The wait is finally over. Reliance Big TV has introduced its high-definition set-top box (STB) integrated with digital live TV recording feature, across 100 cities in the country.
Priced at Rs 7490 and Rs 7990, this HD DVR set-top box offers five times clearer and sharper image quality with two million pixel resolution and digital surround sound effect.
The digital video recording includes features like pause, play, rewind Live TV, record a program while watching another channel, capability to record up to 200 hours of video programming, 3-in-1 universal remote to give its subscribers the advantage of using single remote to control three devices like the TV, set-top box and any other music player system.
Sanjay Behl, CEO, Reliance Big TV, explains, "This is India's first product with a dual benefit of High Definition viewing and Digital Video Recorder in a single Set Top Box. Further, Reliance BIG TV is the only service provider to offer recording capability upwards of 200 hours and a universal remote control which can manage up to 3 devices."
The pricing differs region wise, in the Southern market the entry offer is priced at Rs 7790 bundled with five months of value pack with a full bouquet of sports channels. While in other regions, Big TV is launching the entry offer at a higher price of Rs 7990. Under this offer, subscribers get three months of Diamond Pack bundled with HD National Geographic and 152 channels. 
The existing Big TV customers will benefit with an upgrade option from standard definition (SD) to HD DVR at the cost of Rs 5990, discount of Rs 1500.
To further extend its offering, Big TV is planning to introduce two new transponders in the next three months that will enable them to broadcast another 60 channels, including Big TV's HD movie and entertainment channels. BIG TV has also signed a HD content deal with National Geographic to telecast their programs in India, and is also in talks with various global HD content providers like CBS, ESPN, FOX News and Discovery.
Apart from this, Big TV plans to launch six new interactive services by this year. Its also open to diluting up to 20% stake to a strategic partner. Behl said, "We are open to diluting our stake up to 20 per cent to a strategic partner. In that case there would be possibilities of Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) as well as other investors showing interest."
