News

Telewest launches Britain's first high definition TV service (20/3/2006)

Britain's first high definition (HD) TV service is now available to over four and a half million homes, as Telewest launches its new personal video recorder (PVR), called TVDrive.

Crystal clear

Consumers can now subscribe to the TVDrive set-top box and watch free HD programmes from BBC Worldwide with stunning picture quality, with pay-per-view movies expected soon.

The HD programmes are offered via the cable company's TV-on-demand service, called Teleport, which provides instant access to a huge library of viewing at the touch of a button. HD programmes have four times as many pixels as standard TV broadcasts, meaning crystal clear pictures, even on the biggest plasma and LCD TVs.

For the record

TVDrive makes recording programmes easy and also enables viewers to pause live TV and then resume watching from where they left off. With hard drive storage for around 80 hours of TV, viewers simply press one record button to save their favourite shows. And three tuners mean more flexibility than with a Sky+ box, as up to two channels can be recorded whilst watching a third.

TV Drive costs £10 per month for customers taking the company's top digital TV package, or £15 per month otherwise. Unlike existing PVRs, there are no large purchasing costs and maintenance is included in the monthly fee. The service enables viewers to:

¥ Receive all of Telewest's existing digital TV services, including TV-on-demand
¥ Easily record and store around 80 hours of standard definition programmes
¥ Pause and rewind live TV
¥ Watch and record programmes in high definition
¥ Automatically record all or part of a series, or record by programme category (e.g. sports)
¥ Plan viewing and recordings with an eight-day, on-screen programme guide
¥ Watch one channel and record up to two others at the same time

Philip Snalune, managing director consumer products, ntl Telewest said: "HDTV takes the viewing experience a significant step beyond standard digital television and has to be seen to be believed. It's set to become this year's must-have home entertainment experience and Telewest customers are the first in the UK to get access to it.

"We'll add more choice of high definition viewing this year and combining TVDrive with our existing on-demand service we're giving customers TV on their terms. Viewers no longer need be tied to the schedule and can now watch what they want, when they want, with unparalleled picture quality."

Telewest became the first company to launch an HDTV service in the UK, with a commercial pilot of TVDrive in December 2005. The company has partnered with the Dixons Store Group to enable consumers to order TVDrive in Dixons and Currys stores within Telewest areas.

www.telewest.co.uk