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YouView hands-on
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It’s been a long time coming, but YouView is here. The new set-top box, unveiled by Lord Sugar today, is like Freeview with the Internet built-in — but is it any good?
I tried it out today, and in my view, YouView is pretty sophisticated at looking simple. Hit play above for a front-row preview of the YouView experience.
The first YouView box is an Internet-connected PVR made by Humax, designed to put regular telly and online catch-up in one place. With one box, one remote control and one interface, you can watch live TV and catch up on episodes you’ve missed without having to go to different websites.
That means you can search and watch catch-up TV from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five, with STV and Sky’s Now TV soon to be added. BT and TalkTalk are the first broadband providers on board, and they’ll offer Internet and TV packages with a YouView box thrown in.
BT and TalkTalk are yet to reveal their prices, which will be crucial. The first box, unveiled today by finger-pointing peer Lord Sugar, costs £300 — a hefty chunk of change, to be sure. Cheaper boxes will follow, however.
The first box goes on sale sometime in July. In the meantime, check out our video and get excited about the integrated search function. Marvel as I record Homes Under the Hammer! Thrill as I search for EastEnders and get catch-up results and live TV in one go! Go positively through the roof as I go literally back in time! Then go and read our full YouView preview, with more specs and our first impressions in detail.
What’s your view of YouView? Does the price put you off? Tell me your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page.
