MUMBAI: Even as the government gives a green signal to the Tata-Star DTH venture -- Space TV and Sun Network's DTH platform, consumer electronics company Oscar has launched two DTH-enabled televisions.

On the other hand, leading colour TV (CTV) manufacturers like Samsung and LG are rethinking their entry into this space. While, Samsung has stalled its plans to enter the DTH arena, LG's DTH enabled TV sets, which were supposed to launch in February-March this year, have not yet hit the market.

Oscar is daring to tread the path where leading players are cautiously approaching. Oscar DTH TV will be available in two models - DTH 20 and DTH 20V and will be priced at Rs 7,990 and Rs 8,290 respectively. Currently available in 20 inch, Oscar will be ready with the full range of DTH sets (including 14 inch and 21 inch) in the next three months.

"We see a huge demand for DTH TV in the next few years. It is wholesome, high quality and affordable home entertainment for large populations in rural and semi-urban areas," Oscar chairman Satish Verma was quoted in a media report as saying.

Oscar touts itself as the first company to offer a DTH TV at an affordable price. By keeping a relatively small differential of Rs 2,000- Rs 2,500 between a normal TV and their DTH set, the company is upbeat about the sales target. "We expect DTH sets to contribute 10-15 per cent of our entire TV sales this year itself," Oscar director Karan Verma said.

Over 70 per cent of India has no real access to cable network. Oscar's introduction of a fully integrated DTH TV set at an affordable price will make home entertainment accessible to a large section of the Indian population. It is established that nearly one-third of the VCD market would switch to DTH this year. Oscar is also chalking out plans to export its DTH TV sets to West Asia.