It’s easy to forget that technology I find commonplace doesn’t exist yet in many regions. That’s why the announcement of Showtime being first to offer DVRs in the Middle East caught my eye this morning. No word yet on what’s powering their box, but I’ll keep my eyes open.
AME Info says: Showtime, a leading pay-TV network in the Middle East, announced today the introduction of the latest generation of smart technology with the launch of their new decoder: the ShowBox DVR. The service offers the ultimate level of control and convenience giving viewers the power to choose what they want to watch and when. The new device will be available to Showtime subscribers in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE from 15 February, followed by other Gulf markets. ‘Suddenly the phone ringing at a crucial point in a movie is not as big a deal as it used to be. And if you blink too hard and miss a scene, you can rewind and play it again, in slow motion if you like. And with the on screen TV guide completely integrated into the decoder, you can record an entire series at the push of a button -with not a tape in sight.’ Based on advanced technology which encompasses a hard disc and an integrated on screen TV guide (the EPG), Showbox is the region’s first DVR service which makes television entertainment fit into a lifestyle rather than the other way round.