Required: Old working or non-working fax, printer, copier, scanner of any brand, Brother or non-Brother.

How: Trade-in old device, fill up information sheet/coupon and then proceed to transact with the Brother authorized dealer stated in the coupon.

Where: 4th Level Annex (beside Power Mac Center) SM North EDSA Annex, Powerplant Mall and Alabang Town Center

Restrictions:

1. Coupon valid only for one day.
2. Maximum of 3 units only during the entire trade-in promo duration.

Others: All models included in the trade-in promo can be availed in 0% interest for 6 months.

If you print a lot of text-based documents, monochrome laser printers are a good way to go. Based on personal experience, toner cartridges don’t go dry even if stored for long periods of time. They also, more often than not, are of better quality when printing text (blacks are solid, edges are sharp and ink blotches are nowhere to be found).

See also:

• Warner Bros. wants you to trade-in your HD DVDs for same title Blu-rays (for a fee)
• RadioShack now accepting trade-ins of old and working electronics
• Amazon US indicates Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI) finally coming to Blu-ray on September 27, 2011? UK release on September 30, 2011?
• Cignal TV channels and subscription plans comparison (as of January 2011)
• NHT (Now Hear This ®) shutting down on March 31, 2009
• AT&T Nokia E71x with S60v3 FP2, out on March 24, 2009

Here is a comparison of Cignal TV’s different subscription plans, both prepaid and postpaid prices along with the corresponding differences in channel lineup between plans. And this, in my opinion, is much more readable than what they have on their website.

For easy navigation this post has been divided into the following sections:

Subscription Plans:

Prepaid

Postpaid — Plan 250 | Plan 390 | Plan 590 | Plan 990 | Plan 1290

Terms and Conditions

Channels comparison:

Plan 250 | Plan 390 | Plan 590 | Plan 990 | Plan 1290

Bonus Audio Channels

I would like to clearly indicate that I am not affiliated to Cignal in any way so please direct your concerns to them via (02)244-6251 or (02)CIGNAL-1 or to one of their many nationwide partners.

Prepaid comparison plan-by-plan:

For prepaid, paying for the Cignal Kit is required. I’m assuming prepaid Plan 590 is the same as postpaid Plan 590 which includes 2 HD channels (because of the more than double increase for the Cignal Kit), Star World HD and NBA Premium HD. There is no lock-in period for prepaid plans and you can presumably cut-off and resume at any time as with any prepaid service. No mention of prices for additional boxes and if they do allow additional boxes for prepaid plans.

Postpaid comparison plan-by-plan:

If you go for the cash payment option, you have to pay for the equipment and additional boxes needed which can be hefty on your wallet. Bear in mind that if you bolt from Cignal TV, all those equipment are virtually useless unless they’re the same ones or at least compatible with other HD providers such as Sky Cable.

If you go for the lease payment option, it’s like paying for your monthly subscription fee plus rental fee(s) on your additional boxes (plus a Cignal kit non-refundable deposit if you choose Plan 990). This seems like the more cost-effective option if you ask me, because you don’t have to initially shell out a lot and you’re not required to keep the equipment if you decide to part from Cignal TV.

Another thing, the Cignal website indicates additional boxes as “2nd/3rd box.” I’m not sure if that’s an indication that they only allow a maximum of 3 set top boxes per household.

Subscription Plans:

Prepaid

Postpaid — Plan 250 | Plan 390 | Plan 590 | Plan 990 | Plan 1290

Terms and Conditions

Channels comparison:

Plan 250 | Plan 390 | Plan 590 | Plan 990 | Plan 1290

Bonus Audio Channels

Channel comparison plan-by-plan:

Listed below are the available channels per plan. The channel names which are highlighted in bold are the channel differences between two adjacent plans (i.e. 290 <> 390, 390 <> 590 and so on). NHK World is available on all plans except Plan 390.

