Echostar Europe launches HDS-600RS SlingLoaded FreeSat+ DVR
It's been a surprisingly long wait for a SlingLoaded box outside of the Dish ViP922, but now European customers can do the all-in-one DVR/Slingbox dance with the new HDS-600RS. As a set-top box it can tune into 150 or more digital channels and VOD depending on provider with its own HD EPG and includes access to BBC iPlayer with plans for access to more services like ITV Net Player in the future, and of course it can Sling TV, live or DVRed on the unit's 500GB hard drive. One unfortunate limitation was revealed during a quick hands-on session by Pocket-Lint, if you're Slinging video somewhere else, despite the box having two tuners, it will only display the same thing the remote user is watching on the TV. Otherwise, they believe the box will cost around £300, although all EchoStar has officially confirmed is that it will launch April 1st, with preorders available on Amazon starting March 23rd. Check out the press release after the break and a few more pictures in the gallery below.
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EchoStar Europe launches the world's first Freesat+ digital television recorder with SlingLoaded® TV anywhere
March 22, 2011
London – 22 March, 2011: EchoStar Europe , a leading developer of added value, connected device solutions to the digital television industry, announce their SlingLoaded ® HDS-600RS, the world‟s first HD digital video recorder (DVR) to combine Freesat+ features with Sling Media‟s unique place-shifting ability, enabling TV anywhere, on all popular smartphones and tablets*.
The SlingLoaded feature enables users to watch and manage their live and recorded TV remotely anytime, anywhere, via 3G or Wi-Fi, with no additional monthly fees. With Freesat+, viewers get over 150 digital channels, including HD, On Demand services and the ability to pause, rewind and record TV, all subscription free. There‟s seamless access to catch-up TV including BBC iPlayer, with other connected TV services including ITV Net Player to follow.
Once connected to home broadband, the EchoStar HDS-600RS will Sling live or recorded TV anywhere, to your iPhone®, iPad® or Android™ smartphones or tablets, and any device supported by SlingPlayer ® Mobile* (www.uk.slingbox.com/go/spm), even to your Mac® or PC via SlingPlayer ® (which can be accessed for free, online at www.uk.slingbox.com). This ensures that you‟l never miss a moment of your favourite show, movie or sports event ever again. Throughout your home or around the world, you can truly Sling your TV anywhere.
The EchoStar HDS-600RS delivers a host of viewing options; „ive pause and rewind‟ simultaneously watch one show and record another, and one touch series-link via the High Definition (HD) Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) all ensure that you‟l never miss a show! The 500GB hard disk drive provides huge capacity to record up to 300 hours of Standard Definition (SD) programming or up to 100 hours of HD programming. You can even connect to a compatible Dolby® Digital home cinema amplifier, using the integrated Digital Audio Port, allowing you to enjoy cinema quality sound at home. All this is packaged in a stylish unit with a touch sensitive display.
For TV lovers everywhere, this is the ultimate combination of subscription free TV anywhere meeting digital television recording and connected TV?, said Rhod Williams, General Manager of Echostar Europe. ?We‟e bringing together the strengths of EchoStar and Sling Media Inc. to create a hybrid device that will give people the ultimate TV viewing experience; what they want, when they want and where they want it. With this industry first we‟e making TV anywhere a reality that delivers an enhanced user experience to consumers, with no monthly fees.
Freesat Managing Director Emma Scott commented ?This is a great partnership for us. It‟ our first foray into EchoStar‟ „TV anywhere‟, and offers even more fantastic choice for our customers. Freesat has constantly evolved since launch and this paves the way for more exciting innovations in the future.
The product will be available for purchase online at Amazon.co.uk and in-store and online at John Lewis from 1 st April 2011. Consumers can pre-order from Amazon.co.uk from 23 rd March 2011. Please see retailers‟websites for the latest pricing.
For all of the latest product news and purchase information, please visit the new EchoStar consumer website www.myechostar.com.
Press Contacts:
AxiCom for EchoStar Europe:
Asim Qureshi / Helena Reid
020 8392 4084 / 020 8392 4077
asim.qureshi@axicom.com / helena.reid@axicom.com
Consolidated PR for Freesat:
Orla O‟Neill | orlao@consolidatedpr.com | 020 7781 2340
Patrick Reed | patrickr@consolidatedpr.com | 020 7781 2379
Sellers PR for John Lewis:
Jessica Groves
Tel. 01252 725659 / Fax. 01252 725654
About EchoStar Europe
EchoStar Europe is dedicated to delivering added-value connected device solutions, services and applications. Through a comprehensive product range, including STBs, DVRs, home networking and place-shifting technology, our solutions enable the provision of state-of-the-art and cost effective entertainment services.
EchoStar Europe combines best-in-class engineering, VIP account management, supply chain, manufacturing and customer service into one dedicated and experienced team to provide customers with innovative technology solutions that enable new revenue opportunities and reduce operational costs. EchoStar Europe is headquartered in Steeton, UK, with European-based operations in Almelo, The Netherlands, Kharkov, Ukraine, and Madrid, Spain.
Comprising a number of business units, EchoStar Europe is affiliated with EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. ( www.echostar.com ), a subsidiary of the publicly traded EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS). EchoStar has shipped over 70m+ connected devices to digital TV operators around the world and secured a number of industry awards and market firsts for its technology.
About Sling Media
Sling Media, Inc., an affiliate of EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), is the leading provider of video place shifting products and services for consumers and television service providers. Sling Media's product family includes the internationally acclaimed, Emmy award-winning Slingbox that allows consumers to watch and control their living room television shows at any time, from any location, using internet-connected PCs, Macs, PDAs and smartphones. For more information: www.slingbox.com .
About Freesat
Freesat is a subscription-free satellite TV service offering digital television to everyone in the UK. It offers more than 150 TV, radio and interactive channels, including free HD services from ITV, the BBC and Channel 4; Freesat+ to record, pause and rewind; BBC iPlayer, with ITV Player coming soon; all for free.
Freesat is a joint venture between ITV and the BBC. For more information, please visit www.freesat.co.uk , find our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/freesat or follow us on Twitter @freesat_TV.
