Steaming TV in the UK
Discussion
My parents have moved house and now can’t get a TV signal (flats with an obsolete Sky dish).
They had Sky and would like it back. I can’t really help because I’m overseas and here we just have a box that allows us to stream everything (every free channel has an app).
I think what they need is a TV with Freely to get BBC etc, and Sky Stream. Does that seem right?
And yes, they could just stream whatever whenever but they are nearly 80 so expect whatever is on at 6pm to be on at 6pm
That also means it needs to be easy to manage.
They had Sky and would like it back. I can’t really help because I’m overseas and here we just have a box that allows us to stream everything (every free channel has an app).
I think what they need is a TV with Freely to get BBC etc, and Sky Stream. Does that seem right?
And yes, they could just stream whatever whenever but they are nearly 80 so expect whatever is on at 6pm to be on at 6pm
That also means it needs to be easy to manage.If there is already a sky disk then they can get FreeSat for terrestrial TV and Sky for Sky? (Or at least I assume you can get both through the same dish, should be able to?).
Freely is fine, but only supported by a limited number of TVs. Instead of buying a new TV then FreeSat will be cheaper.
Freely is fine, but only supported by a limited number of TVs. Instead of buying a new TV then FreeSat will be cheaper.
I'd go down the Sky Stream route assuming they can afford £15 a month for that and already have an internet connection. Will give them a Sky interface that they are used too and all they need to do is connect the new streaming box to existing TV via the HDMI port (and connect that box to WiFi).
There's Freesat set top boxes available but might need someone to reran the cable from the dish/LNB to box, tune it in etc etc.
There's Freesat set top boxes available but might need someone to reran the cable from the dish/LNB to box, tune it in etc etc.
The Sky Stream box will also do most of the Freeview type stuff as well as whatever Sky package they pay for.
So both the live channels for BBC, ITV Ch4 and ch5 and the corresponding apps are available on the stream box.
They do also have the U channels, so Dave, Gold etc but I'm not sure if the U app is included.
So both the live channels for BBC, ITV Ch4 and ch5 and the corresponding apps are available on the stream box.
They do also have the U channels, so Dave, Gold etc but I'm not sure if the U app is included.
Sorry. Further info that may help.
Sky have told them the existing communal dish is not suitable anymore (that is all the info I have) and they do have wifi.
It appears a re-wire / new dish is not possible, so streaming over the wifi is the only option.
(all info 2nd hand from 2 pensioners who think a smartphone is some sort of voodoo).
Sky have told them the existing communal dish is not suitable anymore (that is all the info I have) and they do have wifi.
It appears a re-wire / new dish is not possible, so streaming over the wifi is the only option.
(all info 2nd hand from 2 pensioners who think a smartphone is some sort of voodoo).
You could try and get hold of an older Sky HD box as that will likely be compatible with the communal system. Or get the flat management company to upgrade the system.
Are they sure they do not have a standard aerial signal available? Very unusual for a flat communal system not to have a 'Freeview' aerial.
Are they sure they do not have a standard aerial signal available? Very unusual for a flat communal system not to have a 'Freeview' aerial.
Any chance of freeview with an indoor aerial?
I presume they don't have a balcony facing East of South to put a freesat dish on?
Having a Humax box, we've not really bothered with most of the channels via streaming, but how hard can it be?
My Mum began to struggle with the tech and went back to Freeview.
I presume they don't have a balcony facing East of South to put a freesat dish on?
Having a Humax box, we've not really bothered with most of the channels via streaming, but how hard can it be?
My Mum began to struggle with the tech and went back to Freeview.
Jader1973 said:
Sorry. Further info that may help.
Sky have told them the existing communal dish is not suitable anymore (that is all the info I have) and they do have wifi.
It appears a re-wire / new dish is not possible, so streaming over the wifi is the only option.
(all info 2nd hand from 2 pensioners who think a smartphone is some sort of voodoo).
Just get Sky stream, as previously mentioned. It's sky, but over the Internet, no need for dishes etc. Sky have told them the existing communal dish is not suitable anymore (that is all the info I have) and they do have wifi.
It appears a re-wire / new dish is not possible, so streaming over the wifi is the only option.
(all info 2nd hand from 2 pensioners who think a smartphone is some sort of voodoo).
Sky Stream is vastly inferior to Sky Q.
Unlike Sky Q when you turn on Sky Stream just sits there on the welcome page and it does not try to resume the previous channel that you were watching which means that you ALWAYS have to use the remote control and until you have navigated to the channel guide you can't even dial in a channel number.
The content for Sky Stream is very poor as most "catch up" is not provided directly by Sky but instead it loads up the appropriate app such as iPlayer or ITVX or the dozen or so other apps with the all the downsides and it is quicker and easier to use those apps directly from your smart TV.
