Sky stream - is it really this rubbish??

[humphead]

Started Sky stream over the weekend. Been Sky customer for over 20 years. What a load of rubbish though! Crashes 3-4 times on every programme. Have to go on another programme, then go back to it. Gets stuck in standby at least once a day, have to turn off at the plug. Crashes and sound goes. Just goes to black screen. Some programmes just don't play after repeatedly crashing, so have to do a system reset.  Can't fast forward ANY adverts, like I would have if recorded, so not have to sit through adverts. No thanks. Adverts is a biggy. I record programmes so I don't have to watch them! 

So I'm going to have to send it back and revert to my sky box again. This is just nonsense. Unless there are solutions? Thanks! 

[Chrisee]

@humphead the number one cause of issues with Stream pucks is poor data connection. Do notvassume because you have fast internetvat your router that the puck should haveca good connection. You can check thecactual spedd the puck is getting bybrunning the network test in the Get Help menunof the Netflix app. You can also get an indication of the WiFi signal strength in the Network settings on the puck. 

In my 3 years experience given a fast stable connection the pucks work well. If convenient using an Ethernnet cable is even better but tirn off the pucks wifi if using ethernet..

[BenJoBanjo]

@humphead 

I assume you don't have the ad-skipping add-on as part of your subscription? This allows you to fast forward through ads on programmes played back via ITVX, Channel 4 and Channel 5 apps, as well as Sky's own on demand content. It's not as smooth as fast forwarding through ads on a recorded programme on Sky Q though. You can usually get ad-skipping on a free trial offer on the MySky app which is then repeatable, so you don't need to pay for it.

Alternatively, you can pay for the Premium ad-free versions of ITVX and Channel 4+ in order to remove ads completely. 

Overall, Sky Stream is a bit of a marmite product. Many people have a perfectly good experience with it, but many others don't.

The key difference is that unlike with Sky Q, on Sky Stream it's up to the customer to provide a fast, constant and stable enough broadband connection in order for it to function. With Sky Q an engineer sets up the dish, box and cabling in order for the service to be received. On Stream it's all down to you. If your current home network is struggling to give a good enough connection then it's up to you, not a Sky engineer, to sort your network out. 

[Dankg]

Im an hour in. 

On a 500mbs speed tested connection setup today.

All sky/open reach.

No other devices on the network other than the puck itself using cabled connection to the provided hub.

It has crashed 3 times in the last hour.  Hung after forwarding ads and is consistently inconsistent.

This kit belongs in the bin.

I'm giving it a day before I cancel everything and go running back to the surprisingly reliable virgin media.

I am stunned this got out of testing.

[Hunter2660]

Obviously this is not normal, I've had stream for 20 months and it's rock solid. Have you run a network check in the help section of the Netflix app to see what speed the puck is receiving, rather than your router? Or maybe you have a dodgy puck. There are so many variables though, interference from other devices, your neighbours wi-fi, even the make of router your isp provides. It's not easy to pin down these  issues when they occur.

[Dankg]

As a network engineer myself and semi software dev at the same time.

The fact this even needs checking is plain daft.

It certainly doesn't seem right.  The question is do I tolerate sorting it or just sack it off as a day 1 customer.

Right now from background reading, it's not looking pleasant.  I certainly dont wish to be tied to something this flaky for 2 years if it's not an obvious fix.

Will check the netflix test now out of intrigue.

[Dankg]

Looks like a decent shout.

84.12mbps via netflix.

Do they connect by default over WiFi or something, despite being wired?

[Hunter2660]

Yes they do. Bonkers I know. You have to turn off the wi-fi and reboot, otherwise the wi-fi reconnects when coming out of standby. 

[Dankg]

Hmmm disabled WiFi in puck settings, retested and still 88mbps but assuming hub is not gb lan perhaps about right.

The whole interface just seems to run like a dog and the wait for programming to load is lame.  Had better response times on hooky streams in times gone by... perhaps I need to try the infamous customer services.

[Hunter2660]

My guess is you have a dodgy puck. Must admit if I had these issues I'd be going down the Apple TV, TV Launcher, and Now route for the Sky channels. Same experience, just slower loading the channels.

[humphead]

So I've got 48.08mbps, which seems good. Some programmes never load but the crashing seems common to many people and I'm going mad with it. I think it'll be the adverts that'll kill me though! 

[Dankg]

Found this...

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-glass-no-wifi-connection-osm?DCMP=ilc-skycom:na_nowifi

It could have been an iffy port on their new hub.  Changed port and the settings fired, yet it's taking eons to pickup an IP from the hub now 🤣

[damoweewaa]

Our My5 is absolutely shocking too 

Every time we hit the ads , it goes to a black screen, can't use back button.

Done restart, done the test 67mbs 

It's been this way for 2 years.

Sky stream.

[Steve93]

I had Sky Glass & Stream back when it was launched on Oct'21 my system at the time was Sky Broadband top speed 50-70mps, nothing faster was available, the router was 2 rooms away from Sky Glass, it was tererible buffering all the time, wasn't possible to connect an Ethernet cable, didn't give it chance,  rang Sky on the day it was installed, sent it back & reverted back to Sky Q for 2 years

until Virgin Media arrived in our area, signed up the Hub was installed next to the tv, we are on 1gig, tried the wifi & ethernet, works flawlessley, have to odd lock up but very scarce, the "Watch from Start" is brilliant works a treat, the got Sky Glass 2, superb, would never go back to Q 

also got a Sky Stream box in the kitchen works perfectly, we also got wifi hubs from Virgin, they supply wifi over every room

finally Sky Glass & Stream are only able to go to 100mb 

[TechGuy007]

@Steve93 Great that you got it sorted out eventually! For others who might have problems with their router being in a different room to their Sky Glass or Stream puck, you should consider using a powerline system which uses the internal electrical wiring to connect to your router directly, so you can connect via the ethernet port on your TV or puck. Works well in most cases and will be much faster and stable than WiFi.