EchoStar

EchoStar and XStreamHD recently entered into a long-term satellite service agreement allowing XStreamHD the use of satellite capacity from the EchoStar AMC-16 satellite. With the agreement, XStreamHD's 1080p HD entertainment can be delivered via satellite directly to homes.

Per the press release, "XStreamHD offers HD entertainment in a 1080p format, the highest quality viewing experience, delivered via satellite directly to homes. Its patent-pending technology enables XStreamHD to deliver a higher standard of digital entertainment that is equivalent to the quality of physical media. Utilizing Fixed Service Satellite (FSS) capacity from the AMC-16 satellite, XStreamHD transports multiple streams of Pre-Fetched Entertainment (PFE) to a subscriber's sophisticated XStreamHD Media Server. With PFE, consumers enjoy a better level of entertainment convenience by having access to a customized storefront of movie titles that are automatically placed in their media server's personal library based upon their unique user preference and distinct title selections."Read more

EchoStar announced today they are bringing the DishHD experience to Taiwan. DishHD satellite TV service includes the widest variety of high definition video channels available in Taiwan. Digital satellite TV is broadcast in 1081i and features Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. The service is distributed to homes via a small satellite antenna and a digital set-top box.

Two packages are available – Standard and Premiere. The Standard DishHD package includes 12 HD channels, with the Premier package delivering 30 HD channels – that's more than twice the number of HD channels offered from any other pay television service in Taiwan!

DishHD is broadcast via AsiaSat's high powered AsiaSat 4 satellite to direct-to-home satellite antennas as small as 30 cm in diameter. A premium set-top-box is also available from DishHD. The 612t HD DVR features two satellite tuners, an interactive electronic program guide, and a 500 gigabyte internal DVR that allows customers to pause, record, and replay live television while simultaneously recording or watching another live TV channel.Read more

EchoStar's new T2200S is the world’s first SlingLoaded, tru2way-based, multi-tuner, HD DVR set-top box designed for the cable TV industry. With Sling Media's placeshifting technology cable TV subscribers will be able to watch live TV, DVR and VOD content, on almost any Internet-connected device, such as the computer, mobile media players or cell phones. And with its huge 1 terabyte hard drive, subscribers will have up to 1,000 hours of storage.

• Supports MPEG-2, H.264 (MPEG-4) and VC1.
• 1GHz tuners to support expanded network bandwidth.
• Connect to the home network via Ethernet, WiFi (with optional WiFi adapter) or Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA).
• Picture-in-Picture
• Supports advanced resolution formats up to 1080p.
• Individual branding opportunities for MSOs.
• Supports Macrovision and DCS analog copy protection.
• Features an attractive, capacitive-touch, backlit front panel with
• clock display.

It will be available for testing in June and will be in production by the fourth quarter of 2009. Pricing has not yet been announced.