With Sky Q a recording you make is what was broadcast at the time and you can keep it forever but for Sky Stream even if you add to your play list then what gets served up is what Sky thinks you "should" watch and for example it could be the from Main Event channel rather than the specialist channel.
The pause, forward and reverse is vastly inferior to Sky Q and pausing only seems to hold for about 20 mins and this cumulative so hardly enough time to have a "steaming" cup tea.
Considering Sky Stream is all app based it is hard to justify the £80 monthly cost.
Unlike Sky Q when you turn on Sky Stream just sits there on the welcome page and it does not try to resume the previous channel that you were watching which means that you ALWAYS have to use the remote control and until you have navigated to the channel guide you can't even dial in a channel number.
The content for Sky Stream is very poor as most "catch up" is not provided directly by Sky but instead it loads up the appropriate app such as iPlayer or ITVX or the dozen or so other apps with the all the downsides and it is quicker and easier to use those apps directly from your smart TV.
With Sky Q a recording you make is what was broadcast at the time and you can keep it forever but for Sky Stream even if you add to your play list then what gets served up is what Sky thinks you "should" watch and for example it could be the from Main Event channel rather than the specialist channel.
The pause, forward and reverse is vastly inferior to Sky Q and pausing only seems to hold for about 20 mins and this cumulative so hardly enough time to have a "steaming" cup tea.
Considering Sky Stream is all app based it is hard to justify the £80 monthly cost.
JulianHJ said:
I've just cancelled Sky Q and I'm planning on getting a NowTV subscription (via my Apple TV). I've read quite a few negative things about Stream in terms of the user interface and performance.
I was just about to ask if they had improved the platform but it appears not as we had one a couple of years ago and it was probably the worst implemented platforms in existence!In fact, it was so bad Sky were switching users back to Q free of charge if you phoned up and complained.
JulianHJ said:
I've just cancelled Sky Q and I'm planning on getting a NowTV subscription (via my Apple TV). I've read quite a few negative things about Stream in terms of the user interface and performance.
I was just about to ask if they had improved the platform but it appears not as we had one a couple of years ago and it was probably the worst implemented platforms in existence!In fact, it was so bad Sky were switching users back to Q free of charge if you phoned up and complained.
Actual said:
Sky Stream is vastly inferior to Sky Q.
Unlike Sky Q when you turn on Sky Stream just sits there on the welcome page and it does not try to resume the previous channel that you were watching which means that you ALWAYS have to use the remote control and until you have navigated to the channel guide you can't even dial in a channel number.
The content for Sky Stream is very poor as most "catch up" is not provided directly by Sky but instead it loads up the appropriate app such as iPlayer or ITVX or the dozen or so other apps with the all the downsides and it is quicker and easier to use those apps directly from your smart TV.
With Sky Q a recording you make is what was broadcast at the time and you can keep it forever but for Sky Stream even if you add to your play list then what gets served up is what Sky thinks you "should" watch and for example it could be the from Main Event channel rather than the specialist channel.
The pause, forward and reverse is vastly inferior to Sky Q and pausing only seems to hold for about 20 mins and this cumulative so hardly enough time to have a "steaming" cup tea.
Considering Sky Stream is all app based it is hard to justify the £80 monthly cost.
£80/mth??! For what exactly??Unlike Sky Q when you turn on Sky Stream just sits there on the welcome page and it does not try to resume the previous channel that you were watching which means that you ALWAYS have to use the remote control and until you have navigated to the channel guide you can't even dial in a channel number.
The content for Sky Stream is very poor as most "catch up" is not provided directly by Sky but instead it loads up the appropriate app such as iPlayer or ITVX or the dozen or so other apps with the all the downsides and it is quicker and easier to use those apps directly from your smart TV.
With Sky Q a recording you make is what was broadcast at the time and you can keep it forever but for Sky Stream even if you add to your play list then what gets served up is what Sky thinks you "should" watch and for example it could be the from Main Event channel rather than the specialist channel.
The pause, forward and reverse is vastly inferior to Sky Q and pausing only seems to hold for about 20 mins and this cumulative so hardly enough time to have a "steaming" cup tea.
Considering Sky Stream is all app based it is hard to justify the £80 monthly cost.
I have sky stream and have done for a couple of years and pay a mighty £34/mth for everything except sports (and that’s only another £12/mth)
The playlist is exactly what you add to it and reorders based on the last episode that aired - it doesn’t randomly move stuff around at all.
From start up I have no issues jumping straight to a channel via number entry rather than menu selection - not sure what this issue is all about.
Mainly though Stream isn’t purporting to be Q - it’s a different product for a different market.
For the price given it includes Netflix and DiscoveryPlus too (when you have the movies) it’s a bargain IMO and works extremely well.
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