TivùSat has given details of the receiver-decoders that will be required to receive the Italian free-to-view platform at launch on July 31.
In a briefing the company said that product from ADB, Humax and Telesystem would be available at launch. Further manufacturers including Auriga, Digiquest, Emme Esse, Fracarro, FTE, Global, Melchioni and Topfield were expected to enter the market in September. A number of IDTVs (integrated digital televisions) are due to be released within the year from LGE, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, and Vestel.
Entry cost will be €99, including the Nagravision smart card, though with some units also including a personal video recorder the price is expected to vary considerably. However, installation costs could be in the region of €150.
TivùSat is recommending a dish size of between 60cm and 90cm to receive the signals that will be delivered from the Eutelsat Hot Bird neighbourhood at 13 degrees East.
There will be no on-going subscription costs, though it is anticipated that Mediaset might later use the platform to extend Mediaset Premium, its successful DTT pay operation. Its other partners in the venture are the public broadcaster RAI and Telecom Italia.