Subscription Plans:

Prepaid

Postpaid — Plan 250 | Plan 390 | Plan 590 | Plan 990 | Plan 1290

Terms and Conditions

Channels comparison:

Plan 250 | Plan 390 | Plan 590 | Plan 990 | Plan 1290

Bonus Audio Channels

For a partial list of Cignal TV’s updated channel offerings with corresponding schedules: Click here

- Prepaid and Postpaid subscriptions available.
- 24 months lock-in for Postpaid subscriptions, pre-termination fees apply.
- Cignal Satellite Kit includes Satellite Dish, Set Top Box, Remote Control and Cignal Card
- Minimum installation fee of P1,000 applies. May vary depending on location and materials needed. For 2nd/3rd box, installation charge is P500 if done with the 1st box. Otherwise, standard installation fee (P1,000) applies. (additional cable – P12.50 per meter, line amplifiers – P700, splitter – P575)

Interested subscribers must complete the following requirements:

• Valid ID
• Proof of billing
• Proof of income (additional for postpaid subscribers)
• Leasing subscriptions subject to credit requirements

See also:

• Cignal Digital TV SD, HD and Combo packages along with installation, equipment and monthly rates
• Philippines to have HDTV broadcasts after all, via Cignal Digital TV
• Amazon US indicates Star Wars: The Complete Saga (Episodes I-VI) finally coming to Blu-ray on September 27, 2011? UK release on September 30, 2011?
• AT&T wants to extend iPhone exclusivity until 2011?
• Microsoft extends Windows XP downgrade option to 2011?
• Brother Philippines trade-in promo at SM North EDSA Annex, Powerplant Mall, Alabang Town Center on March 10-16, 2011

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is set to debut in Philippine homes sometime in November (no exact date) as per a Magnavision Home Video representative.

Not much information has been shed as to what features these releases exactly contain but we can safely assume that the 2-disc standard edition, Bumblebee transforming case and SteelBook will be housing the same discs.

The Bumblebee transforming case is definitely a nice touch and will complement those who might have the Optimus Prime and Megatron transforming case variants.

The SteelBook design is minimalist and overall good-looking. The design mirrors the R1 SteelBook which is set for release on October 20th.

Price information has also not yet been revealed but my guess is that it will be somewhat similar to Watchmen‘s pricing. The Bumblebee transforming case might turn out to be more expensive than the SteelBook because of its novelty.

[via PinoyDVD]

See also:

• Watchmen DVD releases by Magnavision Home Video for the Philippines
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen DVD/Blu-ray cover art revealed and scheduled for October 20, 2009 release
• The Transformers: “Matrix of Leadership” Edition Complete Series Collector’s Set
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate pricing / packaging
• Custom-made, front-firing Elemental Designs (eD) A7-900 production video
• Nokia E52 now available in the Philippines

The Nokia E52 is now available at Nokia Stores in the Philippines, nationwide. The E52 is every bit as competent as its predecessor, the Nokia E51.

A number of improvements of the Nokia E52 over the E51 include, but are not limited to, the following:

As you can see, pretty much everything is in favor of the Nokia E52… Except for the internal memory — which shouldn’t matter because both devices are expandable via a microSD card, infrared port — which also shouldn’t matter because infrared (IR) is on its last leg, and of course price — the E52 is definitely much more expensive considering it’s a newer model.

The Nokia E52 is certainly a powerful device. If you need a business-centric smartphone but require QWERTY keypads, I suggest you wait for the Nokia E72 which features an optical trackpad in addition to full QWERTY. You can read an in-depth review of the Nokia E52 at GSM Arena.

Prices indicated are based on information from a sales representative of the Nokia Store at Fort Bonifacio. Currently, only the Metal Grey Aluminum variant is available. I’ve been told that the E52 has been available since last week.

As any avid mobile phone addict in the Philippines would know, you can get this (or any particular phone for that matter) cheaper via your friendly suki store (or of course… Greenhills, the Mecca for mobile phones), for a slightly cheaper price. Do chime in if you decide to get one!

See also:

• Black Nokia Care warrantied E63 now available in the Philippines
• Nokia Care warrantied E75 now available in the Philippines
• Nokia Philippines N97 pre-order, get a chance to win a Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router
• Nokia E63 now also available in black, spotted at Nokia Europe site
• Nokia E71x Philippines, not gonna happen
• Nokia E71 in the Philippines available in Grey Steel, White Steel, Red Steel and Black Steel

Magnavision Home Video will be releasing five different versions of Zack Snyder’s Watchmen for the Philippines:

1. 1-Disc (in standard DVD packaging)
2. 2-Disc (in standard DVD packaging)
3. 2-Disc (in special Rorschach Mask Packaging, possibly made with real cloth)
4. 2-Disc (in special Dr. Manhattan Mask Packaging, possibly using glow-in-the-dark material)
5. 2-Disc (in SteelBook packaging)

In addition to these, the home video distribution company will also be releasing Watchmen: Tales of the Black Freighter and Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic.

