HaiVision Network Video today unveiled a new version of the company’s STINGRAY™ set-top box, which boasts broader format support within a compact form factor. HaiVision will showcase the new STINGRAY at the 2010 NAB Show, demonstrating secure, centrally controlled IP video distribution. The STINGRAY is now available within a compact chassis format and supports direct HDMI output.

The STINGRAY is part of HaiVision’s end-to-end FURNACE IP Video System. The FURNACE delivers 100 percent secure AES encrypted video over IP multicast networks. Secure video is required in any environment that distributes protected content such as within education, professional sports stadiums, healthcare, and government.

As part of the FURNACE system, the STINGRAY benefits from HaiVision’s InStream™ client-server-based player technology. As a result, the STINGRAY is self-provisioning with all STB firmware updates automatic on every power up, the channel guide and VoD lineup updates are received and applied on the fly, and administrators can control every aspect of any STB or group of STBs on an ad-hoc or scheduled basis. Such control includes channel selection, volume control, direct on-screen messaging, and power.

“The STINGRAY extends the FURNACE IP Video System to fixed endpoints requiring user or central controls,” said Peter Maag, senior vice president at HaiVision. “It is an ideal solution for university dormitories, common area displays, and conference areas.”

The STINGRAY supports all of the core features of HaiVision’s InStream player to enable intuitive and convenient video playout on large-screen displays via analog (component, composite, and s-video) or digital (HDMI) outputs. Additionally, the STINGRAY also supports all common HD and SD formats as well as select computer formats as encoded by HaiVision’s MAKITO™ H.264 encoders. The set-top box is equipped with dual Ethernet network interfaces to offer increased support for streaming and data networking applications and measures just 26 cm by 24.5 cm by 6 cm.