Watching TV is no longer simple

[Stephen+Mourton]

In principle I like the idea of Stream, I love the picture quality and the access to streaming apps all in one place.

However watching tv is no longer straight forward, instead of being able to watch something quickly and easily it is becoming increasingly frustrating.  Reading the various topics on this forum there are so many things that others are struggling with.  Not being able to find where they left off watching something, the screen turning off after 10/15 minutes to name but two.

Not only that, while having all the streaming apps in one place is a good idea the streaming service apps themselves are clunky at best, some of them taking ages to load, all of them don't seem to have a satisfactory forward or rewind system.

It does make me wonder if the whole idea of streaming over the internet is actually a good idea.

[JEFF1102]

I know what you mean. I started watching 1% Club on Saturday night and it had been on for 20 minutes so i selected watch from start which was fine. But just as the last ad break came on it cut out. Looks like if the live show has finished the watch from start cuts out if you dont catch up with it before the live show ends. So I then had to find the catch up version on ITV X and then it went back to the start so i had to fast forward through the show and guess roughly where it had cut off and then was able to watch the rest of the show. Not everyone would know how to do all that and would get utterly confused. With Sky+ you would have just started the recording and it would have played through from beginning to end. So it can be a hassle.  You do have to be a bit tech savvy to know what to do if something like this happens.

[Gincap]

Streaming is the way forward for now. The issue with Stream and Glass is new software still being developed and clunky hardware of low specification. 

I was with Sky since the white dish days but having switched to stream its early day faults had me looking elsewhere. 

Converting to Apple TV I'd never switch back. Excellent kit, super fast and slick with all the apps you could ever want including the TV Launcher app which is excellent. Now TV is also well maintained on Apple with regular app updates, no longer the poor relation. 

Apple won't be for everyone we all have different views and for many Sky Stream is excellent but just be aware there are options. A little homework could enhance your viewing experience and save those pennies 😉

[JEFF1102]

@Gincap I actually have an Apple TV box and have done for many years long before SKy Stream came along. But I tend to use this for watching Itunes films but have used Apps on there like Tubi which you cannot get on Stream. Trouble is we need a second box in our bedroom and have Sky Stream whole home and before that had multiroom with Sky+. I have TV Launcher on ATV but never really thought oif using that as a main box. I do like a lot of how Sky Stream works. Apart from the problem I mentioned in my previous post you can watch from start and find stuff easily. 

I know you can watch from start on ITV X but when I try this you cannot fast forward any of the show while it is live which you can do on Sky Stream. 

[Chrisee]

There are a number of tips thst can make the viewing experience on Stream better. The first is when bringing the puck out of standby go left from the home tile will. Showctgst last thing you were watching usually at the point you left off but some apps - looking st you ITVx - take you through their loading stage which is a pain but completly down to the broadcaster not Sky.

You are controlling a rdmore server not a local hard disc so using fast forward and rewind can be fiddly. Instead on most content use voice control commands like forward 10 minutes or back 30 seconds work well. Again the voice control requires support from the app. 

Sky are aware actively developing the os and new fearures get added regularlyso its worth checking back. The power saving setting is unlikely to change as UK regulations require set top boxes designed after tge regs came into have active power saving features.  

[Fothergill1]

@Chrisee  Whilst I agree with your comments on the power saving settings I just wish they gave you a little longer as IMHO 10 minutes is just not enough time to do some basic activities.

[BC1956]

@JEFF1102 very well explained thank you I have the same issue as do many others which can be seen on other discussions....... Lumped together faults - Watch from start/blank screen/ freeze screen/ and the big one! lip sync

[AndyC61]

I think the menu layout is rubbish if you're using the Puck to watch live TV.

It won't let you change the channel stright away when it is first powered up and therefore you have to go to the TV Guide before changing channels.

I always get adverts for new dramas/films when I'm not interested and have to scroll past these to get to what I want.

The various Apps for the different channels (e.g. ITVX Channel 4 etc.) keep moving location - these need to stay stationary so you know where they are.

An Online forum for these issues is no use as Sky don't seem to monitor them or (if they do) ignore the issues.

I would be quite willing to sit on a proper facetime forum to discuss how the entire menu system should be changed to make it more user friendly.