Tesco introduce the UK's first Freeview+ HD PVR Hybrid Box

18 Jun 2010

Tesco and IP Vision have launched the UK's first Freeview+ HD PVR Hybrid Box in time to allow football fans who cannot get to South Africa for the world cup to experience the next best thing to being there.

High-definition TV is the closest experience to viewing something for real however to do this the right equipment is also required. The latest player is Tesco's Technika SmartBox, the UK's first high-definition hybrid Freeview+ box, which is now available in store and online, with 320gb of memory.

High Definition is the TV's first chance to really allow the viewer to feel 'that' close to the action. With the UK's first Freeview+ HD PVR users can watch and record high definition programmes to re-live the action. This is the only PVR currently on sale in the UK that allows the owner to record Freeview HD channels in HD. Now the 2010 winning World Cup goal can be recorded and watched again and again at leisure in HD, especially important if it is an English goal.

Tesco senior commerical manager Matt Finch said; "We are offering customers a fantastic range of deals on entertainment systems ahead of the World Cup and this is the ultimate in superb match viewing. Tesco is continually developing its electrical offering and the launch of the first Technika Freeview+ HD SmartBox at only £200 shows we are able to offer our customers the latest and best in technology at affordable prices."

The Technika SmartBox also allows users to access over 2000 hours of on-demand programmes via IP Vision's FetchTV platform. Connecting the box to any broadband supplier accesses the FetchTV platform. Once registered with FetchTV content is delivered via broadband directly to the TV screen. Services including the BBC iPlayer are accessed via an easy to navigate on-screen menu.

Peter Cox Marketing Director FetchTV said "As a nation we'll all be behind England's World Cup journey. If you can't be there high definition is the best way to watch the games and the new SmartBox is certainly the cheapest way to get access to great High Definition TV services. Looking at history it seems that major improvements in our visual lives have gone hand in hand with great sporting achievements. Let's hope the launch of this box points to a World Cup triumph for England."

Users can also choose to subscribe to Sky Player in order to access paid for Sky TV content including Sky Movies, Sky Sports and over 40 additional channels including Sky 1, Living and Bravo. Live broadcast Sky channels can be accessed by subscribing for a minimum of 30 days. Sky Player also offers a selection of pay per view content which does not require a minimum subscription period. This is the first time that paid-for Sky content has been made available via a Freeview+ HD set top box.

FetchTV also offers thousands of hours of entertainment including movies such as Disney's latest blockbuster, Alice, TV shows, music and kids TV. The majority of this content is also available on a pay-per-view basis cancelling out the need for monthly contracts and minimum commitments. Users just simply pay for what they want to watch.

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Notes to editors:
About Tesco:
Tesco plc, a UK-based international grocery and merchandising retailer, is Britain's largest supplier and the world's third largest grocery retailer, by both global sales and domestic market share. Founded as a food specialist in 1929, Tesco has now expanded into diverse areas such as flowers, books, music, clothes, gifts, telecoms and even baby buggies. The company employs over 250,000 people, operates 1,779 stores across Europe and Asia and serves over 15 million customers.