For a few years, you wanted a satellite tv for pc dish to obtain the total Sky TV expertise. You could possibly get a lot of its channels by means of Now or a rival paid service, equivalent to Virgin Media or BT TV, however in case you needed your entire line-up of programming, a Sky field, Sky+ HD or Sky Q, was the one actual choice.
Nevertheless, that modified in 2021 when Sky Glass was launched. It is an own-branded sensible TV that gives your entire Sky expertise over broadband, plus 4K HDR (Dolby Imaginative and prescient) visuals and Dolby Atmos encompass sound in a single easy and neat bundle. You do not want a satellite tv for pc dish.
So, how does it examine with the Sky Q expertise and is it value upgrading to Sky Glass in case you are already a Sky Q buyer?
Sky
Sky Glass
Sky Glass is not simply Sky over the web, it is an entire system, together with the 4K HDR (Dolby Imaginative and prescient) TV and Dolby Atmos sound setup in-built. All exhibits and films are streamed somewhat than delivered by satellite tv for pc, though you’ll be able to nonetheless file or playlist content material which is saved within the cloud.
Sky Glass vs Sky Q: {Hardware}
- Sky Glass: All-in-one 4K HDR TV, Dolby Atmos sound system, Sky over broadband service
- Sky Q: Set-top-box linked to satellite tv for pc dish, offers on demand content material through broadband
Sky Q is an ecosystem that contains a Sky Q satellite tv for pc field that you simply plug into your TV and optionally available Sky Q Mini bins that can be utilized across the house to supply a multiscreen expertise. It requires each an web connection and a satellite tv for pc dish. You get a voice distant with Sky Q, with voice instructions activated by means of a button press.
Sky Glass is a tv, with its personal display and Dolby Atmos sound system. It requires a connection to the web, however is a dish-less expertise. You additionally get a voice distant with Sky Glass, however the TV has its personal far-field microphones too, so you should utilize voice instructions by means of a wake phrase in addition to a button press (“Whats up Sky”).
Multiroom viewing is on the market with Sky Glass too, by means of what Sky calls a “Stream Puck“.
One additional factor to pay attention to is that, whereas each Sky Q and Sky Glass require web connections they work in numerous methods. Aside from streaming companies, on demand content material on Sky Q is mostly downloaded to your field. You possibly can watch it quickly after hitting play, with the remaining downloading as you watch.
Sky Glass, then again, streams content material instantly. That is particularly vital in relation to web speeds. You may get away with slower web speeds for Sky Q, for instance, though you’ll have to wait longer to view your TV present or movie. Sky Glass requires not less than 11Mbps broadband for HD viewing, 30Mbps for 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos.
Sky Glass vs Sky Q: Image and sound
- Sky Glass: 4K HDR – HDR10, HLG, Dolby Imaginative and prescient, Dolby Atmos sound by means of built-in audio system
- Sky Q: 4K HDR – HLG, Dolby Atmos sound output
Sky Q is able to outputting at as much as 4K HDR (by means of the HLG format) to a suitable TV. You do want an up to date Sky Q box nonetheless, as earlier fashions weren’t able to sending HDR indicators.
It might additionally output Dolby Atmos audio on films and sporting occasions. You will want a suitable encompass sound setup or soundbar to profit from it although.
Sky Glass can be 4K HDR succesful, however by means of its personal show. It helps HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision.
Dolby Atmos can be supported, however Sky Glass has its personal six speaker sound system constructed into the TV. That features upfiring drivers that add additional peak channels for a extra immersive expertise.
Sky Glass vs Sky Q: Expertise
- Sky Glass: Full Sky expertise plus apps – Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, Paramount+, BBC iPlayer, and many others
- Sky Q: Full Sky expertise plus apps – Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, Paramount+, BBC iPlayer, and many others
Whereas the content material is (clearly) the identical throughout each Sky Q and Sky Glass, the expertise is slightly completely different.
They share comparable design language, however Sky Glass’ consumer interface retains issues slightly extra easy.
Each allow entry to Sky content material and your entire gamut of reside TV channels – they’ve full digital programme guides too. And, every additionally contains third-party apps and integration of their very own exhibits and films, equivalent to Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+ and Disney+. Nevertheless, Sky Glass begins with a homepage the place your most up-to-date viewings, favorite channels and even linked gadgets are entrance and centre.
You get comparable on Sky Q (with out separate linked sources), however with a extra apparent sidebar menu system.
One main distinction between them is the addition of Look on Sky Glass. This is sort of a screensaver for the TV, which prompts when a movement sensor detects you’re within the room. It at present exhibits adverts for highlights on Sky and its associate’s companies. You possibly can flip it off within the settings.
Sky
Sky Q
Sky Q is Sky’s satellite tv for pc TV choice within the UK. You get a Sky Q field that hyperlinks with a satellite tv for pc dish and may file exhibits and movies immediately onto the system itself. The field additionally provides entry to on demand content material and streaming apps.
Sky Glass vs Sky Q: Recordings
- Sky Glass: Cloud recording with Playlist performance
- Sky Q: Native storage for recordings – 1TB & 2TB HDD choices
One other main distinction between Sky Q and Sky Glass is there isn’t a direct recording performance on the latter. Whereas it incorporates a modicum of inner storage, that is for software program updates somewhat than buyer use.
