Sky Stream versus an Old Problem

[oldbuffer12]

This is probably opening up old wounds, but a few years ago when I signed up for Sky Glass, I had a problem with controlling the volume of my external amplifier using the single Glass remote. (all other functions were ok). I had to have two remotes to hand all the time - one for Sky and TV and the other for the AV Amp volume control This was one of the main reasons I cancelled my Glass contract and reverted to Sky Q. I guess things have moved on since then and I was wondering if this problem has now been overcome, ie the volume of any half decent external amplifier regardless of make can now be controlled with the Sky remote. At present my monthly Sky Q charges are going through the roof and consequently I’ve been looking at switching to Sky Stream to try and cut my outgoings. Due to differing family viewing preferences, cancelling some of the existing services to reduce costs is sadly not an option. My broadband speeds on FTTP are well above Sky’s minimum recommendations so no worries in that respect. I can live without some of the missing channels on Sky Stream but the two deal-breakers would be buffering and the volume problem I experienced originally.

Could anyone please advise if these two problems have now been overcome (wholely or largely), before I go down the Sky Stream road

Many thanks

PT.

[CoffeeDrinker]

Can't speak to using Sky Glass with an external amp/receiver via HDMI ARC. We do use a Sky Stream puck downstairs with a a Sony TV and Denon AV receiver. Our chain is Sky Stream puck > Denon X3500H AVR > Sony 4K TV, so we're using our Denon receiver as a source switching device, rather than the puck going into the TV and the sound going to the receiver via HDMI ARC.

During setup, when we got to the 'use external speakers' stage I couldn't pick out our exact model of receiver using the search box. However setting make to 'Denon' was good enough and we can use the Sky Stream remote to control the volume of the Denon receiver.

Might be useful if you know the make/model of the amplified you plan to use, and how it fits into the chain. Any amplifier/receiver that uses HDMI and CEC for control codes stands a reasonable chance of working with the Sky Stream/Glass remote, particularly if is is used for source switching (ie Sky Stream puck > amplifier > TV). Not sure how well Puck > TV > amplifier via ARC would work. The same will hopefully be true if you are planning to use HDMI ARC to output the sound from a Sky Glass TV to your amplifier.

[Robb0]

Sky stream controller controls my Denon amp volume. Stream > LG TV > Denon (arc).

It worked with pairing the controller with my TV and my TV changing volume by HDMI cec. 

it also works with paring the controller with my Denon direct as a speaker.

[Chrisee]

@oldbuffer12 the issue with controlling a third party amp/speaker is mainly solved assuming the unit is either connected by ARC connection or accepts an IR volume command.

Buffering remains a possible issue as you can have the fastest FTTP connection and still have poor wifi signal in your home and get buffering. The layout and type of construction of your home determine the wifi signal strength a puck will recieve but you can get an idea of the issue by going into the Netflix app on your current Q boxes and running the network test in the Get Help menu if that shows at least 15Mb/s youbshould be OK for HD viewing with a stream puck in the same location for UHD you need a minimum of 25Mb/s. If Netflix runs smoothly you are likely to have the same experience with Stream.

Stream pucks are small and it is tempting to hide them behind a wall mounted TV but the laws of physics mean you will lose most of the Wifi signal strength as the metal in the TV will block the signal. Any wifi kit should be out in the open not on a surface above most obstructions like radiators.

Streaming video 

[oldbuffer12]

Thanks for the tip re Netflix. I checked the network, which returned a very healthy 182mbs which is clearly above Sky’s minimum requirements.  It should probably be a lot more but the number of wi-fi dependent devices and ethernet connections I have hanging on my system reads like a telephone directory! However, it does seem that the problem with external AV amp volume control has not been completely eradicated. I guess one has to take pot luck as to whether their own amp will perform as required. Like many, my own setup (Pioneer AV Amp) is Sky Q box – AV Amp – TV via ARC HDMI. It was the same configuration I used when I originally switched to Glass. I tried everything known to man to get the remote to change the volume on the Amp but to no avail. Maybe now it will, but I wont know until I check out the Stream service. Unfortunately I’m not a new customer (was originally known as a “Sky Pioneer” which gives you some idea of how many  years I’ve been paying into their coffers..) so I doubt if I could get Stream on a 30-day trial. This would be preferable as I can then check out the volume problem before signing up to yet another long contract. I can but ask.  BTW as a matter of interest, where can I find which channels have gone walkabout using Glass/Stream?

Cheers

PT

[Jporch316]

Note ..... There is a 30 day cooling period when switching from Q to sky stream. You will keep your Q equipment fo 30 days before returning, in case you want to switch back to Q

[Chrisee]

@oldbuffer12 what model Pioneed amp do you have. The Glass can only control the volume on amps which support HDMI-CEC but cannot control third party kit by infra red as the volume control is set to control the Glass's own audio settings. The Stream remote however can be programmed to generate an infra red signal for most third party amps. Certainly works with my own Denon  

[TimmyBGood]

---

@oldbuffer12 wrote:

where can I find which channels have gone walkabout using Glass/Stream?

---

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/tv-channel-list-sky-glass#not-available 

[oldbuffer12]

AV Amp model is Pioneer VSX-934. It would be good to know if this device is compatible in all respects with Glass or Stream before I bite the proverbial bullet.

[Jacob25]

I got a modern Sony TV connected to Sky steaming box via an Amplifier.

cannot get Ultra HD .

any suggestions?

jacob 

[GD1]

@Jacob25  Based in the minimal info provided, no idea at all.

It would help if you provide the make & model of the amplifier (there are literally 100's of them) as that may not allow UHD through HDMI.