Development and manufacturing of all types of set-top boxes and associated software
General Satellite carries out its own developments in the field of system solutions for satellite television, beginning with software and motherboard production and ending with digital content and network construction.
Prospective developments department was founded in 2002. Recent developments include hardware platform on STi5518 microchip, software for all receiver types, set-top box for NTV-plus satellite operator with integrated CAS Viaccess as well as several models of satellite and terrestrial subscription TV receivers. Presently the department carries out full development cycle. Engineering staff counts 250 specialists.[1] General Satellite conducts developments in the field of:
- satellite receivers;
- cable receivers;
- terrestrial receivers;[2]
- IP receivers;
- specialized software and hardware solutions, as EPG (Electronic Program Guide) generators, conditional access system;
- 3D broadcasting.
Development of control system middleware for operators functioning (CSMW)
CSMW introduction became the standard for digitalization all over the world: without such device using all benefits of the switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting standard would be impossible.
GS Group CSMW is the only system developed in Russia, introduced in 2007 and tested on millions of viewers of the leading satellite TV operator, Tricolor TV (over 7 million subscribers).
More information about CSMW: see also.
Participation as system integrator in digital broadcasting projects
According to the National Program for Switchover to Digital Broadcasting Format, Russian television will be switched to the digital broadcasting by 2015.[3] The state shall create digital television broadcasting system, in particular, provide broadcasting of a number of free-of-charge state-owned TV channels. According to expert estimation, around 50 million households and organizations in Russia shall have been supplied with set-top-boxes or new TV sets by 2015. Presently, Corporation facilities are able to produce up to 5 million set-top boxes annually with possibility to increase the capacity twice.
Production solutions: Receives FTA and FTV television and radio channels. Built based on standard resolution TV hardware components, supports progressive compression format MPEG-4 adopted in Russia. Digital receiver for receiving terrestrial HDTV signal. PVR function enables recording TV programs to USB flash drives and viewing these with built-in player. Supports reception of Free-To-Air channels. PRO Crypt conditional access system is integrated in the model. Dolby Digital digital sound decoding.
According to the National Program for Switchover to Digital Broadcasting Format, Russian television will be switched to the digital broadcasting by 2015.[3] The state shall create digital television broadcasting system, in particular, provide broadcasting of a number of free-of-charge state-owned TV channels. According to expert estimation, around 50 million households and organizations in Russia shall have been supplied with set-top-boxes or new TV sets by 2015. Presently, Corporation facilities are able to produce up to 5 million set-top boxes annually with possibility to increase the capacity twice.
Production solutions: Receives FTA and FTV television and radio channels. Built based on standard resolution TV hardware components, supports progressive compression format MPEG-4 adopted in Russia. Digital receiver for receiving terrestrial HDTV signal. PVR function enables recording TV programs to USB flash drives and viewing these with built-in player. Supports reception of Free-To-Air channels. PRO Crypt conditional access system is integrated in the model. Dolby Digital digital sound decoding.
- GS ТЕ-8511 receiver model
Implementation of own 3D project
Launching first in Russia and Eastern Europe digital satellite 3D broadcasting. First 3D channel in Russian and Eastern Europe becomes available for all subscribers of Platform HD satellite operator. Channel presentation took place within the framework of international telecommunications fair CSTB-2010 in Moscow. World first live 3D broadcast of the Mariinsky Theatre ballet.
GS Group arranged world first live 3D broadcast of a ballet from Concert Hall of the Mariinsky Theatre. Viewers in Russia and Europe had an opportunity to see 3D picture of the ballet live on television. Technical partners of the broadcast were Eutelsat Company, Europe's leasing satellite operator, Samsung Electronics, world's leader in digital multimedia technologies, HD Platform Company, Russian high definition television (HDTV) pay-TV operator. Broadcasting points were organized in Saint Petersburg, Moscow and Paris. London, Great Britain. World premiere of 3 DV channel. GS Group and Valery Gergiev presented joint 3D-project at the press-conference in Barbican-centre, London. General Satellite Corporation announced the launch of its own European 3D TV channel 3DV which will be filled with different content, including the one dedicated to culture and travelling. Considerable part of channel's programs will be the Mariinsky Theatre programs. Fragments from the Mariinsky Theatre Gala Concert and Giselle ballet staged at the Mariinsky Theatre were presented in 3D during presentation before press-conference. During Petersburg Economic Forum, President of the Russian Federation D.A. Medvedev visited the exhibit of the Commission on modernization and technological development of the economy of Russia, where he watched the demonstration of Corporation's developments in the field of 3D TV, namely, the first Russian 3D channel – 3DV.