Shown below are the preliminary artwork which were provided by a representative of Magnavision:

No release date or pricing has be announced by Magnavision as of yet.

To purchase products distributed by Magnavision Home Video, refer to this list of stores spread across Metro Manila.

Update (August 10, 2009): Apparently, the final SteelBook art will be the yellow smiley face with maroon-colored, dripping blood. Pricing has also been released. I must say that the SteelBook and special character packaging are quite expensive.

• 1 Disc – P750.00
• 2 Disc – P895.00
• 2 Disc Steelcase – P1,595.00
• 2 Disc Character Case – P1,895.00

And also note that possibly none of these releases will feature the director’s cut nor the ultimate final cut.

[via PinoyDVD]

See also:

• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen DVD releases by Magnavision Home Video for the Philippines
• Watchmen: The End is Nigh, The Complete Experience [Blu-ray] hybrid
• Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut (DVD/Blu-ray) to be released on November 3, 2009
• Watchmen: 5-Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition (UCE), coming on December 2009
• Watchmen (Director’s Cut) (Amazon Exclusive Nite Owl Ship and Digital Bundle + Digital Copy and BD-Live) [Blu-ray]
• Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate pricing / packaging

The Popcorn Hour C-200 Networked Media Tank is reportedly slated for a mid-August 2009 release, according to the official Philippine distributor of the highly touted device which is capable of playing everything you can throw at it, minus the kitchen sink.

Pre-order is already ongoing in the forum section of the Philippine site for Popcorn Hour (you have to register in order for the threads and posts to show up).

Expected pricing for the Popcorn Hour C-200 is P19,800 but if you’re among the first 15 people to pre-order the networked media tank, you will enjoy a 7% discount which brings the price down to P18,500. And remember, the C-200 is capable of housing its own Blu-ray drive. Expected arrival of the device is sometime around mid-August.

The choice is up to you, get a standalone Blu-ray player such as the Oppo BDP-83 or get this all-in-one playing device. While the player prices are the same, cost of ownership for standalone Blu-ray players is way much higher since you have to legally purchase discs while for the Popcorn Hour… Let’s just say you have to know your way around things.

See also:

• Popcorn Hour C-200 networked media tank
• T-mobile myTouch 3G launches today, August 5th 2009
• T-Mobile Wing II/Touch Pro2 on track for August 12th release
• SVS speakers and subwoofers now available in the Philippines!
• Brando HD Media Player Docking Station, just another Brando device?
• Watchmen DVD releases by Magnavision Home Video for the Philippines

Shown above is a page scanned from Gadgets magazine which talks about the highlights of the latest HTC Touch phones, the Touch Diamond2 and Touch Pro2, along with their corresponding prices for the Philippines. The HTC Touch Diamond2 is priced at P36,900 or around $750 USD, while the HTC Touch Pro2 is priced at P48,900 or around $1,000 USD.

According to the sales representative I spoke with at the HTC Concept Store at SM Mall of Asia, these two are available on order basis. They do not have ready stocks on-hand.

The HTC Touch Pro2 has been extensively reviewed at PocketNow.com and Mobile-Review. The HTC Touch Diamond2 has also been reviewed at PocketNow.com.

There is quite a difference (over $100 USD) between Singapore and Philippine prices for the Touch Pro2. If you live in North America, consider yourself lucky since both these smartphones are cheap there. By cheap, I mean relative to prices in other countries of course.

See also:

• HTC Touch Diamond2 and HTC Touch Pro2 gets prices and release dates for Singapore
• HTC Touch Diamond2 available next week for $580? HTC Touch Pro2 for $750 on June 2009? (Updated)
• HTC Touch Pro2 extensively reviewed at PocketNow.com
• HTC Touch Diamond2 making its debut at Taiwan this April 2009
• T-Mobile HTC Touch Pro2 (aka Wing II) now available for a whopping $350
• Full HTC Touch Pro2 Russian review

I’ve noticed that there have been searches for “Nokia E71x Philippines” the past few days, thereby I am constructing this post. Let it remain a fact, that the Nokia E71x clad in Black Steel is an AT&T USA exclusive.

