The first Technika SmartBox Freeview+ HD PVR promises to deliver Sky TV content, without the need for a Sky box.
Available at Tesco Extra and from the Tesco Direct website, the devices offers high-def programming from BBC HD, ITV1 HD, Channel Four HD and S4C in Wales. The 320GB hard drive also offers up to 2,000 hours of on-demand programmes from IP Vision’s Fetch TV service (you’ll need a broadband connection for this).
It’s compatible with the BBC iPlayer and there’s the option to subscribe to Sky Player for paid-for content like Sky Movies and Sky Sports. Live Sky channels can also be accessed with a subscription (minimum 30 days) – the first time this has been available via a Freeview+ HD set-top box according to IP Vision.
The SmartBox offers even more versatility since it can act as a media centre to deliver music, movies and pics from a networked computer or NAS drive to your TV.
Matt Finch, Tesco’s senior commercial manager, said: “We are offering customers a fantastic range of deals on entertainment systems ahead of the World Cup. The launch of the first Technika Freeview+ HD SmartBox at only £200 shows we are able to offer our customers the latest and best in technology at affordable prices.”