Digital TV recorders launched to record television shows on mobile phones

DTH (direct to home) service is still in its nascent stage in the country.
DTH operators are trying out various channel packages and offers to woo new
customers. Now, Airtel is following suit. Airtel digital TV has announced the
launch of its digital video recorder (DVR) capability in its services. Airtel-which
is also one of the biggest telecom operators in the country-is trying out novel
ideas to promote its digital recording service by launching a smartphone
application that allows one to record television shows on the mobile phone.

In a revolutionary move, Bharti Airtel has launched the 'Airtel digital TV
recorder', an enhanced set top box (STB) with the capability to record
television shows on mobile phones anywhere in the world. The company is
leveraging the services of the US based service provider-Direct TV-which has
been offering this service in the US for a while now.

The TV recorder offers HDMI port for video output, which means customers with
the latest LCD TVs can enjoy the highest picture quality; stores upto hundred
hours of recording; has the option to search for any television show for two
days on the mobile; has the facility to pause live television program for upto
forty-five minutes; offers ease of search by giving choices such as program
name, show details and/or date/time using the remote; provides program
information instantly, including description, length and rating on the mobile;
and has the option to give fixed time based commands to record shows.

Airtel digital TV recorder will be available at a price of Rs 6,990 across
India for the new customers and at Rs 5,990 for the existing Airtel digital TV
customers in India. One can avail the service by buying the digital TV recorder
from a nearby retailer and call customer care for activation. Airtel subscribers
can send a SMS from their registered mobile number which is linked to the Airtel
digital TV account and download the mobile recording application. Customers can
also log in and record shows from any mobile, Java and GPRS enabled handset by
using the customer ID and password.

Not wanting to be left behind, Tata Sky has also launched a dual access
remote recording application, which will record programs on their PVR not only
via mobile phones but also via the Internet. This is a joint venture between the
Tata Group and STAR. The company has also launched some additional features
along with mobile and Internet recording, all of which will be available to Tata
Sky customers absolutely free. Customers need to register on the Tata Sky
website and follow the instructions to avail the benefits. However, Tata Sky+ is
still behind Airtel as it does not have a HDMI port or a universal remote, both
of which are offered by DTH">Airtel.

In India, viewers are often unable to catch their television shows if they do
not meet the designated guidelines and timings. In the US and UK, television
shows are available online which they can see at their convenience if they
happen to miss their favorite show, but this is not the case in India.
Mobile/Internet recording is especially useful in this regard. With the growing
number of DTH subscribers in India and the surging number of mobile phones and
Internet users, mobile recording is surely going to bring a new kind of freedom
revolution in terms of television viewing in India.

Madhura Mukherjee

madhurak@cybermedia.co.in