CALGARY – After experimenting and testing with limited releases of the Motorola DVR530, Star Choice Communications announced today the coming launch of the high definition digital video recorder satellite receiver.
The launch DVR530 combines a personal video recorder with a dual tuner and HD.
"The new DVR530 HD satellite receiver will revolutionize the way our customers watch TV," says Jim Cummins, vice-president of operations, at Star Choice. "It leaves the competition in ‘pause.’ Our customers can now pause live TV and rewind to create their own instant replays. Plus, the dual tuner offers the ability to record a TV program while watching another channel."
In addition to the dual tuner, the DVR530 has a 160 GB hard drive, which allows customers to record over 130 hours of standard definition or over 25 hours of HD. It’s the only DVR in the satellite market that can record both SD and HD programming. Both Motorola and Scientific-Atlanta, the two main cable box providers, already have HD PVRs in various North American markets.
Star Choice’s funny oval-shaped dish, its Quad LNB, makes it easy for current customers to adopt this new dual tuner technology, says the company. With up to four lines coming into the household from a single dish, Star Choice customers who add a DVR530 to their home can have two additional receivers without incurring any additional hardware costs.
Star Choice offers over 600 hours a week in HD programming.
Between May 1st and 15th, current customers can pre-order a DVR530, meaning they will get the box first, with a public marketing push towards non-customers coming weeks later. Existing customers who pre-order will receive a total of $100 in programming credits. The box will retail for $699, before those credits.
After the advanced launch to current customers, the DVR530 will be available to consumers through preferred retailers including Radio Shack, Future Shop, Best Buy, The Brick and local Independent retailers.
