Echostar, has launched the HDS-600RS, the first ever Freesat+ HD PVR with SlingLoaded technology.
Echostar HDS-600RS Echostar HDS-600RS
The company the company behind Sling Media has hooked up with Freesat to offer its subscription-free satellite television service offering over 150 channels including HD. It also offers SlingMedia’s “unique place-shifting ability”, which lets you watch and manage live and recorded TV from computers, phones and tablets.
It uses an Ethernet connection to the internet and includes a 500GB hard drive for recording around 300 hours of standard def TV (100 hours HD). The BBC iPlayer is promised to be on board straight out of the box and there are plans for ITV’s Net Player and other on-demand services to follow.
It can send a TV signal from the box to your iPad, iPhone, Android or Windows Phone 7 handset as well as your PC or Mac via Wi-Fi connection – but it will have to be the same programme you’re watching, even though it has two tuners, which at least allows you to record one program while you watch another.
There’s a compatible Sling app for Apple and Android handsets which allows you to stream your live or recorded TV (standard def only though) from the main box, though this is expected to cost an additional £20.
Connections include SCART, S/PDIF, RCA, Ethernet, HDMI and USB 2.0 (for software updates only).
Freesat Managing Director Emma Scott said: “This is a great partnership for us. It’s our first foray into EchoStar’s ‘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 Echostar Slingloaded HDS-600RS goes on sale in April for £350.