EchoStar Europe an innovator and supplier of beyond the box, added-value applications and connected device solutions to the digital television industry, announced its entry into the European cable market with a complete portfolio of products for cable operators at Cable Congress 2009, Berlin.
In addition to introducing advanced functionality through its SlingLoaded™ initiative, the company intends to meet a cable operator’s immediate needs with a new line-up of products targeting the migration of networks from analogue to digital, the continued roll-out of high definition services and the growth in popularity of personalised, digital video recording.
The company will launch and demonstrate its feature-rich and fully-flexible high definition, HDC-600 series platform. Available with either an integrated DOCSIS®/EuroDOCSIS™-based modem or IP return channel, the unit supports both broadcast and two-way/interactive services, such as video-on-demand, in addition to digital video recording (DVR). It also comes with stylish cosmetics, HDMI™ port and state-of-the-art touch-sensitive display.
The HDC-600 series platform is joined by the C-200, a small converter unit that enables cable operators to migrate existing analogue subscribers to digital cost effectively, and the HDC-400 series, an advanced, high definition set-top box (STB) incorporating advanced video coding (AVC) and optional integrated DOCSIS®/EuroDOCSIS™-based modem. All the platforms can be integrated with an operator’s unique choice of middleware and conditional access system.
“As a new entrant to the cable sector, it is imperative that we meet cable operators’ needs and offer a range of connected devices to support multiple service development strategies,” commented Rick Smith, Vice President, Sales and Marketing at EchoStar Europe. “The cable sector is moving forward positively through strong analogue-to-digital migration. Premium services such as HD and DVR allow operators to tailor service packages toward specific consumer requirements. It is important that we develop solutions to meet cable operator’s immediate needs whilst keeping a keen eye on future opportunities offered through added-value technologies such as home networking, place-shifting and IP service integration”.
In partnership with Sling Media, EchoStar Europe will showcase its integrated SlingLoaded™ technology for the first time in Europe. Specifically developed to bring the benefits of market-tested, place-shifting and home-networking technology to the STB market, the company will demonstrate integrated Slingbox™ functionality on its award-winning SlingLoaded™ 900 series DVR platform. This can provide a market-proven home networking technology that not only enhances the subscribers’ digital experience by giving them access to their home television content on their PC, Mac or mobile phone, but it also provides operators the ability to reduce churn. The technology received “Best of CES” at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show and was nominated in two categories at the IPTV World Series Awards to be held in London, 25 March 2009.
