SKY 4K Decoder

Forums › Sky, Neon, Lightbox › SKY 4K Decoder

1 | ... | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | ... | 20

1420 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 427

#2923653 7-Jun-2022 16:49

Going a bit off topic now Spark Sport has been an exceptional service for the EPL, UEFA football and cricket (sports I have it for). I think they were a relatively new service and the RWC was the first big event they had that was going to have a significant number of people trying to stream live at the same time so it was no surprise it didn't cope (and I guess it's why they allowed TVNZ to have the All Blacks games and semis and final so there was backup when it inevitably failed).

I've found it perfect since, although probably haven't watched anything that's had the same number of logins streaming at the same time as an All Blacks world cup match.

networkn

Networkn
32873 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 15474

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2923654 7-Jun-2022 16:51

Yes, I had to use Kodi to make Spark Sport usable.

I was asked to attend a post-tournament review of Spark Sport. I didn't have many good things to say, unfortunately. Primarily the plus was being able to watch it upstairs and down without having to have a second box installed.

Delorean

673 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 343

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2923656 7-Jun-2022 17:22

networkn:

Delorean:

I still don't know why we keep building boxes (or dongles) just so they go to the tip in a few years.

Why don't they just build a decent "App"...

Hardware lets you control the environment your 'app' is operating within.

If you install your app on underpowered hardware or one where there are 20 other apps which may or may not be well written or properly configured, then you are supporting not only your app, but how it interoperates with other hardware and environments.

Yes, I understand less hardware is better for the planet

How come Netflix doesn't have any hardware?

Also Foxtel in AU have successfully deployed an app for live TV and streaming services. It seems Sky is still in the 2000's

Referral Link: | Quic Broadband (use R142206E0L2CR for free setup)

richms

29105 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10222

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2923659 7-Jun-2022 17:33

Delorean:

How come Netflix doesn't have any hardware?

Also Foxtel in AU have successfully deployed an app for live TV and streaming services. It seems Sky is still in the 2000's

Netflix are large enough to be able to approve hardware to get the decent quality streams or not. That is why many cheap android boxes will not play it or only play the crap quality streams.

Richard rich.ms

Delorean

673 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 343

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2923664 7-Jun-2022 17:50

richms:

Delorean:

How come Netflix doesn't have any hardware?

Also Foxtel in AU have successfully deployed an app for live TV and streaming services. It seems Sky is still in the 2000's

Netflix are large enough to be able to approve hardware to get the decent quality streams or not. That is why many cheap android boxes will not play it or only play the crap quality streams.

Correct, I assume that requirement applies to Disney+/Neon/AppleTV/Prime Video and even FoxTel AU

So, why wouldn't sky go down the same route and get the same compliance / minimum requirements? As we all know many users have the hardware that supports a number of these apps. Sky customers are more than likely already own a device that supports the minimum standards.

I am a strong supporter on sustainability. Apps get updated, hardware gets binned

Edit: Typos

Referral Link: | Quic Broadband (use R142206E0L2CR for free setup)

bmr63

91 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 47

#2923737 7-Jun-2022 21:05

networkn:

Yes, I had to use Kodi to make Spark Sport usable.

I was asked to attend a post-tournament review of Spark Sport. I didn't have many good things to say, unfortunately. Primarily the plus was being able to watch it upstairs and down without having to have a second box installed.

I think Spark Sports is awful (I’ve been watching the Blackcaps).

Silly interface where you can never quite tell what time a specific piece of coverage was at, hard to navigate to content (in my case via ATV), and I’m not at all sure about the picture quality (initially I thought it was alright until I saw a highlights package on TVNZ news and thought that looked much better.

Just my view of course.

Steve

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

dougierydal

340 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 128

#2923897 8-Jun-2022 11:51

Amazing how views can differ so much, I'd say if you're comparing SparkSport of the RWC time to now, then you need to compare again, that was 2019 and the service is vastly improved.

But Steve above looks to the have the same setup as me, using an Apple TV, but thinks it's awful. I bagged Spark at the start, but now, as a EPL fan, I'm gutted they've lost the rights to SKY, who will put them on SSN, offer an inferior product in terms of UI and image quality and expect us to suck it up and thank them for taking the rights. We're in a streaming world now, and SSN needs better attention.

Sky run two streaming services, SSN and SkyGO, the image quality one one (SkyGO) is superior to SSN - why?

I'm 100% sure they'll make a complete cock up of the EPL next season. PLEASE prove me wrong...

Wazza69

75 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 16

ID Verified

#2924229 9-Jun-2022 12:58

I think part of the Spark Sport experience depends on what your watching it on. I’m 720/30fps on my Sony TV and it’s hard to watch.

Spark Sport Device/App Max Quality
Web Browsers (Chrome, Safari and Firefox) 1080p, 60fps
Chromecast 3 and Ultra 1080p, 60fps
Apple TV HD and 4K 1080p, 60fps
2017-2021 Samsung Smart TV 1080p, 60fps
2017-2021 Panasonic Smart TV 1080p, 60fps
2017-2021 Sony Smart TV 720p, 30fps
2019-2021 LG Smart TV 720p, 30fps
SmartVU Puck 720p, 30fps
Freeview Recorder 720p, 30fps
Apple iPhone and iPad 540p, 30fps
Android Phone and Tablet 540p, 30fps

insane

3325 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1006

ID Verified

Trusted

2degrees

Subscriber

#2924252 9-Jun-2022 13:40

Delorean:

...
So, why wouldn't sky go down the same route and get the same compliance / minimum requirements? As we all know many users have the hardware that supports a number of these apps. Sky customers are more than likely already own a device that
supports the minimum standards.

