New TV box coming?

[Weerab1983]

I read an article https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2020/11/bt-uk-hints-at-plan-to-launch-a-new-wifi-equipped-tv-box.ht... that a new BT TV box is in the works. An android based box with wifi. Does anyone know anything about this? Interesting development. Could it be a rival to the Sky Q box?

[NigelB72]

Probably. Humax have launched a new HDR/WiFi box with 4 tuners that runs on Android but it was launched with Freeview Play so it just needs adapting for the Youview platform and testing. 

[DarrenDev]

There's no mention of it being an Android device. The references to Android on that article are from other providers. The reference to Android on the slide refers to the new BT Sport app that was released on Android TV recently.

[Weerab1983]

There was a further update - According to our sources, the new TV kit seems likely to be supplied via Sagemcom and we think May 2021 is a likely date; this is when we believe BT will introduce HDR (their current Humax box would struggle to support that).

[jam2000]

It certainly will be good to see a new and updated box.

The new Humax one looks good and has some good specs.

[stereohaven]

The new BT TV box is going to need to be super special when it is launched and offer exceptional value as a service, otherwise why would you bother?

Unless it is absolutely critical to you that you can record the streamed channels (such as NOW TV or BT Sport), you need to watch AMC or you just love long contracts, the new Humax is a great example of why you really don't need BT TV:

• 3 Freeview HD tuners (record 4 channels while watching a 5th)
• Lots of customisation options such as adding, removing or moving apps on the home screen, favourites and editing channel lists plus recording padding (goodbye accurate recording issues)
• Universal search across live TV, recordings and apps
• Freeview Play with 14 day backwards/forwards EPG and all catch up players
• Google Play store so you can add the likes of Prime Video, NOW TV*, BT Sport, BritBox, Disney+, dplay, Eurosport Player, Premier Sports Player and YouTube (weirdly NetFlix isn't available at launch but I am sure will be added later) 
• The ability to sideload other apps 😉
• Humax AURA App for iOS and Android enables remote planning, recording and viewing on the go (including downloads on mobile devices)
• 4K HDR and Dolby Atmos support
• Wi-Fi
• Chromecast built in
• 1TB or 2TB of storage for all those recordings
• 2 year warranty and yours to keep or sell as you see fit
• No contracts - just pay for access to additional services as and when you want and use any ISP you like

*According to AV Forums, NOW TV can be installed but is not working on the first units out, mind you neither is BBC iPlayer (which isn't working on the new Xbox either yet for some reason), so I am sure it will be available once the early bugs are ironed out, same for NetFlix.

[4KTVFan]

I think the main problem with the BT box is that's it's late.

So my worry is that the new box will be outdated before it's launched.

This was a problem with Youview, that the SoC (System on a Chip) was almost 2 years out of date when they finally came out with a product.

We know that BT has had the new box in trails for 18 months???

So it's probably based on a SoC from 24 months ago.

I hope not.

@stereohaven  has complied a pretty good must have list in a previous post.

I think BT has invested too must in Youview to turn to Android TV, but the point of the post stands good, when you are late to the party, you need to be good.

My worry is that BT is aiming too low.

[DarrenDev]

@4KTVFan I wouldn't say we ever specifically aim low ... we just have history of missing our target.  😭

I'm limited on what I can say, but I can definitely assure you that the new box hasn't been in trials for 18 months.

[4KTVFan]

@DarrenDev 

My point is that the new box will be released after SKY Q and Virgin 360.

So it's got to be good! Not just better!

My personal concern is that my current contract with BT ends on 24th December!

Right now BT wants me to sign up to a 24 month contract, 2 years!

But I have no information of how BT TV will change or evolve over 2 years!

The fact that you offer a HDR sports channel that can't be received through your own BT Box is embarrassing.

My worry is this, when you are last to release, any short comings are amplified.

So checking my email, I've been a BT customer for 4 years, and I hope to continue with BT.

But, I have a real issue with BT right now, and that's the 24 month contract when BT feels so behind other TV services.

Right now, I have to decide to renew my contract in December, my issue is this...

BT don't seem to be rolling out fibre broadband in my area, and won't give me a 24 month projection as to when!

There is NO 4K HDR service, again BT want me to sign up to a 24 month contract without giving me any insight into how the service will evolve?

BT is becoming an expensive option, both SKY and Virgin are now offering better value products.

If I'm honest @DarrenDev I will probable leave BT in December, too little too late.

[stereohaven]

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@DarrenDevwrote:

@4KTVFan I wouldn't say we ever specifically aim low ... we just have history of missing our target.  😭

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Sounds exactly like the dev team at work, although you will have to go some to beat one of my favourite "improvements" to our SaaS platform that was announced in 2013 and is now slated to arrive next year... 🤣