Sky Q Connectivity

[blacklion1725]

From several places today (My Sky app, HUKD etc) been drawn attention to the fact that I can get an upgrade (!) to Sky Q for free with no additional install cost or change to my monthly subscription.

I am not overly @rsed about this as (a) I watch less and less Sky in less and less rooms and (b) I’m not sure Sky Q distribution will suit me

They (Sky) have said they will replace my current set up (one main Sky box and one multi-room box) for nowt, at the same monthly subscription. As keen as I am to bin it completely, family/friends using SKy Go Extra for the next couple of years means I’ll probably hang on for a bit.

The very nice lady I spoke to said that the multiroom box would connect via WiFi – at which I said the location has wired ethernet and I would rather use that – she said ethernet was a “last resort” and mentoned “meshing”….anyway – I think a couple of people on here have Sky Q – so the question is could I (if I went for the upgrade) connect everything (main Q box and mini box) via ethernet using my existing wiring and router?

If so I’m tempted, even with an 18 month commitment, if not then I will probably swerve it as she mentioned wifi boosters and the like which (from those I have spoken to plus the fact I have my own wifi quirks) I don’t want.

Thanks!

[JayCeeDee]

One restriction to bear in mind is the fact that the Sky Q box only has 2 Ethernet ports as opposed to the Sky Hub’s 4 ports. If you need more, that will cause you some grief.

[blacklion1725]

Thanks – this is the bit I’m struggling with (or one of them). I am not on Sky for internet – just TV. So my router is my own (Asus RT-AC87U) connected to BT broadband.

I am sort of getting that if you use WiFi Sky Q uses its own wifi network…..but if I want to wire the whole lot can I have my main Sky Q box plumbed in to my router, and any remote/mini boxes likewise via existing wired switched in the remote locations?

The Sky lady was very much for using the Sky WiFi – whereas me by default opts for wired wherever possible for anything non-portable – especially if it is for streaming.

Could the main Sky Q box (hub?) connect in to my existing wired gigabit network? Almost wish they hadn’t offered now !

[Dave Rice]

As I understand it it will work all Ethernet, read this http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-Q/Forget-the-new-Sky-Q-Mesh-wi-fi-and-go-hard-wired-it-solved-a-lot-of-my-issues/td-p/2439995/page/3

I know a lot of Sky installers and not one of them has any technical ability and that will be ditto for the help desk. They will know how to set it up for wireless and may need some persuading. They will cover the lack of knowledge with marketing bollocks like “mesh”, which you won’t get anyway without a Sky router. It’s not mesh as I understand it, but a chain of wireless repeaters, and the TV part is 2.4 Ghz.

[blacklion1725]

Great link – thanks Dave – if I take them up I’ll make sure I get the wired solution. Properly arguing with myself now as I really want to get rid (of Sky) but since sons 1 and 2 and a pal abroad are using Sky Go I may bite…

Thanks again all.

[Ed P]

It is easy to set up ‘wired’ it is just obscured out of the way for some reason. I think they just do it to push Sky Broadband.  In fact the installer who did mine said ‘Good you have got Ethernet – the wifi is rubbish, and often results in call-outs for me!’

The distributed bit works as you say but needs one mini-box per TV (you only get one as part of the installation). Of far more practical use is the SkyQ pad app. The pads use my home router wifi – not Sky’s. I do not even know if I can now set up Sky wifi, but I guess I could in the very unlikely event I wanted to do so..

[blacklion1725]

yeah thanks Ed – as we have discussed before this is the right solution about 10 years too late….however….given my charitable nature to keep Sky Go active for my kith and kin, it is probably still worth it. They (Sky) confirmed that the four remote (Sky Go) limit remains – although it can be using the SkyGo or SkyQ app on each registered device.

In all honestly I should just ignore it – but the “server” approach is tempting me – especially as I could hang my slingbox off the minibox to extend my remote viewing capabilities.

The offer they are giving me is for the 2TB 4K box, which I don’t really care about, but still (now) want.

Damn technology…..

[Ed P]

The ‘plus’ to the 4K box is the installation should include the additional lnb which enables at least two channels to be recorded separately.

