BT Launches New "Energy-Efficient" Hybrid DTT/IP Set-Top Box for its BT Vision Service

UK incumbent telco, BT, has launched a new set-top box for its Microsoft Mediaroom-powered hybrid IP/DTT service, BT Vision. According to BT, the new Vision+ box--which connects to users' existing TV antennas in order to allow reception of linear TV from the UK's free-to-air digital terrestrial service, Freeview, and connects to BT broadband lines via BT's Home Hub wireless router, in order to provide access to on-demand and interactive content and services--comes in glossy black, so as to match the Home Hub router; reduces power consumption by over 12% when in use and meets new, more demanding energy regulations from the EU; includes a remote control--also in glossy black--that features enlarged characters to improve legibility in lower lighting conditions and to make it more usable by the visually impaired; and incorporates a 160GB hard drive, allowing viewers to store up to 80 hours of programming.

BT says that through January 15th it will offer the new Vision+ box for free to customers who buy BT Vision online with any of the service's "value pack" subscription bundles. "We are always looking at ways in which we can improve BT Vision," BT Vision CEO, Marc Watson, said in a prepared statement. "The new BT Vision+ box is not only better looking, it also consumes less energy, something that we know is extremely important to our customers."