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‘Virtual PVR’ launches for mobile phones, PCs and Macs

A company has launched a new service which it has dubbed as a “virtual PVR”, allowing users to record and watch free-to-air TV shows on their PC, Macs, iPhones, the iPod touch V2 and media enabled Nokia handsets.  

The independently owned myTVR service works on a subscription model and is initially launching in the Melbourne metropolitan market, with plans to roll out in Sydney next year.

It allows users the to record FTA TV shows using the TV guide provided on its site and store them for personal viewing live or at their own leisure.

Consumers can either try out the new service through a free 30 minute trial, or sign up to two packages – 12 hours of recording for $7.85 a month, or three hours of recordings at a cost of $5.85 per month.

Users can keep recorded programmes for 14 days, and they can also delete shows and keep recording new ones within the one month timeframe.

Michael Carew, myTVR founder said the service has been two years in the making and was prompted because he wanted to create something that allowed people to “watch TV anywhere at anytime”.

He said it is aiming to have around 20,000 subscribers in Melbourne and Sydney respectively by the end of next year.

Unlike TiVo in other markets – excluding Australia where the Seven Media Group is the licensee through Hybrid TV – it does not allow users to skip ads, but they can manually fast forward them. Carew said it does have the capability of including an ad skipping function, which it will review in the future.

The service will be a full subscription model, with the possibility of advertising appearing on the company’s website.

Carew said it is also planning to launch in other metropolitan markets depending on demand.

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