Revolution in TV viewing starts in County Durham
Feb 25 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal
A COUNTY Durham electronics company has launched the first television to stream programmes from web-based systems like the BBC iPlayer through their television - kickstarting what the firm calls a revolution in viewing.
Cello Electronics’ new iViewer connects the TV to the internet through a cable or wi-fi and allows users to watch content they previously could only see via their computer screen or games console.
Brian Palmer, director of the Newton Aycliffe-based Cello, said: “It’s quite a coup for a UK company to do it; people will follow this year – Samsung and Sony will do it.”
The firm, which currently sits at number 42 in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100, of the UK’s fastest growing technology companies, is putting its money where its mouth is by investing in research and development targeted at British viewers.
“We focus on what the UK wants. People want to watch the BBC iPlayer but they don’t want to get up and watch it on their computer screen,” said Mr Palmer.
“The iViewer is the beginning of something quite big that will revolutionise how people watch their televisions.”
The system plays other web-based TV content, Youtube videos and images from the user’s computer which can be streamed through to the television set. As more online TV stations become available, the iViewer will automatically upgrade and Mr Palmer said that users will be able to hook up to their Twitter and Facebook accounts through the system by the end of March.
And he aims to extend the market wider by providing familiar TV programmes for foreign visitors or people who have moved to Britain.
“We’ll be looking at ethnic developments so people can watch television from their own country,” said Mr Palmer.
The iViewer TV is currently only available in televisions from Marks & Spencer. Cello initially signed an exclusive deal with the retailer because there was only a limited quantity of the equipment available. But it is likely to be included in other brands later this year.
In addition to its own Cello and Neon brands, sold through supermarkets, the £40m-plus turnover company produces own-brand sets for Littlewoods, Grattan and Next.
The televisions, which come with integrated Freeview, are made in Newton Aycliffe by Aclet Electronics and Cello works with aftercare company Contrast Technology of Spennymoor. Cello has added iPod docking stations, personal video recorder options and integrated DVD players to various models.
