DNA is the first operator in Finland to launch an open ecosystem Android TV devi

[donaldk]

DNA is the first operator in Finland to launch an open ecosystem Android TV device, the DNA TV-hubi
3.5.2017 08:03 | DNA Oyj

What smart phones and their applications did for mobile phones, DNA TV-hubi ("DNA TV Hub") will do for the television. This new Android TV device will bring downloadable applications to your TV, includes support for content in up to 4K resolution and integrates traditional TV channels and diverse online services into one easy-to-use service.

DNA launches the DNA TV-hubi device, which combines all forms of watching television, channels, applications, games and music into a single convenient service. It enables the use of applications on TV and brings the open application store, familiar from smart phones, to your TV.

”People are accustomed to accessing content and services flexibly with any device, and DNA TV-hubi is now making this possible with televisions as well”, says Mikko Saarentaus, Director at DNA Entertainment Business.

DNA TV-hubi runs on the Android TV operating system, which is compatible with the applications of Finland’s three largest TV channels, Katsomo, Yle Areena and Ruutu, along with YouTube, Netflix and Viaplay. And many services that do not have their own Android TV applications can still be transmitted to your television via the device’s in-built Google Cast functionality. You can download applications for the DNA TV-hubi from the Google Play application store.

”This device is for anyone who wants to watch diverse television content with minimal hassle. Thanks to DNA TV-hubi, watching and using online programmes and content on your TV is now just as easy as using apps on your smart phone”, Saarentaus says.

You can use DNA TV-hubi to watch regular television channels from the cable and terrestrial networks, and the device is HD and 4K compatible. DNA TV-hubi is equipped with two HD tuners, which enables simultaneous viewing and recording. The device includes software-based encryption for pay-TV channels, which means that you will not require a separate TV card. Together with the DNA TV service and internet connection, DNA TV-hubi allows the viewing of terrestrial pay-TV channels even outside their actual coverage area. DNA TV-hubi has Bluetooth support for wireless game controllers, and it can be connected to an external hard drive for recording content and be controlled with an application on your smart phone, tablet or even smart watch. The device also includes voice recognition support. DNA TV-hubi is manufactured for DNA by Sagemcom.

DNA TV-hubi will be launched this spring; the price will be specified closer to launch.

[donaldk]

DNA’s terrestrial pay-TV channels will switch completely to DVB-T2 technology on 17 May
3.5.2017 08:01 | DNA Oyj

DNA is harmonising its pay-TV offering in the terrestrial network, and the remaining DVB-T pay-TV channels will switch to DVB-T2 broadcasting technology on 17 May. Viewing channels broadcast with T2 technology requires a television or set-top box equipped with a T2 tuner.

DNA’s remaining DVB-T format pay-TV channels will switch to DVB-T2 technology on 17 May 2017. The majority of terrestrial-network pay-TV channels and all high-definition channels are already being broadcast with the new technology. The greater efficiency of DVB-T2 technology increases broadcasting capacity and enables the transmission of HD-quality broadcasts over the terrestrial network.

”This change will only apply to pay-TV channels received over the terrestrial network. For the majority of terrestrial-network households, this will entail no changes to the channel offering. To continue viewing the channels, viewers will need to make a channel search on 17 May. If your receiver does not support automatic channel searches, you may have to update the channels manually”, says Pekka Väisänen, Senior Vice President, Consumer Business at DNA.

Viewing channels broadcast with T2 technology requires a television or set-top box equipped with a T2 tuner. The safest choice is an Antenna Ready HD approved device. The Antenna Ready HD marking means that the device’s compatibility with DVB-T2 technology has been tested in Finland.

The change will harmonise the number and coverage of pay-TV channels. After the change, 85% of the Finnish population will live within the coverage of all terrestrial-network pay-TV channels. Customers outside the coverage area can still watch the channels over a broadband connection with the DNA TV application or with the new DNA TV-hubi device, which increases the channel offering in terrestrial homes. The DNA TV application allows the viewing of all channels on a computer, smart phone or tablet.

”We have made extensive investments in a nationwide broadband network, which we can now use for the distribution of pay-TV channels. In areas beyond the coverage of the terrestrial network, you can now actually view more channels via broadband than you used to see in the terrestrial network”, Väisänen says.

Pay-TV subscribers in the terrestrial network can easily check whether their devices are compatible with DVB-T2 broadcasts.

Select channel 99 on the television or set-top box in which you have the TV card. If you get an image, everything is fine. If you cannot get an image even after making a channel search, now it’s a good time to update your equipment. On devices without a TV card, select channel 100 for the test.

The on-going broadcasting technology update is part of a wider improvement of TV offering, where the current DVB-T transmissions of the free channels on the terrestrial network will be switched over to DVB-T2 technology on 31 March 2020.

Further information (in Finnish):
www.dna.fi/antenniTV
www.testatutlaitteet.fi