Telewest to Offer PVRs

Telewest has inked a deal with technology firm Scientific-Atlanta to offer personal video recorder (PVR) set-top boxes to its cable TV customers later this year. The move follows similar offerings from rivals such as TiVo and Sky.

The new PVR set-top box incorporates a 160Gb hard drive and three video tuners, which will allow viewers to receive Telewest Broadband’s digital TV service and record two programmes simultaneously while watching a third.

This is a step forward from many existing PVRs, which can only manage two channels at once.

As with other PVRs, the product will also allow customers to pause and instantly rewind live TV. Once recorded, programmes can be controlled like a DVD or video, without the hassle of tapes. The device will be able to store around 80 hours of programmes.

Telewest said it also plans to deliver high-definition TV (HDTV) content in the future, which offers a significant improvement in picture quality compared with today’s standard-definition digital TV broadcasts, especially on larger plasma and LCD screens.

Eric Tveter, president and chief operating officer at Telewest Broadband, said: “We will make our personal video recorder set-top box available later this year, putting a stop to missed soaps, interrupted films and arguments over which programmes to record. It’s a fantastic box of TV tricks that people will wonder how they ever survived without!”

The agreement follows this week’s launch of the first phase of Telewest Broadband’s new TV-on-demand service, which will offer a choice of additional movies, TV programmes and specialist content via customers’ remote controls.

Story source: netimperative.com.