Sky box users enjoy plenty of features that make the TV experience totally worth it.
However, challenges such as where to put Sky box when TV is on wall often arise. Organizing your TV space can be quite challenging when you have a box.
You can either put your box behind the TV if it is large enough or consider AV mounting options.
Placing the box behind the TV also depends on the size of the Sky box in question.
There are many options you can use to organize your living room even with a Sky box. Keep on reading to learn more about mounting your TV and Sky box at the same time.
Hiding Sky Box for Interior Beauty
One important fact to consider when choosing the place for the Sky box is interior beauty.
At the end of the day, it is not just about mounting the Sky box. It is about ensuring that it is in a place that boosts your interior decor.
The whole idea of mounting the TV is meant to enhance the beauty of the living room.
It is therefore important, to ensure that the location of the Sky box does not mess things up. This is very crucial if you will be using any state cables.
Ideally, the box should be hidden. If you cannot hide your Sky box, at least hide the cables.
How to Control Hidden Sky Box
When considering where to put Sky box if TV is on wall mount, you must consider the ability to control it.
Most Sky box devices are controlled by an infrared remote. There are those controlled by both devices while others can be controlled by voice command.
The type of Sky Box in question is equally important. For the traditional Sky + HD box and the normal box, you must have a coaxial cable.
Connect the cable to your RF output. Further, the output should have a remote eye installed for easy control.
This is the only way to control old devices with a remote.
If your device does not have an RF2 output use an add-on adapter link to connect a remote eye to your entire setup.
Consider a Bluetooth Remote
If you are using Bluetooth remote control, you do not have to worry much about the visibility of the box.
Bluetooth remotes can easily connect to your Sky box even when it is several meters away.
If you are using the traditional IR remote, you should have an IR emitter and a remote eye. Install the emitter in from of the infrared sensor on your Sky box.
Requirements to Connect Sky Box to TV
There are several key requirements you will need to connect the Sky box to your wall-mount TV.
Depending on the type of box you have, you may not require some of these.
They include
- The power cable which connects the Sky box to a source of power
- A lead connection between the Sky box and the TV unless using the Sky Q multiroom box
- HDMI or Cat5/6 cable.
Note: The HDMI or Cat cables are necessary for distributing Sky around the house.
Where to Put Sky box When TV is on Wall Mount Brackets
The techniques applied here for where to put Sky box if TV on wall can be applied to all types of boxes. Whether you use the Sky+HD or the Sky normal box does not matter.
If you are using an IR remote make sure you have a control cable as well.
In most places, you can install the box yourself as long as you have basic DIY skills.
Here are the main places you can keep your Sky box:
Option #1. Away in A Cupboard/ Cabinet
If you have a cabinet or cupboard next to your TV, it is a good place to keep your box. You could even place the box inside the cupboard away from sight.
If you have a skybox receiver, place it next to your TV. If you hide the box ensure that the infrared remote eye is in a visible position.
Note: If you are using a Bluetooth device you don't have to worry about exposing any part of the device.
Option #2. Install Sky Q Box Beneath Your Stairs
In case you have a staircase in your house, the space beneath is perfect for AV installations.
The area under the staircase is rarely used for other purposes. It is a good place to install devices that are not accessed regularly.
The good news is that the devices here can still be accessed for maintenance. However, this position is only ideal if your TV is near your staircase.
If the TV is mounted further away, you may need longer cables to connect your TV to the box. Consider this option if you want to install all your devices in one position.
Option #3. Consider Installing Sky Box In the Loft
For those who own houses with a loft, it is an option to consider. This is particularly a good option for those who want the box hidden.
If you have a room upstairs where you want to install your TV, the Sky Q box can be installed there.
Most modern houses have provisions for inside wall cabling. Usually, the cable can be dropped through the wall.
In the end, you will have seamless cabling with no visibility of connections.
It is important to remember that you will need to power up your loft if this is the way. The Sky box itself uses power and you must have a connection.
Reasons Why Loft Installation Could Be Challenging
The idea of setting up devices in the loft is an attractive one but challenging.
While it offers seamless connection without visible cables, you must consider these factors.
- You will always need a light and a ladder to access the devices for maintenance or any adjustments
- If the sky box malfunctions and requires to be unplugged from power, you may have to climb up there
- The loft can get quite hot during Summer. If you have devices there consider installing a fan
- If your loft has poor ventilation, the Sky box may not function well or could get damaged.
Option #4. Install on a Modern AV Shelf
Shelves are a great way of decorating your house today. Even if your TV is mounted on the wall, you could also install a shelf near it.
You could have a bookshelf or a decorative shelf close by. This shelf can be used as a good place for your Sky box.
The best part about using a shelf is that you can position it as close to your TV as possible.
There are also shelves that are custom-made for holding TV boxes. If you get such, you won’t have to worry about cabling that much.
Option #5. Hide it Behind the TV Mounted on the Wall
The ideal place to mount the Sky Q box is behind the TV. The reason why this position stands out is that you don’t need plenty of cables. Secondly, the box will be hidden behind the TV where it is not visible.
The issue here is that the normal Sky box is quite thick and may not fit behind a normal TV.
The Sky Q box is the best candidate for behind TV mounting because it is quite slim. Further, the Sky Q box does not require satellite cables.
Note: This option is good for large TVs that have space behind the bracket.
Option #6. Use a Sky Q HIDEit Wall Mounting Kit
There are custom brackets where to put Sky box if TV is on a wall mount.
The bracket is so small that, it can be put on your wall right behind your TV.
This is a good position because it will allow easy control of power.
Summary
If you are not sure where to put Sky box when TV is on wall, you have your answer.
There are many places to install the box. Try any of the above options for the best experience.
Read Next: Can I Get Sky Glass if I Already Have Sky?
Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.