Netgem on: "Best Freeview Box 2019" (2º place at un unbeatable price)

(27 Feb 2019)

Best Freeview Box 2019: 

The best PVRs and set-top boxes for viewing and recording Freeview HD from £35 to £259

"(...)

2. Netgem NetBox: The best Freeview Play set-top-box

Price: £50 | Buy now from Amazon

Freeview Play has often felt like a great service, but one that’s in need of better and more affordable hardware. With the Netgem Netbox, that hardware has arrived. This compact unit gives you a great Freeview Play experience, with a slick interface that has both a conventional EPG and a Netflix-style view through which you can pick from the best shows from online catch-up services. You can choose between last week’s episode of Channel 4’s Catastrophe or continue bingeing Killing Eve from the same screen, and if you want to catch something you missed, the EPG still scrolls backwards seven days to find the episode in question.

That’s not the end of the NetBox’s talents, either. Plug in a USB hard disk and you can set a programme or series to record, while integration with Amazon Prime Video and Ratuken TV gives you premium video on-demand options – though the absence of Netflix is a blow. Alexa capabilities also show potential if you have an Echo speaker, though not all voice commands work as reliably or consistently as they do with Amazon’s own Fire TV. Admittedly, there’s room for improvement, but with great picture quality and fantastic Freeview Play support, this is a budget Freeview Play box to be reckoned with.

Key specs
Dimensions: 132 x 125 x 38mm; 
Tuners: 1x Freeview HD; 
HDD: N/A; 
Smart apps: Ratuken TV, BBC iPlayer, All 4, ITV Hub, UKTV Play, YouTube, Deezer, Demand 5, BBC News, Amazon Prime Video, Hayu, Hopster, CBS Catchup; 
Connections: HDMI, USB, Ethernet, antenna in, 802.11n Wi-Fi.


****

The List of "The best Freeview boxes to buy from £35": 

1. Manhattan T1 Freeview HD Receiver: Best basic Freeview box for under £40
==> Price: £35 | Buy now from Amazon

2. Netgem NetBox: The best Freeview Play set-top-box
==> Price: £50 | Buy now from Amazon

3. BT YouView+: Best Freeview recorder under £150
==> Price: £113 | Buy now from Amazon

4. BT YouView+ Ultra HD box: Best Freeview recorder for sports fanatics

==> Price: Free with Max TV package (£53.99 p/month)

5. Panasonic DMR-HWT150EB: Best Freeview Play recorder for under £200

==> Price: £189 | Buy now from Amazon

6. Humax FVP-5000T: Best Freeview Play recorder

==> Price: £248.75 | Buy now from Amazon

Source:

https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/tvs-entertainment/1405950/best-freeview-box

***
To read also (FEBRUARY 20, 2019):
"Voxtok (from netgem) brings Music Avenue to Technicolor STBs with Android TV"

***

Interesting report:
HD SET-TOP BOX Market to Set Remarkable Growth by 2025| 
Leading Key Players Broadcom, Comcast, Sichuan Changhong Electric
February 20, 2019HTF Market

Source:

llup.com/hd-set-top-box-market-to-set-remarkable-growth-by-2025-leading-key-players-broadcom-comcast-sichuan-changhong-electric/36927/

Music Avenue on HiFi speakers - Technicolor STBs with Android TV (Voxtok)

Voxtok brings Music Avenue to Technicolor STBs with Android TV

FEBRUARY 20, 2019 08.56 EUROPE/LONDON BY ROBERT BRIEL

"(...) 
Voxtok has released Music Avenue, the first fully personalizsd audio service designed for TV.

This service is now available on Technicolor’s Android TV based set-top boxes for telecom and TV operators. 
(...)

Source: https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2019/02/20/voxtok-brings-music-avenue-to-technicolor-stbs-with-android-tv/

___________________________________________________________
Read MORE:

RCA Smart Soundbar - YouTube (08-jan-2019)



Voxtok, the Sound division of Netgem, has integrated its Music Avenue, the first personalised audio service designed for TV, into the the Smart Soundbar of Radio Corporation of America (RCA).

Music Avenue, designed for TV and available on mobile devices, is a comprehensive audio service that brings together multiple sources like: personalised music video channels; user playlists; unlimited music through Napster*; information and news about artists, albums releases, concerts; and even vinyl record delivery.

