StarHub launches HubStation HD

Enables viewers to watch and record HD programmes; Comes with an inbuilt hard-disk that allows up to 160 hours of SD recordings or 30 hours of HD recordings

SINGAPORE — StarHub today announced that it will launch a new High Definition (HD) Digital Video Recorder (DVR) – HubStation HD on 15 November 2008. This integrated device enables customers to watch and record both Standard Definition (SD) and HD programmes. The HubStation HD also provides access to free broadband Internet service and StarHub’s Digital Voice service.

StarHub launched the first commercial HD service in Southeast Asia in January 2007. Since then, the number of HD channels offered by StarHub TV has grown to five – HD5 (Ch 300), NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL HD (Ch 301), Discovery HD (Ch 302), The History Channel HD (Ch 303) and Sports HD (Ch 304). HD5 is offered to all StarHub TV customers at no extra cost while Sports HD is made available free to Sports Group customers. The other three channels are packaged together under the Education HD group.

“We are excited to introduce HubStation HD to StarHub TV customers. StarHub has been consistently coming up with new and innovative products and services to enhance our viewers’ TV viewing experience. With HubStation HD, our customers get to enjoy the quality HD programming on StarHub TV, as well as a suite of value-added services with the convenience of one set-top box.” said Ms Ong Bee Lian, StarHub’s Head of Pay TV & Entertainment.

HubStation HD users can enjoy features such as one-touch recording of programmes via On-screen TV Guide, control ‘live’ TV – the ability to pause and replay ‘live’ TV broadcast, and a user-friendly interface for easy navigation.

HubStation HD comes with a 320GB inbuilt hard-disk which allows viewers to record up to 160 hours of Standard Definition (SD) programmes or 30 hours of HD programmes. In addition, HubStation HD also has an inbuilt DOCSIS 2.0 cable modem which enables users free broadband Internet access [1]of up to 1Mbps and other two-way interactive features on TV such as Interactive TV (Ch 800) and Demand TV. Viewers can receive a suite of services and content such as Chat, TV SMS, i.Mail, live stock prices, 4D results and movie listings via Interactive TV. They can also purchase and watch a library of popular TV series and movies whenever they want via Demand TV.

HubStation HD also supports StarHub’s Digital Voice service. Digital Voice customers can make local calls by connecting a portable Integrated Access Device (IAD) and a phone to the device. StarHub TV customers are entitled to free monthly subscription to Digital Voice service, unlimited incoming and local outgoing calls, and special IDD rates.

HubStation HD will be made available to StarHub TV customers on a rental basis, at $14 ($14.98 with GST) monthly for the main set-top box and $22 ($23.54 with GST) monthly for each additional set-top box. HubStation, which enables viewers to watch and record SD programmes, is also made available to StarHub TV customers on a rental basis, at $8 ($8.56 with GST) monthly for the main set-top box.

To upgrade to a HubStation HD, existing customers can contact StarHub at 1633 while new customers can call 1630 to sign up for StarHub TV.