Smart TV is coming your way

Philip Wong | Feb 23, 2006

Couch potatoes rejoice! The renowned TiVo-style settop boxes are finally finding their ways to the Lion City. StarHub will be initiating a 500 subscriber-strong soft launch in March, followed by a full commercial rollout of its new Smart TV service scheduled for the second quarter of this year.

Enabling the two-way interactive experience is a new settop box with built-in DVR and cable modem functionalities. Users can expect exciting features such as 60-hour recording stamina, instant replay of "live" programs, second channel recording and parental lock. Not forgeting a user-friendly electronic program guide for easy recording.

That’s not all. Upcoming new features include concurrent multiple program recording, online chat, near-video-on-demand capability, SMS and email support. The monthly subscription fee for Smart TV will be offered at S$5 (US$3.35) per month, excluding separate charges for the DVR-enabled settop box.