[blacklion1725]

They told me tape 6 and watch a 7th? They said might need new dish and definitely a new LNB (my dish was self installed donkeys years ago so who knows – it is a mesh mini-dish)

[JayCeeDee]

Ed P wrote:

The ‘plus’ to the 4K box is the installation should include the additional lnb which enables at least two channels to be recorded separately.

 

That’s actually 5/6 or 6/7 simultaneous recordings, depending on what you’re willing to sacrifice!! See HERE – a big improvement on the Sky Plus HD boxes.

[Ed P]

Thanks John, useful to know that I’m covered if ever I can find that number of good programs running at the same time!

[Dave Rice]

I record hardly anything any more.

When we are reading to watch something we’ve missed, that’s what catch up TV is for.

[The Duke]

The ad on the rad yesterday say upto 9 recordings at once. We now let catch up be are recorder.

[blacklion1725]

Bloke at works reckons (if I decide to do it) just let the Sky bod set it all up wireless then change it all over to wired myself – a doddle he reckons….and too much aggro convincing the Sky man otherwise.

My kitchen telly is the only 4K one in the house, so wondering maybe out the main Q box there and a mini in the front room and bedroom.  Will have a think over the weekend – only outlay for me would be (maybe) £99 for install of the extra mini-box, but no extra monthly sub.

One thing occurred to me – if you chose the same channel on say the front room and kitchen box, is the picture/sound on the mini-box delayed from the main Q box – guessing it would be but not sure – it would be a bit annoying if you could hear the sound from one box slightly later than the other.

[Ed P]

Sorry I cannot help, our secondary point is too far away to hear it.

[Dave Rice]

There is always latency. Whether it will be enough to be annoying I can’t say.

[blacklion1725]

yeah suck it and see I suppose. I currently distribute the main box  (along with Roku, Fire etc) via an HDMI->DVB-T modulator (switched by my receiver). No reason I couldn’t continue to do that if latency is an issue. That is assuming you can split the Q HDMI….more research.

[Bob Williams]

The information regarding poor WiFi from the Sky Q box, rings a very loud bell for me. Mine is krap: drops out, works at 72Mbps with my Wileyfox, 65 with SWMBO’s, 54 with the Lenovo Tab3-8. Now and again the Tab3 and SWMBO’s Wfox swop signal strength and this is not limited to location. I asked the Sky ‘engineer’ at initial installation if I could use ethernet and Dave’s information concerning Sky fitters is obviously correct: quote from my own experience – “The Q Box is meant to work best with WiFi, from the Sky Hub.” That was absolute rowlocks, of course and I tried to argue the case, until I discovered that ther are only 2 LAN ports. Yet another reason to chuck Sky in a couple of weeks. ‘Engineer’ my a**e!

I am going back to Plusnet as an ISP, digging out my previous TP-Link 9980 VDSL router/modem. Getting a Humax box, also have a NOWTV box. Never again will I repeat the Sky experience.

After I watch the last episode 7 of “GoT” tonight, then binge-watch “Tin Star” if it’s any good: currently recording each episode. NOWTV should get me the next box set of “Westworld”. I found the first series of that weird at first, then amazingly good. Anthony Hopkins almost in Hannibal mode again. And yes, I’m rambling again…

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[blacklion1725]

My setup is based around BT (Business) broadband and an Asus RT-AC87U router, which feeds 4 gigabit switches dotted round the house (home office, lounge, kitchen, upstairs). Spoke to someone else yesterday who replaced wireless to the mini boxes with homeplug connections without issue – so I think I’ll be OK.

I share a lot of the annoyance at Sky, especially hearing that they have not got the Ashes this winter (BT have I think). It is the Sky Go though – my two live away and with a Playstation running the Sky Go app they get a pretty much full Sky experience for no extra cost. The other 2 logons are in use as well, and they all probably watch Sky more than me!

The fact that Q is an 18 month commitment means I’ll probably end up doing it for that term and then think again.

I agree about recording – I never do it – catch-up is easier and often ad-free too (especially Sky Atlantic).

[Dave Rice]

My kids started off using the Sky Go app when they went to Uni, but have found other ways to watch what they want when they want it.

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