(29 November 2007 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: The US cable industry and Tivo, which creates television services for digital video recorders (DVRs) in the US, have announced that cable operators will next year introduce a new external adapter that will enable Tivo digital video recorders that use able cable cards to access switched digital cable channels without a set top box.

The specifications for the interface to the new adapter were developed in discussions among cable operators, CableLabs, Tivo and other cable vendors.

By designing an adapter that allows Tivo's CableCard-enabled DVRs to view switched digital channels, the cable industry has once again demonstrated its ongoing effort to explore innovative technology solutions that balance customer demand for advanced services and network capacity constraints resulting from bandwidth intensive offerings, according to McSlarrow. With the adapter Tivo's DVRs will be able to access all switched digital channels without a set top box.

Switched digital allows cable operators to transmit channels to customers on an as-needed basis, and it provides cable operators more flexibility to deliver the interactive digital services, high- definition (HD) channels, broadband Internet and digital phone service that consumers are craving.

Switched digital technology will become even more critical as the February 2009 digital TV transition approaches and cable operators carry more HD signals -- which will entice more viewers to purchase HD sets -- and carry both a digital and analogue signal of local broadcast stations.

National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) president and CEO Kyle McSlarrow says, " This announcement is a major breakthrough resulting from marketplace discussions that provides benefits for consumers and cable operators. We very much appreciate Tivo's willingness to work on a marketplace solution that will enable Tivo users to enjoy innovative switched digital services without the need for a set-top box."

The new external adapter will attach to TiVo Series 3 HD DVRs and Tivo HD DVRs to ensure the DVRs can directly access all digital channels including switched digital cable channels. The adapter will work on any Unidirectional Digital Cable Ready Product (UDCP) that has a USB connector and necessary firmware. The cable industry is working with TiVo to ensure
that installation of Cablecards and the adapter will be easy and seamless for the consumer.

Tivo president and CEO Tom Rogers says, "We are gratified that the cable industry has agreed to work quickly to develop a solution that will enable existing TiVo Cableard DVRs to
directly access switched digital cable channels and ensure the adapter is part of an easy installation process for cable subscribers.

"We look forward to working with the cable industry in other ways to improve consumer access to cable services."

Cable operators will make the new adapters available for Tivo customers in the second quarter of 2008. Cable operators and TiVo will work cooperatively to alert Tivo customers about availability of the new adapter.