Direct-to-the-Home service providers are concentrating on providing more options to the customers when it comes to Set-Top Boxes. Usually, DTH and Cable TV operators provide HD and SD STBs to the users, but as part of the current trend, operators are coming with hybrid Set-Top Boxes running Android TV platform. Airtel Digital TV was the first to launch Airtel Xstream Box Android TV Set-Top Box and it was soon followed by Dish TV. Just a couple of weeks ago, Dish TV introduced a new Android TV-based Set-Top Box called Dish SMRT Hub. While Airtel Digital TV is providing four Set-Top Box choices to the customers including the good-old Airtel Internet TV, Dish TV is providing three choices, including the newly launched Dish SMRT Hub.
DishNXT SD Set-Top Box: Pricing and Features
The basic Set-Top Box from Dish TV is called 'DishNXT,' and it retails for a price of Rs 1,490. Yes, the price is surely on the higher side considering what other DTH operators are charging for Set-Top Box, but on the brighter side, Dish TV will provide channel pack free for one month. Customers choosing the DishNXT STB will be eligible to get one-month free channel pack subscription, lifetime warranty for the Set-Top Box and Rs 2,000 worth coupons from Coupon Duniya.
As for the features, the DishNXT STB offers Stereophonic Sound, Add Reminders and Favourite channels functionality and Digital Picture Quality.
DishNXT HD Set-Top Box: Pricing and Features
Next up, we have the popular DishNXT HD Set-Top Box which is the only option available for customers to view HD TV channels before the launch of Dish SMRT Hub. The price of the DishNXT HD Set-Top Box right now is Rs 1,590 and customers will also get one month of free channel pack subscription. Alongside, new Dish TV HD STB buyers will be able to avail lifetime warranty and Rs 2,000 worth of coupons from Coupon Duniya.
The DishNXT and DishNXT HD do not differ much when it comes to the features. Besides the HD picture clarity, all the features like stereophonic sound, reminder addition and multilingual channels are present. However, there's one feature which differentiates the DishNXT and DishNXT HD Set-Top Boxes and it's the Smart Stick pairing. For the unaware, Dish TV is providing DishSMRT Stick and DishSMRT Kit with Alexa support. These Smart Sticks can be paired with the DishNXT HD Set-Top Box and the standard DishNXT Set-Top Box is not compatible.
Dish SMRT Hub Smart Set-Top Box: Pricing and Features
Earlier this month, Dish TV introduced a new STB called Dish SMRT Hub. While the name of the box sounds completely off, the best part is it's an Android TV box and comes pre-loaded with several OTT apps like Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, Watcho and so on. Dish SMRT Hub is a linear Set-Top Box as it allows both Satellite TV and OTT apps.
Users can download apps from the Google Play Store and even they can play games. The Dish SMRT Hub remote comes with a dedicated button for Google Assistant, allowing users to do quick voice searches. It also allows users to create multiple user profiles and they can even control the Set-Top Box with the Remote app. The Dish SMRT Hub is currently available for new customers at Rs 3,999, but for existing Dish TV customers, it comes for Rs 2,499.