Just in case you are curious, there are just minor differences between the available Nokia E71 Black Steel and the Nokia E71x. The former runs on Symbian Series 60 3rd Edition with Feature Pack 1 while the latter runs on Symbian Series 60 3rd Edition with Feature Pack 2.

Given that the E71x runs on AT&T firmware, they might have disabled some functionalities. As of the moment, for those in the Philippines, the only way you can get your hands on a Nokia E71x is if you get one from AT&T in the US. With that said, you also have to try your luck to get them to give you the unlock code.

Hopefully, somewhere down the road, Nokia Philippines would wake up to their senses and offer Philippines-based owners of the Nokia E71 a free firmware update to Feature Pack 2.

See also:

• Nokia E71x hits AT&T stores today
• Nokia E71 in the Philippines available in Grey Steel, White Steel, Red Steel and Black Steel
• AT&T Nokia E71x with S60v3 FP2, out on March 24, 2009
• Nokia Care warrantied E75 now available in the Philippines
• AT&T Nokia E71x delayed for at least two months
• Black Nokia Care warrantied E63 now available in the Philippines

According to the Nokia Philippines advertisement shown above, the Nokia E63 is also now available in full black color. The black Nokia E63 was first spotted at the Nokia Europe site.

Upon calling the Nokia Store at Tomas Morato, I inquired whether they already have the black color available. They said they still don’t have stocks in hand but it will be priced at P13,790, the same as the blue and red E63.

If you’re thinking about getting your hands on a Nokia E63, do consider looking at the Nokia E71 and see if the feature set will suit you better. Everything is just a whole lot nicer on the E71, construction/build, connectivity, camera and thickness.

See also:

• Nokia Care warrantied E75 now available in the Philippines
• Nokia E63 now also available in black, spotted at Nokia Europe site
• Nokia E71 in the Philippines available in Grey Steel, White Steel, Red Steel and Black Steel
• Nokia E71x Philippines, not gonna happen
• Nokia E52 now available in the Philippines
• Nokia Philippines N97 pre-order, get a chance to win a Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router

I’ve noticed lots of people have been searching for Cignal Digital TV information these past few days so I decided to compile some information on their installation, equipment and monthly rates.

Cignal Digital TV Standard Definition Package:

Cignal Digital TV High Definition Package:

Cignal Digital TV Combo Package (includes both Standard and High Definition):

* Equipment for standard definition package includes the following:

• standard definition set-top box
• remote control
• Cignal card
• 15 meters of RG6 cable
• satellite dish

Equipment for high definition/combo package includes the following:

• high definition-capable set-top box
• remote control
• Cignal card
• 15 meters of RG6 cable
• 2 meters of HDMI cable
• satellite dish

** Base price for installation fee is P1,000. Additional charges may be incurred depending on the need for additional equipment.

*** 24-months lock-in period required. 1 month to be paid in advance. No discounts/free months for quarterly/semi-annual/yearly payments

For more information regarding Cignal Digital TV, you may call them at 895-6353. I have been told that service has been rolled out across Metro Manila and they are currently looking for partners in some of the provincial areas.

Update (July 31, 2009): The Cignal Digital TV website is now up at http://www.cignal.tv/

Update (January 26, 2011): Please refer to this post for Cignal TV channel lineup and subscription plans comparison.

See also:

• Philippines to have HDTV broadcasts after all, via Cignal Digital TV
• Cignal TV channels and subscription plans comparison (as of January 2011)
• Watchmen (Director’s Cut) (Amazon Exclusive Nite Owl Ship and Digital Bundle + Digital Copy and BD-Live) [Blu-ray]
• 300 (Limited Collector’s Edition + Digital Copy) (2007)
• Maxell unveils flash memory line-up, includes USB flash drive plus microSD card reader combo
• Nikon D300S flagship DX-format 12.3-megapixel digital SLR announced