Satellite Technology Feature Article
November 02, 2009
Poland's Cyfrowy Polsat Develops High-Definition Service with EchoStar Europe
By Anil Sharma, TMCnet Contributor
EchoStar Europe, a supplier of value-added, connected-device solutions to the digital TV industry, said it will supply two new products to Cyfrowy Polsat, a Polish DTH operator, for the development of its high-definition service.
According to EchoStar officials, the DSB-7200 HD set-top box has already been made available to Polish consumers and the DVR-7400 HD DVR has now been launched on the Cyfrowy Polsat service, providing consumers with the benefit of a personalized digital TV experience, coupled with high-quality HD pictures.
“As the leading satellite operator in Poland, it is important that we are able to deliver an advanced portfolio of services to enable us to attract new customers and satisfy existing subscribers -- we see HD and DVR as being instrumental to this goal,” said Dominik Libicki, CEO of Cyfrowy Polsat, in a statement.
Libicki said that it has been working with EchoStar Europe for a number of years and continues to support the company with high-quality, cost-effective products that allow it to launch new services and stay ahead of the competition.
Company officials said that the DSB-7200 HD is the latest solution from EchoStar Europe and has been specifically developed for digital satellite TV operators who wish to offer a platform that is optimized for future service development.
The STB, the company officials said, allows for the reception of both standard definition and HD services, broadcast in MPEG-2 and MPEG-4/advanced video coding formats. It includes an electronic program guide, parental lock and a user friendly ‘channel search and sort’ function to simplify cataloguing of chosen events.
Added-value features of the new platform include a USB and an Ethernet port to support future high-bandwidth two-way services.
“We are delighted to expand our cooperation with Cyfrowy Polsat in supplying them with two new high definition products,” said Rick Smith, VP sales and marketing, EchoStar Europe.
Smith said that as with any other market, high definition offers the consumer the opportunity to get the most out of their television viewing experience and the addition of digital video recording creates the ultimate in convenience.
“We feel that this is an exciting time for Polish consumers and strongly believe that this new service will be highly successful,” he added.
Back in September Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation had announced the availability of the SlingPlayer Mobile Wi-Fi application for iPhone (News - Alert) and iPod touch customers across Europe.
The SlingPlayer Mobile WiFi application is now available in 16 additional countries -- including France, Germany, Spain and Italy. The application was first made available to iPhone and iPod touch customers in the United States, Canada and the U.K. in May 2009.
Anil Sharma is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Anil’s articles, please visit his columnist page.
Edited by Marisa Torrieri
