Humax to build digital video recorders for DirecTV
Thu Feb 24, 2005 03:29 PM ET
NEW YORK, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Korea's Humax Co. Ltd. (028080.KS: Quote, Profile, Research) on Thursday said it had signed a deal with satellite television provider DirecTV Group Inc.(DTV.N: Quote, Profile, Research) to build set-top boxes and digital video recorders.
Terms were not disclosed.

The companies said they have a development and supply agreement for making models including entry-level receivers that will feature interactive services and a HDTV receiver, as well as a new DirecTV DVR, which is due out later this year.

TiVo Inc.(TIVO.O: Quote, Profile, Research) is currently the primary supplier of DVRs to DirecTV. But DirecTV has said it intends to offer its users other DVR options, including boxes made by NDS Group Plc.(NNDS.O: Quote, Profile, Research) .

So I guess Humax is going to be building the Home Media Center.

I'm anxious to see what's going to replace the HD-Tivo.

Yeah, me too. I don't think I could handle having a $1000 paperweight.

They were pretty much at the top of the list anyway, and this isn't a huge surprise. I can't wait to see their products. I am more concerned now there is a change in the video format used. I wonder if the new boxes will do what is needed for the MPEG-4 video signal or if someone else is going to be doing that. Now all they need as an affordable Tivo like box for HD and they have their killer app.