Hungarian HDTV platform launches on 9E

[Analoguesat]

Hello HD, Hungary’s first High-Definition television platform, is gearing up for launch May 1st 2008 from the Eurobird™ 9 satellite operated by Eutelsat Communications. Using two transponders leased on a long-term basis on Eurobird™ 9, Hello HD’s new television platform will feature industry-leading HDTV services including Eurosport HD, National Geographic HD, Filmbox HD and HBO HD, complemented by high quality Hungarian channels broadcasting in Standard Digital.

Hello HD will be available to viewers on a subscription basis using CONAX encryption. Subscribers will procure a High-Definition set-top-box provided by the Swiss company Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB) which enables high definition and standard definition reception based on the DVB-S2 standard and is also equipped with PVR (Personal Video Recorder) and VOD (Video on Demand) features.

In fourth quarter 2008 Hello HD plans to launch video-on-demand and a range of value added interactive services. Hello HD’s choice of Eurobird™ 9 will also enable satellite homes in Hungary to receive digital channels broadcasting from Eutelsat’s Hot Bird™ video neighbourhood. Using off-the-shelf double-feed antennas, Hello HD subscribers will be able to use the same dish to pick up content available free-to-air at the Hot Bird™ position.

(Source: Eutelsat)