Why is Sky Stream so bad?

[RJCSkyQ]

That's not a minor albeit in my opinion @Jason+Golding

Ultimately it's reduced functionality compared to Sky Q and therefore a backward step. 

[Jason+Golding]

@RJCSkyQ Where is the reduced functionality except it can't record on to a Hard drive ? 

Sky stream picture is better UHD/HD are outstanding. Even SD is much better 

You can watch on a second box in UHD 

The  cost is lower and includes HD as standard.

[Jason+Golding]

Just lastly. There are plenty of subscribers like me - I don't want or miss recordings - I love the playlist and the extra functionality that this brings - the way people view tv has changed. I want a place where all of the programmes that I want to watch are in one place across all apps and linear tv. The playlist provides this. One thing sky must improve and I always repeat this is the FF/RW functionality on stream and glass - it isn't good enough - I accept that 

[dav0re]

How people think they can defend this product is hilarious!

I'm actually trying to think of a time I had a product that was as bad at doing what it was supposed to do.

I'm not using regular coax for live TV, and I record via a usb stick in the side.

Anyway don't give sky a penny for this product throw it in the bin and find a better solution 

[bydandie]

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@Jason+Golding wrote:

@RJCSkyQ Where is the reduced functionality except it can't record on to a Hard drive ? 

Sky stream picture is better UHD/HD are outstanding. Even SD is much better 

You can watch on a second box in UHD 

The  cost is lower and includes HD as standard.

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I'd agree with all of this, but there was a bug that was pretty critical last night.  Went to watch a programme in the playlist on ITVx that we were halfway through, it gave me an error the I needed to upgrade.  As it wasn't a future programme I called customer services and they escalated it, and got back that it was a known bug with no fix time.  All other start from beginning worked (including ITVx), and it works again this morning.  The point is that 'recorded' media in the playlist should be available for a while, and whilst it's worked well up until now there are bugs.

The cost thing is subjective, HD is now standard and you can pay for the dedicated versions of Ch4 and ITVx which unlock more functionliaty than ad skipping.  Stream is cheaper like for like compared to Q and batter quality, but I think that Sky made a mistake charging for ad skipping and should've just increased the cost of stream itself, and then no one would've complained.

[Jason+Golding]

@dav0re I am not defending sky stream. I simply am adding my point to this thread. I prefer it over sky Q as do many other customers. The way we view tv has changed and stream reflects this. Q is now a legacy product and Sky will stop broadcasting via satellite probably by 2030 at the latest, so it will be the only option to watch Sky platform along with Glass I suspect 

[RJCSkyQ]

@Jason+Golding as you say, FF/RWD are unreliable: there's your reduced functionality. 

One major problem with the UI is that it now takes 3-4 button presses to do some things I could previously do in one, and it's slow!!

[Jason+Golding]

@RJCSkyQ Agree

[Fothergill1]

@Jason+Golding I basically agree with you.  I like my Glass TV but as you have pointed out there are improvement to be made.  I was a fairly early adopter of Sky Q and that was just the same when it was first released but they got there in the end.  Streaming is without doubt the future of TV watching.

My gripes and frustrations all relate to FF/RW, no way to remove programmes from the CW rail and the disappearing blue progress bars from episodes previously watched.

[RJCSkyQ]

They just have 7 years to sort it out then! 😉

[bydandie]

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@RJCSkyQ wrote:

@Jason+Golding as you say, FF/RWD are unreliable: there's your reduced functionality. 

One major problem with the UI is that it now takes 3-4 button presses to do some things I could previously do in one, and it's slow!!

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What they're trying to do is get you to use the voice commands, and they are pretty good from my experience so far (notwithstanding it doesn't understand Scottish 😉 )

[JulesFP]

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@bydandie wrote:

I'd agree with all of this, but there was a bug that was pretty critical last night.  Went to watch a programme in the playlist on ITVx that we were halfway through, it gave me an error the I needed to upgrade.  As it wasn't a future programme I called customer services and they escalated it, and got back that it was a known bug with no fix time. 

Interesting. I've had a sort of similar bug quite a few times watching a regular Sky channel - I forget which one but it's a channel included in the basic package not in the Sky Sports or Cinema packages. I tune to the live channel and start watching a program but it's already part way through so I select watch-from-start and at that point, even though I'd just been watching the program live, it tells me that I need to upgrade my subscription if I want to watch it from the start!

It's encouraging to hear that at least Sky does escalate issues and give a response even if in your case it wasn't a particularly encouraging one. On the basis of your experience I'll definitely report my issue if it happens again.

[UnrealityTV]

I've not been one to moan and gripe about Stream on these forums since I got it a year ago, I've been patient and reported various issues to Sky directly. 

But sadly I have to agree with much of what has been said already on this thread. Sky Stream simply isn't good enough for the price we are expected to pay for the service.

Even with a substantial subscription discount given to me by Sky, and the promise of improvements, I've run out of patience and will be cancelling when the discount ends. 

Yes, methods of watching TV are changing, streaming is absolutely the future of broadbcasting, but Sky's delivery of the service and the hardware receiving it makes watching TV an incredibly frustrating experience, rather than a relaxing or enjoyable one. 

I certainly shall not miss it.  

[bydandie]

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@JulesFP wrote:

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@bydandie wrote:

I'd agree with all of this, but there was a bug that was pretty critical last night.  Went to watch a programme in the playlist on ITVx that we were halfway through, it gave me an error the I needed to upgrade.  As it wasn't a future programme I called customer services and they escalated it, and got back that it was a known bug with no fix time. 

Interesting. I've had a sort of similar bug quite a few times watching a regular Sky channel - I forget which one but it's a channel included in the basic package not in the Sky Sports or Cinema packages. I tune to the live channel and start watching a program but it's already part way through so I select watch-from-start and at that point, even though I'd just been watching the program live, it tells me that I need to upgrade my subscription if I want to watch it from the start!

It's encouraging to hear that at least Sky does escalate issues and give a response even if in your case it wasn't a particularly encouraging one. On the basis of your experience I'll definitely report my issue if it happens again.

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The challenge is that the first line is now this forum according to the IVR system, which isn't good enough.

If they want to improve Stream/Glass then they need to invest in the pathways to capture feedback and improve agressively, but they appear to be slow to react and are trying to use a dedicated version of Q support processes which was for a more mature platform.

[daveyu]

Stream sucks compared to Q I find the UI clunky and not user friendly apps are crap particularly itvx which you may need with no plus one channels

the remote is poor compared to the fluid remote

constantly rebooting box for one issue or another and yes I have fast fibre