Set-top box takes on MySky

Mathew Bolland head of NBN Engagement at TelstraClear. Photo / Dean Purcell

TelstraClear's Wellington and Christchurch customers will soon get the first glimpse of the company's new personal video recorders (PVRs).

A select few will be able to trial the new devices that promise a range of functionality to rival Sky TV's MySky service.

TelstraClear announced in June it had contracted two technology companies, Digisoft and Verimatrix, to develop a new-generation set-top box which would work on its cable network and a broadband-based network.

The Digisoft website promotes functionality, such as video and music on demand, eLearning, karaoke, homeshopping, time-shifted TV and games.

While TelstraClear's Mathew Bolland was not able to go into the specifics on what would differentiate the TelstraClear product from others in the market, he did say it would be capable of sending, as well as receiving, information over a high-speed link.

"You can do things that, quite frankly, we can't think about right now and some things we wouldn't want to talk about now. You've got the ability, rather than just pulling down movies and content, to send and receive, so email is an obvious application."

TelstraClear's set-top box would join those of Freeview, TiVo and Sky TV's satellite service.

With the switch-off of analogue television broadcasts expected within the next five years consumers will need to choose a digital alternative.

Sky TV's channels are the cornerstone of the TelstraClear cable television service, with another 15 channels available.