I just called Stong, and they tell me next month they are releasing a HD STB with HDMI.

Strong have a HD STB with HDMI - the 5400. It's been available for many months.

Its not HDMI it is DVI

You are correct. However I use a DVI-HDMI cable to connect to my plasma. No problems at all. Apart from the ability to use a HDMI-HDMI cable, what's the difference?

I guess my point is there would need to be some feature(s) OTHER than the ability to use a HDMI-HDMI cable (rather than a DVI-HDMI cable) to warrant a new product?

The biggest advantage is audio. You dont need to have any other cables.

Correct again. That's twice in one day!

Any more word on the release of this STB?

I want it with a HDD - that would give the Toshy & LG some competition as well as getting the prices down.

Strong have confirmed there is an HD PVR with HDMI on the way. The current 5400 HD STB remote even has PVR buttons ready to go, as the new box will use the same remote (just like the 5300 and 5390 SD PVR). No ETA or Price confirmed yet though. Like Topfield’s Vapourware HD PVR I'll believe it when I see it

it would be interesting to hear from people who have used both the Srong SD PVR and the Toppy as to how the Strong compares?... im guessing the HD PVR will be very similar to thier SD one...

THe LG HD PVR is looking the goods at the moment now... it was meant for a Nov 1 release however stores are already selling them..

I've had a 5390B for quite a while now, in the first instance it was "buggy". But since they released and I upgraded to firmware V077 it's performed flawlessly.

I've used both quite extensively. We sell 5390s at work and a friend has the Topfield 5000. Both have their strengths and weaknesses, but overall I find the Topfield to be a nicer box to use. It also offers S-Video, component, or RGB output where as the 5390 is S-Video or RGB only. Twin Tuners on the Toppy doesn’t hurt either! It does however sell for quite a bit more than the Strong ($990 RRP vs $599 RRP).

I really like the interface, picture quality and features of the Strong 5400, so I'm hoping the 5490 (I'm guessing that will be the model number) will be the HD PVR box to beat.

Just spoke to Strong in Melbourne and they have said that there is no new HD STB coming out with HDMI.

What they are actually referring to is the a HD PVR with twin tuners and HDMI.

I managed to chat the girl up for a few details, expected to have 200Gb HDD and will be out before xmas around the $1200-1400 mark apparently.

The box will be based on the 5400 and is nearly identical in design and will certainly use the same tuner as the 5400 but with 2 of em!

Toppy may loose some sales shortly if they dont get thier act together and get their HD PVR out soon!

I want it in BLACK :ph34r:

The current 5400 is available in black or silver so I imagine the PVR box will be the same

There's not even a forecast for Toppy's HD PVR yet .... that said... I'd rather it come out working fine than all buggy anyway.......

I've just updated my list for Santa.

is it true that the next model will include ethernet connectivity???

slider17

I asked about this and was told no

The Topfield will (if it ever comes out that is).

I have just been in touch with Strong re the HD PVR and have been advised both that the box will be released "in the New Year" and that a release date has not been identified as it is still in development. Strong confirmed that it will have a DVI connection, not HDMI. It will be called the 5490.

Spud