Microsoft is now the way to release yet another Xbox One accessory that will allow European countries to pick up channels using free-to-air DVB-T, DVB-T2, and DVB-C television standards. It is launching in October in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the UK to turn the console into a TV set-top boxwith an over-the-air digital terrestrial TV experience.
The price for this accessory in UK will be 24.99 EUR whereas it will be 29.99 EUR in France, Italy, Germany and Spain. It will be plugged into a USB portand it acts as a digital TV tuner. The DVB-T, DVB-T2, and DVB-C television standards will enable users to watch these channels without changing inputs. Since the Digital TV Turner will work via HDMI pass through, you are able to pause live TV, use snap mode, see listings via One Guide, and receive game notifications.
This new Xbox One accessory, Digital TV Turner accessory is being marketed as an alternative to accessing TV content from a cable or satellite set-top box typically connected via HDMI.You can also make channel selections using your voice if you have Kinect. Digital TV Turner accessory is similar to Sony’s PlayTV device for PlayStation 3. The One Guide of this accessory helps you to allow calling out your favorite TV channel by name and starting watching it instantly.You can also create your own personal Favorites in the One Guide and you can easily choose what you want to watch.
In news of Xbox One official website, it clearly stated that, “Since launch, it’s been our vision to bring more entertainment features and enable live TV through Xbox One to more markets around the world. We know our fans in Europe have been asking for this functionality on Xbox Feedback and today, we’re pleased to announce that Xbox One users in the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain will be able to experience premium live TV features on Xbox One, such as the ability to access your favorite shows and channels with the sound of your voice through the One Guide, with the new Xbox One Digital TV Tuner.”
With several features of watching HD TV, viewing in Snap Mode, pausing live TV, listing in the One Guide, tuning channel by voice and so on,Microsoft till now has not provided DVR functionality with its digital TV turner to schedule and record programs. But hope in future it will update this functionality as well.