DirecTV announces Sat-Go portable satellite TV system

It took a little while, but DirecTV has finally made good on its promise of an all-in-one portable satellite receiver, officially announcing its Sat-Go unit at CES. Intended for both indoor and outdoor use, the Sat-Go packs a 17-inch LCD monitor into its flip-and-fold design, along with an integrated flat antenna that DirecTV says will let you find line-of-sight with DirecTV satellites "within minutes." Also included is a rechargeable "laptop-style" battery, although the company isn't making any promises on battery life just yet (it'll also run off your vehicle's cigarette lighter with the included adapter, or plain old AC power). While DirecTV hasn't officially announced pricing details, The New York Times is reporting that that the Sat-Go will come in between $1,000 and $1,300 when it launches this spring. Current DirecTV customers will also be able to mirror their service to the Sat-Go for an additional $4.99 per month. The Times also got word from Sat-Go inventor Rick Rosner (who just happens to also be the creator of CHiPs) that DirecTV already has some additional models in the works, including the Sat-Go Pro, with a ruggedized design for use in emergency situations, and the Sat-Go Light, which will weigh in at less than half the Sat-Go's 25 pounds. Those curious about the Sat-Go's various states of foldedness can check out a couple more pics of it in action after the break.

Read - DirecTV Press Release
Read - New York Times, "Satellite Television in a Portable Box"

[dixonmiller @ Jan 8th 2007 7:37PM]

This thing would be awesome for watching TV at tailgates or by the pool...however price needs to be cut in half. $1000-$1300 for a 17" LCD screen, an antenna, and a battery? Ridiculous. Get to $499 and we'd be talking.

[Jeff @ Jan 8th 2007 8:15PM]

Wow. Another device adopts Zune brown. I was kind of hoping the image in your announcement a few months back was a joke. :P

[Ryan @ Jan 8th 2007 11:00PM]

Cool concept. Poor Design. Antenna needs to rotate like the screen of a tablet pc. Also..a detactable antenna would be nice. Price point way to high. As a retailer I would expect to maybe sell two of these during to summer.

[T.H. @ Jan 9th 2007 2:43AM]

I thought the same thing as dixonmiller, get it to roughly $500 and we can talk. $1000 and up is simply way way way too much when a very good laptop cost the same. I don't care if it's satellite tv, it's still a portable tv player.

The color scheme for this device as it currently stands is not that bad though like Ryan says, cool concept, poor design.

[JR @ Jan 9th 2007 2:46AM]

This product in particular is going to flop; I mean who wants to carry around that bulk when there might be a wide-screen video iPod in the works? (Maybe unveiled tomorrow at Macworld!!)

It's awfully expensive, and I would rather load up on iTunes movies/tv shows; commercial free; because I highly doubt anyones going to want to carry that along with a TiVo box =]

[John H @ Jan 9th 2007 10:29AM]

JR you miss the point to whom this is marketed. Video iPods are for kids, young adults and business travelers: the people who have time and the inclination to stare for hours at something the size of their palm.

This is for recreation, mobility and the those who can't tap into slingbox: boaters (the 25 ft plus crowd), vacation homeowners, tailgaters, RV owning retirees, vacationing sports fanatics. The former two groups are, in fact, likely to have the kind of disposble income to afford $1500.

[Glennie @ Jan 9th 2007 4:14PM]

DIRECTV has set up a web page - http://www.directv.com/satgo - to collect names of people who'd like to be contacted once Sat-Go becomes available.

[Francisco Javier @ Jan 25th 2007 5:01PM]

Is it possible to buy the Sat-Go Pro in Spain?.

[Francisco Javier @ Jan 25th 2007 5:02PM]

Is it possible to buy the Sat-Go Pro in Spain?.