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Foxtel iQ3 launches

Foxtel's new set top box is now available for order starting at $150.

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iQ3 + Remote_Front_Light

Foxtel’s long awaited iQ3 has been officially launched, bringing viewers more storage space, the ability to record 3 shows at once and watch a fourth live, handy ‘Start Over’ and ‘Look Back’ functions to rewind on shows you missed, wifi connectivity, and a sleek interface.

Foxtel is now taking orders from new and existing customers, with a hardware roll-out due to get underway.

Pricing is set at $125* plus $25* for a self-installation kit; or $125* plus $75* for installation by a Foxtel technician (Self-install details see below). New customers will pay a minimum of $450 with the Entertainment package for 12 months, or $500 for a standard install on the same package.

The 1 terrabyte storage allows for up to 172 hours of HD recording (up from IQ2’s 30 hours) or up to 345 hours of SD recording (up from 90 hours).

The Start Over feature enables viewers who have tuned in late to go back to the start of a show (in SD playback) while the Look Back allows viewers to scroll back on up to 24 hours of TV shows.

A sleek new interface offers Suggested programs based on viewing patterns, Trending programs, and curated Highlights.

Foxtel-iQ3_Suggested_Mar2015_V1_AW4

Richard Freudenstein, Foxtel CEO, said, “After delighting a nation of TV lovers with our unbeatable pricing and packaging and innovative ways to enjoy TV live and on demand, we’re thrilled to introduce the Foxtel iQ3, our smartest, most powerful set top box, ever. iQ3 represents a revolutionary step forward for Australian TV viewers that brings with it exciting new ways to search, discover and experience the shows they’re passionate about.”

iQ3 key features summary:
 Start Over^~ allows you to go back to the beginning of a show that’s already started so tuning in late is no longer an issue
 Look Back^ lets you scroll back in time up to 24 hours to watch the shows you have missed
 Record up to three programs at once while watching a fourth, Live
 Tap into the Foxtel ‘Anytime’^ service to choose from thousands of TV shows and movies to watch any time you like, depending on the channels in your subscription
 Foxtel Store** offers rentals of the latest blockbusters from the comfort of your home
 Wi-Fi connectivity so you can wirelessly connect your iQ3 to the internet with ease
 Much more recording space with up to 172 hours of HD or up to 345 hours of SD recording
 Pause, and rewind live TV so you can keep up on the action when you’re interrupted
 Remote record and ‘series link’ programs so you never miss an episode of your favourite show

*Min cost $500 (including $75 standard install fee and $125 equipment fee) or $450 (including $25 self-install fee and $125 equipment fee) on a 12 month direct debit plan for new customers based on Entertainment with a Foxtel iQ3. Residential subscribers and standard install only. Cancel fee applies. Self-install kit may not be suitable for all addresses. Foxtel and some services not available to all homes.

^ Requires an internet-connected iQ3. Access varies depending on the channels in your residential
subscription. Not all channels/programs available. ISP charges may apply.
# Requires an internet-connected iQ3.
~ SD playback only.
+Some channels/programs shown may not be available in your pack.
**Additional charges apply

UPDATE: The iQ3 is essentially plug and play. After it’s all set up, customers ring Foxtel’s IVR (Interactive Voice Response – AKA automated switchboard) to activate the smart card and have the signal sent to the iQ3. The $25 fee covers postage, handling and delivery.

42 Responses

  1. Wanted to upgrade but Foxtel from Telstra is not available until April 8th. Is it possible to get an official statement since they made no mention of it from the initial announcement. Even no separate from Telstra

  3. Just rang Foxtel. Satellite customers, like myself, aren’t allowed to do a self install so the upgrade fee from a IQ2 will be $200 with a tech visit. It requires a frequency change according to the call centre rep.

    1. My understanding is cable viewers can plug and play. Satellite requires subscriber to add FTA aerial, so it is more involved. I have not been advised you were not “allowed” to self install. I will ask.

      1. I was explicitly told by the call centre rep that a technician was required for satellite customers. If it’s just connecting a FTA aerial I can do that. When I went from a standard STB to the IQ2 I could understand the tech requirement as he upgraded the BUC on the dish, ran a second RG6 cable and dropped a phone line for the call facility. Does the IQ3 still require the phone line?

        1. I ordered a self install kit and I am on satellite. So, hopefully they send me the right box then. My call centre rep, asked me all my details and said one would arrive in 2-3 days.

