Posts in Home AV
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.
More info here
The long and winding road to PlayStation 3 launch
Philip Wong | Feb 20, 2006
If you are banking on importing a Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) during the slated 2006 launch in Japan and the US, be prepared to hang onto your trusty PlayStation 2 as the Japanese electronics monarch struggles with its mounting PS3 woes.
Analysts from Merrill Lynch cited a potential six to 12 months of delay pushing back D-day (launch date) to an autumn launch in Japan and a late 2006 or even an early 2007 launch in the US.
High production cost estimated at US$900 per unit is another teething problem plaguing Sony executives with either a bleeding subsidized pricing or lethal lackluster sales, no thanks to an exorbitant price tag.
More info on PS3 here
Sony finds glitch in its Bravia TVs
Philip Wong | Feb 16, 2006
Sony Japan has recently reported up to 400,000 Bravias affected by a software glitch which may prevent the set from powering off or be brought out of the stand-by mode after 1,200 hours of usage.
The affected models in this region are KF-E42A10, KF-E50A10, KLV-V26A10, KLV-V32A10 and KLV-V40A10. Consumers are advised to verify their unit's serial number against the defective batches before contacting their local Sony office for a free on-site software upgrade.
More info here
Grab your Xbox 360 kit for only S$299
Philip Wong | Feb 10, 2006
Pre-order your Xbox 360 package at S$299 (US$200.09) with every new two-year subscription to StarHub's MaxOnline Ultimate or 6500 broadband plan. The package consists of the Xbox 360 core unit, a 64MB memory unit, a 12-month Xbox Live Gold subscription and Kameo: Elements of Power-- worth a total of S$804.40 (US$538.31).
New subscribers will also be entitled to a 10 percent off their monthly subscription in addition to the heavily discounted Xbox 360 package.
Redemption of the Xbox 360 order can be carried out at the StarHub-Microsoft Xbox 360 launch party on March 15 or at its Service Hub in Funan Digitalife Mall from March 16.
More info on Xbox 360 here
Get in focus with the Play Big!
Philip Wong | Feb 09, 2006
The latest Play Big projectors are the brainchild of a bold initiative targeted at creating an identity for InFocus home theater offerings. This was accomplished with an alluring black piano finish matched by smooth curves reminiscent of its flagship ScreenPlay 777 three-chipper.
The series comes in three different flavors with the entry-level IN72 making a 480p proposition, followed by the IN74EX for 576p and the high-end IN76 covering true HD duties with its native 720p resolution.
Aesthetics aside, the Play Big has also incorporated many performance-enhancing features including a 10-bit Pixelworks DNX video-processing chip, advanced six-segment color wheels. You can also expect the same D65 calibration for solid out-of-the-box color renditions standard in its previous line of projectors.
The IN72 will be available in Singapore early next month at an estimated retail price of S$2,000 (US$1,338.42).
More info here
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