Nifty TV set-top box is a game changer
Shirk off annual contracts with Sky’s titchy but nifty set-top gadget
Television is changing. There’s more to watch on terrestrial and cable, while online services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime have found niche markets with their own programmes.
Now TV is a service from Sky that’s joined this line-up. It’s an entertainment, cinema and sports provider that’s available online. There’s also a Now TV set-top box that uses your home broadband. Apps and players are fine but this box is the most user-friendly way to bring Now TV into the living room, for all the family to watch.
Unpacking this entertainment gadget reveals the box to be compact at three-anda-half inches square. As well as the Now TV box itself, the package contains a remote with batteries, a mains power adaptor and a HDMI cable. The box has a USB port and MicroSD card slot that can be used as the service adds new features. There’s an Ethernet socket for plugging into your home broadband router – my preferred option as wired internet connections provide a more consistent connection than using a gadget’s built-in Wi-Fi, particularly if you have a house full of connected smartphones. Once I’d connected the HDMI cable to my TV and powered up the box, the screen prompted me to connect to my broadband network. I then used the remote control to enter my Now TV account details that I’d created earlier on my laptop.
The onscreen interface is attractive and easy to navigate. There’s an apps section that gives you access to the likes of YouTube RedBullTV and TuneIn Radio. The settings section allows you to choose the resolution, with 1080 highdefinition available. Using my account, I can watch on up to four screens – two at the same time. It’s a bit like a pay-as-you-go mobile phone – you can buy passes for cinema and entertainment for €15 each per month. A daily sports pass costs €10, while a weekly one costs €15 and the monthly pass will set you back €50. There’s also 11 live television channels, including Sky Atlantic and Gold, if you have the entertainment pass.
Now TV is likely to appeal to those wanting to shirk off annual contracts, such as students or those sharing houses. But the box is also ideal for second or holiday homes, given the à la carte nature of the viewing passes. Overall, the box works really well. I’m not keen on the remote control – a dual-sided version with a keyboard would be better. That said, for a device that’s priced as it is, it’s well made and lightning quick. The audio and picture quality are excellent. It won’t replace a Sky or Netflix subscription but it’s a smart way of complementing them.