Hi Pete,
Sounds interesting indeed.
I bet it doesn't have Google Play movies And TV? A lot don't, but
fortunately, my Samsung TV does, and it's accessible.
Although the TV isn't voice enabled by default, you can buy a smart remote
and then it is, but not with Alexa, with Samsung's own voice control.
So this is not new, but I love the sound of all the connectivity options.
Oh and does it have Chromecast built in? That's what I want to see in
modern smart speakers, but it hasn't happened yet with many.
All the best
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of pete
gurney
Sent: 04 September 2018 20:03
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [access-uk] netgem soundbox
hi all,
i stumbled across something today and wonder if any of our group has one of
these and if so what do they think of it.
it's the netgem soundbox.
this is a combination of a soundbar and a digital tv tuner with HDMI output,
bluetooth, wi-fi and USB for connecting to a computer for sound output.
and once set up it is controlable by Alexa.
so although you need to connect it to a screen for the initial setup once
done it is literally a tv sound receiver that is voice controlled with 30
watt speakers built in.
it has pause and resume buffering for up to an hour of a tv program, but the
thing i like most is that you can play on demand tv just by telling Alexa
what you want to listen to or watch.
they say it has all the catch up services covered including bbc, itv, all 4
and 5 plus others including prime video and i spoke to netgem this afternoon
and it will have netflicks by christmas.
it also has prime music, live radio and other music services and i found a
demonstration of it on youtube which was done independantly from netgem and
it was pretty impressive.
the volume and sound quality was much better than you would get from most
flat screen tv's and it has clear voice built in to enhance the spoken
dialog.
i almost forgot to say it has audio description on board.
and the demos of voice control worked quickly and accurately.
they said things like:
Alexa tell soundbox to turn to bbc1
Alexa tell soundbox to play bbc radio 2
Alexa tell soundbox to play grand tours on prime video and they all worked
instantly.
apparently you can even just name the program you want to watch so for
example when East Enders was about to start they said:
Alexa tell soundbox to turn to East Enders and it would turn to bbc1.
i didn't find a demo of it but it is supposed to work this way to play
something on catch up.
it doesn't have recording capability at the moment but there is a record
button on the remote control so i presume it's a feature they plan on adding
in a firmware update and would probably be made possible by plugging in
either a thumb drive or hard drive into the USB port.
it's not that big either measuring 45 x 13 x 6 cm.
the only place to get it is at amazon and if you already have or don't want
amazon prime you can buy it for £179 or it's available for £249 which
includes a one year subscription to amazon prime.
pete.
** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe]
** If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
** and in the Subject line type
** unsubscribe
** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the
** immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq]
** or send a message, to
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
** To leave the list, click on the immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe]
** If this link doesn't work then send a message to:
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
** and in the Subject line type
** unsubscribe
** For other list commands such as vacation mode, click on the
** immediately-following link:-
** [mailto:access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx?subject=faq]
** or send a message, to
** access-uk-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the Subject:- faq
