ISP BT UK Finally Enable WiFi on New Broadband TV Box Pro
A few months ago BT finally launched a new set-top-box for their broadband-based Pay TV (IPTV) service – TV Box Pro (here), but in an unusual move they opted to leave the new WiFi (wireless networking) functionality disabled. The good news is that this is now being enabled for customers.
The TV Box Pro (RTIW387) device added a bunch of new features, such as support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) video at 4K (UltraHD) resolution, as well as 1TB of storage, a new User Interface (UI), Dolby Atmos audio, a Bluetooth remote, and the integration of 4 tuners (i.e. allowing customers to record up to 3 shows and watch a fourth simultaneously).
However, despite the device being promoted as “Wi-Fi capable,” the wireless networking (WiFi) feature was left disabled at launch, with BT instead promising that it would enable it later in the year (i.e. customers could only connect it to their network via wires, much like BT’s earlier YouView boxes).
At the time, BT told ISPreview.co.uk, “We deliver exceptional experiences to our customers every day, which is why they trust us. Currently, WiFi functionality on the BT TV Pro box does not deliver that exceptional experience, so we have decided to switch off that functionality while we work on a fix.”
The good news is BT has today informed us that WiFi on their TV Box Pro has now been enabled. A spokesperson for the operator said: “Existing customers with a BT TV Box Pro can easily switch to a wi-fi connection by navigating to Settings > Broadband Connection > Change Connection.” Better late than never, we suppose. Hopefully it will now deliver those “exceptional experiences.”
If you can’t yet use this setting then you probably don’t have the latest BT / YouView software update applied for the device, which is version number 0.4.212. The ability to use Wi-Fi was the only feature they added with this update.
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook and Linkedin.
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Im guessing it still needs an freeview ariel? If it doesnt its tempting
Yes, it needs an aerial for Freeview, same as the other BT boxes.
Bit old fashioned isn’t it?
What killed it for me was they don’t use the IPTV system to provide the missing channels in areas where the Freeview service is limited. Eg. No Quest HD, because it’s not broadcast on Freeview in my area. Despite the technical capabilities of the multicast IPTV system, they don’t use it like a full-service cable tv competitor.
I assume that’s to keep costs down. I get that premium channels are expensive or may be tied up in exclusive contracts elsewhere, but I find it hard to believe channels that are paying for limited Freeview coverage would demand substantial payment from BT to be distributed over the IPTV system.
The picture quality on the BT Sport HD channels was excellent though.
Looks like a Sky Q box with more rounded edges!
Is this box still missing YouTube? If so it’s at a big disadvanatage compared with all the major competitors’ boxes.
Still no youtube unbelieably
I have just received the latest BT software update for my BT TV Box Pro.
This update has wi-fi enabled the Box which is excellent news.
However I have tried for over an hour to enable the wi-fi without success. There is clearly a flaw in this software and my reasoning for this comment is that I have always had a 100% wireless signal throughout the house provided by the BT Smart Hub 2.
The BT TV Box Pro wireless setup shows 100% signal from the Hub but refuses to connect . I’ve tried WPS that failed every time too.
I never have a problem with wireless connection.
BT clearly has a problem with this latest software update.
Same here, tried it yesterday and today. I also have smart hub 2, with three extender discs, one about 10 ft from the BT box. I have superb fibre wi-fi throughout the house. As you say, must be a dodgy update from BT because it just doesn’t work! Get it sorted BT!
TBH this new box is now a waste of time. BT have more or less started to close down their TV offering and from 17th Jan 2022 if you want TV from BT then the only offering is the Sky owned NOW TV. Afaik Now TV do not offer a 4k stream. The first channels to go from BT are National Geographic and Gold at the end of October.
There are even rumours that BT are selling BT sport to DAZN in the next few weeks. If that occurs then other than re packaging Sky NOW TV, that will be BT out of the self supplied TV market.
The only benefit of getting Now TV from BT is that it integrates well with the Youview box EPG and you can pause and record Now TV. But they lock you into a 2 years broadband contract for that which is a pain.
Rumours are that NatGeo channels will go from Virgin at the end of the year as Disney want them to be exclusive to their streaming service. CNN has gone from Virgin and Freesat as they want you to subscribe direct. The trend is unmistakeable.
Having gone VCR to PVR to Bt youview box, the £40 slightly used Bt one has been by far the best one. They may be uninspired but they will be missed when unsubsidised ones fade away. This BT Plus is selling on ebay for around £150 leading to the question of who is selling them? Do people not have to give them back at the end of their contract now? In which case won’t sellers one day be in for a shock…
Now if only the remote would control my TV..
After having tried, so poor I am considering going back to old box.
Box may be all-singing, but handset is missing too many old keys – ‘close’, delete’ and ‘stop’. Delete in particular is badly missed as new alternative is not shown in handbook. In certain instances you can delete via ‘i’, but even there it doesn’t always work I still have a watched programme which I have tried everything to delete without success. I tried to watch one saved programme via OK, which promptly deleted it!
Close is also missed, after watching several programmes last night I tried to go back to Home screen to channel scan, but wouldn’t go back. I nearly decided to turn box off and re-start before it suddenly did so.
Very clever, but definately not user-friendly.
Close is also missed. last ni
We’ve just got one of the new boxes, I too was surprised there’s no Stop button, but just use Pause instead. I was also surprised to note the absence of a Delete key, but I’ve discovered the Record key will actually delete any of your recorded items.