By Patrick Avenell

SYDNEY, NSW: A new TiVo device with twice as much storage capacity will go on sale on 1 December 2009. The new model, called TiVo 320, will come with a free home networking package and have access to the new Caspa content download service.

Hybrid TV, the licensee of TiVo in Australia, which is part owned by the Seven Network, launched the new device at a media event in Sydney yesterday. Central to the launch was the new content service, which will replace the video on demand feature in the original TiVo device, now known as TiVo 160.

Called Caspa, this broadband-powered content service enables users to browse through a large selection of movies, both old and new, catch-up TV and music programming. Some of this content is free, whilst most of it incurs a fee of around $7 for a new release movie and $4 for an older release film. From April 2010, TiVo will be offering much of this paid content for free, provided viewers are prepared to watch a limited amount of commercials.

When used with unmetered downloading from one TiVo’s compliant ISP partners, such as iiNet, Internode or Primus, this offer should prove compelling for consumers who do not wish to use subscription television.

At launch, the new TiVo 320 will be bundled with a free home networking package (RRP $199), which allows users to watch their own content through the TiVo on television, transfer recorded TV shows on their PC or portable device and share content between TiVos in the household. This offer will run until 31 January 2010

The new TiVo 320 will be available through Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Myer, and their affiliates for RRP $699. The TiVo 160, which will be discontinued once all stock is sold, is now RRP $599.