Jason Dunn
05-13-2004, 12:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.com.com/2100-1041_3-5212081.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=news' target='_blank'>http://news.com.com/2100-1041_3-5212081.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=news</a><br /><br /></div>"Worldwide shipments of personal video recorders more than tripled in 2003 as the gadgets finally caught on with consumers, research released by In-Stat/MDR indicated on Thursday. PVRs have built-in hard drives that let television viewers record shows and pause live programming. They have storage capacities ranging from 40GB to 160GB and can record roughly 40 to 160 hours of standard-definition TV programs.<br /><br />Worldwide unit shipments of PVR products grew from 1.5 million in 2002 to 4.6 million in 2003, In-Stat/MDR said. The company expects that figure to hit 11 million in 2004. Two factors driving growth are smooth integration of PVR capabilities into DVD players and recorders, and rising demand from satellite and cable TV operators for PVR-enabled set-top boxes."<br /><br />This comes as no surprise to anyone who has a PVR - it really does change the way you watch TV. I can't remember the last time I sat down and "channel surfed" - I always have exactly what I want to watch, when I want to watch it. Except when the <i>damn </i>networks change the <i>damn </i>program times and my <i>damn </i>ReplayTV which lacks the <i>damn </i>program guide because ReplayTV isn't officially available in my <i>damn </i>country. Not that I'm bitter or anything. :roll: