Las Vegas ? The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission is a new convert — to the personal digital video recorder.

“My favorite product that I got for Christmas is TiVo,” FCC chairman Michael Powell said during a question-and-answer session at the International Consumer Electronics Show. “TiVo is God’s machine.”

If Powell’s enthusiasm for digital recordings of TV broadcasts is reflected in FCC rulings, the entertainment industry could have a tough time pushing its agenda in Washington. It wants restrictions on making and sharing the recordings.

Powell said he plans to use TiVo to record shows to play on other TV sets in his home, and suggested he might share recordings with his sister if she misses a show.

Powell made the statements during a brief exchange with Gary Shapiro, who heads the Consumer Electronics Assn., a lobbying group opposed to government-imposed restrictions on TiVo-like digital recording technology.

Many in Hollywood have railed against the machines, saying they could cut into TV advertising revenues. TiVo allows viewers to fast forward through commercials.

The entertainment industry has proposed “broadcast flag” technology that could thwart or limit copying or distribution of pirated broadcasts over the Internet. Many in the industry fear the broadcasts could be sold online.

Powell said he understood the need to balance the interests of consumers with those of Hollywood and broadcasters.