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On 15th October 2014, Toshiba launched the new L9450 Series & L5450 Series for it’s television range that are powered by Android 4.4.2 (not Android TV). Note that the Android will not be upgradable and hence you will be stuck with it till the end-of-life of your television.

L9450 Series
The L9450 series comes in Ultra-HD 4K (3840 x 2160) resolution with sizes in 50″ (S$2,299), 65″ (S$4,999) and 84″ (S$17,999).

Last Wednesday, Google announces Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus Player & Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Nexus 6

Western Digital refreshed their WD TV media player back in May 2014. It features a new user interface and supports a wider range of formats including .mkv, .mp4, .avi, and offers social connectivity through apps like YouTube, Hulu Plus, Pandora, and Facebook among others. The new model also supports Miracast and allows users to project their Miracast enabled mobile devices onto their TV in up to full HD 1080p.

The new WD TV is retailing for S$169.

Bought the Google Chromecast from Amazon for US$35 (S$44) excluding shipping. Google Chromecast is similar to Apple’s AirPlay technology using Apple TV.

If you are in the US, you can watch Netflix, Hulu Plus as well as movies, TV shows, and music from Google Play. However for normal users in Singapore, there is nothing much you can do with it beside streaming YouTube videos and mirroring your Chrome tabs.

My 4+ years old Hitachi 32″ LCD Television (L32A01A) bought on 30th December 2007 for S$1,099 decided to gave up on me. I think either the back-light bulb was blown or the panel is spoilt. There is sound coming out but no image is being displayed.

Decided to get a new TV instead of repairing it as the repair cost might not be worth it and I got the Samsung Series 5 32″ Slim LED Television (UA32ES5500M) for S$899 at Best Denki VivoCity on 15th June 2012.

Bought the Apple TV (2nd Generation) from San Francisco’s Apple Store for US$99 (after tax is US$107.67 = S$136.96).

I wish they sold it in Singapore but because there is no iTunes Movies/TV Shows rental service in Singapore, I doubt it will happen anytime soon. Nevertheless, it is still not a bad media player for that price. Not forgetting that the Apple TV is powered by Apple A4 chip.

Got the Logitech Harmony 300 for S$49 from Comex 2011 last week. For those who are unaware, the Logitech Harmony 300 is a universal remote control that allows you to control up to 4 devices such as your Television, Cable Box, Xbox 360 and Media Player.

I wanted to get the Logitech Harmony 200 instead but while I was passing by the Ban Leong booth, I saw the Harmony 300 going for just S$49, the usual retail price is S$69. It is S$20 cheaper than the RRP and only S$10 more expensive than the Harmony 200. I will regret it if I don’t get it at that price!

I always wanted to get a Logitech Harmony Remotes for my television and media player, but they are pretty expensive, finally they announced something more affordable which is the Logitech Harmony 200. It will be available in Singapore by early September 2011 for a recommended retail price of S$39. Hopefully just in time for Comex 2011 which is happening from 1st to 4th September 2011 at Suntect City.

I just checked the Harmony’s Supported Devices page and it supports my room television setup!

Hooted the A.C. Ryan Playon! HD Mini 2 on Thursday at the IT Show 2011. The RRP was S$199 but CitiBank credit cards customers can get an additional S$10 off, so end up paying S$189 for it. The A.C. Ryan Playon! HD Mini 2 features USB 3.0, 10/100/1000Mbps LAN connectivity and of course the brand new GUI 2.0. It was release back in early January 2011.

This media player is going to be connected to my living room television so that my parents can watch shows without turning on the iMac in the living room. I got the mini one instead as I will be streaming media from my A.C. Ryan Playon! HD which I got back in late November 2010.