Pace puts out BT Vision+ box – merges DVR with VoD service

UK set top company Pace says that it has out a new second-generation BT Vision set-top box. It comes in sleek black and bears the + sign that suggests that it is a DVR (borrowed from Sky+) called simply Vision+. Originally it had looked like Pace would either lose the contract of supplying BT with this set top, or that it would at least share the contract with Motorola, but so far we have not seen a Motorola version of this box mentioned anywhere.

It’s a HD-capable DVR and Pace pushes its Green credentials, pointing out that it is designed to use minimal energy in all modes, so meets the EU’s directive for power consumption.

Vision+ of course gives access to the 40 Freeview TV channels and obviously this now includes the new HD multiplex which older set tops won’t be able to get, through a TV aerial, but also via your broadband line it gives access to a huge on demand library of films, TV shows, music videos and sport over from BT Vision. It says that it now has over 7,200 shows all without the ad breaks.

There are also 30 different radio stations and the 160GB hard drive allows recording of around 80 hours of content. The devices comes out of the Philips set top division which Pace acquired just over two years ago.

Marc Watson, BT Vision’s CEO said, "We’re constantly trying to better the BT Vision service and have worked closely with Pace to develop attractive and advanced products that meet our customers needs. Pace has consistently been able to meet these and many other difficult technological hurdles inherent in providing linear digital TV and on-demand IPTV content to our viewers. We look forward to our continued relationship with Pace as we continue to develop ever more innovative set-top boxes as our service grows.”

The new Vision+ box, like all the other BT Vision boxes is still free when consumers buy BT Vision online up until January 15th (today) at www.bt.com/telly. Betcha that the box is still free, even after today.