China's StarTimes pay-TV operator has launched it's latest new decoder - complete with a lime green trim as an added flourish - in South Africa through its StarSat branded branch.
The introduction of StarTimes' latest decoder version comes weeks before rival MultiChoice is set to take the wrapping off to unveil its latest DStv Explora decoder version that for the first time will offer access to a carousel of folded-in video streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
StarSat's new SAT3-decoder - the third decoder that StarTimes and StarSat has put into the market since it took over and rebranded from the original TopTV decoder - comes with a spiffy lime green trim at the base of the black decoder.
The black remote control that has an orange power button, as well as the decoder are both StarTimes branded.
The new SAT3-decoder is Full HD compatible, allows for PVR recording, and has gone on sale for a retail price of R599.
Helen Zhang, head of marketing, tells TVwithThinus that "As part of StarSat's commitment to enable every African family to access digital TV, afford digital TV, and watch good digital TV, StarSat introduced the brand new SAT3-decoder after selling Combo3 for over 3 years in the South Africa market".
"The introduction of an upgraded decoder is to bring a better viewing experience to our subscribers by applying the latest technology."
"Compared to the Combo3, SAT3 has a smarter look, an improved remote control, and inbuild CA to avoid smartcard-going-missing problems, while it keeps HEVC compatability, a friendly user-interface (UI) design, PVR ready function, and most importantly, the same affordable price."
"All these upgrades are based on a survey and communication with StarSat subscribers. We really hope StarSat subscribers will enjoy Bundesliga, La Liga, Dreamworks, and many more new TV channels and content with the brand new SAT3-decoder."
StarSat says in the HS215-HGB decoder’s functional description that it is the "latest designed decoder model to receive digital satellite TV signal" and also support DVB broadcasting services as a DTH HD decoder model with ATV OUT".
The square black StarTimes decoder with curved corners comes with 3 triangular buttons on top - an on/off power button, as well as an up and down button. It supports DVB-S2/DVB-S, satellite TV(DTH) service, supports H.265 standard and is compatible with H.264.
The decoder also supports 1080p/1080i/720p/576i/480i HD and SD picture resolution, personal video recording, an electronic programme guide (EPG) for 7 days, a parental control function and has a multi-lingual menu in English, French, Portuguese, Swahili and Chinese menu.
StarTimes recently expanded its StarTimes GO online store available in the rest of Africa, to StarSat in South Africa.
The online store now makes it possible for South African pay-TV viewers to buy StarTimes branded flat-screen TV sets, decoders, as well as TV set and decoder combo-deals, online for home delivery and installation.
