Allied Technologies has launched Altech Node, what it believes is the world’s first fully converged home gateway console, offering movie entertainment, TV series, sports and business content, Internet access, and wireless smart home solutions.
Altech Node gives immediate access to more than 700 hours of entertainment without any buffering, with 10% to 20% of movies and TV shows updated monthly as older content is replaced with the latest and greatest releases. And through Node compatible accessories, it creates a smart home environment that can be directly controlled from the television screen.
According to Craig Venter, group executive of Altron TMT and CEO of Altech, Node is like a DVD store in the user’s home.
“At any time, viewers can choose from a selection of hundreds of blockbuster movies on transactional video on demand – TVOD, in full 1080p High Definition, and 400 recent movies on subscription video on demand – SVOD.
What is especially brilliant about the way we have set up the Node, is that the content is streamed, and regularly updated, via satellite to the Node’s internal 1TB hard drive, so viewers don’t pay for massive Internet downloads and can access content literally the moment they decide to view it, with no delays and no buffering.”
Node maintains a carousel library of content on its hard drive, the majority of which can be accessed as part of the monthly subscription fee of R299. Node incorporates a once-off device cost of R3 499, unless customers opt to purchase the Node over a 24-month period at approximately R190 per month, depending on the selected data bundle.
Free installation is included in the cost. Added to this is the fact that customers are not tied into long term contracts.
The latest blockbuster movie releases can be viewed for R25 and enjoyed for unlimited viewing over a 48-hour period. With a wide range of subscription video-on-demand titles, including movies and series, customers will be spoilt for choice. Sports fans and followers of business news and current affairs can catch up on the latest developments through up-to-date highlights packages.
Node is also unique in that it is an instant e-commerce platform that allows users to buy data, airtime and pre-paid electricity, and pay for municipal and utility services such as Eskom or Telkom – all from the comfort of their home and without the use of a computer.
In addition to the Node’s entertainment capabilities is its smart TV and smart home functionality that enables users to download Android apps, access the Internet and email, and control home appliances using Node branded Smart Plugs.
“In today’s high security conscious world the wireless camera and motion sensor capabilities of the Node are a tremendous value-add. With just one or two clicks of a button on the Node’s remote control, you are able to view up to four Node video cameras wirelessly on your TV screen or via another connected access device such as an iPad or cell phone,” says Venter.
“Node is much more than video on demand. It is an entertainment hub, a streaming server, a WiFi hotspot, an e-commerce platform, a home automation and energy management system, a home security system, and a telephone and videophone, all in one and completely integrated.
“It is the most sophisticated home gateway in the world and is a true reflection of Altech’s mission to provide its customers with value-added products, services and solutions through the convergence of Telecommunications, Multi-media and Information Technology,” adds Venter.
Node was available from the following stores from Friday (19 September 2014): Altech Autopage Cellular, Cell C, Dion Wired, Game, HiFi Corporation, Hirsch’s, Incredible Connection, JetMart, Makro, Pick ‘n Pay Hyper and other leading retailers.