Telstra’s attempt to take over the loungeroom will take its next big step forward tomorrow with the official launch of the T-Box, their IPTV-enabled PVR.
The T-Box will set potential buyers back just $299, which is really decent for a twin HD tuner, 320GB PVR with integrated IPTV content. That integrated IPTV content will include over 1400 SD movies from a variety of studios, plus seven channels of news, sport and entertainment plus video on demand, incorporating thousands of hours worth of content, including NRL and AFL matches and 24/7 news. You can also access YouTube, directly from the device, so you should never run out of entertainment.
The BigPond TV content is all unmetered for BigPond Internet customers, although strangely YouTube content still is. At launch, there won’t be any HD IPTV content available, but Telstra have promised that it’s definitely part of their roadmap, and we’ll be seeing it in the future. The box, meanwhile, is capable of upscaling SD content to look decent enough on your HD screen.
Here’s a rundown of the technical specifications:
Length: 210 mm
Width: 205 mm
Height: 58 mm
Weight: 780gDual HD DVB-T tuners
Video Output:
HDMI port (HDCP compatible)
Mini Din to Composite and ComponentAudio Output:
1 SPDIF optical connector
1 RCA Audio connector (Left + Right)Broadband Connection:
Wi-Fi: 802.11g/n
Wired: 10/100 Base T Ethernet port (RJ45)320GB Personal Video Recorder – T-Box has a 320GB hard drive for storage for free-to-air recording and Movie downloads. This equates to roughly 30 hours of HD FTA recording or 100 hours of SD FTA recording.
Remote Control: RF
Digital Media File Formats
Supports real time steaming of BigPond® TV
Supports BigPond® Movies video-on-demand via progressive download
Resolution: Up to 1920×1080 with up and down scaling provides optimal screen presentationKit Contents
Telstra T-Box digital set top box
T-Box remote control (including battery)
Power supply
TV aerial cable (2m) and adaptor
HDMI video cable (1.25m)
Min DIN to composite/component cable (1.25m)
Ethernet network cable (3m)
Getting Started Guide
User Guide
Telstra have announced that they will be rejigging their data allowances on their bundle plans tomorrow. Depending on how much they actually add to the data allowance, this could actually be a pretty enticing offer. It’s certainly a well specced machine for the price, which should make it pretty attractive to the millions of homes using BigPond for their internet connection already.
[Telstra]