When it comes to personal video recorder technology, Australia has been in the dark ages. Australian law has made it difficult for companies to offer electronic program guides. And an EPG is almost as necessary for a good PVR as a hard drive.

Well the times, they are a-changing. You can get a Windows Media Center PC in Australia now, a few companies are offering set top boxes, and next year you won't have to import and hack a TiVo to make it work.

TiVo's partnered with Seven Media to bring Tivo service to Australian customers. The companies plan to design a platform that will enable TiVo boxes and software to work with over the air digital television in Australia. The platform will be available for use throughout the country.