New SKY streaming devices

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354 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3057182 31-Mar-2023 15:17

IainD: There seems a lot of comments on the new Sky Pod, is there anyone on here that can give any feedback in the new Android Sky Box ?

There don't seem to be many people commenting on the Box, so I suspect they're largely focusing on sending out the Pod right now for all of us Vodafone TV users.

However, the reviews I've seen all seem to say the same thing - it's a bit underwhelming, and the software isn't ready yet. A recent (paywalled) review in the Herald said it seemed to be running at about half the speed of the old box when changing channels, so it's a similar story to the Pod. Hopefully they'll sort out all the software problems soon.

This was the conclusion in the Herald review:

"Five (or maybe even 10) years ago, the Sky Box would have been a “wow”. But in 2023 - more than three years since Spark forced a big chunk of change-averse New Zealanders to get a Google Chromecast or Apple TV, or upgrade to a smart TV to watch the Rugby World Cup - it feels less revolutionary than playing catch-up.

If you’ve got a smart TV (or Apple TV or Google Chromecast or Amazon Fire Stick attached to your telly), and use it in concert with the Sky’s old decoder, there’s no compelling reason to rush out and buy the new Sky Box.

For the rest, don’t be in a hurry. Let others suffer the inevitable early teething issues."

carlito1979

15 posts

Geek

#3057191 31-Mar-2023 15:44

If you don't want or need Sky channels, or you already have a sky decoder there is no reason to move to either the Sky Pod or the Sky Box.

If you want Smart Functionality added to a "dumb" TV, then the Google TV 4K or Fire Stick 4K Max will give you superior features for roughly the same $100 price as the Sky Pod.

As I mentioned earlier, I don't hate the Pod, nor would I hate the Box, but it's clear they need to dedicate resource to continuous development/refinement of the experience.

That's probably a part of why the Sky corporate restructuring announcement this week mentioned developers being made redundant in NZ hiring 4x as many developers in India through Tata Consultancy. I don't recall this being mentioned previously when the restructuring and offshoring news about the customer service department was reported a few weeks ago.

tdgeek

29740 posts

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#3057255 31-Mar-2023 18:26

carlito1979:

If you don't want or need Sky channels, or you already have a sky decoder there is no reason to move to either the Sky Pod or the Sky Box.

If you want Smart Functionality added to a "dumb" TV, then the Google TV 4K or Fire Stick 4K Max will give you superior features for roughly the same $100 price as the Sky Pod.

As I mentioned earlier, I don't hate the Pod, nor would I hate the Box, but it's clear they need to dedicate resource to continuous development/refinement of the experience.

That's probably a part of why the Sky corporate restructuring announcement this week mentioned developers being made redundant in NZ hiring 4x as many developers in India through Tata Consultancy. I don't recall this being mentioned previously when the restructuring and offshoring news about the customer service department was reported a few weeks ago.

'or you already have a sky decoder there is no reason to move to either the Sky Pod or the Sky Box.

What is the Sky Box?

PolicyGuy

1726 posts

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#3057264 31-Mar-2023 18:45

tdgeek:

What is the Sky Box?

https://www.sky.co.nz/products

It's the replacement for the old, black, MySky HDi Sky Box

denner22

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3057386 1-Apr-2023 10:47

I have bought many bits of technology over the years. The Skypod would be one of the worst ever. Not fit for purpose. The picture stutters on a Samsung Neo qled. Incredibly slow and mostly useless...it makes the old Vodafone TV box look great....!
Save your money and go IPTV instead!

pristle

158 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#3057504 1-Apr-2023 14:30

Well after much umming and arring, having become Vodafone TV orphans, we elected to get a Sky Pod.

Ordered more than 2 weeks ago and am still waiting for it to arrive. Repeated calls have all said the same, internal problem with order. Finally at ~10:30 yesterday I got to talk to someone who actually got some traction. She assured me that if I didn't receive it with same day courier it would definitely be a Saturday delivery........

I'm not impressed. Not a great return to Sky.

denner22

3 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3057587 1-Apr-2023 15:28

I think you would be better off with IPTV and a capture facility

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Rushmere

354 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3057597 1-Apr-2023 16:16

My Vodafone TV is still working today, even for Sky channels after activating the Sky Pod almost a week ago.

I seem to remember Vodafone saying some time ago that it would be a gradual shutdown rather than a big bang. I wonder how long it will last?

Silverdavid

11 posts

Geek

#3057599 1-Apr-2023 16:21

I was unable to get it to work but you may be better using Sky Go and Chromecast to the Sky Pod. I did get it to work on my Chromecast device. It wont work for freeview.

sdavisnz

1015 posts

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#3057601 1-Apr-2023 16:32

so these devices announced 21 september 2022 and still not available from sky website, what a fail.

the whole company is a fail to be fair.

Voice gives context

wekanz

67 posts

Master Geek

#3057717 1-Apr-2023 17:43

Rushmere:

My Vodafone TV is still working today, even for Sky channels after activating the Sky Pod almost a week ago.

I seem to remember Vodafone saying some time ago that it would be a gradual shutdown rather than a big bang. I wonder how long it will last?

Same here. Probably not for long, I would think. Glad I'm getting used to the SkyPod now!

tdgeek

29740 posts

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#3057728 1-Apr-2023 18:30

sdavisnz:

so these devices announced 21 september 2022 and still not available from sky website, what a fail.

the whole company is a fail to be fair.

Nah

Sky Pod, yes. Sky no. Ive had Sky for years, "it just works"

Tatou

235 posts

Master Geek

#3057734 1-Apr-2023 20:00

Skypod is trucking along OK with access to subscribed Sky channels good. Some buffering stops with Youtube app that I don't recall happening when Youtube app was on the VTV box.

We don't have a 4k TV just an old Panasonic plasma so 1980p is Ok with us.

Microphone on remote works well with Youtube. Voice commands work well when searching Youtube

In fact inadvertently saying "Find my phone" after pressing microphone button resulted in Google in the Youtube app ringing my phone.

The main TV watcher has got used to the EPG

pristle

158 posts

Master Geek

Subscriber

#3057790 2-Apr-2023 10:32

denner22: I think you would be better off with IPTV and a capture facility

If it was just me, yes. However I have had a technophobe under my roof for over 40 years and this would be a bridge too far.

Rushmere

354 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3057800 2-Apr-2023 10:58

pristle:
denner22: I think you would be better off with IPTV and a capture facility

If it was just me, yes. However I have had a technophobe under my roof for over 40 years and this would be a bridge too far.

I'm in a similar position.

Our Sky Pod lasted a whole 2 days before it was firmly rejected because it was just too clumsy and slow. I'm still on the first month Sky free trial, but it hasn't even been switched on for several days. Sky has already been cancelled and the Pod will go back by the end of the month.

I'm now all-in with Apple TV to replace Sky via Vodafone TV. With a bit of effort up front, you can get Freeview on it plus almost everything that Sky has (probably with the exception of sport, but fortunately our household has no interest in any sport). Once it's all set up it's super easy to use. It costs more than Android-based boxes, and I don't think the absolutely perfect solution exists, but it's the only option I've found that is easy and reliable enough for everyone in the family to accept. As an added bonus, the monthly cost is now also lower than it was with Sky, although that wasn't an essential requirement for us as I personally think Sky services are fair value.

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