By Patrick Avenell

SYDNEY, NSW: TiVo has today declared itself the first PVR or DVR to be able to timeshift 3D free to air broadcasts, specifically targeting tonight’s 3D State of Origin broadcast and the upcoming FIFA World Cup.

In addition, TiVo has also announced that 3D content will soon be ready for download through its video on demand Caspa service. Although no firm date has been released, TiVo expects to offer 3D downloads sometime in June 2010. At launch, only movie trailers and short animations will be available, though this is expected to be expanded to include movies and documentaries after the initial period.

To stimulate sales of its media centre in the lead up to the World Cup, Hybrid TV, the distributors of TiVo, is offering a free 1TB external hard drive from Western Digital (RRP $249) to all consumers who purchase a TiVo device and establish a Caspa account between 28 May 2010 and 20 June 2010. The device must be purchased through Harvey Norman, Domayne, JB Hi-Fi, Dick Smith or Myer stores; and the purchase must be registered online before 31 July 2010.

“To own a TiVo and know that your TiVo can record the 3D broadcast of the World Cup soccer while you are sleeping, then wake up to time shifted viewing on a 3D TV is worth getting out of bed for. The ability to feel as though you can reach out and kiss a player that scores a goal, snatch the red card out of the hands of the referee, or experience the players heading right for you in a slide tackle: you can almost taste the grass and dirt in your mouth,” said an exuberant Hybrid TV CEO Robbee Minicola.