Hathway to launch india’s first cable DVR service

Mumbai: NDS, a provider of technology solutions for digital pay-TV has announced that Hathway, the Indian cable TV services company, has selected NDS XTV digital video recorder (DVR) technology to launch India's first cable DVR.

The new XTV DVR solution will be deployed during 2008, and will give subscribers ultimate control over what they watch, and when they watch it.

Partnering with NDS, Hathway can now deliver a combination of broadcast and On-Demand digital television to Indian cable subscribers. The NDS XTV DVR solution offers Hathway subscribers unparalleled user functionality now and in the future with the ability to support advanced features and future services including Series Linked TV shows and push Video On Demand.

NDS XTV allows subscribers to pause, record, play back, rewind and fast forward their broadcast cable TV channels for viewing as they choose. Viewers can choose to record one program while playing another, or record both simultaneously. Unparalleled usability is enabled through the viewers' ability to build and manage their own personal play lists, through Hathway's existing NDS Advanced Electronic Program Guide (EPG).

Hathway's seeks to be a single point access provider, bringing the converged world of information, entertainment and services into the home and workplace. Announcing this development in Hathway's strategy, K Jayaraman, managing director and chief executive officer, Hathway, said, ''Hathway is focused on its strategy to be the best in whatever we do by offering a full range of integrated cable TV services across the nation. With fibre optic backbone and state-of-the-art distribution infrastructure, we bring the digital age to viewers through cable, transforming the way they receive information and entertainment. The launch of NDS' XTV DVR services is part of our ongoing strategy to offer consumers in India the very best pay television services in the market.'' 

Sue Taylor, vice president and general manager of NDS Asia Pacific said, ''Hathway's decision to expand their NDS solutions suite to include NDS XTV is a validation of the technology leadership of NDS and recognition of the significant investment in NDS' capabilities in India over the past eight years.  Hathway's NDS XTV-powered DVR will radically enhance the way its subscribers are able to view content. We are proud to be part of this new frontier in Indian cable and to assist Hathway in delivering the latest world-class digital and interactive entertainment services to their subscribers.''