Sky will reportedly launch its 'SkyQ' 4K box within weeks

Just days after BT began selling its Ultra HD box online, broadcasting rival Sky appears ready to show off its own 4K hardware. The Telegraph reports that the pay TV provider is just weeks away from launching "SkyQ," an Ultra HD set-top box that will reportedly let subscribers watch or record at least four programmes at once. Like the EE TV box, Sky's player will also share broadcasts across smartphones and tablets, as families increasingly shift towards smaller screens.

Sky's 4K player has been a long time coming. Originally known internally as "Project Ethan," the box will play a major part in its battle against BT, which has already made inroads into its sporting coverage over the past couple of years. While BT's Ultra HD box relies on YouView, SkyQ will be more customised, which includes Netflix-like navigation that makes it easier to view live TV but also on-demand content.

While Sky may possibly be only a little late to market with its own 4K box, the launch of the device was originally scheduled for next year. However, with the rise of BT and increased competition from other TV providers, the company decided to hasten its release. There's no word on exactly when we'll see SkyQ or whether Sky is ready to deliver Ultra HD content, but we'll likely find out more as the company prepares for the

Sky will reportedly launch its 'SkyQ' 4K box within weeks

Just read this online and really curious to how this will work and will the new box need more than 2 cable feeds? I hope not as I'm just in the process of rewiring and put 2 sat cables in the wall.

Due to limitations, 4 separate feeds will be needed hence why Sky have mentioned 4 and not 8, etc.

If it's with 2 separate feeds then that would mean a limitation like only being able to record certain channels whilst already recording/watching another channel.

Unlike using VM cable and freeview (through the ariel), to be able to allow full range of channels a separate feed is needed for each tuner (ie each tuner needs a dedicated feed). Basically, you can't just split a satellite cable like you can others.

ketmp said:

Due to limitations, 4 separate feeds will be needed hence why Sky have mentioned 4 and not 8, etc.

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Bloody hell so now I need 4 feeds going to just living room to be future proofed? I can still run the cable but even with an octo lnb that's 1x SkyQ 2x SkyHD+ boxes.

Not to mention cable for freeview as back up

A small multi switch with a quattro lnb might not be so overkill after all for domestic use.

Sky currently only use quad lnb's with their mini dishes I believe so I hope they now move to octo lnb or Quattro lnb (latter requires distribution system/multiswitch and is normally only used in flats).

I'd like to think sky would opt to go with octo lnb's otherwise that means no multiroom, etc support.

fibre optic LNB single drop to each room and a 4way ddu.
Sorted.

installer said:

fibre optic LNB single drop to each room and a 4way ddu.
Sorted.

Click to expand...

Could you elaborate a bit more for those who don't know ie myself lol.

DDU = domestic distribution unit could you give an example of one ?

Im basically looking of a way to future proof without having loads of cables coming out of loft soffit going to dish. I have currently taken WF100 Twin from loft to living room, 1 bedroom and dining room. 6 cables in total.

Ideally I would need freeview to goto each room too. If not using a multiswitch then can I still use quadplex modules? If not what do I need to use?

I have completely skipped bedroom 2 but if I can find a suitable solution then would add feeds there.

any help would be great @installer @Mick @digidude @joe516 @ketmp

Bally12345 said:

Could you elaborate a bit more for those who don't know ie myself lol.

DDU = domestic distribution unit could you give an example of one ?

Im basically looking of a way to future proof without having loads of cables coming out of loft soffit going to dish. I have currently taken WF100 Twin from loft to living room, 1 bedroom and dining room. 6 cables in total.

Ideally I would need freeview to goto each room too. If not using a multiswitch then can I still use quadplex modules? If not what do I need to use?

I have completely skipped bedroom 2 but if I can find a suitable solution then would add feeds there.

any help would be great @installer @Mick @digidude @joe516 @ketmp

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See page 13 on the catalogue at the following link (hope its allowed)

http://www.taylorbros.co.uk/PDF PAGES AS INDEX/13-25 WEB.pdf

Never heard of, or seen, a fibre optic sat setup and although I don't need it myself I'm interested on how such a setup would be and is that more cost effective than running separate coax feeds around the house like @Bally12345 is setting up !!

And, would Sky themselves use such a setup instead of running 4 coax feeds to this new 4k box (that is assuming they are running 4 coax feeds rather than this new fibre optic option!)

