That's a lot of methods and boxes, and YouView is here to untangle them. You might already watch BBC iPlayer on your computer, have a PVR under the TV, and/or a Freeview box to deliver more than the basic channels to your telly. It's everything in one place everything in its right place in many respects.
Roll that all into one, stuff it in a little black box with a 500GB hard drive, dress it up with an easy to use EPG (electronic programme guide) and, da-naa, you've got YouView.
We genuinely like aspects of it - the all-in-one interface is great for both TV and catch-up, for example - but it doesn't yet offer next-level features such as the ability to watch shows on the go via an app, nor the ability to import or export content via its two USB slots.Īt its core YouView is a souped-up Freeview HD box meets PVR (personal video recorder) meets online catch-up services. Therefore our feelings of TalkTalk's YouView package are also conflicted. If you're already a TalkTalk broadband customer then those luxuries for a few quid a month is a no-brainer, assuming you're prepared to take the plunge into another 18-month contract.īut we're a little conflicted as there are so many other good choices out there too: Freeview HD, freesat, even smart TVs with built-in catch-up interfaces these days. If you currently have a no-frills HD TV with no add-ons then the addition of Freeview channels, plus the major four in HD - which you may currently lack - is also a significant boost. Recording shows and series record is TV's holy grail, while the ability to plan a whole week ahead or even skip back to most shows by a full seven days is a luxury. Pocket-lint has been living with TalkTalk's YouView service for a few weeks, so read on to see what we make of it.īut a sort of brilliant failure - there goes the oxymoron ticker again - as what YouView can do is great. It's even possible to pause live TV on the current channel and rewind it.īut with YouView billed as a "subscription free" service by its makers - with no less than celebrity-meets-businessman (or is the other way round?) Lord Sugar at the helm - does it make sense to invest in, er, a YouView "subscription" via TalkTalk? There's a lot to consider, in particular as there are so many other competitive TV services out there at varying price points. This can be scheduled up to a week in advance and a total of around 200 hours of footage can be recorded. TalkTalk's YouView service - as offered through its Plus TV package - includes the Huawei version of the YouView box, which delivers a 500GB hard drive capable of recording up to two TV programmes simultaneously. It is also available to buy from major retailers and independent electrical stores as a standalone set-top box (with no subscription).(Pocket-lint) - YouView - for those unfamiliar - is a TV service that wraps up digital Freeview channels with online catchup services such as BBC iPlayer and plenty more. YouView is offered as part of broadband bundles from TalkTalk and BT. YouView offers access to catch-up content from BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand 5 via its scroll back EPG as well as a library of on demand television programmes, films and radio, bringing record, pause and rewind TV functionality. Seamless access to content is at the heart of the YouView proposition and we are delighted to announce that internet channels are set to launch this summer as well as the extension of our app strategy to the Android platform.” "We’re already the fastest growing TV service in the UK and now we can see that translating into viewing. Richard Halton, CEO YouView said, “We’ve had a great start and we’re delighted to have received such a positive response from consumers. YouView suggested a wifi box would go on sale eventually.Ī wired ethernet connection is preferred (by us, too) for a more robust internet connection, says YouView. There was still no confirmation of a wifi YouView box either, though a wifi dongle is set to become available (you can already use wifi adapters). There were no new VOD apps announced, despite growing rumours around the likes of Netflix, but we were told to expect more announcements along these lines in the coming weeks. The YouView Android app is due out in a couple of weeks. The iOS app, and soon the Android app, have also added new accessiblity features, such as voice-control, in an effort to make it as easy to use as possible for all users. YouView also finally launched an Android version of its YouView app, bringing the same functionality - EPG, remote record - of the iOS app to Android users.