The Sky Q boxes
The Sky Q concept as a whole is not one box. In fact, it's three - as a minimum. And they may be becoming a dated concept as Sky begins to pivot towards promoting its Sky Stream TV-via-internet packages. However, if you decide you just want Sky TV, with no broadband and only in one room, then you'll only need one box. Anything more than that and you are going to need more boxes, which Sky will supply you, depending on what you choose. Let's take a look at them to get a clearer idea of which you'll need.
- Sky Q box – This is the main set-top box. It has four tuners, so you would in theory be able to record three programmes while watching a fourth. It has 1TB of hard drive storage available, which is enough room to store around 500 hours of standard definition (SD) content, or around 300 hours of high definition (HD) content. This Sky box will also stream video directly to your phone, tablet or laptop should you so desire
- Sky Q Mini – These are miniature versions of the main box that connect to the main box, allowing you to access all of its features. They're a great solution for multiroom TV, and rather cleverly they also act as wifi signal boosters
- Sky Q Hub – If you opt for a Sky Q bundle that includes Sky broadband you will get a Sky Q Hub – Sky's broadband router. The Sky Q Hub really is a spectacular piece of kit, so it’s worth considering bundling Sky TV with Sky broadband
Which Sky Q box do I need?
As outlined above, there are essentially three different Sky Q boxes. The main Sky Q box, the Mini and the Hub router.
For basic Sky TV all you'll need is the Sky Q box. That's it. Nothing else. If you also want Sky broadband, you can add it on after you have put together your Sky TV bundle. As with any provider, Sky broadband availability depends on the area, so you will be asked to put in your postcode to check.
If you want to watch Sky on more screens, you will need to sign up to Sky Multiscreen. For an extra monthly fee, Sky will provide you with one Sky Mini box to watch your Sky TV content on one other TV screen. If you want to watch on additional TVs, you will require more Sky Mini boxes – a maximum of four are allowed in total but the price for each extra box on top of the first one is extremely expensive. Note that you can only order additional Mini boxes after you have placed your Sky TV order.
Finally, if you have a 4K TV and want to watch Sky's – somewhat limited – 4K programming, you will have to request a Sky Q 2TB box or UHD box, which not only provides double the storage space, but also enables 4K viewing. You will also need to pay extra and bolt on the UHD pack to your chosen Sky bundle. This box is not available at the point of ordering – you will need to contact Sky after you have placed your order.
Sky Q TV packages and extras
All Sky TV packages come with the basic Sky Q 1TB box. You can choose to upgrade to the 2TB box if you wish, and add Sky Q mini boxes if you want multiscreen. Although you can watch SKy TV without broadband, you will need a broadband service in order to enjoy the benefits of Sky Q, such as accessing TV shows and movies on demand.
In terms of your Sky TV package, everything starts with basic Sky TV, which is currently referred to as Sky TV Ultimate, and forms the core of Sky’s TV offering. This includes 18 Sky channels, including Sky Atlantic and Sky Showcase, along with around another 280 channels in total. It also comes with 500 Box Sets, a Netflix Basic subscription, and Sky Go – the mobile app – that allows you to enjoy your Sky TV subscription anywhere on your laptop or mobile. From this core offering, customers can then choose to add on various extras.
- Sky Sports – Most of us are familiar with Sky Sports. Golf, premier league football, F1, Cricket, Rugby – Sky Sports has the lot. It's not cheap, but for sport nuts it really is quite special. Happily, it now comes in HD as standard
- Sky Cinema – Offers access to over 1,000 movies at any given time, all in HD. Furthermore you'll get the Sky Cinema app, which will allow you to watch the Sky Cinema channels and on demand movies while you're on the go
- Sky HD/UHD – Although Sky Sports comes in HD as standard, if you want to watch Sky in HD on 40 other channels in the Sky TV pack you will have to pay extra. To watch Sky Originals in UHD, along with selected live sports and movies, you will have to pay for both the HD and UHD add-ons
- Sky Kids – If you’ve got little ones to keep entertained, the Sky Kids channels are ideal. You get an extra eight channels, including Nick Jr, Cartoonito and Cartoon Network, crammed with kids’ favourites, including Dora the Explorer, Ben 10 and Peppa Pig
- Disney+ – Customers wanting to boost their viewing options still further can choose to bolt on Disney+ to their Sky pack. Home of Disney classics, Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar and Star, Disney+ offers a vast wealth of entertainment for the whole family
What is Sky Q?
As a whole, Sky Q is a set-top box, an app, several smaller boxes known as Sky Q Minis (if you want multiroom TV), and a broadband router (Sky Q Hub) if you're bundling TV with Sky broadband. Together they are designed to bring a seamless, integrated internet and entertainment experience to your entire household. Here are the services Sky Q can deliver, depending on the type of package you choose.
- Satellite TV – Sky TV is still delivered primarily through a satellite dish. Sky has recently launched Sky Glass, its new premium TV service that is provided entirely via your internet connection without the need for a satellite dish. However, at the time of writing, Sky Glass is not yet available to buy (interested customers can register to order). If you are keen to get Sky now, then the only option is to buy Sky Q, which requires a satellite dish. Through it, Sky Q can deliver in excess of 400 channels
- Catch-up TV – This is a combination of Sky's rolling 30-day catch-up service, which essentially stores all programmes from the major channels for 30 days, and what used to be called Sky Box Sets – ongoing access to over 300 shows. These aspects combined are now called 'Sky Ultimate On Demand'
- Multiroom TV – You'll only need one main Sky Q box to sit under your main TV. Additional TVs you would like hooked up do so via miniature versions called Sky Q Minis. You can add as many Minis as you have TVs in your house. Each will connect to your main Sky Q box via wifi allowing them to offer all the services and features of the main box
- Broadband when bundled – If you bundle Sky broadband in with your Sky Q TV deal you'll also get the Sky Q hub – an exceptional broadband router. If you also opt for multiroom TV, your Sky Q Minis will also boost your wifi signal around your home
What are the alternatives?
Of course, Sky isn't the only game in town when it comes to TV. However, there are really only two major alternatives that offer a decent subscription TV deal on top of their broadband offering. Namely, Virgin Media and BT. NOW TV is the only other option – essentially Sky TV in another form. Let's take a quick look.
- Virgin Media TV – Offers a service that in most ways is as good as Sky's own offering. It only offers one type of set-top box, which is free, and which can play 4K content and store masses of recorded shows. Also, Virgin Media TV arrives via a cable, so no messing around with a satellite dish. You can't get Sky Atlantic on Virgin Media, but in most other ways it's comfortably on a par with Sky TV. It's worth noting that you can no longer get Virgin Media TV without Virgin Media broadband
- BT TV – BT TV has come on leaps and bounds in recent times and now offers serious competition to both Virgin Media and Sky in terms of being a subscription TV service. It now offers the Sky Entertainment channels and a Netflix subscription as its core offering, with the option to bolt on Sky Cinema and Sky Sports – and of course BT Sport. BT TV is only available with BT broadband
- NOW TV – Is also a Sky service, offering all its content – entertainment, sport and movies – via streaming, so you need a broadband service to watch it. NOW TV offers its own broadband service, but you are not obliged to sign up. NOW TV is ideal if you just want to dip in and watch something in particular then depart again, since there are no contracts – only a rolling monthly subscription. You can access the entire service via the app on your smart TV, games console, mobile device or dedicated streaming device. To watch in HD and on three devices at once, customers can add on the NOW TV Boost for an extra monthly fee