Ive spent a couple of days with the new Now TV Combo Smart Box, and thought id leade my review/thoughts for anyone taking a look and considering at getting one for themselves.
Initial impressions:
The box is small/slim and apart from the blue lettering on it, is a discreet little box.
The Good: It was easy to set up, from the wires in the back to the internet connection, and connecting it to my Now TV account.
The Bad: Just about everything else.
The interface is 'kinda pretty', but far from useful, and the remote.... well, almost cringe worthy.
I never knew just how much I'd miss being able to bring up a full TV guide to scroll through not just now and next, but also to plan my viewing later in the day.
Then theres the added annoyance of losing numbered keys.
Suddenly, everything is now 10 taps on the remote using the directional buttons, instead of just a few for a channel number change. This could easily be solved with an app for the smart phone, but no... no such luck.
Im not sure if crashes galore are part of the charm Now TV intend for us to enjoy, but sit back and relax because theres plenty of them, usually when waking the box up from its power nap. You'll soon get used to the prominant cricket ball logo glaring you in the face.
I think the overal story for this box at the moment is "The box that could be".
Theres an SD card slot that one day could be useable.
Theres the freeview channels that one day could be more viewable (with the right remote / app).
Theres the remote that could be more suitable.
Theres the app that doesnt exist, but is doable (and needs to... quickly!).
Theres the software that could be more reliable (and glitch free).
Only 2 days in and im already weighing up my other options.
Dammit, I really wanted to like this.
(P.S, my Now TV router review is going up shortly as well... want a heads up? Its another miss!)
