THE company responsible for Starmobile phones and tablets is now also in the TV box business, with the introduction of the new Starcube digital television box. Distributed by STAR Inc., the device promises an affordable way of watching free-to-air live channels in “cable quality,” without a cable subscription. And without splurging on a new set.

And while it won’t make your old CRT or LCD TV smart, its P1,490 ($30) price tag (P1,290 or roughly $26 for early adopters; however, there’s no telling how long the offer will last) is low enough to make it worth the risk of buying — but only if you watch a lot of local programming. Or your current set is old as dirt, and as such, doesn’t have a now-standard HDMI or USB port.

The improved picture quality comes by way of a built-in antenna, which allows for superior signal reception compared with similar products on the market. The Starcube digital TV box is capable of 1080p signal transmission as well, which could prove invaluable in future-proofing your TV, for when HD broadcasts become more commonplace.

The USB slot on the front of the box supports 1TB storage drives and lets you play content from external devices. If you’re a huge fan of local TV shows, it also allows you to record broadcasts for later viewing. Naturally, we advise you against distributing any saved content.

SEE ALSO: Starmobile’s MacBook clone sells for only P9,990

On the software front, there’s an electronic program guide, or EPG, for picking out the shows you want to record — perfect for when you’re not at home and there’s no TV in sight.

Interested? The Starcube digital TV box will hit appliance and electronics stores beginning this second week of February.

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