h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Here we go http://www.bbc.co.uk/digital/howtoget.shtml it's the link for checking if there is a Freeview coverage in people's areas...

There might be better solutions than the NetGem box though.. But the mention of internet kind of caught my eye...

Worth investigating further methinks...



loup

so is it a net gem box in particular that you need

The one being sold in the BT shops yep...


I might be able to post the link to that website as well as they're mainly _reviewing_ Freeview STBs...
If someone can have a look and see if there are better/cheaper solutions that would be great...
As I said, I picked this one at the time because of the mention of internet access but there might be others...

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There is another NetGem machine I had a quick look at just now...
It's called the NetGem i-Player... and is described as "an interactive set-top box than can receive free-to-view digital TV and radio, as well as access the Internet"...

I will have another look as soon as possible...

The good news is: yes, it is possible to surf the net with Freeview after all...

Back soon...

loup

It's getting better by the minute...

I pray that I haven't got it wrong, but it seems that with the NetGem i-Player there is no need for a phone line...

Here is what they say:

"Access to Freeview TV, radio and interactive services
Internet and email access from your TV via a built-in 56k modem
Blah blah blah
Timers for use with your video recorder
Blah blah blah
Two SCART sockets and a digital audio output
Plays MP3 audio files
Blah blah blah
USB cable for external storage, webcam, printer, broadband or wi-fi
Optional QWERTY keyboard available.
Software upgradeable over the Internet, when new features become available"

, that means that people will have to buy the keyboard on top of course, but still...

Trying to find the price for this one...

Back soon [again]...

loup

ive been checking the local hock shop and 2nd hand boxes are around £40 but i di dunnae ken if th that includes the ones you mentioned

If they have the NetGem i.Player [the one accessing the net through the TV with no phone line required], then that would be great as it goes up to £130 brand new...

As brand new machines go, the NetGem sold in the BT stores seems to be the cheapest... [Especially if they still throw the free deal they mentioned in the review]

But, at the same time the other one [Netgem i.Player] doesn't require a phone line, so there is no rental fee to pay on top...
Which in essence makes "free Internet access through a STB" a reality...
After having forked out the possible £130 to buy it first that is...

Anyway, here is the link to the website if anyone wants to get more details or find more info [and tell us what they think about it as well]...http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/freeview_netgem.html

Talk soon...

loup

I am using Telewest Telephone and wonder if I get a freeview box would I still be able to use the telewest £13 a month dial up service.

Sadly in Thurrock freeview boxes start from £100-£130.

Kat

i wouldnt bother getting a bush digi box as you have to log off to see if you if you got any replies

Crazyhorse...

I must admit I haven't really looked into the Bush TV one...

I suppose I was more interested by the Freeview thingy because of the BBC connection [no pun intended]...

Kat...

If you want to keep Telewest services then I would think that the NetGem i.Player would be the one to get as it seems to access the net without the need of a phone line [if I got that one right]...

So that way you still can use TW for the "normal"/usual things you want to do and you will get FREE Internet access through your TV as well through the Freeview box when you feel like surfing the net from the comfort of your sofa...

Obviously, the more feedback regarding those solutions the better...
So if anyone can find out more stuff/info/etc and tell us about it that would be great...

I really would like us to go "public" on that as soon as possible but, at the same time it is important that as many options as possible have been looked into [as in: the cheapest/best ones]...

It's certainly better news that the ones we had several weeks ago as that means that our friends who can't [for many reasons] use/have a PC could be able to come back online that way...

Talk soon...

loup

Thank you Loup for your very kind and helpful information and advice.


Kat

kat check out cash generater shoppes or other pawn sh shops you might get a deal 2nd hand

Loup, i've been having a look at the Gem i-players but I can't find anything about not having an ISP... but I did see that BT are doing one for 1/2 price for a limited time complete with keyboard... approx £65 with all the same features and the keyboard looks just like the telewest one..

If you've managed to find any of the ISP free ones will you post in here please..

S

lot's of good news

Ooooops... about the delay in replying...

There are a few free ISPs listed here F19585?thread=389443

I hope that will help...

Talk soon...

loup