YouView first look – is this the future of UK TV? [Video]
We’ve since put YouView to the test in our rigorous lab tests and you can read how it performed in our YouView review, but if you want to see our first impressions of the service, watch the video below.
What is the YouView set-top box?
YouView is a new TV on-demand service from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, BT and Talk Talk. It combines Freeview with an innovative new interface that integrates catch-up TV from all the major broadcasters into one seamless package.
Made by Humax, this set-top box is the first version of the service and it comes with two tuners and a 500GB hard drive so you can record live TV as well.. Retailing at £299, the box will also be available through package deals with BT and Talk Talk in the future.
Read our YouView review to see how it performs.
What makes a Best Buy PVR?
This is just our first impressions of the YouView box based on a short amount of hands-on time with the product. Before Which? can recommend any product we have to put it through our rigorous test program. For more information read our how we test PVRs page or watch the video below.
- YouView review – find out how it performed in our labs
- PVR reviews – see which models perform the best
- How we test PVRs- see what it takes to become a Best Buy
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Bill
I hear that it takes an age to start up?
Tim Gee
The demo units we saw were already turned on so I don’t know how long it would take from a standing start, but once it’s running it seems pretty fast.
Rory Boland
I’m not sure I can see past the lack of wifi – especially given the £300 price tag. Considering the constant delays I’m surprised this hasn’t been added.
Jonathan Richardson
I agree, it looks good but the price is not right – you can take out a Virgin subscription for about £100 a year on their basic package and still get catchup and downloadable content. Not sure how this adds anything.
The Apple TV is about £100, or you could just buy a basic computer and plug it into your TV for less than £300 and get wi-fi, YouTube and other downloadable stuff.
Now for £50 then I’d be interested…
Patrick Steen
Although there’s no wi-fi on my Sky box, no wi-fi on what is meant to be the next generation of boxes (or carcasses as Alan Sugar says) is a deal breaker for me. I would have to run a line throughout the house to get it to connect to my wi-fi. Think I’ll stick with my PS3.
Andy Vandervell
Deary me, you lot are bunch of penny pinching complainers. I’m sorry, but comparing Virgin to this is not reasonable. Accessing the catch-up services on my V+ HD box at home is such a chore I never bother. The whole point of this is the seamless integration, which can’t be matched by any other service. Give it time and I’m certain this will be a hit.
UncleTomCobbly
Does it provide FreeviewHD or just standard definition content?
UncleTomCobbly
Just checked Humax’s website: “YouView supports full HD. On demand and catch up programmes are also available in HD, and if you record something in HD, you can watch it back in HD.”
Given that I don’t have cable or Sky, this is something I’d definitely be interested in, especially as my current (non-HD) Humax PVR is so easy to use.
Tim Gee
It features HD content, both through freeview and through on-line services (as long as your broadband connection is able to support it).
Andy
Lack of wi-fi is the deal breaker who wants to trail wires thru the house. Also it would need HD. Without these its a no-no.
Tonybeau
You should try using the various Homeplug devices. Plug one end into a mains socket and attach to your router and the other into a mains socket near your box and connect up. Thats how I use Iplayer etc with my Humax HD freesat box.
Ben
Tonybeau, my Homeplug circuit only works on one floor of the house due to the RCD’s we have on the mains supply. I gather that this is a pretty standard, not-very-well-known limitation of Homeplug. A problem if your router is on one floor and your device on another.
RPB
I can see wi-fi being an issue for some, but wi-fi is often oversold for services like video, as it frequently fails to provide anything like the headline bandwidths. I currently use homeplug, and in fact even plan to go the the hassle of installing proper cabling as wi-fi is just too inconsistent in our current house for video.
Tonybeau
That is strange because we have RCD’s as well and the TV is downstairs and the computer is upstairs. Just thinking about it though, all the mains sockets, upstairs and downstairs are on the same circuit so if yours are separate there might be a problem.
Malcolm Kenward
I agree with previous comments; HD and wi-fi are a must. Perhaps a wi-fi dongle? I don’t know much about other manufacturer wi-fi dongles, but could one be used with this device?
Tim Gee
You will be able to use a wi-fi dongle with it, but you will have to pay for the dongle on top of the £300 for the box.
Andy Vandervell
As per comments above, HD is present, but lack of wi-fi is a downer. Potential solution would be a wireless bridge that plugs into the Ethernet socket, or a homeplug type thing. Either way it’s an extra cost, though I’m fortunate enough that my router is next to my TV.
