A summary of NetGem Freeview boxes, including the i-Player Interactive Freeview Digital TV Receiver
What is a NetGem Freeview box
NetGem is a France-based manufacturer of digital set-top boxes.
The NetGem iPlayer Freeview set-top box was launched in the UK in November 2002, and has proved to be one of the best value and most flexible boxes around. It provided Internet access from a connected TV set, bringing Internet into the front room.
In 2004, a re-badged version from BT became available in 2004 (adding caller display, and a card slot for subscription services).
Between 2006 and 2008, versions of the NetGem iPlayer appeared, containing hard discs and support for high definition TV.
The NetGem range of set-top boxes
The following table contains details of the digital TV set top boxes from French manufacturer NetGem.
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NetGem I-Player+
Features: Internet and email access from your TV via built-in 56k modem, built-in games and optional QWERTY keyboard. Availability: Discontinued. Last seen at BT More details on our iPlayer page |
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NetGem 7680 / Fetch TV Smartbox
Fetch TV launched towards the end of 2008. The service combines Freeview, a 40 hour hard disc recorder, and video content on demand over broadband. The Fetch TV Smartbox is made by NetGem. Box specs: 80Gig hard disk, 8 day EPG, Freeview receiver, hard-disk recorder, pause/rewind live TV, USB connector Internet browser. Availability: Available Now! More on our Fetch TV page. |
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tvMax iPlayer 6640
Broadband webhosting firm Namesco launched tvMax in April 2006. They were offering a NetGem box that’s capable of receiving the 50 Freeview TV and radio channels, has an 8-day EPG, and has a built-in PVR disk recorder (up to 30 hours on the built-in 30gig hard disk). Availability: Discontinued. The 6640 was available for £199 from Webstore at Simply.com, but it’s no longer available. For more details, see our TvMax page. |
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Evesham iPlayer HDTV PVR
Released in November 2006, the Evesham iPlayer 80GB HD Media Centre is a revamped, powerful iPlayer that receives Freeview, has a hard-disk recorder, and gets TV content over the ‘net. Here’s the summary:
Availability: Discontinued. As of July 2007, no longer available. Last seen for £240 from Misco.co.uk. |
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NetGem I-Player Mini
As far as we know, this box isn’t available in the UK, but here’s what we’ve discovered:
Availability: Not released in UK |
Sorry – No pic |
NetGem NetBox HD
NetGem announced a new product believed to be called the NetBox HD, at the IPTV World Forum in London at the start of March 2006. Here’s what was public knowledge: Box spec: High-definition MPEG4-compliant ADSL (Broadband) / DTT (digital terrestrial) terminal. Availability: Not released in UK. The product was apparently due to become available between April-June 2006 – As far as we know, it didn’t materialise.
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More on NetGem
NetGem is a French company. Below are the UK phone numbers we have for NetGem:
- NetGem UK helpline: 0870 366 7055
- NetGem UK Sales line: 0800 015 3092
- NetGem Technical Enquiries: 0870 366 7030
iPlayer Review
We reviewed the NetGem iPlayer in 2004. This can be found on our NetGem iPlayer page.
Frequently asked questions
The NetGem iPlayer FAQ has been moved: See the NetGem iPlayer FAQ
Links:
- NetGem’s iPlayer – Loads of information plus our review of the iPlayer
- Fetch TV – Internet TV service that launched in 2008
- Freeview help – Our page of frequently-asked questions on
using Freeview - NetGem iPlayer forum – Talk about the iPlayer in
our dedicated forum - Freeview details – Information on Freeview channels and receivers
- Connected iPlayer – Help getting online with your NetGem iPlayer
- BBC iPlayer – A different kind of iPlayer… this is the BBC on-demand service
Dear radioandtelly,
You should update this summary of NetGem Freeview boxes, with the most recent one sold on “EE TV” from december 2014, serie N8500 ! (http://www.netbox.fr/#N8500)
THE TECHY STUFF:
. 4 HD (high definition) tuners – DVB (digital video b.) – T2
. 1 terabyte hard drive
. Dual-band WiFi (2.4/5 gigahertz)
. 1 gigabit per second ethernet
. Latest Broadcom processor (3000 DMIPS)
. Full home broadband TV support
The NetGem range of set-top boxes, sold in UK, need another update, on 2018 year!
See the new “smart set-top box” that integrates a “Hi-Fi Sound Bar” and combines Amazon Alexa functions (voice controls).
Sold in UK (from may 2018) at :
amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BYJYNM9
Details:
netgem.co.uk
Also sold in UK territory by Jersey Telecom (from 2018):
https://shop.jtglobal.com/product/accessories/speakers-headphones/netgem-smart-soundbox/