Seven Media also say that the new video recorder (DVR) will be available in retail stores from July, in time for the Olympic Games where Seven are set to spend millions promoting the new service.

A senior Seven executive said "We will have no churn like Foxtel and we anticipate that from September onwards Foxtel will see massive churn as consumers switch to the free TiVo service".

TiVo comes with neat new a built-in program guide that provides extensive information on programs 8 days ahead. Users can search for content by Actor, Director, Title or category. Another neat new benefit not found in the Foxtel offering is a rewind LIVE television feature allows the two tuners to be set to constantly record your favourite TV stations. This then allows you to rewind to the start of a program, for example you walk in late for the news and want to go to the start of the broadcast.  

With the new TiVo offering you can record two programs at once and then watch a third, pre-recorded, program at the same time, you can view and record high definition (HD) television with amazing high resolution playback picture and sound.  A weakness of the offering is that the DVR only comes with a 160GB hard disc.  

However it does have both a standard and high definition digital tuner which means that you can view more channels like ABC2 and 7HD, in most cases using your current analogue roof-top aerial. There is no complicated wiring or connection. You simply plug your aerial into the back of your TiVo HD box and connect your TiVo HD box to your television. You then have digital television and can watch 15 channels versus only five channels available on older analogue TVs.

As the commercial television networks launch new channels in the digital claim Seven.

The offical press release says:

Another feature is that at the touch of a button you can request a "Season Pass®" and your TiVo HD will record every single episode of your favourite series automatically. Better yet, if you love an actor or director – simply enter their name in your WishList™" and your TiVo HD will automatically record every program with your favourite person in it.

With KidZone™ you can provide an oasis of kids programming for your children that keeps them in a safe haven of entertainment they will enjoy without the fear of exposing them to content that is inappropriate. And with TiVo® Suggestions you can have your TiVo HD suggest programs that you might like based on your viewing and recording preferences. These are just some of the great features that are available to you through your TiVo HD unit.

And your TiVo keeps on getting better. Via the broadband connection, consumers can access new features and functions on their TiVo unit as they are introduced. In addition to TV-specific features, TiVo HD in the future will let you view your family photos on the television (optional upgrade) as well as enjoy your favourite YouTube clips. Video content from the internet will also be available soon, enabling you to hire a movie and download it through your broadband connection into your TiVo HD for viewing. And for the TV addicts, you will be able to record even more of your favourite programs in 2009 when we introduce an external hard drive accessory that plugs straight into the back of your TiVo unit.

TiVo HD brings you all the features, and more, that until now were only available to pay television customers. Why pay monthly fees for pay television when 56% of pay television viewing is on the free channels anyway? With TiVo HD, available in retail stores from 29 July for $699, record favourite programs and watch it anytime, with no monthly fees. For more information see www.tivo.com.au or visit your nearest Harvey Norman store from 17 July for a demonstration