IPTV World Forum – London: UK based IP Vision and Netgem are showcasing one of the UK’s first HD Freeview+ Hybrid DTT set top boxes at IPTV World Forum today under the FetchTV brand name.
The FetchTV SmartBox 8320HD features Netgem’s latest DVB-T2 hardware reference design. The unit contains a 320GB hard drive and access to Freeview HD broadcast channels as well as access to the Fetch TV over-the-top service.
The new SmartBox will be offered alongside the existing FetchTV 8000 box and supports all current FetchTV features. These include standard and HD VOD, upscaling of Freeview SD broadcasts, Wi-Fi connectivity, Freeview+ functionality and access to streaming video, photos and music from connected devices through the FetchTV media centre.
Eddie Abrams, CEO of IP Vision, said: “This is an important step forward for IP Vision. HD broadcast will be an important driver for consumers in the UK’s digital TV market. Freeview is now joining other digital TV platforms in enabling access to HD broadcast content and we are delighted to be one of the first vendors to deliver this content to the public. We believe that, HD broadcast, in conjunction with the exceptional support for video on demand and catch-up content within FetchTV and the forthcoming launch of Sky Player, will further strengthen our position in the connected TV market in the UK.
IP Vision will also demonstrate a new user interface (UI) at the show. The new Fetch TV’s UI is designed for optimal usability, viewers select the content they wish to access by using two “cross-hair” intersecting navigation bars. This enables users to quickly and easily bring up information about an on-demand movies, or a linear broadcast channel. The navigation style provide all the information that the user needs to make a selection within the UI without having to channel flick away from the content they are already viewing. The new UI and associated service will be available to all new and existing FetchTV customers as part of a free firmware update.
