Virgin Media picks Samsung to build next wave of TiVo boxes

Samsung has been selected to build the next wave of Virgin Media's TiVo set top boxes, while a court in Germany has again banned the South Korean firm's latest Galaxy Tab product.

Virgin Media partnered with US firm Cisco to produce the first generation of its converged digital TV boxes powered by technology from DVR giant TiVo.

However, the next wave of Virgin Media: TiVo receivers will be made by Samsung, with the first boxes expected to roll out from late 2011. Samsung has previously produced the V+ HD personal video recorders for Virgin Media.

"This is a major win for Samsung Electronics and one that will strengthen Samsung's position as a technology supplier," said Warren Hampton, general manager of the Samsung's STB - AV Division.

"We are proud to have built upon our strategic relationship with Virgin Media that will allow both companies to continue to lead innovation and offer consumers the latest technology in the personal video recorder market."

Ian Mecklenburgh, Virgin Media's director of consumer platforms and devices, added: "Our partnership with Samsung will help bring the benefits of next generation digital entertainment to even more homes across the UK."

Yesterday, Virgin Media announced the launch of a companion iPad application for its TiVo service, enabling users to browse the TV guide and set recordings.

Meanwhile, a German court has upheld a ban on the sale of Samsung's Galaxy tab product, saying that the tablet computer did infringe the patents held by Apple.

Samsung asked the court to reconsider a previous ruling that elements of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1's design were copied from Apple's iPad. The decision led to a Europe-wide ban for the Galaxy Tab, which was later lifted.

The latest verdict at the Dusseldorf regional court again went in Apple's favour, meaning the Galaxy 10.1 will not be put on sale in Germany.

Judge Johanna Brueckner-Hoffmann said that the "minimalist, modern form" of the two products gave a "clear impression of similarity".

The re-imposition of the ban, albeit just in Germany, marks another development in the increasingly bitter patent battle between Apple and Samsung.

Apple has filed complaints against the South Korean firm alleging infringement of its patents, arguing that Samsung copied the design of the iPhone and iPad.

Last month, a court in the Netherlands banned Samsung from selling three models of its Galaxy smartphones in certain European countries after Apple filed a claim for patent infringement.

However, Samsung has counter-sued Apple, saying that the California-based firm infringed its own wireless patents.