LiveTV Buys EMS Formation Rugged HDDs

EMS Technologies, Inc. announced that LiveTV LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of JetBlue Airways, has selected the company’s EMS Formation business unit to provide rugged data storage for up to 1,000 aircraft that are deploying LiveTV systems. LiveTV is the world’s leading provider of live in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems for commercial and business airlines.

EMS Formation will provide ToughDisk 3500 SATA Rugged Hard Disk (TD3500 SATA) assemblies that will be integrated into LiveTV’s Content Server and System Controller (CSSC), a television video server, and the Connectivity Aircraft Server (CAS). The CAS is used with LiveTV’s low-cost Kiteline connectivity product, which allows airlines to provide passengers with free in-flight email and messaging.

“We selected the TD3500 SATA after going through an extensive product evaluation process. EMS Formation provided the performance and price needed for a rugged data storage solution in our avionics environment,” said John Stefanelli, LiveTV’s director of procurement. “Equipping our servers with reliable data storage supports LiveTV’s ongoing efforts to have our airline passengers feel at home in the air with our in-flight TV, email, and messaging service.”

The TD3500 SATA assembly includes a TD3500 SATA hard drive and isolation kit. The isolation kit provides vibration isolation of the hard drive, making for easier installation in the servers. The company has already shipped 100 assemblies to LiveTV and will begin making deliveries under the purchase agreement in May 2009.

“LiveTV is one of the world’s leading providers of in-flight entertainment and connectivity,” says R. Nim Evatt, EMS Formation’s vice president and general manager. “LiveTV’s selection of ToughDisk for its in-flight rugged data storage needs demonstrates tremendous confidence in EMS Formation and our products.”