EchoStar Launches Three New HD Set-Top Boxes

Strategic Insights -

EchoStar Technologies, a leading provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions, has announced the launch of three new HD set-top boxes designed to enable mid-sized and independent cable operators to economically leverage their interactive advantage in delivering enhanced video applications. The new set-top boxes, HC-620DRS, HC-410D, and HX-410, come loaded with IP-based content management features and are optimized to support EchoStar's new Aria 'ecosystem' of hosted TV services. This ecosystem enables resource-constrained cable operators to deploy enhanced video applications hosted at EchoStar's data centers directly to the new set-tops.

Key Takeaways:

  • The HC-620DRS, HC-410D, and HX-410 set-top boxes are designed to support EchoStar's new Aria 'ecosystem' of hosted TV services, enabling cable operators to deploy enhanced video applications more efficiently.
  • The Aria 'ecosystem' allows operators to expand their video offerings with a growing list of cloud-based services, including remote DVR programming, interactivity, and TV Everywhere.
  • The new set-tops feature EchoStar's award-winning Graphical User Interface with operator-specific branding, universal content search capability, and access to hosted VOD libraries.
  • The SlingLoaded(R) HC-620DRS is an Internet-connected HD DVR set-top box that delivers a true TV Everywhere experience, allowing subscribers to access their linear programming and recorded content both inside and outside the home on the connected device of their choice.
  • The HC-410D is a single-tuner HD set-top that contains EchoStar's award-winning DVR Conversion technology, which can be converted to a DVR by connecting an off-the-shelf USB 2.0 external hard drive and receiving a remote authorization code from the operator.
  • The HX-410 is a full digital IP thin client that supports multimedia services over IP-based networks and provides Whole Home DVR functionality when networked with an HC-620DRS in the home.

Statistics:

  • The new set-top boxes are designed to support EchoStar's new Aria 'ecosystem' of hosted TV services, which enables cable operators to deploy enhanced video applications more efficiently.
  • The Aria 'ecosystem' supports cloud-based services, including remote DVR programming, interactivity, and TV Everywhere.
  • The new set-tops have EchoStar's award-winning Graphical User Interface with operator-specific branding, universal content search capability, and access to hosted VOD libraries.
  • The SlingLoaded(R) HC-620DRS has been shown to deliver a true TV Everywhere experience, allowing subscribers to access their linear programming and recorded content both inside and outside the home on the connected device of their choice.

Sources:

  • EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) - "EchoStar Launches Three New HD Set-Top Boxes" - June 14, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX)
  • EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) - "About EchoStar" - www.EchoStar.com
  • EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS) - "Hughes" - www.Hughes.com
  • Marketwire, Inc. - "EchoStar Launches Three New HD Set-Top Boxes" - June 14, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX)