Thinking of switching from Sky HD to Sky Stream

[bigsnitch2]

Hello everyone, I'm just looking a bit of advice really.

im currently using a Sky HD+ box and getting regular emails from sky telling me that they're stopping support and pushing me towards getting a Sky Q box.

The issue I have is that during the summer months, when the trees are in full leaf, I can't get an HD signal due to it being blocked by the trees so I can't see the point of replacing my current dish with a Q dish as it will have to be mounted in the same place.

So, I'm thinking of going down the Sky Stream route and I'd just like to hear from other Stream users about their experiences with it, good, bad, ok etc. 

Also, can I get UHD programmes with Stream as I saw something that said UHD was only available on Sky Q. 

Thanks in advance 

[Jporch316]

Hi @bigsnitch2 

yes all sky streams that you get (if you choose whole home multi room) will be in uhd. Unfortunately you will have to pay for the uhd add on for the sky shows.

the channels line ups on the tv guide differ greatly (I.e there are no plus 1 channels and a host of others missing) so I would definitely check out the sky stream website to make sure you know which channels you are getting.

the system tends to rely more on linking you to the various catchup apps rather than recording although there are increasing instances of show cloud recording recently. 

You will need a very fast and very stable internet connection for it to work ... above 40mbps in my experience although the recommended speed is less than this .

[bigsnitch2]

Thanks so much for getting back to me. I wasn't aware that I'd need to pay extra to get the UHD programmes (I'm only just starting looking into getting Stream as I'm already getting pixel and sound distortion, part and failed recordings via the HD box and the trees aren't even in full leaf yet). Last year when I wasn't getting any HD signal  I was watching most things in SD but still paying for the HD service. One of the offshore contact centre agents assured me that getting a Q dish would fix everything but then I spoke to someone in the UK and they told me that was rubbish and getting a Q dish wouldn't solve the problem, so I thought that streaming would be the way forward.

I've got decent download speeds thanks to a new router - just done a test and it's well over 60mbps so that should be ok. 

thanks again, much appreciated 

[Jporch316]

UHD is available without the subscription on the catchup apps (depending on your sub level) such as bbc iPlayer itv x Disney Netflix etc 

you also have to pay extra for ad skipping although you can frequently get this free for a few months on a deal. 

you would be wise to watch a few YouTube videos etc to make sure the system is for you. Also there are lots of videos on the sky YouTube channel that show how the system operates

i I guess you haven't got a lot of choice anyway if your satellite signal is not the best 

[oj01]

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@bigsnitch2 wrote:

Thanks so much for getting back to me. I wasn't aware that I'd need to pay extra to get the UHD programmes (I'm only just starting looking into getting Stream as I'm already getting pixel and sound distortion, part and failed recordings via the HD box and the trees aren't even in full leaf yet). Last year when I wasn't getting any HD signal  I was watching most things in SD but still paying for the HD service. One of the offshore contact centre agents assured me that getting a Q dish would fix everything but then I spoke to someone in the UK and they told me that was rubbish and getting a Q dish wouldn't solve the problem, so I thought that streaming would be the way forward.

I've got decent download speeds thanks to a new router - just done a test and it's well over 60mbps so that should be ok. 

thanks again, much appreciated 

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The dish isn't changed when you get Sky Q, just the LNB (the arm on the dish). Sky Q is more susceptible to signal precision than Sky+HD, so if there's nowhere else the dish could go, then getting Sky Q would be pointless with your current tree issue. 

[TimmyBGood]

@bigsnitch2 

Note if Sky tries to point you towards their Glass television instead, I'd suggest that Stream plus the non-Sky television of your choice is considerably better value than Glass unless you really need the finance deal to replace a very old set.

[Mikeabc1]

Went  from Sky Q  and gave sky glass a try.,Rapidly ditched it for stream and after initial teathing  issues it's working well. I suspect the software updates sorted it. There were some lip sync issues but these are now ok. Streaming is an adjustment but I now prefer it. My download speed is 35-40mb and I'm gettung UHD. As skipping works well now and easier than FF. 

Sky stream

83" OLED

Sonos Soundbar

Apple TV

[lettice]

I am now into my third month of moving from Sky Q to Sky Stream.
Have so far not had any issues.
Finding it so far a good move.
Have a read of my Sky Q to Sky Stream journey that I put up on here a month and more back;
My good journey to Sky Stream from Sky Q | Sky Community

You will be able to have your uhd active for a month at a time monthly rolling subscription as you choose, so can switch it off via the Mysky app if you feel you do not need it for a month and can turn it back on later. Same goes for the Ad skipping and Whole Home.

[bigsnitch2]

Thank you again. That's what I thought too, but the offshore call centre handler was adamant that my problems would be solved if I upgraded to Q, I'm pleased I didn't now. There really isn't anywhere else I could have a dish sited and as I live in a conservation area, I had to have it sited very inconspicuously in the first place. 

[bigsnitch2]

@TimmyBGood 

Thank you - I definitely DON'T want Sky Glass, my current TV is still pretty new. 

[bigsnitch2]

@Mikeabc1 

Thank you. I'm going to do a bit more research and decided the best option, but given the environmental issues I've got with the HD signal being blocked by trees, I think that Stream is the only viable alternative I've got. 

[bigsnitch2]

@lettice 

Thank you, I'll definitely give that a read. 

[bigsnitch2]

Thanks to everyone who's taken the time to reply to my question, it's very much appreciated.

I think I'm going to have to make a decision soon - the HD signal is getting blocked already and the trees aren't even in full leaf yet. I'm getting partial recordings due to loss of signal and a lot of failed recordings too. I'm also having to reboot my HD+ box every morning now as I'm starting to get a lot of technical issue messages when I select a channel. 

At the moment I'm using the SD channels as they don't seem to be as badly affected as the HD ones, as well as the streaming apps on my TV. I'm also downloading some stuff to my iPad.

Thanks again. 

[TimmyBGood]

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@bigsnitch2 wrote:

At the moment I'm using the SD channels as they don't seem to be as badly affected as the HD ones 

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Presumably because considerably less data has to make it through to the dish surface for a standard definition video broadcast to be resolvable by a tuning circuit.

[Padam_Padam]

@bigsnitch2 

Just to offer an alternative viewpoint from someone who switched from Sky+ HD to Q to Stream and has since got rid of it completely....

If you're looking to move to a completely streaming TV service then it's worthwhile working out what you actually watch most of, as the streaming TV market is much more competitive than the satellite service ever was, and it can be a lot cheaper. 

If the majority of your viewing comes from the main free to air channels then you can already stream them live from the appropriate broadcaster's streaming app, most of which are built in to most modern smart TVs. These are completely free. You also get free access to their entire on demand catalogue of programmes. 

Also, if your smart TV already has all the apps you use built in, and has an app store to let you add others, then again you can stream content from them directly, as long as you subscribe of course. Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV+ have subscription offers not tied to Sky so you can subscribe independently often for less money. 

The benefit of Sky Stream is that Sky wrap it all up into a shiny HD package with a single EPG, single bill and the option to playlist programmes. You also have the unique offering of a lot of sport in UHD with HDR.

If sports are important to your viewing then Sky Stream is absolutely the answer... but it's costly. 

If you don't watch sport, as we don't as a household, we found it was much, much cheaper and more flexible to do away with Sky Stream completely and get our streaming TV services independently via an Apple TV 4K box. Slightly more convoluted to set up initially, but it's transformed our viewing habits, is much more stable and saved us a lot of money in the months we've been without Sky.