Martin Holloway
Wifi is not an option because of the speed drop associated with it compared to a wired Ethernet. You need 10meg for spangly HD, and not enough connections offer that level yet. Perhaps when fibre optic broadband is more widely available then the speed drop will be acceptable. Youview 2 in a few years time
Colin Neal
The disappointment for me is when this was first muted it was to include Freesat. I understand that may come later, but I suspect the new G2 spec PVR’s will have appeared by then which will do most of what YouView does. Pity it’s taken so long to come. Pity Freesat is so down played.
Andy Vandervell
I don’t honestly recall Freesat being in the equation, but it’s perfectly possible. Probably up to a PVR manufacturer to make the effort. Humax makes both, so can’t see why not. I’ve always thought the standard EPG on Freesat was a bit naff, so YouView would be an improvement.
Ben
I’m thinking: Oh no, not another format/system! It makes Betamax v VHS wars of the 1980′s seem trivial :-) I’m sticking to my Series 1 Tivo and Freeview, still unbeatable after all these years (and even better now its effectively free).
Andy Vandervell
It’s not really the same equation, but if you’ve got something that works for you then there’s no need to change. Once a few more apps area added, particularly Netlfix, LoveFilm and Blinkbox etc., then it might get more interesting.
cathoderay
Will this device avoid drop-outs ie the dreaded spinning wheel when watching catch-up videos. I have the old fashioned copper wire feed on my telephone/internet line from BT. Will I need to upgrade to ‘Infinity’ which uses fibre optic?
Mike
Sounds like a good combinaton of services and platforms. Will the EPG’s be common to all box makers? i.e. reduced learning curves! Addition of a Freesat tuner would make a sensible addition, although the price would (probably) go up!
The Humax box comes with a HDD for recording programmes. Can this be used to record from catch-up TV as well as off-air?
If not, will this be provided at a later date?
Jon E
I know that £300 seems like a lot of money but given that the standard 500GB Humax HD Box, the HDR Fox T2, is already £250 in High Street retailers (and gets a good score in Which? reviews) it’s not so difficult to convince myself that I’m *only* paying an extra £50 for the YouView features.
I’m now glad I held off buying that Fox T2 when our house went HD and may well fork out for this box now.
Jaybee
Surely streaming programs via the web could soon add to monthly costs if you have a small cap such as 10Gb?
Andy Vandervell
You’re quite right. Low broadband caps do pose a problem with something like this.
Mags
Can anyone explain why this box needs to be connected to the internet.
Butercup
It needs to be connected to the internet so you are able to watch the catch up content.
MacMan
Something that adds iPlayer to your TV is good. Having to watch adverts is not. Why is the world obsessed with the idea that I want to spend my time watching adverts on my TV, on iPhone Apps, on my webpages etc? Life is too short! Now if somebody can invent a device that removes adverts from TV programmes, wipes them off iPhone apps, and blanks them on webpages (thank you AdBlock!), then I’d happily pay well over the odds for it….. Same with those annoying channel indicators on digital TV obscuring the picture – do we really need them?
johnbsenior
typical luck, just got humax fox T2, but upside is it is terrific, so good luck all of you
Julian
I got a Humax YouView yesterday and wish I hadn’t, biggest waste of £200 I’ve ever spent. Should have bought the Fox T2 recorder direct from Humax for £190 but thought I was future proofing myself. Spoke to Humax before buying and was told it had all the features of the T2 plus more. Spoke to Humax after buying, about how bad the device is – and they say YouView is responsible for the firmware.
Ben Stevens
I think I want a YouView box, but I’m not sure. Smart TVs haven’t yet mastered on-demand integration, and the YouView box looks like it has. I’ve fallen into the habit of watching broadcast TV in the living room and then catch up on my iPad in bed, so perhaps the £300 is better off in my pocket.
I find it quite scandalous that a ‘state-of-the-art’ £300 box doesn’t come with wi-fi. How much is a dongle? £50? It’s very disappointing.
VisionMan
It doesn’t come with WiFi because much of the on demand content will be in HD and WiFi is notoriously unreliable in regard such high bitrates (drop-offs, crappy picture etc).
Humax offer the option of buying two PLA’s with the box for only an extra £20.
Avocet
What’s a PVA ??