Posts in Home AV
More auxiliary functions for Sony PS3
Philip Wong | Oct 12, 2007
With a powerful but power-hungry onboard Cell processor, it seems like Sony has had quite a free hand implementing a whole host of new functions for its PlayStation 3. Months back, we heard news of possible digital video-recording capability for the gaming console. Now there are fresh rumors of plans to turn it into a settop box to deliver IPTV service in Korea. A collaboration between Sony and KT (formerly known as Korean Telecom), the service could launch as early as November, though both companies are tight-lipped about the full details.
On a separate note, Sony Pictures vice president of Advanced Technologies Don Eklund had hinted at a possible PS3 firmware upgrade which enables Blu-ray interactivity. If this materializes, the console could well be the first Blu-ray player in the market to support his enhanced capability. Even better, with the S$559 (US$411.03) 40GB model on the horizon, there are more reasons to jump on the HD bandwagon.
Via Engadget and High-Def Digest
Panasonic rolls out Blu-ray trio
Philip Wong | Oct 11, 2007
Panasonic has caught up with its Japanese compatriot Sharp by introducing three Blu-ray and hard drive combo Hi-vision recorders. At the top of the echelon is a 1TB DMR-BW900 capable of recording up to a whopping 381 hours of HD broadcasts. To enable this feat, the new entries are all equipped with advanced MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 in addition to the usual MPEG-2 encoder. The former is the same compression technology found in Blu-ray and HD-DVD products.
Besides a pair of hi-def broadcast tuners, there are HDMI version 1.3 Deep Color and Blu-ray interactivity supports. The higher-end DMR-BW900 and 500GB DMR-BW800 also output judder-free 1080p24 which put both on par with full-featured Blu-ray players in the market. These, together the 250GB DMR-BW700, will be launched in Japan from November 1. There's no news of an Asia launch.
Watch and then pay for Cable TV
Philip Wong | Oct 10, 2007
If a fixed monthly cable subscription is a big no-no in your opinion, Singapore StarHub has a new proposition for you. The triple-play service provider's prepaid HubStation FlexiWatch TV service combines the flexibility of daily subscription with an extensive program lineup. Seven channels are available, including popular Chinese movies and dramas, priced from S$3.21 (US$2.36) to S$5.35 (US$3.93). Each will also be bundled with three complimentary Basic Group channels, capped at six per subscriber.
Still unconvinced? Just purchase a S$599.20 (US$440.59) HubStation and register with StarHub to enjoy a free one-week trial for one FlexiWatch and three Basic Group channels of your choice. To purchase programs, simply dial 1633 for customer service or pay via credit card through the HubStation TV Portal. Minimal subscription of three consecutive days and up to 30 per purchase apply.
More details here.
Panasonic unveils full-HD plasma TVs
Reuben Lee | Oct 09, 2007
TV maker Panasonic today showcased its latest range of full-HD (1,920 x 1,080p) plasma TVs at a Viera launch event in Singapore. To date, Pioneer is possibly the only manufacturer in Asia with a full-HD plasma panel, the 50-inch PDP-5000EX. Most standard plasma TVs today offer a normal 1,366 x 768-pixel resolution panel.
The Japanese company's latest plasma offerings, however, now mean Panasonic not only has the widest range of full-HD plasmas, it also sports the biggest display. Its top-of-the-range model is the gigantic 65-inch TH-65PY700H which retails for a hefty S$22,999. Not exactly affordable by most consumers' standards, but that's the price to pay to own one of the largest full-HD plasma displays in the market today. This series of full-HD plasma panels also comes in 42 inches (TH-42PY700H; S$5,299) and 50 inches (TH-50PY700H; S$6,999) and features Panasonic's V-real Pro II technology as well as a panel life of 100,000 hours.
Also unveiled at today's launch were two new LCD TVs, the 32-inch TX-32LX77M (S$1,599) and 37-inch TX-37LX75 (S$2,299). With the exception of the TX-37LX75 which is currently available in stores, the rest of the flat panels (including the three plasmas and one 32-inch LCD) are expected earliest this weekend.
White 40GB PS3 to land on shores of Singapore
Edvarcl Heng | Oct 09, 2007
The 40GB PS3 is coming to Asia after all. And it's stopping by Singapore on November 11. So it's high time to upgrade to a plus-sized stocking if you are asking Santa to drop a virgin white PS3 down the chute. Retailing at just S$559, we are sure Mr Claus will be snowed under with PS3 wishlist demands as this new Blu-ray-loving game console (available in both white and black) is the first to be equipped with a 40GB hard drive. However, you might still want to stick your guns with the earlier version of the PS3 (S$799) since this latter-day incarnation is not compatible with PS2 games.
Crave is...
The name says it all. Crave is our new blog about cool gadgets and other crushworthy stuff.
Drop us an email if you have tips or suggestions.
Crave for...
» Mobile Phones (750)
» Digital Cameras (413)
» Notebooks (474)
» PC & Peripherals (502)
» Handhelds (254)
» Printers (44)
» Home AV (504)
» Music & Play (435)
» Gadgets (966)
» Future Tech (163)
Copyright © 2008 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.
