TelstraClear has contracted two leading developers to deliver a next generation personal video recorder for its cable television customers. IPTV solutions provider Digisoft and content security specialist Verimatrix will jointly develop a hybrid HD DVB-C set-top box with PVR, IPTV and supporting services that, it claims, will be unmatched in New Zealand.

"The result will take our customers beyond present one-way broadcast methods to a solution that will allow us to move towards the new modes of delivering content and services that add value to our customers and enhance their experience," said Steve Jackson, head of consumer markets for TelstraClear. "Digisoft's roadmap along with that of Verimatrix, which is supported by the major movie and television studios, is clearly aligned with TelstraClear's vision of offering our customers market leading solutions."

The PVR will be future-proofed to deliver advanced interactive options. Digisoft's Digihost Service Delivery Platform and advanced Java middleware solution means TelstraClear is geared for feature-rich, revenue generating high definition services in the future.

"This partnership with TelstraClear clearly demonstrates the flexibility of Digisoft's solutions and we are very pleased to be working with them in delivering next generation services," says Tom Higgins, executive chairman, Digisoft.

The solution is fully integrated with the Verimatrix Video Content Authority System (VCAS) for DVB, which enables TelstraClear to combine its broadcast network with interactive IP delivery using a single robust content security architecture. Verimatrix's software-based content security solution provides an attractive option for traditional broadcast operators that lack a direct return path - all from a single head-end.