(5 September 2008 4:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Globally the DVR is the second most essential household technology item people cannot live without, beaten only by the mobile phone.

DVR owners ranked the DVR as the third most indispensable item after the washing machine and the microwave oven. DVR owners with partners say that having a DVR makes for a happier home life.

89 per cent of Americans, 81 per cent of British, 80 per cent of Australians and 78 per cent of Italians all reported that the DVR has improved how much they enjoy watching television

These findings are contained in a global study done by NDS which offer security solutions for pay TV. The company says that over 18 pay-TV operators located all over the world have chosen its solutions to bring the capabilities and flexibility of the DVR to their subscribers, and there are more than 13.1 million NDS-powered DVRs in households around the world today.

NDS wanted to know how DVRs are changing people’s lives. The statistics and trends detailed in the NDS DVR Report demonstrate the importance of the DVR’s role in the lives of consumers of all ages.

The survey conducted in the US, UK, Italy and Australia also reveals that over 60 per cent of DVR owners with a partner felt that having a DVR had improved their relationship. In the US, UK and Australia, respondents attributed this improvement to having the ability to watch their own programmes while sharing their favourites with each other. Surveyed Italians feel that their improved relationship happiness is due to the DVR allowing them to plan their evening’s viewing better.

More than three quarters of DVR owners with families in the US, Italy and Australia also feel that having a DVR has improved their family relationships, eliminating arguments over TV and allowing for the whole family to join the dinner table. In Britain, the figure was around two-thirds.

DVR owners watch on average slightly more than four hours (4.075) of recorded and live television a day. 89 per cent of Americans, 81 per cent of the British, 80 per cent of Australians and 78 per cent of Italians all reported that the DVR has improved how much they enjoy watching television.

Nearly 61 per cent think that a DVR is much easier to operate than a video cassette recorder. Almost 58 per cent find that they are watching more interesting TV programmes since getting a DVR.

More than three out of four agree that since getting a DVR they are more likely to find something to watch, when they want to watch TV. Many respondents with only one DVR are keen to get a second one.

NDS CMO Nigel Smith says, “We commissioned this consumer survey to celebrate the milestone announcement that NDS technology now resides in over 13 million DVRs worldwide, making us the global leader in this market. The survey results show just how fast the DVR has become an indispensable part of people’s lives in the UK, US, Italy and Australia. It’s one of those technologies that, once tried, has you wondering how you coped before.

“At NDS we invest heavily in R&D to ensure that our technology is always ahead of the pack. Our next-generation DVR technologies, currently in development, will enhance the end user viewing experience still further, while also providing incremental revenue streams for our customers.”