Posted: 03rd Nov, 2010 By: MarkJ

Cable giant Virgin Media has taken the wraps off its new broadband
Video-on-Demand (VoD) TiVo-powered next generation connected TV
Set-Top-Box (STB) and service, which is set to go live before Christmas. The STB will use its own dedicated internal modem to deliver HD video and other online services without impacting customers' regular broadband ISP connections.
Cindy Rose, Executive Director of Digital Entertainment at Virgin Media, said:
"Virgin Media’s next generation connected TV service - powered by TiVo - and combined with our superior broadband will blow other ‘connected TV’ products out of the water. We’re really proud of our new next-generation TV service which will appeal to anyone and everyone looking for the best of live broadcast TV, catch up, on demand and internet apps and services."
New Set-Top-Box Feature Highlights
* 1 TeraByte of storage for personal recordings.
* Access to over 4,600 hours of TV shows, movies and music videos, including hundreds of hours of HD and 3D entertainment, plus catch-up TV from the terrestrial broadcasters, all available instantly.
* Dedicated internal Cable Modem to bring internet services and apps direct to your TV.
Naturally Virgin Media was keen to use today's announcement as an opening salvo against future
YouView (Project Canvas) services, which are due to appear from ISPs BT and the TalkTalk Group in 2011. However YouView will be forced to work over BT's often slower DSL ( ADSL , ADSL2+ ) broadband platform, which limits the potential of IPTV services.
Virgin Media sniped:
"Competitors’ ‘connected TV’ products rely on just one central broadband connection, typically DSL, making it difficult for families to watch online TV or TV on Demand and take advantage of the internet at the same time.
With Virgin Media, a typical family enjoying the new TiVo-powered TV service alongside Virgin Media's ultrafast 50Mb broadband connection will be able to enjoy a seamless experience with incredible connectivity, allowing the whole family to watch, surf, and play, all at the same time without compromise."
Virgin Media and the TiVo internet television service originally announced plans to join forces in November 2009. Further details of pricing and availability will be announced in due course.