KT said on Tuesday it has launched the Genie TV set-top box A2, which packages Genie TV's core AI features in a compact design and lowers the burden on users.

The Genie TV set-top box A2 applies an AI agent based on a large language model (LLM), allowing users to find the content they want as if having a conversation. AI also automatically optimises the viewing environment. AI SR (Super Resolution) technology improves picture quality of low-resolution content up to 4K UHD levels, and an "AI real-time captions" feature provides subtitles from live broadcast audio.

It also includes a function that automatically adjusts sound depending on content genres such as music, sports and films. When watching films, dramas and news, it detects voice bandwidth to deliver dialogue more clearly. It also automatically adjusts volume differences among live channels, video-on-demand (VOD) and over-the-top (OTT) services.

A KT official explained, "We also improved the AI agent's voice recognition accuracy to reduce cases where everyday conversation is mistakenly recognised as commands, and to make it operate only for actual requests."

The product measures 120 by 120 by 30 mm and weighs 186 grams. It adopts a circular design and runs the Android TV 14 platform, allowing access to various OTT services.

The standard monthly rental fee is 7,700 won on a three-year contract. KT provides a care service that includes set-top box rental for 5,500 won a month on a three-year contract.

If customers who have used the care service for at least five years replace an ageing set-top box with a new model, KT waives the service call-out fee once. If customers who have used the service for at least three months replace a set-top box or remote control due to damage, KT also fully covers the customer charge for the first replacement.

The Genie TV set-top box A2 is available not only to new subscribers but also to existing subscribers through a device change. It also supports self-activation.

Yoon Jin-hyun (윤진현), an executive director and head of KT's Media Technology Division, said, "The Genie TV set-top box A2 is a device that packs the essential functions and an AI-based convenient viewing experience into a compact design while also lowering the burden of use." He added, "We will continue to innovate the customer experience across Genie TV so customers can enjoy the content they want more conveniently."