Philips retails Pace set top boxes for CANAL+ Group

Free-to-Air set top boxes compatible with Canal + and Canal Sat pay-TV services on sale in France

SALTAIRE, West Yorkshire, UK — Pace plc (LSE: PIC), a leading global developer of digital TV technologies, today announces the retail launch of its new range of CANAL+ (Paris:VIV) set-top boxes. All the devices are “CANAL READY”, meaning consumers can access free-to-air digital broadcasts, with the option to upgrade to CANAL+ and/or Canal Sat pay TV channels including the recently-launched “Découverte” offer.

The range, which includes two digital satellite set-top boxes and a high definition (HD) terrestrial set-top box, continues Pace’s tradition of technological innovation and leading-edge design. As part of Pace’s ongoing commitment to the environment, outlined in its recently-announced Low Environmental Impact standard, all three boxes are produced with a minimal amount of hazardous material and all have a ‘low energy’ mode to reduce energy consumption.

The DSR5020 enables consumers to access the free standard definition (SD) and HD digital terrestrial channels (referred to as Télévision Numérique Terrestre, or TNT, in France) and channels on the Astra satellite. If consumers choose to subscribe, the set-top box also opens up access to the CANALSAT channels (including Canal +, Canal+ HD, CANAL+ CINEMA, CANAL+ SPORT, CANAL+ FAMILY and CANAL+ DECALE) as well as new offerings, CANAL+ WEEKEND and Initial par CANALSAT. The DSR5020 comes with Viaccess embedded Conditional Access.

Boasting the same features as the HD version, the SD device opens up access to all the free TNT and Astra channels along with the CANAL+ and Canal SAT SD channels (with a valid subscription). The DSR2020 will go on sale from the start of November.

Finally, the new HD terrestrial device (DTR5220), will give customers access to the free HD and SD TNT channels, along with either the three CANAL+ channels (Canal+ HD, CANAL+ CINEMA and CANAL+ SPORT) or the five CANALSAT channels (Eurosport, Paris Première, LCI, TF6 and Planet). The DTR5220 comes with Nagravision embedded Conditional Access. Included in the pack is a smartcard which, if activated, gives a subscription to TNT CANAL+, which can be cancelled at any time. (Customers will still be able to access the 18 free TNT channels without a CANAL+ subscription.) The device is also available from the start of November.

“The analogue switch-off is creating a lot of uncertainty among French consumers,” commented Mathias Hautefort, Président de Pace France. “We’re focussed on making the transition as smooth as possible by creating a range of easy-to-use, environmentally-conscious products for Philips that allow consumers access to a huge range of entertainment choices.”