I'm guessing a few reasons:

- They control the experience end to end (fully if using Sky broadband)
- They don't have upset customers with cheap devices filling up their Facebook page with hate messages about how crap the service is
- They can view your entire viewing history and make recommendations or target ads better
- There are a lot of people who just want sky like they used to have who prefer the old skool way of doing things i.e they fit into the late market segment.
- They never have to suddenly react to a STB hardware vendors who springs a change on them (refer to point 2)
- They want you watching SKY, not Netflix, Disney+ etc.

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
9334 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6203

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2924260 9-Jun-2022 14:06

Wazza69: I think part of the Spark Sport experience depends on what your watching it on. I’m 720/30fps on my Sony TV and it’s hard to watch.

Spark Sport Device/App Max Quality
Web Browsers (Chrome, Safari and Firefox) 1080p, 60fps
Chromecast 3 and Ultra 1080p, 60fps
Apple TV HD and 4K 1080p, 60fps
2017-2021 Samsung Smart TV 1080p, 60fps
2017-2021 Panasonic Smart TV 1080p, 60fps
2017-2021 Sony Smart TV 720p, 30fps
2019-2021 LG Smart TV 720p, 30fps
SmartVU Puck 720p, 30fps
Freeview Recorder 720p, 30fps
Apple iPhone and iPad 540p, 30fps
Android Phone and Tablet 540p, 30fps

This is way OT - particularly given that the new Sky box won't have SS on it.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

invisibleman18

1420 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 427

#2924264 9-Jun-2022 14:24

Has it been confirmed it won't have the ability to install Spark Sport even though it's going to be an Android box? Would be disappointing personally as it remains the only service I can't get on my older non-Smart lounge TV (have a newer but smaller TV in the bedroom which has the app). I know Chromecast is relatively inexpensive but between VTV and PS4/PS5 I have every other streaming service covered so have resisted buying an additional device for one service (especially when the sports I have it for will probably end up on something else once their deal runs out as is happening with EPL). Was hoping the new Sky Box being Android based and I think having inbuilt Chromecast would allow me to finally use SS in the lounge.

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

eracode

Smpl Mnmlst
9334 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6203

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2924284 9-Jun-2022 14:42

invisibleman18:

Has it been confirmed it won't have the ability to install Spark Sport even though it's going to be an Android box? Would be disappointing personally as it remains the only service I can't get on my older non-Smart lounge TV (have a newer but smaller TV in the bedroom which has the app). I know Chromecast is relatively inexpensive but between VTV and PS4/PS5 I have every other streaming service covered so have resisted buying an additional device for one service (especially when the sports I have it for will probably end up on something else once their deal runs out as is happening with EPL). Was hoping the new Sky Box being Android based and I think having inbuilt Chromecast would allow me to finally use SS in the lounge.

Do you really think Sky would let SS - their arch-enemy competitor in sports streaming - run an app on their new box?

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

invisibleman18

1420 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 427

#2924289 9-Jun-2022 14:57

I suppose not but I understand Netflix, Disney and Amazon are all going to be available and they are the competition for TV and movie and any other non sport content so what's the difference? I figured they just accept people are going to use those services as well so the ability to access them makes the box more attractive to keep.

Maybe wouldn't expect it pre-installed but if it has in built Chromecast and Spark Sport works with Chromecast, can they prevent it being able to be casted from your phone? Genuine question, I have no idea how the technology works. If it's android based and has access to the Google Play Store can they prevent you installing the app or is that up to Google?

bmr63

91 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 47

#2924438 9-Jun-2022 19:34

eracode:

invisibleman18:

Has it been confirmed it won't have the ability to install Spark Sport even though it's going to be an Android box? Would be disappointing personally as it remains the only service I can't get on my older non-Smart lounge TV (have a newer but smaller TV in the bedroom which has the app). I know Chromecast is relatively inexpensive but between VTV and PS4/PS5 I have every other streaming service covered so have resisted buying an additional device for one service (especially when the sports I have it for will probably end up on something else once their deal runs out as is happening with EPL). Was hoping the new Sky Box being Android based and I think having inbuilt Chromecast would allow me to finally use SS in the lounge.

Do you really think Sky would let SS - their arch-enemy competitor in sports streaming - run an app on their new box?

Actually, I do! Not allowing it would change nothing. Customers will go to where the content is. May as well let them jump from service to service on the box you supply because it keeps you in peoples minds.

Steve

RedactedRetracted

98 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 45

#2924456 9-Jun-2022 21:12

eracode:

Do you really think Sky would let SS - their arch-enemy competitor in sports streaming - run an app on their new box?

The box's will run the Google Play store, so unless Sky is doing something to specifically block Spark Sport (which I doubt they will do, as it would just cause complaints, plus goes against their vision of having other people's apps on the device) or if Spark decide they don't want it to run on the box, then yes, it would be available.

1 | ... | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | ... | 20