Better yet, you can rewind it, replay it, pause it and fast-forward it with the new DirecTV Plus.

The new service, launched at the Olympus VIP section at the Sheraton Centre on Thursday night, allows viewers to enjoy television in a totally different way.

General manager of DirecTV Caribbean Bernard Pantin said the service would be available from Monday. For those who have had DirecTV for more than five years, the new box is free, and viewers only pay an additional $21 on their monthly bill. For others the fee would be $299 for installation.

The DirecTV Plus (LR-15) will set you apart from the competition, with its digital recorder which also allows you to be able to record two other programmes on other channels while you watch a third.

The service not only allows you to record for up to 100 hours, but allows you to search the channel guide for up to 14 days in advance.

If you are going overseas, there is no need to miss your favourite films. With two clicks of a button, customers can set the box to record the full series of a show.

The technology also allows viewers to hook up their caller ID telephones to the television. So, if you are too hooked to your favourite show, the television will display who is calling you.

Pantin said DirecTV, which started ten years ago in Barbados, had reached a Barbadian clientele of nearly 10 000.

He said DirecTV was always looking for ways to improve their service, noting the on-screen guide was hoped to be fully in English by the end of June. Towards the end of the year, the general manager said high-definition channels would also be introduced.(CT)