Exclusive by Patrick Avenell
SYDNEY: Digital Products Group, the local supplier of Beyonwiz, has begun shipping its first batch of Freeview-compliant personal video recorders. For the first three months, the top-of-the-line model will be exclusive to Harvey Norman.
DPG general manager Jai Kemp told Current.com.au that there were two new PVRs in the current Freeview-labelled range: the FV-LI 320 GB (RRP $749) and a 500 GB version ($849). Harvey Norman secured the entire first and second shipments of the 500 GB model, so it will have exclusivity for “two-to-three months”.
The 320 GB model is available from other retailers, including JB Hi-Fi, the Good Guys and Bing Lee. When more become of the 500 GB unit become available, Kemp hoped to widen the distribution significantly.
Kemp believes the latest Beyonwiz range is the most feature packed PVR on the market. In addition to having dual tuners and access to Freeview’s EPG, these models double as media centres, with users able to access videos through internet connectivity. Picasa is currently available, and YouTube could be coming in the near future.
“This is a very exciting time for Digital Products Group, we have been distributing Digital TV products for 10 years and now there is more incentive than ever for consumers to switch to digital,” said Kemp.
“Unlike other PVRs that are simply a recording device, the Beyonwiz becomes part of your home entertainment network, playing movies, music and photos from your PC or even a USB stick or memory card.
“With the Government’s ‘Are You Ready for Digital TV?’ campaign, Australia’s first 24-hour free-to-air sports channel and Freeview’s multi-million dollar campaign about to hit the airwaves we have been working closely with our major retail partners to prepare them for the huge increase in interest this category is about to receive.”