IP Vision to launch Freeview Plus, Sky Player

UK-based hybrid over-the-top service provider IP Vision has teamed up with IPTV technology company Netgem to launch what it describes as the UK’s first HD hybrid Freeview Plus set-top box at the IPTV World Forum.

IP Vision has also announced that BSkyB’s online TV service Sky Player on the FetchTV SmartBox.

IP Vision provides the Fetch TV hybrid digital-terrestrial/IP over-the-top service in the UK. The FetchTV SmartBox 8320HD will be shown on IP Vision’s stand at the show and features Netgem’s latest DVB-T2 hardware reference design. The unit benefits from a 320GB hard drive and access to Freeview HD broadcast channels.

The new SmartBox will be offered alongside the existing FetchTV 8000 box and supports all current FetchTV features.  These include standard and HD video-on-demand, upscaling of Freeview SD broadcasts, Wi-Fi connectivity, Freeview Plus functionality and access to streaming video, photos and music from connected devices through the FetchTV media centre.

IP Vision is using the IPTV World Forum to showcase Sky  Player. IP Vision struck a deal to carry Sky Player on its platform in October last year, and Sky is currently in the final stages of beta-testing the service on the FetchTV box. Sky Player on FetchTV will be released commercially within the next two months, – the first time that Sky’s pay-TV content has been made available via a Freeview internet-connected set-top.

Existing Sky TV customers will be able to access Sky Player as a bonus service based on their existing Sky subscriptions. Non-Sky subscribers will be able to sign up via a monthly subscription with a minimum contract of one month as well as renting single episodes without a contract.