The service is also connected to a user’s multiroom environment.

“Music Avenue creates a easy connection between the music and video world, and with a subtle integration between digital and physical content”.
(...)

=> The Smart Soundbar is the result of years of innovation in the digital industry”, said Claire Villeneuve, head of Trademark Licensing for Technicolor (owner of RCA Brand).

Music-Avenue integration into RCA’s Smart SoundBar was officially announced at the CES 2019 in Las Vegas."

Source:

broadbandtvnews.com/2018/12/16/voxtoks-music-avenue-integrated-into-rca-smart-soundbar/

*  Napster: 5 million paying subscribers !!!
(December 25, 2018) "Napster, with 5 million paying subscribers, unlike its rivals, remains a profitable streaming music service."

Music Avenue (from Voxtok - the sound division of Netgem ) is Unlimited Music, everywhere! 
Play unlimited music from over 50 millions tracks – powered by Napster.

Control it with your voice and decide, from your TV or mobile, on what speakers or devices you want to play it!

2019: RCA Smart Soundbar / Music Avenue - Napster (by Netgem)

RCA Smart Soundbar - YouTube (08-jan-2019)



Voxtok, the Sound division of Netgem, has integrated its Music Avenue, the first personalised audio service designed for TV, into the the Smart Soundbar of Radio Corporation of America (RCA).

Music Avenue, designed for TV and available on mobile devices, is a comprehensive audio service that brings together multiple sources like: personalised music video channels; user playlists; unlimited music through Napster*; information and news about artists, albums releases, concerts; and even vinyl record delivery.

The service is also connected to a user’s multiroom environment.

“Music Avenue creates a easy connection between the music and video world, and with a subtle integration between digital and physical content”.
(...)

=> The Smart Soundbar is the result of years of innovation in the digital industry”, said Claire Villeneuve, head of Trademark Licensing for Technicolor (owner of RCA Brand).

Music-Avenue integration into RCA’s Smart SoundBar was officially announced at the CES 2019 in Las Vegas."

Source:

broadbandtvnews.com/2018/12/16/voxtoks-music-avenue-integrated-into-rca-smart-soundbar/

* ===>  Napster: 5 million paying subscribers !!!
(December 25, 2018) "Napster, with 5 million paying subscribers, unlike its rivals, remains a profitable streaming music service."

Music Avenue (from Voxtok - the sound division of Netgem ) is Unlimited Music, everywhere! 
Play unlimited music from over 50 millions tracks – powered by Napster.

Control it with your voice and decide, from your TV or mobile, on what speakers or devices you want to play it!

Premium Soundbar version of the TV box - Already available @ Gibtelecom

(18 juin 2018) 

Premium Soundbar version of the TV box (by Netgem)

- Already available @ Gibtelecom -

http://www.gibtele.com/sofi

"(04 Jun 2018)

After much anticipation, Gibtelecom announced today the launch of Sofi – its digital entertainment service. Gibtelecom’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Bristow, explained how “Sofi provides an all-round entertainment experience for the Rock. With over 60 channels licensed directly from the studios, easy access on-demand entertainment and support via a dedicated TV support helpline.”

Gibtelecom has partnered with Netgem, a leader in TV and entertainment innovation for over 20 years, to develop the Sofi digital entertainment platform. Sylvain Thevenot, Managing Director Netgem UK said “We are pleased to partner with a leading operator like Gibtelecom to deliver the best entertainment experience to its customers. We are excited to bring the distribution of our open entertainment products to the territory of Gibraltar, both on the traditional Set Top Box and through our acclaimed SoundBox”.  (...)

Sofi will be available on home TV’s, using a powerful and advanced set top box with a simple and interactive user interface (UI). The UI provides live windows that enable instant and easy viewing of the TV guide, live content and on demand services, and facilitates features such as catch-up and replay as well as customised favourites. You can also view some of the linear channels included in the Sofi package on your mobile or tablet, via the Sofi app, anywhere in Gibraltar. This also has interactive features including a smart remote and flick and fetch features, which lets you continue watching programmes you were watching on the TV on your mobile device and vice versa. 

