French internet and TV provider Free has launched a new set-top-box with Android TV software and support for 4K Ultra HD video. It’s called the Freebox mini 4K and it features a 1.5 GHz Broadcom BCM7252 ARM Cortex-A15 dual-core processor and support for terrestrial, streaming, on-demand, and recorded video content.
The Freebox mini 4K is already shippnig to customers in France, and Broadcom says its BCM7252 processor will be more widely available alter this month.
The Freebox mini 4K is actually two devices: a server and a player. The server is designed to work with Free’s internet service and supports ADSL2, VDSL2 and fiber connections, has 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports, 802.11n WiFI, an eSATA port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, and integrated Femtocell.
The Player is a smaller box with support for 4K and 1080p content, HEVC/H2.65 video,dual-band WiFI, Bluetooth 4.0, three USB 2.0 ports, and an SD card slot. It comes with a Bluetooth remote control that features a microphone for voice search functions.
Like other Android TV boxes you can use the Freebox mini 4K to stream internet video, play games, or use other third-party apps. It also supports Google Cast which lets you find content on your phone or tablet and beam it to your TV through the box.
In a press release, Broadcom refers tot he Freebox mini 4K as the first Android TV device to support Ultra HD video. But while it might be the first to market, it wasn’t the first 4K Android TV box to be announced. The NVIDIA Shield video game console with Android TV software is expected to ship in May, but NVIDIA unveiled the 4K-capable console earlier this month.
Curious what “support for terrestrial” means. Does it mean you can add a usb capture or does it have one built in and you just plug in an antenna? The first box that has this built is will fly off the shelves.
It have one built in. In France, all boxes have one since more than 10 years.
So you are saying you can plug in an antenna and with no interenet get tv channels? Terestrial as in Over the Air service? Becuase in the US i have never seen one. You have to buy a capture card and build one. TV’s have them build in but all tv box’s are limited to the providers pay for option.
Yes, and internet TV services, and phone are included for near 30$ per month.
Those kind of boxes are provided for free with the subscription by all internet providers
exact
cute “1337” logo on the front.
I think it’s an actual screen.
Yes it is. I own the so-called “revolution Freebox” that has the same screen. (oled monochrome screen if I remember well).
And just beside the screen there are sensitive buttons placed there for settings.
1337 is a reference for leet speak.
Well I prefer people who unveil their product when it is ready & launching.
It is still ready and launched. But you have to live in France and to be a Free customer to deserve it.