TiVo to Offer Cable Adapter For HD
The device will allow the DVR to operate with Switched Digital Video systems.
By Swanni
That's according to an article by TWICE Magazine.
The adapter is considered crucial to TiVo's hopes of generating more subscribers because several cable operators are planning to use SDV in the coming months.
SDV will allow the cable services to offer more High-Definition channels because it saves bandwidth by only delivering a channel to the home when the viewer actually watches it.
TiVo's HD DVRs have CableCard slots that allow their users to access cable channels without an additional set-top. However, the TiVo boxes are currently not compatible with SDV.
TWICE reports that TiVo developed the new SDV adapter after consultation with cable operators and other cable-related companies.
The publication writes that the adapter, which will be available in the second quarter of 2008, will attach to TiVo Series 3 HD DVRs and TiVo's new $299 HD DVR.
Cable operators are expected to work with TiVo to alert DVR owners of its availability.
"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," Kyle McSlarrow, president of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, said today in a statement.
While TiVo continues to seek software licensing deals with cable operators to build its subscriber totals, the introduction of the SDV adapter could help the company generate HD DVR sales among cable viewers.
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