Do you want to be the true master of your TV universe? Do you want to be able to record 12 different TV shows all at the same time on 12 different TV channels? Well now you can. If you live America.
In October 2012 I reported on DirectTV's new PVR, the DirecTV Genie which can record 5 different things at once.
The Dish Hopper has since gone to 8 recordings at the same time on a PVR, but it pales in comparison with Verizon in the United States which is now bringing out the brand-new FiOS Quantum PVR with which you can record up to 12 different shows (well, you actually technically need two boxes).
Verizon’s new FiOS Quantum PVR service with a VMS1100 PVR box comes with 6 tuners and allows 200 hours of high definition (HD) programming to be recorded and stored on the 1 TB hard drive.
However, two of these gargantuan PVRs - massive in recording space but surprisingly small in physical size - can be connected, making the recording of 12 simultaneous TV streams possible, with of course 400 hours available.
Don't think of where you will get the time to even actually really watch it all. By being able to record 12 things simultaneously on television, it turns your TV and pay-TV experience into a true multi-media video-on-demand (VOD) extravaganza.
In South Africa, Sabido's OpenView HD (OVHD) service from Platco Digital isn't yet offering a PVR.
On Digital Media's (ODM) StarSat also has no PVR decoder functionality or ability. MultiChoice's DStv service has a PVR, a 2P HD PVR (and a no longer sold but still used 4P HD PVR) and the new DStv Explora in the market.
MultiChoice is however not advancing the number of built-in tuners, saying the technology cost becomes to prohibitively expensive for subscribers as more and more tuners are added.
Although recording 12 TV shows at the same time is more television than what any reasonable, normal , person and even obsessive TV critics can ever hope to watch, South African pay-TV subscribers are wishing for more recording capability.
Although more tuners and more simultaneous recording capability and more options on PVRs, as well as more PVR choices from more providers, will eventually make it to market in South Africa, consumers are wishing that it could happen sooner rather than later.
