NETGEAR announces Android set-top box HDMI dongle

NETGEAR Announces The NeoMediacast Dongle, Full-Featured Android Set-Top Box in Your Pocket

LAS VEGAS — 2014 International CES — NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, has introduced the NETGEAR NeoMediacast™ HDMI Dongle (NTV300D). The NTV300D is a customizable, Miracast®-enabled platform that enables telecommunications service providers to use the latest Android™ applications to offer their subscribers a veritable “curated content store” of both premium and free Over-the-Top (OTT) content. The NETGEAR NeoMediacast HDMI Dongle is among a number of new products that NETGEAR is demonstrating to press, customers and channel partners this week at the 2014 International CES® trade show in Las Vegas.

With NeoMediacast, service providers can develop and operate a complete media streaming solution that supports their multi-screen video initiatives, where quick time-to-market is critical. The small, easy-to-use NTV300D integrates the Android SDK, giving service providers the tools to build their own premium content store. Another major benefit is that service providers can leverage the Android apps they have already developed to support linear TV on tablets and phones. Combined with NTV300D support for DRM, this offers service providers a low-cost alternative to set-top boxes. By supporting this seamless portability of existing Android applications and the cost-effective development of new applications, the NeoMediacast Dongle enables service providers to instantly turn any TV into a Smart TV.

“Consumers are clamoring for new options for accessing digital content across their screens, including their wide-screen HD TVs. With the NeoMediacast HDMI Dongle, our service provider customers have the means to provide a plug-and-play solution to their subscribers that also provides opportunities for additional revenue stream,” said Michael Clegg, senior vice president and general manager for Service Provider Business at NETGEAR. “The NTV300D platform supports seamless integration with other NETGEAR home connectivity devices so that service providers can offer a worry-free connected media solution to their subscribers, knowing they can trust the NETGEAR reputation for quality, reliability, and ease of use.”

The NETGEAR NeoMediacast HDMI Dongle provides uncompromising functionality and performance. It offers Miracast®-enabled wireless display, so that consumers experience intuitive sharing of content from their mobile screens to big screen TVs. Equipped with full HD 1080p/60 decode, there is no compromise in accessing the best content available, while integrated DRM support ensures access to premium content. The NTV300D also leverages best-in-class, next-generation 802.11ac wireless connectivity for a top quality viewing experience even with HD quality video. It integrates support for Bluetooth® 4.0 so Bluetooth-enabled remote devices connect seamlessly. Service providers’ subscribers will love the simple and easy installation afforded by the small form factor.

The NETGEAR NeoMediacast HDMI Dongle comes with a host of innovative features:

• HDMI dongle form factor for small footprint
• Android 4.2+ supported with RDK support in the future
• 1080p/60 full HD, H.264/MPEG4 video decode
• Supports HDMI 1.4 and HDCP 2.1
• Miracast®-enabled
• 802.11ac high-speed wireless connectivity
• USB powered
• Micro SD slot for playback/storage
• Micro USB (OTG) for secondary storage
• DRM support for Microsoft PlayReady™, Google Widevine® and Adobe® RTMPe
• Remote control unit: RF4CE or Bluetooth® supported

“Subscribers want intuitive, plug-and-play access to all forms of video content across multiple screens in their homes. They also want simple integration with their home networks,” said Jeff Heynen, principal analyst covering broadband access, pay TV and video for Infonetics Research. “The NETGEAR NeoMediacast HDMI Dongle provides both, bringing true content integration to reality.”

Availability

The NETGEAR NeoMediacast HDMI Dongle (NTV300D) is scheduled to become available for service provider deployments in the first half of 2014.