  5. Ordered mine this morning and am told it will arrive in 3-5 days. Tried to get out of the $150 charge every way I could but couldn’t get them to budge. But given I am ready to throw my MyStar HD out the window and then set it’s remains on fire I figured the price was reasonable given I would have to pay to replace the STB anyway =p. I hope that by this time next week I will be able to watch an entire recording without a single issue (touch wood!)

  6. What’s preventing them putting in a couple of FTA tuners so we can record FTA? Satellite subscribers in Adelaide, and I assume other states cannot get any FTA commercial channels on satellite. Having FTA would be a big drawcard to this box.

    1. I quote: “iQ3 has an extra 2 (for a total of 10) tuners to accommodate FTA signals, so now Foxtel has one truly national box and can pull in all of the programming via the TV aerial (Seven, Nine, Ten, ABC and SBS + their respective multi-channels).”

  7. I love this statement: Richard Freudenstein, Foxtel CEO, said, “After delighting a nation of TV lovers with our unbeatable pricing and packaging and innovative ways to enjoy TV live and on demand, we’re thrilled to introduce the Foxtel iQ3″.

    What world do these guys live in? Foxtel is crazy expensive, every one hates their bundling of channels and there’s nothing innovative about their STB’s or Mobile App’s. For innovative STB’s check out DirectTv’s Hopper & Joey boxes they are fantastic.

    Yes this does cost $25 per month unless you on platinum where it’s $15. foxtel.com.au/got/upgrades/tv/set-top-boxes.html

      1. Sorry, you are correct regarding the monthly fee. I miss read the Foxtel site and got confused with the extra charge for HD – which is joke BTW. It’s not clear at all.

        With regards to technology, compared to my Beyonwiz FTA PVR’s (one is 7 years old) the Foxtel STB’s are crudely basic. I can remote schedule and when I setup a series link the Beyonwiz records all new episodes from every new series not just the current series. I even have keyword recording. With IQ3 I was hoping for something like Dish’s Hopper & Joey system.

        mydish.com/upgrades/products/hopper

        The IQ3 just looks like a lick of new paint, bit better software, WiFi and a larger hard drive than the IQ2 in a odd shaped form factor. It certainly wasn’t worth all time they took to get it out.

  8. Yaya just ordered mine can’t wait. It looks like the foxtel play UI which is awesome way better and faster to use then the IQHD i have now and loads easier for anytime content , So can’t wait woot!

  10. My IQ2 does get filled up quite often but I don’t think this is worth the upgrade. 1TB is pretty weak when a 2TB drive has cost almost the same for years now.

  11. I might be missing something in the article above, but I believe there is a $25 monthly fee as well. The install fee is ok, but a monthly fee on top of the subscription is the part that puts me off.

      1. Thanks Andrew, I just rechecked the news.com.au article which was very clearly listing a monthly fee for the iQ3 (on top of the subscription fee) this morning and the report has now been edited to specify that is for the basic subscription, not for the box (which is in line with what everyone else is reporting). I thought it was weird. Okey dokes, the iQ3 is back on the table for me.

          1. There is a $25 a month extra fee for multiroom fee for each extra room thats if you have more then one outlet and you want to upgrade all outlets

  12. Can’t justify the $150 cost….I have IQ2 and stupidly paid $200 at the time and thought it was just a waste of money. I have 3 boxes and pay foxtel enough and been with them for years I am sure they can throw a few to their high value ocustomers……

  13. All this offers is the ability to record one extra channel, more storage and wi-fi… I’ll also pass. Don’t watch Foxtel enough to warrant $150, plus the generous $25 fee to install it myself… Do I pay that $25 to Foxtel and then can I charge myself by the hour to install it and send the bill on to Foxtel?

  14. Ordered and arriving tomorrow, can’t wait, especially for the extra storage and being able to record 3 shows at the same time as it happens quite a bit, particularly Monday nights!

    1. Maybe I am blind, but I have read the article about 5 times and cant see anywhere it mentions there is a $25 per month fee for the IQ3 box

      I’ve never understood why people make up things. The only mention of $25 is a fee for self-installers (which in itself is a bit cheeky) – nothing about an ongoing $25 monthly fee – so why say it?

      1. It was in a story on one of the news websites, Herald-Sun I think, this morning, I didn’t ‘make up things’ and I said it because that’s what was written

        1. $25 is the cost of the basic subscription that all subscribers pay. However news.com.au did this morning incorrectly state that it was a fee for the iQ3 (I read it too as did work colleagues, I wish I’d screen saved it so I could prove it). They have since edited the piece to correct their error.

          1. But David didnt write it on this site, and since David usually always has all the right information, why would you mention (incorrect) information from another site here

            David has mentioned several times above there is no $25 per month fee, yet people still regurgitate it

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