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iQ2 upgrade rollout

iQ2 customers will be able to record two shows at once while watching a third by December 1st.

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Foxtel is to begin rolling out a software upgrade to users of the iQ2 that will enable them to record two programs while watching a third program live.

Foxtel says 50,000 iQ2 subscribers should be able to access the Four Tuner functionality by December 1, 2008.

Foxtel’s iQ2 competes with TiVO and other PDRs for market share. The rollout for the Four-Tuner functionality is part of the “future proofing” by Foxtel.

Press Release:
Imagine never having an argument over who controls the remote at home ever again? FOXTEL makes it a reality this week by starting its software roll-out to progressively upgrade all FOXTEL iQ2 personal digital recorders (PDRs) to automatically activate Four Tuner functionality.

The Four Tuners allow iQ2 subscribers to record two programs while watching a third program live, at the same time. Only the iQ2 has the Four Tuner functionality making it the most advanced PDR currently available in Australia.

Recent research on PDRs, such as FOXTEL’s iQ and iQ2, shows these devices contribute to a more harmonious household for both families and couples, with a solid 75 percent of Australian homes with a PDR finding the technology indispensable. Of those homes using a PDR in Australia, 76 percent of families experience fewer arguments over what to watch, and 78 percent of couples say it has dramatically enhanced their relationship as each person can enjoy their own programs.[*]

FOXTEL Executive of Product and Sales, Patrick Delany said: “Never miss your favourite TV show and watch programs when you want to, as the iQ2 will now let you watch live Monday Night Football, while recording Project Runway and a movie for the kids, all at the same time.

“FOXTEL’s Four Tuners provide another great advantage for iQ2 subscribers allowing them to watch their favourite programs on their time, minimise recording clashes, and reduce family program viewing arguments. With these significant benefits it’s not surprising FOXTEL has experienced dramatic take-up of the iQ2 with over 50,000 units already installed.”

The latest High Definition FOXTEL iQ2 is a stylish PDR with a liquid-black finish – it records programs onto its internal hard disk drive that can be easily played back using FOXTEL’s intuitive electronic program guide. You’ll never miss a moment because FOXTEL iQ2 fits TV into your schedule and not the other way around.

The Four Tuner functionality will be enabled automatically to every FOXTEL iQ2, meaning iQ2 subscribers will not be required to do anything to receive the new feature. As the automatic download will happen progressively starting from September 16, 2008, all current and new iQ2 subscribers should be able to access the Four Tuner functionality by December 1, 2008.

Features of the FOXTEL iQ2 also include:

* The ability to pause and rewind live television, record two programs at the same time while watching a third live channel or watch a pre-recorded program from the FOXTEL planner, as well as access to Series Link programs so they can record an entire season with a single button press.

* Using FOXTEL’s Online Guide through the internet or a 3G mobile phone to set up the Remote Record functionality to record their favourite programs when away from home.

* Future-proofing as FOXTEL is able to provide software updates to the unit enabling subscribers to access the latest functionality and new technology over time.

* A massive 320GB disk drive*, allowing subscribers to typically record approximately 30 hours of High Definition (HD) programming or 90 hours of standard definition programming (SD).

* The capability to display High Definition images in either 720p or 1080i resolution, delivered to the iQ2 using advanced MPEG4 compression.

20 Responses

  1. Smacca, thanks. I have noticed an immediate improvement in the performance of the IQ2 remote as well. It is much fast and does not appear to suffer from the earlier problems.

  2. FOXTEL will eventually upgrade all iQ2 boxes before Dec 1. You could wait until then, or if you want to perform the upgrade yourself, follow these steps:

    * Press Back and Select at the same time on the front of the iQ.
    * The lights on the unit will turn off and on twice.
    * When the lights turn on the second time, press Power, Up, Down, Power.
    * The firmware download screen will appear, and the transfer will commence.

  4. Another thing they added in the upgrade, before you had to go into the tv guide menu to find out the info of the show after the next show… for example it’s 3:00pm, you ET is on Nine. The next show is Hi-5… if you wanted to find out about the show after next, you’d have to go into the menu, but now you can just press info and the info comes up instead of saying listings are not available… hope I’m making sense lol

  9. Thats exactly what my household needs. We’re always wanting to record two shows at the same time (especially on thursdays) and thus no-one can watch any other channel. Its very annoying.

    How much is it to upgrade to IQ2? Because we still have the original IQ -hmph-

  11. Where does Austar stand in all this? They have their own box which I was considering getting but then found out I can’t record from the unit to save programs on DVD, either off the HDD or “live”.

  13. This upgrade does not allow 3 programs to be recorded at once.
    The third tuner can only be used to watch another live program when there are 2 recordings already going.

  15. John, the 4 tuners enable you to either watch a program while recording 2 others or record 3 programs while watching a pre-recorded one. The fourth tuner is for on demand services such as Box Office.

  17. I’d love for this site to have a special story into PVR’s.

    I’m deciding on which one to buy but there’s heaps of options and I’m not sure which is best.

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