Freeview Playback signs up manufacturers

Freeview has signed up six major manufacturers to produce Freeview Playback-branded digital TV recorders: Alba, Humax, Sagem, Sharp, Sony and Tvonics. The first devices to feature the Playback brand will be available in Sony Centres across the country in time for Christmas. And Freeview expects a wide range of its digital TV recorders from key manufacturers to be available from major high street retailers by July 2007.

Freeview has developed a marketing plan for Playback to raise awareness among consumers and ensure clear visibility of the brand in retail. The three key features of the marketing campaign will be:
Freeview general manager Cary Wakefield said: “Our aim is for Freeview Playback digital TV recorders to be widely available throughout the market by the end of 2007. The involvement of these key manufacturers confirms our commitment to clearly define the digital TV recorder category and is a major step towards establishing an industry standard by providing a quality assurance for consumers”.