their games consoles, with Sky Stream are they able to do the same thing, or would they also need a puck?

[BenJoBanjo]

@Lordy1981 

Sky Q is still available but it's hidden away on Sky's website here:

https://www.sky.com/tv/sky-q 

You can price up both services and see which would suit you best. Sky Q is the more traditional hard drive recorder so you record satellite broadcasts to watch whenever you like with free reign to fast forward, rewind, and delete etc.

Sky Stream does require switching between apps to view content on demand but it does make it reasonably easy. You have no control over when or for how long programmes are available for though.  

Most important thing with Sky Stream is having a fast and stable broadband connection for each puck you use. 

[AndrewF_UK]

Yes Sky does still sell Sky Q, but it's not promoted anymore and the majority of new customers go for Glass or Stream. You can however sign up by calling them or going to https://www.sky.com/tv/sky-q. From what I understand, they tend not to give the best offers anymore because it's not the platform they're focusing on.

You may need a new LNB on your dish or a new dish, but that'll be covered as part of the Sky Q installation.

If you have Whole Home package they will be able to use the Sky Go app to view some of the Sky on demand content and many of the channels on a games console. But you'd need whole home anyway so I'd recommend just getting a few more pucks.

Regarding switching between apps etc., that's the case with Stream too. Although the Playlist functionality makes it easy to keep track of shows from various services, I don't know how BT/EE TV does this for a comparison.

[Stephen+Mourton]

@Lordy1981   SkyQ is a very stable tried and tested system however it is worth noting that Sky are no longer updating it or improving it in any significant way.  Also we understand the SkyQ will be phased out completely over the next few years although no date has been put on this as yet.

You will see looking at posts on this forum that some have had problems with pixelisation also, others like myself have not had this problem.  As already mentioned it is essential you have a fast broadband connection but nothing that isn't provided by most broadband suppliers.  

The pucks are small and inuntrusive and there is no need to record programs as they remain available to watch but there is a playlist to help you remember what you want to watch.  There is no need for a +1 as all programs can be watched on demand and the feature I particularly like is all programs are available to watch from the start even if you the program has already started.

There are still a few teething issues with Stream but each update seems to be dealing with these. The latest update has just started being rolled out although I haven't got it just yet so can't comment but is supposed to resolve a problem of watching from the start and then losing it if you try and fast forward after the official time the program should end but if you don't try and forward wind it's fine.  Anyway we shall see.