Advanced Television

EchoStar launches Android STB

September 9, 2011

EchoStar Europe that it has launched a new universal IP set-top box (STB). Amongst many software options, the HDX-200 supports the Android operating system OS and also ships with secure processor technology ensuring that content and services can be delivered securely. The unit provides the interface between the Internet or IP network and a consumer’s TV screen and as such will appeal to over-the-top (OTT) entertainment providers, digital TV operators – who wish to deploy hybrid IP solutions – and telco, broadband or IPTV operators.

Rhod Williams, General Manager at EchoStar Europe highlights the new and universal product platform. “The objective was to develop a flexible, cost effective and universal IP product that can suit a number of applications in the field,” said Williams. “The HDX-200 was designed to be dual functioning – firstly, to enable over-the-top service providers to reach customers with TV centric apps and services, and secondly to be rolled out as a multi-room IP client device, allowing TV operators to extend services from a central gateway to other display devices throughout the home network.”

The HDX-200 supports the Android OS including Adobe Flash Player 10.1 and a WebKit-based browser. The Android community developed and highly efficient suite of application development tools is freely available and provides an extensive, scalable Internet-centric application development platform. This enables an operator to access an extensive pool of experienced and highly skilled entertainment application developers to readily support the supply engaging apps and services. This new unit is part of an extensive IP road map that offers a scalable migration path to products that support the seamless delivery of hybrid, broadband plus DVB broadcast services.

Compact in design, the HDX-200 ships with an impressive feature-set enabling operators and service providers to deliver an optimised user experience and high quality IP video and audio whilst optimising the available bandwidth to deliver services cost effectively. Multi-codec support includes MPEG-2, MPEG-4/H.264 AVC, WM-9/VC-1, VP6, AAC and MP3 standards. A wealth of connectivity is offered with interfaces including high quality HDMI Ethernet 10/100, S/PDIF and USB 2.0 with further options for powerline and wireless networking to the 802.11n standard.

The HDX-200 also supports the industry’s leading conditional access, digital rights management and middleware solutions and ultra-low power operation to meet European energy efficiency requirements.

Categories: Articles, In Home, STB