(25 July 2007 3:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Tivo which creates television services for digital video recorders (DVRs) in the US has launched a new high definition DVR, delivering a premium HD experience at an affordable price. Consumers can pre-order TiVo HD at www.tivo.com for $299.99.

The firm says that the product maximises the HD cable experience. The new TiVo HD is also a Digital Cable Ready set-top-box that works with any cable provider in the US.

Moreover, the new product also enables Tivo service features such as Movie & TV Downloads from Amazon.com, Home Movie Sharing and universal Swivel search, delivering the best of broadband video directly to the television set.

Tivo CEO and president Tom Rogers says, "TiVo HD extends the TiVo experience to an even wider audience than ever, giving sports and entertainment enthusiasts the ultimate companion to their HDTV set. It is the ultimate media centerpiece for the living room with the broadest selection of broadband content, right alongside your favorite broadcast and cable programmes, giving HDTV viewers more choice and control than they've ever had before. And it can be used in place of the customer's existing cable box."

The Tivo HD is designed to fit with home entertainment centers, replacing cable boxes while complimenting other entertainment devices. It is compatible with digital cable, analog cable and digital antenna (ATSC). TiVo HD offers 20 hours of HD or up to 180 hours of standard definition content. The new TiVo HD DVR allows users to record two HD channels at the same time, while watching a third previously recorded show.

Tivo adds that with close to 30 per cent of US homes now owning at least one high-definition TV, the market is ready for an HD-enabled platform that combines the best in DVR technology with the best of both traditional and web-based video entertainment.