EchoStar is now shipping three set-top models that incorporate Entropic Communications’ set-top silicon and demodulator technology.
The boxes are currently being deployed at Bell Canada, Dish Mexico and Telus, one model per company: the EchoStar 6400FG (Bell Canada), the EchoStar M211HDR (Dish Mexico) and the EchoStar 6400T (Telus).
Entropic also announced its chips will be at the heart of EchoStar’s recently announced Ultra Slim Box. The Ultra Slim Box is a high-definition digital TV recorder combining Freeview+ HD and access to Smart TV entertainment.
The Ultra Slim Box HDT-610R is available to consumers in the United Kingdom and offers access to a lineup of HD and standard-definition TV channels and Internet connectivity to access Smart TV features, including catch-up TV and the ability to upgrade to the latest software and features online. The Ultra Slim Box HDT-610R is available from key retailers in the U.K.
Entropic’s SoC uses an integrated ARM CPU to power advanced application processing, with a multi-stream transport processor to support PVR functionality. It also leverages flexible, multi-format video and audio decoders and a memory controller to provide ample memory capacity for both HD picture decoding and advanced system performance.
The EchoStar STBs also use Entropic’s advanced, low-power turbo-coding demodulator, which provides increased satellite system throughput by up to 35 percent utilizing existing bandwidth, Entropic claimed.
