Audio Video News

Pioneering work by companies like TiVo Inc. and ReplayTV has had some measurable results, according to a recent study by the Consumer Electronics Association.

As of August 27, 68% of consumers say they are aware of the term "digital video recorder," and 42% are aware of the term "personal video recorder." In addition, 33% claim to be "somewhat interested in the product category," with interest in specific DVR functions, such as the ability to pause live television broadcasts or to skip commercials somewhat higher. Fully 62% say they are somewhat interested in the ability to watch shows when most convenient, regardless of normal airing time—a function sometimes known as "time shifting." Marginally fewer, 61%, say they like the ability to skip commercials—a controversial feature in the television industry, because advertising is what makes "free" broadcasting possible.

Other features that interest consumers include the ability to record TV shows without the need for tape, with a 49% positive response, and the ability to record two programs simultaneously, which 47% of the respondents say they like. Of those surveyed, 44% say they like the pause, fast-forward, and rewind capabilities of the DVR. Although early models of DVRs from companies like TiVo and Replay won limited market share among TV viewers, their capabilities will be included in coming generations of set-top boxes, and possibly even in television sets themselves.

"At this point, we've yet to see a huge boom in the DVR market, primarily because the recording needs of consumers are still being met by the VCR," said Todd Thibodeaux, vice president of market research for CEA. "But the strong interest in DVRs is certainly a promising sign of things to come. As the shift from analog to digital continues, the possibility of combining DVRs with other products, such as DVD or satellite set-top boxes, would be a good way to provide consumers with the DVR functions they clearly want, with the added benefit of other useful digital technologies."

The figures were published in a CEA survey titled "Digital Video Recorder Interest and Awareness," released at the end of August. The survey was conducted in July via telephone with a random sample of 1000 American adults.