As it stated a few weeks ago, Dish TV has now introduced an Android TV-based Set-Top Box called Dish SMRT Hub, taking on the Airtel Xstream Box and Reliance Jio's 4K Set-Top Box. Alongside Dish SMRT Hub, the former leading DTH operator also announced Dish SMRT Kit with voice assistant Alexa built-in remote. Dish TV's latest Android TV STB is available for both existing and new customers at Rs 2,499 and Rs 3,999, respectively. The Dish SMRT Kit can be availed separately for a price of Rs 1,199 and it can be used on top of the existing Dish TV Set-Top Boxes, the company has confirmed. Similar to Airtel Xstream Box, the Dish SMRT Hub brings Satellite TV and OTT content together; It also comes bundled with a plethora of apps and runs on Android 9 Pie out of the box.
Dish SMRT Hub Android TV Set-Top Box: Features and Specs
With the competition in the sector growing in DTH sector, Dish TV has finally come up with a solution to tackle the Airtel Xstream Box and Jio 4K Set-Top Box that's being offered to every customer who chooses a JioFiber broadband plan. Dish SMRT Hub is an Android TV-based Set-Top Box from Dish TV and it comes pre-loaded with Google apps like Google Assistant, Google Play Store, YouTube and so on. Dish SMRT Hub will also support all popular OTT apps like Watcho, Amazon Prime Video, VOOT, ZEE5, ALT Balaji and so on. However, the company did not list Netflix, but users can sideload the app as it's the same Android TV platform.
The Dish SMRT Hub has support for built-in Chromecast and the remote features a dedicated Google Assistant button for quick voice searches. Similar to Xstream Box, the all-new STB from Dish TV also has Dolby audio support and Dish TV will allow users to install apps from the Play Store directly. Dish TV also confirmed that the STB would work with any television and it even bundles its OTT app- Watcho.
The primary highlight of the Dish SMRT Hub is the seamless switching between Satellite TV and OTT apps. Airtel Xstream Box and Jio 4K Set-Top Box also offer this functionality and it's something loved by a lot of users out there.
Dish SMRT Kit With Alexa-Powered Remote Launched at Rs 1,199
Alongside the Dish SMRT Hub Android TV STB, the DTH operator also introduced a new product called 'Dish SMRT Kit' which comes with an Alexa-powered remote control. It seems like the Dish SMRT Kit is the same DishSMRT Stick the company has launched last year, but the new product- Dish SMRT Kit comes with a remote. According to Dish TV, the Dish SMRT Kit will help users to seamlessly bridge the gap between real-time TV content and the OTT content available online.
Similar to the DishSMRT Stick, the Dish SMRT Kit is also a Wi-Fi dongle which can be connected to the user's HD or SD Set-Top Box. The best point of the Dish SMRT Kit is the Bluetooth and Alexa-enabled remote controls which provides access to thousands of Alexa skills.
Furthermore, Dish TV also said that it's working with HANDAN (the manufacturer for Dish TV) to bring voice search functionality to its Set-Top Boxes as well in the coming days.
Dish SMRT Hub and Dish SMRT Kit: Pricing in India
The Dish SMRT Hub is the premium Set-Top Box Dish TV has ever launched, and for new users, it will be available at a price of Rs 3,999. However, existing Dish TV customers can upgrade to the Dish SMRT Hub by paying Rs 2,499 upgrade charges. As mentioned, the STB comes pre-loaded with Watcho app as well and it offers Live TV content. But Dish TV did not mention anything regarding the Watcho app subscription being available to Dish SMRT Hub buyers.
As for the Dish SMRT Kit, it will retail for Rs 1,199, owing to the Alexa-enabled remote. The DishSMRT Stick was available at just Rs 599, but the Dish SMRT Kit retails for a slightly higher price because of the additional features it brings to the table.
