Telewest broadcasts high definition digital TV service

By Matt Whipp

Posted on 13 Mar 2006 at 14:50

Telewest has launched what it claims is the UK's first high definition digital TV service to some 4.5 million of its customers.

Available through Telewest's new PVR, called TVDrive, viewers will be able to see the first HDTV broadcasts in the UK from the likes of BBC Worldwide as well as pay-per-view movies.

The TVDrive features a hard drive able to hold up to 80 hours of TV and, for the content guzzlers, three tuners mean you can record two channels while watching a third at the same time. There's also pause live TV and other standard PVR fayre.

The TVDrive will be available in Dixons Group stores and is available to Telewest customers from £10 a month depending on the package they use. Viewers will also need an HDTV-ready screen with an HDMI input.

Philip Snalune, managing director consumer products, ntl Telewest said: 'HDTV takes the viewing experience a significant step beyond standard digital television and has to be seen to be believed. It's set to become this year's must-have home entertainment experience and Telewest customers are the first in the UK to get access to it.

'We'll add more choice of high definition viewing this year and combining TVDrive with our existing on-demand service we're giving customers TV on their terms. Viewers no longer need be tied to the schedule and can now watch what they want, when they want, with unparalleled picture quality.'

For more information visit the Telewest website.

Note that cable companies ntl and Telewest began their merger in October 2005 and completed the process earlier this month, but this new service is available to Telewest customers only, for the moment.