Netgem channels upmarket set-top box to audiences

French digital TV manufacturer Netgem is rolling out what it claims is the first high-end set-top box to operate with the BBC/ BSkyB service Freeview, with packaging and point-of-sale design by London consultancy To The Point.

The consultancy won the work, worth £25 000, after a two-way pitch last month. The brief was to design material that would convey a quality feel for the premium-end digital receiver, which also offers Internet and e-mail access.

‘We made strong use of black and silver to get over the air of sophistication that Netgem wanted,’ says To The Point managing director Simon Hutton. ‘The box itself is very “Bang & Olufsen” in style and we needed to convey that sense of quality.’

The consultancy also used screen grabs to illustrate games and Internet facilities available on the receiver. To The Point senior designer Nick Ottley headed up the creative team.

The Netgem box, which launches this week, is retailing at £149 compared to £99-£129 for regular Freeview receivers.

A Netgem spokesman says that the company does expect to employ To The Point on future design projects.