Philips has announced it’s getting into the DVR software game. Apparently undeterred by the presence of TiVo, Microsoft, Verizon and Comcast/Gemstar, not to mention PC players like ReplayTV, the CE company has developed the Personal TV Channel. The software includes a program guide and recommendation engine for building a personal channel of favorite TV content. It will also be able to access Internet video and podcasts. On timing, the word is that a PC version will be available early next year (CES 2008?) as a free download for Windows Vista users and will ship to set-top makers within a year.
So here’s my question. What kind of set-tops is the Philips software built for? Cable or IPTV? Unless the company already has a deal in the works with TiVo, for which it used to manufacture hardware, I’d guess IPTV. Microsoft is close to the only game in town on that front, and I know operators would like a few options available.