By Patrick Avenell

SYDNEY, NSW: “Why still old TiVo?” That’s the bizarre question being posed by DViCO, and its exclusive Australian distributor Also Technology. A banner with this nebulous query was shown to media yesterday at the press conference to launch the new TViX M-6600N personal video recorder.

Although DViCO’ s new PVR and TiVo are fundamentally different units, aimed at different sectors of the market, the supplier and distributor went on the front foot at this launch, challenging consumers and retailers to stop buying and selling TiVo, and to invest instead with this new model. We asked Also Technology for an explanation.

“At the moment, TiVo is the established PVR in the market, and basically, what we’re saying is, why still TiVo? Why are we still using it? Let’s look at the new TViX,” said DViCO account manager Michael Zannetides.

The PVR itself is a black and silver cube, with remote control, and the option for 1 terabyte of storage built in. It has a dual digital tuner with time-shifting capabilities, and though the latter feature can be adjusted to suit the user’s desired timeframe, it will not work across channels.

Described as supporting “most current media formats”, this PVR can also act as digital photo frame and be used to access YouTube, Picasa, RSS news and the weather. It is wireless enabled, which allows it to took the home PC and stream content straight from the hard drive to the television.

Technical specifications include an RT1283 chipset, 3.5-inch SATA HDD support, 1920 x 1080p resolution, H.264 DTV stream support, Dual HD Tuner, simultaneous recording, HDMI 1.3a out and 7-day EPG.

At launch, the M-6600N will only be available through IT resellers. Also Technology reported that it is currently in discussions with several retail groups to stock the product. Consumers can choose to purchase the PVR with the in-built 1-terabyte hard disk for RRP $699, or without for RRP $499.

Current.com.au has contacted TiVo and intends to publish a response this afternoon.