(12 March 2009 3:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Hathway Cable & Datacom has launched its digital video recorder (DVR) service, becoming the first Indian cable operator to tap this premium segment of the market.

The set-top box is priced at Rs 9999. "There is no additional installation cost. The monthly subscription fee for this service is Rs 50," a senior executive of the company said.

DTH operator Tata Sky has already launched the DVR service late last year, pricing the box at Rs 8999 and the installation at Rs 1000.

Says Hathway Cable & Datacom MD & CEO K Jayaraman, "New services such as the XTV DVR reinforce our commitment to offer innovative converged services."

Hathway's DVR service is based on NDS XTV DVR technology. DVR allows subscribers to record a show on one TV channel, while seeing another on some other channel. They can now pause, record, play back, rewind and fast forward recorded content for viewing when they choose.

NDS SVP and GM Asia Pacific Sue Taylor adds, "Hathway's NDS XTV-powered DVR will radically change the way Indian cable subscribers view and use content. This is the first step towards a fully converged service that will offer broadband TV and a suite of next generation solutions to Indian viewers."

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