In an announcement made today, Strong have completed integration of IceTV’s interactive electronic program guide (EPG) service and advanced remote recording features (IceTV Interactive), for Australian digital free-to-air TV. A software update will be available shortly via the Strong website.

Strong customers will now be able to utilise IceTV’s premium EPG data to drive their digital TV viewing and gain access to IceTV’s Interactive features online, to intelligently manage what their Strong DVR records at home.

With a free IceTV membership included with every Strong SRT 5492 or SRT 5495 DVR purchase, customers will have greater freedom and control over the way they watch, record and ultimately enjoy their favourite shows on TV.

Strong customers will now be able to access IceTV’s advanced recording options via the IceTV website, 3G mobile friendly site (m.icetv.com.au), or when using IceTV’s iPhone app or interactive TV Guide widgets to remotely manage their recordings. IceTV Interactive features include: true ‘series’ recording & advanced ‘keyword’ recording capabilities, the ability to set favourites & create a personalised TV Guide for the week ahead, plus many more.

Jim Kaneleas, the Product Manager at Strong Technologies said, “Strong is excited to now offer the IceTV EPG service to our customers. We are constantly striving to make our products ever more user friendly and now with IceTV functionality, the features or our range of DVRs are significantly enhanced. We look forward to partnering with IceTV in the future on new and exciting models”

To celebrate today’s announcement and to help customers appreciate the difference IceTV will make to their digital free-to-air TV viewing experience, IceTV and Strong have agreed to include a free 6 month membership to IceTV (valued at $66) for a limited time. Following this, Strong customers will receive a free 3 month membership to IceTV (valued at $33).

Matt Kossatz, general manager at IceTV, said, “We’re seeing more and more of the leading DVR brands add IceTV to enhance the features available to their users. We are delighted to now include Strong in this exclusive list. Not only will Strong customers be able to access all the latest channels on Freeview, but they will not have greater control over the way they consume that content with access to IceTV. We look forward to working closely with Strong and our other partners to provide Australian consumers with better choice and to continue to help drive digital uptake in Australia in the process.