Dish Network unveiled this Tuesday its AirTV Player, optimized for Sling TV, Netflix, and YouTube in 4K resolutions. The streaming box will offer more content options to viewers as it integrates local OTA channels for free through an adapter.
The AirTV Player and AirTV Adapter are readily available for purchase at the product’s official site, and they will be part of Dish’s showcase at the Consumer Electronics Show 2017 starting on Thursday.
The company, which also owns the Sling TV over-the-top service, is aiming its new streaming player at ‘cord-cutters’ and everyone who wishes to stop paying a cable subscription and move on to watching television online.
The launch of the AirTV Player comes after Sling TV also made its debut at CES back in 2015. The service now counts with over 1 million subscribers in the U.S.
AirTV Player: an all-in-one streaming player
The AirTV Player is certainly a unique streaming box. Many tech outlets have already pointed out its quirky looks, especially the design of the remote control, but the player compensates it with a wide array of channels and content to choose from.
The box itself connects to and HDTV via HDMI cable and it can get online either with an Ethernet cable or through Wi-Fi. Viewers can watch 4K shows, movies, and videos if they are available.
The AirTV Player remote supports voice search, and it has dedicated buttons for Netflix, Sling TV, and the Google Play Store. On top of that, all players come with a Remote button in case users lose theirs.
Android TV powers Dish’s streaming box, and its interface offers the most accessible services available for such players, including Sling TV. Buyers don’t need a subscription to Sling, and they will get a $50 credit to use on the app with the purchase of an AirTV Player.
How does it work?
The AirTV Player sets itself apart from the rough competition in that it can tune into the over-the-air (OTA) signal of local channels through an antenna and an AirTV adapter.
Dish offers a Pro Install service option for new customers, given that setting up the OTA antenna requires some expertise to get a good signal.
AirTV viewers need to connect the antenna to the AirTV Adapter (which is virtually just a USB stick) and then plug in the device to the streaming box. Local OTA channels vary depending on the location, but most can tune into the likes of NBC, CBS, and ABC.
How much does the AirTV Player cost?
Dish offers the AirTV Player and the AirTV Adapter both bundled and separately. The two-device combo will run you $129.99, while the streaming box alone costs $99.99 and the adapter $39.99.
Meanwhile, the OTA antenna including Pro Install fees ranges between $99.99 and $149.99 for indoor and outdoor setups respectively. All AirTV-branded devices and services are, for the time being, only available in the United States.
Source: AirTV
