It's been a long time coming, but YouView is here. The new set-top box, unveiled by Lord Sugar today, is like Freeview with the Internet built-in -- but is it any good?
I tried it out today, and in my view, YouView is pretty sophisticated at looking simple. Hit play above for a front-row preview of the YouView experience.
The first YouView box is an Internet-connected PVR made by Humax, designed to put regular telly and online catch-up in one place. With one box, one remote control and one interface, you can watch live TV and catch up on episodes you've missed without having to go to different websites.
That means you can search and watch catch-up TV from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five, with STV and Sky's Now TV soon to be added. BT and TalkTalk are the first broadband providers on board, and they'll offer Internet and TV packages with a YouView box thrown in.
BT and TalkTalk are yet to reveal their prices, which will be crucial. The first box, unveiled today by finger-pointing peer Lord Sugar, costs £300 -- a hefty chunk of change, to be sure. Cheaper boxes will follow, however.
The first box goes on sale sometime in July. In the meantime, check out our video and get excited about the integrated search function. Marvel as I record Homes Under the Hammer! Thrill as I search for EastEnders and get catch-up results and live TV in one go! Go positively through the roof as I go literally back in time! Then go and read our full YouView preview, with more specs and our first impressions in detail.
What's your view of YouView? Does the price put you off? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
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Comments 11
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anonymous 4 July, 2012 17:37
Looks like a good alternative to Tivo (but without the learning capabilities).
Am I missing something or is there no mention of onboard storage?
Rich Trenholm 4 July, 2012 18:36
There is indeed 500GB of storage -- check out our preview for more specs
anonymous 4 July, 2012 21:42
What tv is used in the video?
anonymous 5 July, 2012 00:40
Only £40 more than the equivalent Humax non-Youview PVR, so it's a no-brainer if you need an HD PVR.
Richard Weaver 5 July, 2012 05:12
What a waste of time and money. YouView, You Who? the brand isn't going to be around for long at these prices and with BBC iplayer coming to Sky+HD very soon whats the point in paying so much for services we can get for free anyway with Vigin's Tivo, Sky's Anytime + and BT Vis, not to mentions just plugging a netbook or a smart phone into you TV will get you much more content than all the big TV service providers can, personally can't see this taking off
anonymous 5 July, 2012 07:48
Richard, but with Tivo you are paying for the VM package plus £5 per month for the privilege.
I was originally thinking of upgrading my XL V+ service to Tivo and having to fork out the extra £5 per month, but now I may ditch the TV package and phone line (only have phone to get the bundle price) all together and just keep the XL broadband and buy the Youview box.
I would like to know if there is any delay with buffering with the OD/streaming content on this box...
anonymous 5 July, 2012 08:50
Richard, i think youre missing the point of the YouView, it's supposed to roll all the services that a light user requires into one box, sure its a rip off price at the mo, but its bound to come down. Of course you get more content by plugging in a netbook, but the YouView isnt necessarily about masses of content, its more about convenience and ease of access. I guarantee you that flicking backwards in the TV guide is a lot simpler and easier than plugging in your netbook, opening a browser, finding the programme you want and then streaming it!
Rich Trenholm 5 July, 2012 09:15
Spot on, Anonymous. Richard is right about the prices but I think it's got a future, as you say, for light users
anonymous 6 July, 2012 12:33
Now if only there was something worth watching.
anonymous 25 July, 2012 17:04
Oh, Nooooooooo too late i'm afraid!
A tablet could do the same thing, plus soooooo many media players on the market such as Tvix, Dune, mede8er & iamms. The notion is a bit late - You tube has all.....
Would rather achieve my music with a NAS, streamer or even the new cocktail audio X10 - more useful. Good Luck
David Watssman 15 August, 2012 10:06
They are giving these away for free now on the TalkTalk Plus package. There is a £50 engineer charge which, frankly I don't see the point of since one of its selling points is how easy it is to set up!
Still, at £50 you get a 500GB DVR, HD twin tuner, easy access to VoD from all the leading content providers, a superb looking EPG which goes BACK 7 days, and even a years free subscription to Lovefilm instant.
That's pretty decent if you ask m