Freebox

The Freebox server is a DSL modem, a router, a Wi-Fi hot spot, a NAS (250 GB hard drive), a DECT base with up to 8 connected DECT phone sets, and a digital video recorder for TNT also known as DVB-T and IPTV. As the firmware is updated, its functionalities increase. Most notably:

• An external hard drive can be connected to its USB and/or eSATA port. However, some TV channels cannot be recorded to an external hard drive due to copyright policy limitations. Such limitations do not apply to channels recorded from TNT.
• The video formats supported are quite wide in range including mp4, H264, mp2, mkv, avi and others. Some formats are not supported though firmware updates may increase the number of readable file formats.
• The server automatically detects local network file shares through UPnP and can read videos from any computer on the local network.
• The server's hard drive is available from the local network to Macintosh, Linux, and Windows computers. It can be made available from the WAN.
• IPTV is available in real-time to any computer on the local network, if the bandwidth is sufficient and the number of simultaneous channels does not exceed 2. However, some channels are not available (most of those that cannot be recorded on an external hard drive).
• The DSL modem router can be configured either as an Ethernet router or a simple DSL modem (bridge mode).
• The server handles 3 Wi-Fi networks: a private Wi-Fi network (possibly hidden) and a so-called "FreeWifi" network which creates a hotspot and allows any other Freebox customer in proximity to connect to the Internet, after entering their Free user name and password, and a hidden network dedicated to IPTV for the Freebox HD (v5) video box if you choose to link this via Wi-Fi.
• The server can be managed through its built-in Web server. Also, TV recordings can be managed from the WAN.
• Because of the changes in the hardware and capabilities, the monthly fee (initially €29.99 including the XDSL line) is now only for the services, a separate cost of €6 is added for XDSL line access, free if you have ADSL over an active POTS (monthly fee €16), but this increase includes modifications in the services fee (see below). It now includes:
  • Free calls to any mobile phone in France.
  • Calls to landline phones in France and 104 countries, as was already included before.
  • Free calls to any phone in France from any Internet connection worldwide.
  • Renting the Freebox Revolution Server and its TV box.
  • IPTV is now an option (€1.99) so people who are not eligible for such services (i.e. their home is too far away from the DSLAM) do not pay for it, but, as a legal twist, after an increase in VAT in order to reduce the basis of taxes for artistic creation.
• The server can act as a DECT base station for up to 8 DECT handsets.
• The server supports SIP for VoIP phone calls. It allows subscribers to use their smartphone or a dedicated VoIP phone to make calls at Freebox rates instead of using the cellular network.
• The server can use an optical fiber network where available.
• The server is now compatible with Apple's AirPlay and Time Machine technologies (firmware 1.1.0, August 2011).
• A catch-up TV service which covers 33 channels over the past 7 days. This service is proposed in high quality compared to its internet-based counterpart.

The Freebox Player is the set-top box part of the "Freebox Revolution" offer. It is connected to the Freebox Server via PLC or by a direct Ethernet cable if both devices are close enough. It is possible to rent another Freebox Player if one wants to connect another TV set in another room.

The Freebox Player device has:

• One Blu-ray/DVD player (Blu-ray playback requires HDMI connection) and an optical sound output.
• One USB (on the front) and one eSata plug to connect hard drives (or a joystick or keyboard for the USB part).
• One DVB-T plug. By contrast with TV over DSL, DNV programs can be recorded to the Freebox Server or to a local hard drive with no restriction about accessing it from a computer.
• One remote control. By contrast with most concurrent devices, the remote control uses ZigBee (standardized power saving low rate low power radio wave) instead of infrared.
• The Freebox player can be controlled from a smartphone or a computer, or an iPad app.
• Every external device connected to the Freebox player is available to that device only but the devices connected to the Freebox Server are available to every Freebox player connected.
• The player can access Internet and e-mail with no computer connected, using either the remote control (which includes gyroscopic control) or from a USB keyboard (not included).
• Games are available from the Free-Store. A USB gamepad is included.
• You can plug in a USB memory stick with photos or music files and watch/play them.

The Freebox Player can access audio/video files on any local computer through UPnP AV. UPnP is native to Windows computers but there is software to implement such protocols on Mac OS X and Linux. External subtitle files (.srt) should be first be merged with the video file in Matroska format, e.g. with mkvmerge.