Pioneer has signed a licensing agreement with TiVo to use TiVo's DVR (digital video recorder) technology in its products. TiVo's set-top boxes are basically units that use harddrives as storage media and can act as a VCR replacements or "freeze" live TV picture (i.e. the unit will start recording the TV channel immediately the TV is "paused" and once user hits play again, the playback continues from beginning of the recording while the unit is still recording the rest of the show).
Pioneer is the latest major video equipment manufacturer to sign a such contract -- other licensees include Sony and Toshiba. Pioneer is expected to roll out first TiVo-equipped units, most likely stand-alone DVD recorders, by end of the year.
More information: Pioneer press release
More information: Pioneer press release
