EchoStar raises TV anywhere bar

EchoStar Europe’s SlingLoaded HDS-600RS has launched for £349 in the UK. Billed as the first HD digital video recorder to combine Freesat+ features with Sling Media’s potentially explosive place-shifting ability, it essentially enables TV anywhere on all popular smartphones and tablets.

The UK Freesat+ service allows viewers to get over 150 digital channels subscription free, but the SlingLoaded feature turbo-charges the unit as it enables users to watch and manage their live and recorded TV remotely anytime, anywhere, via 3G or Wi-Fi, with no additional monthly fees.

Once connected to home broadband, the EchoStar HDS-600RS will Sling live or recorded TV anywhere, to iPhone, iPad or Android smartphones or tablets, and any device supported by SlingPlayer Mobile, even to Mac and PC via SlingPlayer (which can be accessed for free, online at www.uk.slingbox.com). “Throughout your home or around the world, you can truly Sling your TV anywhere,” runs the slogan.

It’s neat stuff and, in a rapidly evolving market, also boasts a host of other options to keep it ahead of its competitors: live pause and rewind, dual channel; one touch series-link via the HD EPG; a 500GB hard disk drive accommodating up to 100 hours of HD programming; and a Digital Audio Port.