Iinet to launch Tivo Killer?

When Tivo launched in Australia in mid 2008 it was billed as a revolution in television. The truth is, however, that so far it has proven itself to be nothing more than a box that can do a few neat tricks. Now, something that could prove to potentially serve as a true revolution in the way we view television is the launch of IPTV services by Perth-based ISP iiNet. Their plans are enough to make one sit up and say wow.

Much like ISP TPG, iiNet are set to launch an IPTV service. Unlike TPG, iiNet have approached the notion with some ingenuity. Instead of a simple web-based login, iiNet are playing it smart by delivering the service through a set top box. This means users will be able to sit on their couch with a remote in hand and flip between channels – just as they would with FTA or Pay TV. Furthermore, the TV stations can be delivered without adding to ones download limit.

While that is, in itself, a fairly decent service that will serve as a quality product for iiNet’s customer base, they’ve taken the concept one step further. The set top box will in fact serve as a PVR with a twin tuner built in. This is where folks are considering the product to serve as a potential Tivo killer. If iiNets box can deliver (and potentially record) not only FTA digital television stations, but also a suite of IPTV stations, it would really leave Tivo with very little extra to offer.

The potential for such a product is endless. If iiNet can provide a range of IPTV stations that can counter that of pay television services in Australia as well as provide an STB that can mimic Tivo functionality in recording content for its users based on their viewing habits, iiNet will have developed a service that truly will revolutionise the way that one watches television.

Additionally, if the IPTV channels provide enough content of value to its viewers, one may see a radical drop in online piracy of television and movie content. The irony being that at the same time as whispers of iiNets Tivo killer were leaking, Channel 7 became actively involved in a lawsuit against iiNet for promoting the downloading of illegal content among its customer base. With Channel 7 behind the launch of Tivo locally, there have been many conspiracy theories that their true interests lie with damaging iiNet as to prevent them releasing their PVR. While the notion seems slightly outlandish, the memories of the C7 Sports lawsuit still loom.

The quality of the content delivered by iiNet will be the true test as to whether their plans for a PVR-focussed IPTV network can succeed. At first glance, however, this is very exciting indeed.