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Dish Unveils $130 'AirTV' That Streams, Delivers OTA Broadcasts

Dish Network today announced it's selling a new "AirTV" device that integrates Sling TV and other streaming video services and over the air (OTA) broadcasts for $130. Details on the new device have slowly but surely been leaking out at several, different Air TV websites, which state the new Android TV-powered device from Dish-owned EchoStar will come in a $100 base model, with users able to buy a dongle for OTA transmissions for an additional $40. At launch, the two devices will be sold together in a bundle as part of a $130 package formally unveiled today at CES in Las Vegas.

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A product FAQ offers a small amount of additional detail.

Users will of course also need to buy a decent antenna to receive over the air signals. According to the website, the device will support 4K/Ultra HD content, as well as apps and services from Google Play. The FAQ recommends that users have at least 3 Mbps for standard definition streaming, and 5 Mbps for HD streaming. The website also notes the hardware will come with $50 in Sling TV programming credits.

It notes that while users don't necessarily need a Sling TV subscription to use the service, users will need to log in with a Sling TV account to enable a 12 month warranty -- which begins from the moment you log in with your Sling TV credentials on the device.

"With the AirTV Player, cut the cord and keep the TV experience," notes the product website. "You’ll have a single platform for watching Sling TV, Netflix, local channels, and more. Plus, one easy-to-use remote with voice support for your AirTV Player, local OTA channels, and sound system."

The new details were first noted by BTIG analyst Rich Greenfield on Twitter.

»twitter.com/RichBTIG/sta ··· 11530240

Most recommended from 28 comments



tyspeed29
Premium Member
join:2001-01-04
Simi Valley, CA

3 recommendations

tyspeed29

Premium Member

One issue I see

All these ISPs focusing on making new gadgets for streaming which takes up tons of bandwidth on each and every users internet account, but not improving products they already have, which isn't using a users internet bandwidth and lowering prices to a reasonable rate.

Then we wonder why our internet speeds aren't getting faster, there is your answer.

Sooner consumers will get tired of wasting money on 90% of the cable channels they don't use, and of those 70% are reruns, maybe 30% new content and like me was paying $185 a month for maybe 15 channels I watched only once a week when new shows came on, or like most of us leave the TV on and pretend to watch but do other things while its on just for background noise. I don't miss those annoying Viagra commercials.
adam1991
join:2012-06-16
united state

2 recommendations

adam1991

Member

It's 1985 all over again

So you can get a box that gives you OTA plus cable channels--all linear, grid-based, appointment TV. And you have to pay for the cable channels.

It's 1985 all over again.

Who wants the cable TV experience so bad that he's willing to jump through these hoops instead of simply buying the cable TV experience directly from the cable company???

Packeteers
Premium Member
join:2005-06-18
Forest Hills, NY

2 recommendations

Packeteers

Premium Member

crazy pricing

today you can get a ota 1080p tuner with dtv-usb for $30 and a 4core 2k android streaming box for $50 - this device makes no sense even if full 4k hdcp 2.2 actual works, which is doubtful.