Why upgrade from Sky HD+ to Sky Q?

[nigea99]

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@dc1957 wrote:

I have received the email advising I should switch to Sky Q box from my Sky +HD box.

At present I have a Sky +HD box as my main set with the Signature package. I also have a Sky +HD box in the bedroom which is used with a free to air viewing card.

I assume that if I switch to Sky Q, the free to air box in the bedroom would no longer be able to be used. Is this correct?

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hi @dc1957 

I am afraid that is the case

SKy used to install what is called a Hybrid LNB that would allow Freesat Boxes to be used with SKY Q but they have stopped doing this.

Even if you were to buy your own Hybrid LNB there is no guarantee that an Engineer would install it (I believe officially they shouldn't) 

[StevieD54]

I had a call from Sky the other day asking if I wanted any package upgrades or maybe a switch to SkyQ, at no extra cost. I told the guy about our magic eye in the kitchen and (I think) he said, I can do you 2 mini boxes at no extra  cost. The problem with this of course is that any kitchen mini box will p robably need a power socket, and we don't currently need that using the magic eye. I don't want any more clutter on my breakfast bar. It doesn't sound like an ideal solution.

Our next door neighbour had Sky fitters around the other day and I managed to speak to one of them outlining our situation. He said he supplies a lot of refurbed Sky+HD boxes to people. I guess it's just if the satellites are switched off (as mentioned in this thread) is when it'll become an issue.

[nigea99]

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@StevieD54 wrote:

I had a call from Sky the other day asking if I wanted any package upgrades or maybe a switch to SkyQ, at no extra cost. I told the guy about our magic eye in the kitchen and (I think) he said, I can do you 2 mini boxes at no extra  cost. The problem with this of course is that any kitchen mini box will p robably need a power socket, and we don't currently need that using the magic eye. I don't want any more clutter on my breakfast bar. It doesn't sound like an ideal solution.

Our next door neighbour had Sky fitters around the other day and I managed to speak to one of them outlining our situation. He said he supplies a lot of refurbed Sky+HD boxes to people. I guess it's just if the satellites are switched off (as mentioned in this thread) is when it'll become an issue.

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hi @StevieD54 

Even if they offered to waive the admin fee for SKY minis you need to be aware that SKY Minis need a (single) monthy multiscreen subscription (which would not be free) that  I suspect you don't have.

BTW yes SKY minis need a power socket & connect to the TV via an HDMI able (or possibly an old style AV cable)

SKY HD boxes may fail but are generally  quite robust

[GreenieNI]

I too have Sky hd+ (2TB) and a paid for multiscreen (1TB). I can have two different programmes running at the same time and record a further two programmes simultaneously. I have the facility for another two to four boxes to be added should I wish to have them (on an OctoLNB).

I have plenty of storage space, don't need to record 6 programmes simultaneously. Can move my either of my boxes to another room should I need to. I can record my downloads to a dvd should I wish to - maybe even to my laptop, I haven't tried - and can easily replace a box cheaply - in fact I have a couple spare somewhere.

So, I really have no need to 'upgrade' whilst the satellites are working.

[Greenfly]

I think that is correct. Also any recordings you currently have will be lost - unless you save them to dvd.

[moyze]

I think it should be Why NOT upgrade!

my husband has moderate Alzheimer's and I am afraid the way to control Q will be above his capability.  We have an Android TV and that is too much.  What does anyone suggest?

[Mister_Dalek]

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@moyze wrote:

I think it should be Why NOT upgrade!

my husband has moderate Alzheimer's and I am afraid the way to control Q will be above his capability.  We have an Android TV and that is too much.  What does anyone suggest?

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Stick with what you've got. You don't have to switch to Sky Q. Your box won't suddenly stop working. 

[Mark39]

@moyze if you currently  have Sky+ and your husband is comfortable with using it, I'd stay with it, unless there's an overriding need to switch to Sky Q.

[Greenfly]

IMHO, stay with what you have. The services that they have stopped are basically admin stuff such as accessing some parts of your account. Although I have a UHD TV, I find the HD quality to be good enough for me.

I might stir up a bit, but I think the picture quality of the old CRTs than some of the digital displays.

[moyze]

Thanks. 😄😄. This is what I have done so far and I downloaded NOW on 

my android TV so he will be able to see the football as it seems it will not be on Sky+.  I do wonder if they will turn off the satalite soon. 🤦🏼‍♀️

[Mark39]

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@moyze wrote:

 I do wonder if they will turn off the satalite soon. 🤦🏼‍♀️

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Sky won't, but the satellites will anyway be at end of life by the end of the decade.

[Greenfly]

I'm not aware of football being removed from Sky+

[moyze]

Hi, the new English football league service Sky Sports + has just started and if you have a full SS package it just drops in on Sky Q, Glass, Steam and it's on Now, but not on Sky HD. So I downloaded NOW app on my TV. 🤞

[StevieD54]

OK, can we have a small re-set here after all the useful information posted?  I've had yet another phone call from Sky offering 'a cheaper cost' if I switch to SkyQ, blah blah blah. This happened whilst I was out shopping and it was very difficult to understand the strong Asian accent.

Anyway, he seemed to be saying a SkyQ box would connect via WiFi to my kitchen tv (which is currently connected via a cable from my Sky+ box (RF Out) in the lounge, and a magic eye clipped onto the tv). We have an LG smart tv in the lounge but the small kitchen tv is not smart, so won't accept WiFi.

Can anyone tell me in simple terms what actual hardware this guy is talking about? How many SkyQ boxes would I need? The main one? A mini box? If so, where would the mini box have to sit? I don't want multi room.  And his claim that he could make my current (basic) package cheaper, is that **bleep**?  Any more random phone calls on this from Sky and I'll be writing a strongly worded letter to their HQ!

thanks all in advance,

Steve 

[Mark39]

A Mini Sky box in the kitchen would replace your RF/magic eye setup. The Mini box would connect over a dedicated wifi channel to the main Sky Q in the lounge.