iiNet announces FetchTV internet TV service

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CNET Editor

Ty is a journalist with 15 years experience in writing for IT and entertainment publications. He is in charge of the home theatre category for CNET Australia and is also a PC enthusiast. He likes indie music and plays several instruments. Twitter: @tpendlebury

Internet service provider iiNet has announced the availability of the new FetchTV 2 set-top box, which incorporates both free-to-air recording and video-on-demand services.

fetchtv iinet iptv stb

The FetchTV 2 features movies on demand and up to 15 internet channels. (Credit: Ty Pendlebury/CNET Australia)

The set-top box is currently available to iiNet customers who use the BoB service, but Internode has also announced plans to release the set-top box as well.

iiNet customers have the choice of buying the box for AU$399 outright and paying AU$19.95 a month, or renting for AU$29.95 a month with a AU$100 set-up fee. Customers will need to sign up for a 24-month plan.

The set comes with both "linear" channels such as National Geographic, Animal Planet and MTV, and on-demand channels from Warner TV (Big Bang Theory and Chuck) and kids channel Gekko TV (The Wiggles).

The FetchTV 2 includes one of the largest drives in the current crop of recorders — 1 terabyte — and has three tuners enabling users to record two different channels while watching a third. FetchTV also enables movie downloads via the Movie Box service, with 30 downloads a month included in the subscription fee.

iiNet's chief technology officer Greg Bader said the box isn't currently able to operate without an internet connection, though this may change over the life of the product.

CNET Australia attended a demo of the product in the FetchTV offices in North Sydney and it appeared quick to order a movie — about 30 seconds — and have it begin playing.

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timurilenk posted a comment   

why can't I get fetchtv through my lg digital TV?

 

Pengu posted a comment   

Good product, unfortunately just too expensive. By the time you add the cost of BOB and the PLC (if you don't have an ethernet connection at your tv)you're looking at potentially an additional $359 upfront before you even pay for Fetch TV

 

Robert posted a comment   

Lets be honest, FetchTVrubbish for many people if it doesn't get decent sport coverage. Hell, it doesnt even get discovery. After all the build up and delay, I am left one unhappy iiNet customer.

 

geolight posted a comment   

it would be a good service from iinet if they didn't actually ask you to get a BoB for another $300! as if I would want to throw away from ADSL2+ modem to use theirs just so that I have the privileges of using Fetch! heck if this is the only way then the technology is obviously not mature enough. If internode does not try to force people to buy their modem to get the service I might as well just dump iiNet and move over to them...

 

C posted a comment   

Finally a decent internet-based VOD service in Australia! Good on you internode and iinet




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