New EE TV service on Apple TV

[karluk]

I understand the new EE TV Service has just been launched, including via a customised EE Apple TV 4K box. I currently have Sky Stream so EE TV via an Apple TV box is a. good proposition. It would be great to hear reviews of the service via Apple TV from those who are early adopters of the service (I assume some trials must have taken place too)

[Aaron_g1986]

Hi Karl,

I've had the EE apple tv box for around 6 weeks now after moving over from Sky Stream, the Apple TV box itself is superior hardware to the Sky Stream box. The EE implementation is fine but I have a few gripes. You get used to being able to save shows into a playlist, being able to restart programmes from the beginning, pause & rewind. These functions aren't available on EE, and for some reason the NowTV channels have an annoying white square on the top right corner of the screen which isn't there on the EE mini box or via the NowTV app directly, so not sure why the EPG link on Apple TV has this and its quite annoying if you have an OLED tv as it could cause burn in over time. Picture quality is in HD on some of the main channels but there's a lot of SD streams on the system and i'd say picture quality is far superior on Sky Stream generally. I've been hoping to see an update to show some kind of improvement but haven't seen any change on my box in the 6 weeks i've had it. I'd really like to see the restart show from beginning implemented as it is a real pain having to go into the independent catchup apps.

If you watch more live TV and looking for quality, Sky Stream is better in my opinion, if you prefer watching streaming apps and occasionally dip in and out of live tv then EE is probably ok for your needs, and you could save a few £.

[karluk]

Thanks for the feedback. I may stick with Sky Stream for another period, until they have a few more features implemented. I found the previous generation of BT TV basically youview with Now TV pretty awful and couldn’t wait to switch SKY Q. Sky stream I’ve found generally good but let down by cheap hardware which has a poor wifi receiver even with the newer  smart hub plus 

[michaelamherst]

I’m interested as to whether Sky Sports on Apple TV EE streams at HD or UHD? We have sky and the UHD is great but understand the NOWTV app only allows SD or HD on its own. 

[F8talfury]

Believe as its nowtv based its HD only.  Previously had access via nowtv and found the picture quality better via skystream even on the HD feed.  Like others have said the appletv hardware is superior just a shame the EE TV app isn't even as feature rich as the EEPro boxes which are again based on the youview interface which was not the best.  If the feature set was better and the channel choice as good as sky-stream I'd possibly move but for now I'll stick with skystream (even with the iffy boxes, tend not not use the apps on the box and its more stable so suspect lack of memory is that issue).

[DarrenDev]

The channels on Apple TV don't stream via the Now app - they're streamed from EE. We're therefore not restricted to just what the app can offer.

Watch this space ...

[DarrenDev]

Any features in particular you're thinking of @F8talfury ? The only features I can think of that Apple TV is missing compared to EE TV Box Pro are recording and trickplay.

[F8talfury]

From the demo I had the interface is nice but definitely gen 1 as expected.  Recording or playlist of some sort would be nice.  TBH the EEPro box isn't great so we'll see where the product goes over time, I never did like the youview based interface .   On the Sports and Cinema side its still the NowTV based streams,  I think if / when EE can move to selling wholesale sky sports / cinema without the nowtv part involved it will get loads better until your hands are tied by what is offered (definitely direct stream on both the ATV and EEPro).  For now I'll be sticking with Sky purely because of the the minor missing things and the fact my accounts still a mess having moved from BT so won't be giving EE anymore money each month (The team are looking at those issues but 6 months is a long time oops).  I'll definitely be watching where things go though with the feature sets and whats on offer.

[michaelamherst]

Thanks Darren. What is the picture and sound quality at the moment for sky sports? And are any of the channels on EE able to stream UHD and Atmos?

[Profile closed]

@michaelamherst 

HD and 5.1 is the max currently for Sky Sports via EE, although @DarrenDev may be getting himself in trouble again by hinting in an earlier reply that the service can and may well do, UHD and Dolby Atmos in the future, as it is not restricted to what the NOW app can do. 😄

[Elliot1983]

On the EE Apple tv App, I only currently get stereo PCM through my sound bar when watching HD, when using the NOW app I get Dolby Digital 5.1