Airtel recently launched something called Internet TV. And many are clueless about what exactly it does.
Is it a Smart TV? If it is Android, can we use it as a phone?
Airtel Internet TV is a hybrid TV - a regular (satellite) TV that requires a dish and internet TV with an inbuilt Google Chromecast that helps you view content from websites such as Youtube or Netflix, Airtel Movies, Google Play Music, Google Play Movies etc.
It comes with a HD set top box that connects to the dish antenna. It requires a internet connection - cable or wifi.
As it has built-in Chromecast, we can stream content from other devices or even cast their screens.
Airtel Internet TV can also be used to play games downloaded from the Google Play Store.
We can record, rewind or pause programmes.
Watch here : Unboxing the Airtel Internet TV
Set Top Box
The set top box comes with 2 GB RAM and 8 GB internal memory. It supports Google Voice Search (through the remote connected via Bluetooth). The remote can be used to play games as it has a trackpad like surface in the middle.
Users can connect Bluetooth headsets or speakers too.
It has a couple of USB ports, a HDMI port and a memory card slot.
It can also connect to older generation televisions through the audio, video cables.
Internet connection and speed
The recommended internet speed is 4 Mbps and above. If you are going to watch 4K content, higher speeds may be required. The set top box can be connected to the internet either through wifi or ethernet. For using streaming from other devices or casting, the set top box must be connected to the same wifi network as the other devices.
Smart remote
The Bluetooth remote control has a track pad like surface we can use to play games or to surf channels and menus. There are dedicated buttons for satellite TV (called Live TV) or internet TV. A great feature in the remote is the Google Voice Search option. Users can search for channels, programmes or even specific content such as movie names using the voice search.
As the remote is Bluetooth enabled, there is no need to point the remote at the TV or the set top box. The remote can also be paired with the existing TV remote so that the user can use a single remote to control both the TV and the set top box.
Gamepad app
The separate Gamepad app available on the Apple Play Store or Apple app store can be used to navigate through ok ugh channels and also play games on the TV. The app connects to the set top box through Bluetooth.