TV gets personal [personal video recorders]

The personal video recorder (PVR)-a TV recorder that records on a computer hard disc as opposed to tape-has evolved as a direct consequence of the development of the PC as a low-cost, high-performance consumer product. Sharing many features with a PC with tens of gigabytes of hard disc storage, the PVR has the potential to revolutionise the way broadcasters schedule TV programmes and the way viewers watch them. Making a PVR an attractive product needs more than the convergence of TV and computer technology. In particular, an effective programme guide service, downloaded either with the TV signal or via the phone network, is crucial in establishing the PVR's attractiveness to viewers. The stored guide data simplifies programme selection and recording, and offers new features like automatic recording of all episodes of a series, even if they're not all at the same time each week. The authors describe how the introduction of the PVR will transforming viewing habits. The systems available are described and possible developments in PVRs are discussed.