MIDDLETOWN – KVH Industries today officially introduced the European version of its TracVision M3 marine satellite TV system, at the London Boat Show.
The TracVision M3 – now available for mariners throughout Europe for the very first time – is the world’s smallest stabilized marine satellite TV system, suitable for vessels as small as 25 feet.
The award-winning system offers everything boaters need to enjoy their favorite local programming at sea, including the TracVision M3 antenna, a 12V multi-satellite control unit, and a single cable for easy installation. The TracVision M3’s super-efficient, 14.5-inch (37 cm) diameter antenna offers a rugged design, precision tracking, and coverage range comparable to larger 18-inch (45 cm) diameter antennas in most areas – crystal-clear proof that less is more.
“The TracVision M3 is powerful technology made simple and we’re pleased to be bringing it to the European marine market,” said Mads Bjerre-Petersen, managing director of KVH Europe A/S. “It brings together all of the features boaters have been asking for in a small, simple-to-install, easy-to-operate system that offers outstanding near-shore coverage. The TracVision M3 is the first stabilized satellite TV system designed specifically for boats in the 25 to 40 foot range. Until today, marine satellite TV antennas have been too big to look good on smaller boats or have had designs limited to at-anchor or coastal use. The addition of the TracVision M3 to our award-winning product line now enables us to offer maritime satellite TV solutions for consumers cruising on boats of virtually any size.”
Satellite television is among the most popular accessories for boaters worldwide, keeping them connected to live news, sports, and entertainment via powerful regional satellite TV services. However, due to the size requirements of these antennas, satellite TV was historically only practical for vessels 40 feet and larger. However, the TracVision M3, the world’s smallest stabilized marine satellite TV system, changes all that.
The new TracVision M3 is fully automatic, connecting boaters in European waters to local satellite TV programming, such as SKY in the UK, Premiere in Germany, or Digital+ in Spain when cruising along the coast in those respective countries. Its powerful motors are extremely quiet yet are responsive enough to keep the TracVision M3’s antenna locked onto the satellite even aboard small vessels, which present a far more challenging dynamic environment in rough seas than larger boats. The system’s high-efficiency 14.5-inch (37 cm) antenna is contained within an impact-resistant dome 40% smaller than competing 18-inch (45 cm) diameter antennas, and requires only a single cable for installation. Also included in the TracVision M3 package is KVH’s exclusive 12-volt multi-satellite control unit, allowing boaters to connect the system directly to the vessel’s 12-volt power supply as well as to virtually any home satellite TV receiver. KVH also offers the TracVision M3 with an integrated 12V DIRECTV® receiver for boaters in the U.S.
TracVision M3 last year won prestigious industry awards on two continents: In October, the United States’ National Marine Electronics Association named the TracVision M3 the recipient of its “2006 Industry Award” for the marine entertainment category. In November, it also won the marine electronics category for the 2006 DAME Award, at the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS) in Amsterdam.
“It’s time to put away the DVDs and welcome live TV programming onboard almost any boat,” said Bjerre-Petersen. “The TracVision M3 offers a unique solution to enjoying satellite TV at sea, with the performance consumers and marine dealers have come to expect from KVH and our TracVision systems.”
Middletown-based KVH Industries Inc. (Nasdaq: KVHI) is an ISO 9001-certified maker of live mobile media systems, including satellite TV to telephone and high-speed Internet for vehicles and vessels, and a leading source of navigation, pointing and guidance solutions for maritime, defense, and commercial applications. Additional information on the company is available at www.kvh.com; information on theTracVision M3 and KVH’s other satellite TV systems is available at www.tracvision.com.
