Specifying & Designing a new IRS to Support Sky Q

In September Sky announced that Sky Q is now their default box. So, unless they live in an old apartment block not converted to receive Sky Q, new Sky customers will be given a Sky Q box. They can then enable the full Sky Q functionality (for example multi-screen streaming and UHD) by taking out a Sky Q MS monthly subscription.

Sky Q Has Replaced Sky+HD

In September Sky announced that Sky Q is now their default box. So, unless they live in an old apartment block not converted to receive Sky Q, new Sky customers will be given a Sky Q box. They can then enable the full Sky Q functionality (for example multi-screen streaming and UHD) by taking out a Sky Q MS monthly subscription.

The Impact of Sky Q in the IRS

Unfortunately for designing an IRS, the Sky Q box requires a completely different format of satellite signal to a Sky+ box and will not work on an IRS which hasn’t been specifically designed or enhanced to support Sky Q. See my April Blog ‘Sky Q and How it Affects IRS Design’. Sky are running a multi-year program to enhance existing IRS systems to support Sky Q. However, for new systems, the onus lies with with the developer, to install a system which caters for both legacy Sky+ and Sky Q users. This blog provides advice to consultants and system designers on some of the considerations.

Specifying a Sky+HD IRS

In the Sky+HD era, specifying an IRS was simple:

  • Provide a Quad outlet (two cables) in both the Living Room and Master Bedroom. This supports Sky+HD in both rooms, plus terrestrial TV.
  • Optionally, in high end apartments, provide Quad outlets in the other bedrooms and main rooms. Sometimes this requirement is reduced to Diplex outlets (TV/Radio only).
  • If International satellite signals are required, add these signals to the feeds of the Quad outlets.

Specifying a Sky Q IRS

In the new Sky Q era, the options are considerably more complex. Therefore, it becomes very important that the specification designer understands the options. As a general guideline to designing a Sky Q IRS:

  • Provide just one combined cable feed to each apartment. This would normally be presented in the Living Room on a Triplex outlet.
    If the resident requires Sky in other rooms, they can purchase/upgrade to Sky Q and use its multi-screen streaming function. Streaming operates either wirelessly or over a wired data network and will currently support up to four slave Sky Q mini boxes (but only two simultaneously).
    – Regarding full support for Sky+HD, as long as the Sky+HD box supports SCR (which almost all boxes since 2012 do), a standard RF splitter can be used to split the single cable for the two satellite inputs.
  • Optionally, in high end apartments, provide a second combined Sky+HD/Sky Q cable feed to the Master Bedroom. As and when this becomes a Sky supported option, this could support a second Sky Q master box. A 2nd box could, for example, provide 4K facilities in the Master bedroom.
  • Non-Sky subscribers will still require Terrestrial TV points in the Master Bedroom and possibly additional rooms. However, these can be fed via cables tapped off the Living Room feed. This can be implemented either in the apartment utility room or as a return from the Living Room TV outlet.
  • If one or more international satellites are required, this will require additional cables from the riser. However, these cables can double up to serve Terrestrial TV in other rooms. The options are:
    – International feed to Living Room only.
    – International feed to Living Room and to one or more bedrooms.
    – Two international feeds to Living Room (and other rooms) to support the background recording feature on Satellite+ receivers.

Cost Implications of a Sky Q IRS

There is also the question of whether to specify a traditional style IRS (using shared multi-switches in the riser) or providing Fibre to every apartment (FIRS). Both schemes will support Sky Q. Given the range of Sky Q cabling possibilities, it may be tempting to specify Fibre to the apartment (FTTH), which gives the resident more control over how and where to distribute signals within their apartment. However, it is our experience that a traditional style IRS will in most cases work out significantly cheaper. In fact, despite the higher complexity, the cost of building an a Sky Q IRS will actually be less than for Sky+HD. Although the Sky Q distribution equipment is more expensive per feed, less equipment and fewer cables will be required.

Conclusion

Because of the rapid replacement of Sky+HD with Sky Q, all new IRS systems should support Sky Q. In fact, because Sky
Q requires just one satellite cable per apartment, costs savings can be achieved. However, because of the large range of design options, it is important that the Sky Q IRS specification is carefully thought through and the specification is clear on the requirements.

Able can Provide Free Help

Able are offering expert advice to consultants and developers, providing assistance with Sky Q IRS designs and specifications. We have a number of template designs which we are happy to share. In return, we only ask that you recommend Able as potential installers for related projects.

Contact us Today

If you would be interested in one of our RF specialists visiting to provide an overview of the technology and to discuss with you how we can help, please contact us to arrange by either calling our office on 01442 219580 or using the contact form at the bottom of this blog.

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