I guess only time will tell, at present its probably not more cost effective for general DIY domestic applications, but if sky do implement the tech as standard, I would imagine the costs would decrease considerably due to increased supply(ers)and demand for the products, I have only seen it used in person once in an apartment block that was retro fitted after building completion, it was just 1 grey fibre no more than 2mm thick plugged into a 4 output DDU and connected to a sky+ HD receiver, worked well in that situation.

Ok as nice as the fibre solution looks and sounds way too expensive. Think il stick to 2 cables and another for freeview. Sod the 4k for now.

Maybe sky would look towards a Unicable receiver?

in Germany many of the receivers available are Unicable compatible, used in conjunction with a Unicable lnb you can run up to 8 receivers from a single coax.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicable_(technology)

@installer if I just got a triax / labgear ddu with a quad lnb then could I use quadplex modules using 2 cables to get 2 sat feeds and freeview in each room?

Bally12345 said:

@installer if I just got a triax / labgear ddu with a quad lnb then could I use quadplex modules using 2 cables to get 2 sat feeds and freeview in each room?

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How many rooms do you want to view satellite in and will they be dual tuner receivers? i.e how many satellite feeds will be required in total?
Do you intend to use "magic eyes"?

installer said:

How many rooms do you want to view satellite in and will they be dual tuner receivers? i.e how many satellite feeds will be required in total?
Do you intend to use "magic eyes"?

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Eventually 7 rooms 2 feeds in each quadplex modules so option for sat or freeview.

Think I'm going to stick to the solution I best understand which is multiswitch not bothered about remote eye or although am planning to run hdmi over cat6 from living room to kitchen diner.

Might just go with a triax 5in16out and stick to use app for channel change if can't get remote eye

I think your on the right track there, a multiswitch is your best option and you can always use wireless remote control extenders if needed

Think I already know the answer to this one but just to confirm I am doing it right.

In order to pre-wire my house for potential 4k sat using 4 cables coming from a multiswitch do I need 4 cables going to a triax quadplex module which will give me 4 sat feeds, 2 freeview tv and 2 radio feeds. Total overkill I know but nows my only chance before plastering starts next week.

Going to to run in to 2 double back boxes 1 in each then add 2 cat6 cables for lan and then run another 2 going to kitchen/diner for hdmi baluns from Yamaha AVR

Bally12345 said:

Think I already know the answer to this one but just to confirm I am doing it right.

In order to pre-wire my house for potential 4k sat using 4 cables coming from a multiswitch do I need 4 cables going to a triax quadplex module which will give me 4 sat feeds, 2 freeview tv and 2 radio feeds. Total overkill I know but nows
my only chance before plastering starts next week.

Going to to run in to 2 double back boxes 1 in each then add 2 cat6 cables for lan and then run another 2 going to kitchen/diner for hdmi baluns from Yamaha AVR

Click to expand...

The only problem I can envisage with this setup is that you'll have no return for magic eyes should you need them in the future. From what I can work out you will need 5 cables 4 of which for future sky+, (freeview and radio will be on all of these although you'll only need it on 1)and a 5th to carry rf2 back to loft or under stairs cupboard etc where I'd put a sky link amplifier to connect to all other terrestrial sockets for freeview and rf from sky box including 9v to power eyes. Is your router going to be beside your tv, if so dont forget a cat5e or 6 cable for connection to another switch etc for internet distribution.

also check this 1 out.
Televes Multi Outlet Plate for Sky+ - Vanjak Rigging Supplies

installer said:

The only problem I can envisage with this setup is that you'll have no return for magic eyes should you need them in the future. From what I can work out you will need 5 cables 4 of which for future sky+, (freeview and radio will be on all of these although you'll only need it on 1)and a 5th to carry rf2 back to loft or under stairs cupboard etc where I'd put a sky link amplifier to connect to all other terrestrial sockets for freeview and rf from sky box including 9v to power eyes. Is your router going to be beside your tv, if so dont forget a cat5e or 6 cable for connection to another switch etc for internet distribution.

also check this 1 out.
Televes Multi Outlet Plate for Sky+ - Vanjak Rigging Supplies

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Thanks for the reply, I don't know how bothered I am about the magic eye can easily run 5th cable at this stage but I thought the new sky boxes didn't have RF out anymore?