The service will be available to Gibtelecom’s residential broadband customers and will be included as part of the Company’s flagship Monster Bundle product – which currently includes up to 100Mbps home broadband and a mobile plan with 10GB of data, 1000 minutes and 1000 SMS which can be used in Gibraltar or throughout the European Economic Area for only £55 per month. Gibtelecom residential broadband customers who do not wish to subscribe to the Monster Bundle will be able to subscribe to Sofi from only £10 a month. Discounted packages are available for old age pensioners. As part of a launch promotion, customers will not pay any installation fees if applying before 1 July and the first 300 Monster Bundle customers to apply will be eligible to apply for a premium Soundbar version of the TV box as well as receiving a Gibtelecom Monster plush toy whilst stocks last.

For more details on the Sofi service or to apply visit www.sofi.gi. Terms and conditions, help and support, together with guidance are also available on the Gibtelecom website. "

Source 1

Channels

Read also:

Gibtelecom intros Netgem OTT multiscreen service
(24 September 2018)
Telco TV technology and services provider Netgem has revealed that Gibtelecom, the largest telco in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, has tapped the company for the launch of its Sofi multiscreen digital entertainment service.

Soundbox goes beyond Roku (2018, Voxtok by Netgem)

(February 9, 2018)

"The Voxtok by Netgem Soundbox goes beyond the functionality of the Roku powered soundbars as it also offers a video streaming device. Connect your TV and you'll be able to access music services like Napster and Deezer, as well as streaming video apps like Amazon Video, YouTube and Netflix.

Voxtok plans to eventually sell a high-end version of the Soundbox directly to consumers, but the first units will be labeled in white label and distributed by television operators.

A first "customer" is already registered and will start shipping Soundboxes to its customers this quarter (Q1 2018)."

Source1

***

The first smart sound bar @ CES 2018 (Netgem / Amazon Alexa / Voxtok)

 SoundBox is the first smart sound bar,  Best of Music, Audio & TV!

"Voxtok Music enhances the listener's music experience with its openness to all music sources (such as streaming, files, radio, and podcasts), gathering related content that includes music videos, concert streaming and ticketing, and music listening to build an entirely new experience. 

SoundBox is a smart soundbar, a breakthrough product merging TV, video, and music services and content, including vinyl! Fully integrated with Voxtok Music, this compact multi-room device integrates advanced TV and video capabilities, with features such as wireless connectivity, multi-screen apps, and support for Alexa voice control. SoundBox recognizes the vinyl record you are currently playing and provides additional content and services related to the album or artist. 

Napster recently integrated its music catalog and rich metadata for over 40 million titles in to the Voxtok environment, creating an enhanced experience and seamless integration of all Voxtok Music features. Service-content features are “cross-contextualized”, meaning that they are linked to other content if they share common ground, regardless of the source."

Source 2:

http://www.netgem.com/news/whats-new/press-releases/

To remember: "53 million smart speakers to ship in 2018 !!!"

Voxtok POWERED BY Napster (With support for Alexa voice control from Amazon)!

The first smart sound bar @ CES 2018 (Netgem / Amazon Alexa / Voxtok)

 SoundBox is the first smart sound bar,  Best of Music, Audio & TV!

"Voxtok Music enhances the listener's music experience with its openness to all music sources (such as streaming, files, radio, and podcasts), gathering related content that includes music videos, concert streaming and ticketing, and music listening to build an entirely new experience. 

SoundBox is a smart soundbar, a breakthrough product merging TV, video, and music services and content, including vinyl! Fully integrated with Voxtok Music, this compact multi-room device integrates advanced TV and video capabilities, with features such as wireless connectivity, multi-screen apps, and support for Alexa voice control. SoundBox recognizes the vinyl record you are currently playing and provides additional content and services related to the album or artist. 

Napster recently integrated its music catalog and rich metadata for over 40 million titles in to the Voxtok environment, creating an enhanced experience and seamless integration of all Voxtok Music features. Service-content features are “cross-contextualized”, meaning that they are linked to other content if they share common ground, regardless of the source."

Source:

http://www.netgem.com/news/whats-new/press-releases/

To remember: "53 million smart speakers to ship in 2018 !!!"