DirecTV And TiVo Introduce New High-Definition DVR

7-Feb-03

DirecTV, Inc. and TiVo (NASDAQ: TIVO) announced that they will introduce a new DirecTVÆ HDTV DVR (digital video recorder) that will enable consumers to record and playback DirecTV high-definition, as well as standard-definition DirecTV programming and terrestrial ATSC broadcasts. The companies demonstrated the new receivers at CES 2003.The DirecTV HDTV DVR is expected to be available to consumers by year-end. The DirecTV DVR with TiVoÆ service will apply all the familiar TiVo functions to DirecTV and ATSC high-definition programming--including the ability to record, pause, instant replay, and rewind live television. The new DirecTV HDTV DVR will feature a larger recording capacity than existing DirecTV DVRs, and will feature component and digital video outputs for enhanced audio and video. Manufacturers and pricing will be announced at a later date.""Our new HDTV DVR combines the best HDTV and DVR features in one receiver and is clearly a product for which our discriminating customers have been waiting,"" said Brad Beale, Senior Vice President, Product Development and Advanced Services, DirecTV, Inc. ""They no longer have to choose between high-definition or DVR. The new DVR takes what's best about TiVo, the ability to personalize TV viewing, into the realm of high-definition for an even more extraordinary DVR experience.""""HDTV is no doubt the future of home entertainment and we are excited to work with DirecTV to bring HDTV and TiVo together."" said Ta-Wei Chien, Senior Vice President and General Manager, TiVo Technology and Licensing. ""DirecTV brings the best of new technology to its subscribers, which means HDTV and TiVo. This is a winning combination."" In addition to the component outputs and S-video, the new DirecTV HDTV DVR will incorporate a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connector with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP). The component or DVI may be configured for all HD formats or standard-definition. Details on the size of the hard drive will be available at a later date.DirecTV offers four HDTV channels--HBOÆ HDTV (programming from the HBO East channel), SHOWTIMEÆ HDTV (programming from the SHOWTIME East channel), a high-definition channel featuring pay-per-view movies from major motion picture studios, and HDNet, an all-HD network that will offer the largest selection of sports programming available in high-definition.The DirecTV HDTV DVR, like existing DirecTV DVRs, will also have the ability to enable viewers to create a Season Passô to automatically record every episode of favorite shows, and, using the WishListô feature, instruct the recorder to find and record shows featuring favorite actors, directors, sports teams, or interests. Pricing information on the new DirecTV HDTV DVR box will be announced at a later date, and a monthly subscription fee will be required to receive the DirecTV DVR with TiVo service.For more information, visit www.directv.com and www.tivo.com.

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