The man who founded Pipex will launch his hybrid Freeview and IPTV set-top box next month.

Peter Dawe and long-term colleague Mark Turner have developed the DaweVision technology and combined digital terrestrial/IPTV service Babel TV.

The project will be launched on November 6 with a box costing £295. With a Freeview DTT and broadband connection it will have full PVR functions and networked storage for music and photos.

Dawe explained: "Anybody can plug a Babel TV box into a Freeview aerial and a broadband connection. That's all it takes to be all set to watch, record and pause Freeview TV.

"You can watch TV programmes from the internet, surf the web and shop online. You can keep in touch with family and friends by email, write letters and use other office software."

It will join BT Vision, Tiscali TV and Freewire in the IPTV marketplace with Orange TV due to launch next year.

Dawe began the UK's first commercial internet service provider, Pipex, in 1991.