StarHub plays Santa Claus early

It'll be an early X'mas for StarHub digital cable subscribers. Come October 2, there will be a free broadcast of four existing paid channels on top of a new Korean channel. Under the initiative, digital and DVR settop boxes users will have complimentary access to Australia Network, Deutsche Welle, TV5 Monde and TVRI programs, currently valued at S$4 (US$2.94) to S$15 (US$11.03) each.

As further icing on the Christmas cake, StarHub is also introducing KBS World featuring 24-hour general entertainment from Korean Broadcasting System. The free channel showcases news, infotainment, cultural programs, documentaries, drama series, music and variety shows by the terrestrial TV station.

With the migration of the paid channels to a digital cable platform, existing customers on analog settop boxes may want to upgrade in order to capitalize on the free offer.
More info on DVR settop box here

More Sony Bravias coming our way

If the Sony's entry-level Bravia LCD TV didn't excite you, it's high time you check out the upcoming V and X series featuring a blend of sophisticated designs and enhanced specifications. That's in addition to a new one-chip processor, dubbed the Bravia Engine, deployed throughout its entire 2006 lineup.

The sleek V series differs from its predecessor with beefed-up dynamic contrast rated from 1,300 to 7,000:1. Matching the impressive five-fold improvement is a pair of HDMI terminals, compatible up to 1080i for lossless video transmission from HD players and settop boxes.

Up the performance scale are three models from its flagship X series. Available from 40- to 52-inch display sizes, the Bravias are future-proofed with a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution panel complemented by 1080p input capability. This series also bests its V counterparts with dual HDMI terminals and three sets of component-video sockets.

The V and X series Bravias will be available in Singapore from September. Pricing of the models will be updated when further details are released by Sony's regional office.
More info on V series here
More info on X series here

International Sound and Sight Exhibition is back

The annual International Sound and Sight Exhibition is back. Occupying three floors at the Le Meridien Orchard Singapore hotel, the three day-long exhibition will see several big names from the A/V industry such as Pioneer, Yamaha, InFocus and Onkyo. Not forgetting the audiophile-oriented vendors, of which include McIntosh, Linn and Accuphase, among many others.

To capitalize on the growing momentum of High Definition in the region, the exhibitors are also offering a family of full-HD displays to woo the deep-pocketed videophiles. They include two world's firsts, namely the Pioneer PDP-5000EX plasma TV and Marantz VP-11S1 DLP projector--both are first to sport 1080p-compatibility for their class. That's besides the CES-announced Optoma HD81 and an onsite demonstration from Pioneer BDP-HD1 Blu-ray player.

Bargain hunters may also like to check out the wide selection of CDs, Super Audio CDs and accessories available for sale. The S$10 (US$7.35) entrance fee comes with a free demo disc with 15 remastered music tracks, perfect for demonstrating the capability of your new purchases.
More info here

Optoma's 1080p preemptive strike

There's a new contender for the supersized 1080p crown held currently by the Sony Ruby. Making its impending debut in Singapore is Optoma's CES-announced HD81 DLP home theater light cannon. This two-piece projector/processor system employs a new Texas Instrument DarkChip 3 engine, which is further enhanced with comprehensive hardware and software sub-systems. These range from a Gennum VXP scalar to a "studio-grade" color-management system and Imaging Science Foundation-certified picture modes.

This truly next-gen display also offers a colossal collection of connectivity options with four component-video sockets and three HDMI terminals. That’s up to seven HD-compatible inputs to go with every imaginable A/V boxes out in the market, though you will probably have to empty a substantial portion of your bank account to use up all the HD81's shiny jacks.

The HD81 will be launched on August 11 during the International Sound and Sight Exhibition 2006 held at Le Meridien hotel, Singapore. The pricing of the set is pending finalization and was not available at press time.
More info here

Full-HD with five 1080i/p inputs to go

Sony is staging a comeback for its rear-projection TVs with the recent launch of its Bravia SXRD lineup in 50- and 60-inch flavors. Each of these flat-panel lookalikes is powered by three third-generation Silicon X-tal Reflective Display panels and its Bravia picture-processing engine, delivering a stunning 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution matched with an equally competent 10,000:1 contrast performance.

For future-proofed video format compatibilities, the Japanese company has also equipped the TVs with a pair of 1080p-ready HDMI terminals. That's besides three sets of progressive scan-enabled component-video sockets to go with your existing collection of Xbox 360, DVD players and settop boxes.

The KS-50R200A and KS-60R200A will be available at estimated retail prices of S$6,350 (US$4,669.12) and S$6,840 (US$5,029.41), respectively.
More info here

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