It provides a function referred to as “Playlists” as a substitute, whereby you’ll be able to faucet a Playlist button on the distant and retailer the present or movie into your Playlist rail. This can both give quick access to content material streamed through first and third-party companies, or file exhibits as they’re broadcast and retailer them within the cloud.
Like Sequence Hyperlink on Sky Q, it is going to robotically embrace new exhibits if it is an ongoing sequence, as they’re broadcast or added to a service. Plus, it attracts all episodes which can be out there irrespective of the supply. For instance, in case you Playlist a present whereby some episodes are on Amazon Prime Video, however later sequence are a part of Sky’s personal on demand service, they are going to all be listed no matter host.
Principally, the Playlist function works very like recordings, however all tagged programmes are streamed somewhat than saved.
An ordinary Sky Q field has a 1TB onerous drive to file programming (together with the power to set Sequence Hyperlinks). You can too get a 2TB model on request, however will price a good bit additional as an preliminary outlay – £99 at present.
Sky Glass vs Sky Q: Multiscreen
- Sky Glass: Multiscreen by means of Sky Stream Puck – as much as 4K HDR
- Sky Q: Multiscreen by means of Sky Q Mini field – as much as 1080p
Sky Glass wins in relation to multiroom streaming.
Sky Q Multiscreen is thru separate bins, referred to as Sky Q Mini bins. Each is sort of a Sky Q field in itself, however solely outputs 5.1 audio and 1080p video. There isn’t a 4K HDR nor Dolby Atmos.
They’re nice for watching all Sky content material and your recordings in different rooms in your house, however can’t view Extremely HD exhibits or movies. That features something recorded from a 4K channel or supply. Your 4K recordings merely will not play by means of a Sky Q Mini field.
Sky Glass’ Multiscreen bins – the Sky Stream Puck – is 4K HDR (Dolby Imaginative and prescient) enabled so can current the very same content material on a separate display to the principle Sky Glass TV.
One main profit to that is that, if you do not need to exchange your front room expertise with a Sky Glass TV however nonetheless need the expertise, you’ll be able to put Sky Glass in a separate room and use a Sky Stream Puck in your essential viewing space.
Sky Glass vs Sky Q: Pricing
Pricing for Sky merchandise is comparatively difficult, because it will depend on the channel packages and whether or not you want a multiroom resolution or not.
Sky Glass is on the market on both a one-off or month-to-month fee foundation, nevertheless it’s value noting that you’ll want a Sky Final TV bundle on the very least.
The TV itself comes in 43-, 55- and 65-inch screen sizes (Small, Medium and Massive), costing a £10 free upfront, plus £14, £19 and £24 per 30 days respectively payable throughout 48 months. A 24-month choice is on the market too, at £28, £38 and £48 per 30 days respectively, with a £20 upfront charge.
Alternatively, you should buy them outright for £699 (43-inch), £949 (55-inch) or £1,149 (65-inch).
You then add your TV bundle on prime, which is equally priced to Sky Q equivalents. For instance, Sky Final TV is £26 per 30 days for each Sky Glass and Sky Q.
Multiscreen on each prices £15 per 30 days additional, however you then must buy the Sky Stream Puck gadgets for Sky Glass individually (as much as six in whole). You get one Sky Q Mini field with Sky Q Multiscreen, but in addition must buy extra ones (as much as 4).
Extra Sky Q Mini bins price £99 every. A Sky Stream Puck prices £50. They aren’t interchangeable and require Sky Q or Sky Glass respectively. A Sky Stream system will quickly be a standalone choice although, which you can learn about here.
Add-ons for Sky Q embrace Sky Sports activities, Sky Cinema, Disney+ and Extremely HD – costs for them fluctuate, with offers typically out there. Sky Glass additionally has add-ons for Extremely HD HDR and Dolby Atmos,
Principally, in case you take the {hardware} out of the equation, pricing throughout Sky Q and Sky Glass could be very comparable. There may simply be a pound or two in it.
Nevertheless, one of the simplest ways to match the general Sky Glass and Sky Q pricing is to have a look at an equal TV set and soundbar bundle too (as you get all of that wrapped up into Sky Glass).
An LG 43-inch LED TV will (roughly) price you £450, whereas an inexpensive Dolby Atmos soundbar will set you again not less than £399 – so roughly £850 collectively. That is already £200 greater than Sky Glass will price for the same resolution.
You additionally must pay a £20 set up charge to have the Sky Q field arrange in your house.
Sky Glass vs Sky Q: Conclusion
Whereas Sky Q and Sky Glass provide entry to the identical reside and on demand content material, the latter has some apparent benefits. You do not want a satellite tv for pc dish, for starters. Though you do want respectable broadband.
Maybe the largest benefit is that you simply get every thing in the identical system – a TV, Dolby Atmos speaker system, and all of the content material reside and on demand you can ever hope for. Plus, the Multiscreen proposition is healthier, with Pucks providing the next decision and HDR.
If you have already got an honest TV and sound resolution although, and do not need to swap both, Sky Q is a good choice.
However, to throw a last spanner within the works, Sky additionally provides a Sky Stream service whereby you may get one in every of its streaming Pucks while not having Sky Glass too – you simply plug it into your personal TV. That is perhaps value additional investigation earlier than you make that last resolution: Sky Stream review – the future of Sky TV?
Trending Merchandise
