Posts in Home AV
Samsung's HTIB goes Blu
Philip Wong | Apr 03, 2008
The home high-definition scene in Asia has just received an aesthetic facelift with the arrival of the Samsung HT-BD2. For pristine visuals and high-resolution audio, this sleek 7.1-channel home cinema offers film-centric 1080p24 video playback, as well as onboard Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. Moreover, it has the distinct advantage in styling with an all-in-one Blu-ray receiver box and an uber-cool slot-in disc drive.
What's not so hot are its Blu-ray profile 1.1 and BD-Live interactive features omission. In another word, the HT-BD2 is already kind of obsolete out-of-the-box (yuck). But then, it's basically all about looks when it comes to this category of home theater. This Samsung kit is now available in Singapore for S$2,399 (US$1,578.29). Pricing for the rest of Asia is pending confirmation.
Watch a UEFA match in HD for just S$0.35?
Philip Wong | Apr 02, 2008
Yes, we kid you not. But first, you will have to be a StarHub Digital Cable Sports Group subscriber, its HD settop box user and an early bird--before May 8 specifically--to bag its S$10.70 (US$7.04) season pass. Otherwise, the 31 UEFA Euro 2008 matches will cost S$21.40 (US$14.08) and S$53.50 (US$35.20) for the Sport Group and the remaining digital cable customers, respectively.
The Singapore telco is setting aside four channels for the broadcasts: UEFA Euro 2008 StarHub Premium, HD, Tactical and Highlights. The first two are standard- and hi-def telecasts of the tournament (except for four simulcast Group Stage matches) and preview shows. Tactical offers a bird's eye view of the live action, while Highlights shows a replay of key moments.
You can also tune into the matches via Internet if you're a MaxOnline user or through selected 3G mobile phones for the company's Mobile post-paid customers. Furthermore, the opening, two semi-finals and final matches will be made available for all Singapore viewers. Relevant details will be released at a later date. For more information, you can check out its press release here.
Photo credit: StarHub
Where the Wii meets Laverne & Shirley
Mike Yamamoto | Apr 02, 2008
This is no cheap knockoff either, but one that's made by the ultimate name in bowling gear, Brunswick. The retro-styled bag has padded compartments that can safely tote around the console, cords, games, and Wiimote, according to Uncrate. All it needs to achieve perfection is a way to combine it with the "Wii Party Station".
Via Crave CNET
Big-screen, short-throw BenQ beamer
Philip Wong | Apr 01, 2008
Are you always straining your eyes at puny projections in confined meeting rooms? Now you can go big-screen in style with BenQ's MP771 multimedia projector. The leather-clad light cannon is a jewel in tight quarters, capable of casting a generous 74-inch presentation from a mere 1m throw distance. And it's bright, too, at 3,000 lumens. Designed for interactive whiteboards and even bare walls, the MP771 also features the latest Texas Instrument Brilliant Color technology and wall color correction function.
There's a catch, though. Since it has only a fixed zoom lens, wall space may be a potential issue here. We're looking at a fixed whopping 3 x 2.3m (148-inch) projection for a typical 2m wall to conference room table setup. That said, the S$3,299 BenQ MP771 is still an idle solution given the right conditions--think space-constrained Asian offices and meeting rooms.
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Photo credit: BenQ
StarHub's Sport Group customers get free Eurosport
Philip Wong | Mar 31, 2008
This will bring the S$25 (US$16.45)/month addon tier to nine channels which currently comprise ESPN, Football channel, STAR Sports, SuperSports, SuperSports Plus, Golf Channel, Goal TV 1 and Goal TV 2. The new Eurosport channel will be delivered through its HubStation, digital and HD settop boxes and is available for existing and new cable subscribers.
Photo credit: StarHub
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