NEW NetBox 4K: Freeview Play smart TV box + Streaming in Ultra HD + USB recording = all in one place

Product Information

if you're looking for an affordable streaming service that doesn't skimp on quality or variety, look no further than Netgem TV. Another new feature of the Netbox 4K is that it supports Dolby Atmos sound, which means you can recreate the cinematic experience at home (as long as you have compatible Dolby Atmos speakers or a soundbar).

Freeview Play adds a streaming component, with catch-up apps from some of the leading broadcasters (like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, etc’). One thing Netgem excels in is its setup process, which takes you quietly and efficiently through connecting to a wired or wireless network and entering a PIN code for parental controls. More than 100 Freeview channels are available to watch through the box, plus catch-up content through BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, My5 and UKTV Play. After a couple of days I got used to the Netbox 4K’s idiosyncrasies, and using the smartphone app can help because, while it still goes heavy on recommendations, it’s easier to get to the regular TV guide. It offers access to the Freeview channels available in the United Kingdom as well as online services, with the notable exception of Netflix.

TALKTALK GOOD VALUE BROADBAND BUT THE TV SERVICE THAT WAS EXCELLENT IS POOR, THEY HAVE GIVEN UP ON YOUVIEW IN FAVOUR OF A BASIC SET-TOP BOX THAT IN MANY CASES IS WORSE THAN A SMART TV SERVICE. The range of channels includes one that shows back-to-back episodes of Survivor – the iconic US TV series, which has been absent from UK TV for years – and is also available on Samsung’s TV player.

However, it did occasionally lag, especially when pausing live TV; on one occasion, the Netbox 4K stopped working for five minutes in total, which was pretty frustrating – this could particularly be an issue if you want to pause a show at a crucial moment.

For Freeview Play, you also need to connect your compatible box to the internet (See my full Freeview Play guide). The new app-powered TV service will be available on mobile devices bundled with the UK’s first Freeview and 4K media streamer, the NetBox 4K. It's something different and it won't be for everyone, but it's worth checking out for many people who want a TV service but don't want to go the full Sky or Virgin Media route.

There’s not much to it, otherwise, with just a logo on the top and a slim LED indicator bar at the front, which glows blue when the box is on and red when it’s in standby.Around back then, a USB port for the USB pen that you’ll be using to record shows, a HDMI port for the output, an Ethernet port, aerial port and power lead. I use 8-way antisurge electric socket units with the separate on and off switches to connect such set top boxes without a live connection that could damage their power units. Budget UK broadband ISP TalkTalk has today officially signed a contract with pay TV solutions provider Netgem, which will see the provider launch a new “ TV 4K” product for their 4. You can set reminders and cast programmes to your TV straight from the app, which also means you can spend less time using the remote.

In recent years, however, Netgem has been focusing on signing contracts with broadband providers, becoming their “TV Offer”. The first problem is that the 4K remote switches the TV on but not off, so TV remains on, with a blank screen which on first glance looks as if it’s off.It's not to everyone's liking, but it should record while you are using an app as one is over the air transmission, the other internet, so there should be no conflict.