TelstraClear to launch set top box/PVR to rival TiVo

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 23 June 2009 04:58

Business IT - Technology

Telstra's New Zealand telco subsidiary, TelstraClear, is planning to offer a custom-developed digital video set top box/ personal video recorder to its cable TV customers.

It would compete with the TiVo being launched later this year by its telco rival Telecom New Zealand in association with Australian TiVo rights holder Seven Network. TelstraClear has not said when its product will be launched.

TelstraClear has contracted IPTV technology provider Digisoft and content security specialist Verimatrix to jointly develop the hybrid HD DVB-C set-top box with PVR, IPTV and supporting services and claims that the resulting product "will be unmatched in New Zealand."

"The result will take our customers beyond present one-way broadcast methods to a solution that will allow us to move towards the new modes of delivering content and services that add value to our customers and enhance their experience," said Steve Jackson, head of consumer markets for TelstraClear. "Digisoft's roadmap along with that of Verimatrix, which is supported by the major movie and television studios, is clearly aligned with TelstraClear's vision of offering our customers market leading solutions."

According to Digisoft the PVR will be future-proofed to deliver advanced interactive options. "Digisoft's Digihost Service Delivery Platform and advanced Java middleware solution means TelstraClear is geared for feature-rich, revenue generating high definition (HD) services in the future," the company said.

It will use the Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS) for DVB, which will enable TelstraClear to combine its broadcast network with interactive IP delivery using a single content security architecture. Verimatrix's software-based content security is claimed to "provide an attractive option for traditional broadcast operators that lack a direct return path - all from a single head-end."

Digisoft, founded in 2000, is a privately held company with headquarters in Ireland and offices in USA, UK, Singapore and New Zealand. Last year it was selected by Australian video store chain Video Ezy to provide its IPTV delivery platform and set top box middleware to support a service that will enable customers to take their iPod into a store, download a selection of rental videos on to it, and then watch these on their home TV via a Video Ezy set top box. The service was to be rolled out into 1000 Video Ezy and Blockbuster stores in Australia and New Zealand. (Video Ezy acquired Blockbuster in 2007), but does not appear to have been launched yet.