Telus first to pipe DTV through Xbox 360s in North America
updated 02:05 pm EDT, Wed August 4, 2010
Telus Optik TV now goes directly to Xbox 360
Telus staked out a first for the Xbox 360 today as it became the first TV broadcaster in North America to push digital TV through Microsoft's console. Optik TV customers can use Microsoft's Mediaroom to turn the Xbox into a set-top box and gives access to all of the fiber optic network's channels in HD. They also get full control over the DVR: a viewer can watch shows, pause them in one area and resume them elsewhere, and record as many as three at once.
The system works across the entire home and saves subscribers the trouble of getting separate boxes across the house.
Base packages start out at as little as $23 for the customers in Alberta and BC who currently have access to Optik. To provide an incentive for bundling service, subscribers who add a two-year contract for Internet access will get an Xbox 360 for free. Telus confirm it's the new, slim model but hasn't said whether it's the 250GB regular model or the 4GB Xbox 360 Arcade.
