why go to all these trouble to watch free to air channel?

Astro will hv to compete wit TM IPTV early next yr...which is good to us, as Astro already teamed up with Maxis to provide data services, which i assume it will intergrate in part of Astro offerring later on.

NHK world just went HD a few days ago on free-to-air satellite, if only I could get hold of cheap HD decoder

got decoder also illegal to use it watch other satellite, i am from sarawak, it is strange almost everyone install satellite dish to receive free to air channel there but here most people dont dare to do it. got case police arrest people for installing illegal dish? 

and the NHK is using mpeg4, will astro be using mpeg2 or mpeg4?

for educational purpose self-learning satellite technology, but prepare to eat free nasi curry if get caught 

bro, you are lucky to be in that part of the world ( east Malaysia )

many sat dishes had been installed long time EVEN before astro was officially launch

even the rulling party dare not touch on this issue.....

Astro goes high definition

MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd (Astro) is now preparing to launch its new Astro high-definition (HD) broadcast which will replace the standard definition (SD) viewing, just like how colour television replaced black-and-white television 30 years ago.

The new decoder set-top-box, remote control and satellite dish will be unveiled tomorrow.

The HD broadcast allows for sharper pictures, more vibrant colours, cinematic surround sound with the 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, wider screen and details that are five times greater than that of regular SD programming.

Both HD-Ready and Full HD TV sets are capable of displaying SD and HD broadcast. However, TV programmes are still broadcast in SD 4:3 aspect ratios and when received on a HD 16:9 aspect ratio television set, the images are often stretched or distorted.

Now, with the new Astro HD broadcast, Astro subscribers can enjoy all the benefits of their HD television sets.

The new Astro HD decoder set-top-box HD-output will be via the high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI), which is a compact audio/video cable for transmitting uncompressed digital data.

This is usually found in audio systems, personal computers and video game consoles.

All HD TV sets come with the HDMI port, but it is recommended to get one with multiple HDMI ports to allow other devices to be connected to the TV at the same time.

Astro will first start broadcasting in HD for a few channels from three Astro packages – Movies, Learning and Sports. The channels will be announced tomorrow. – Chan Soo Wah

Updated: 11:11AM Thu, 10 Dec 2009

them you need this

http://www.dream-multimedia-tv.de/en/dm-8000-hd-pvr

it have not one but two dvb-s2 tuner, and optinal dvb-t and dvb-c tuner car can be install also. and the best part is this is a pvr also got hard disk and even dvd drive. and running linux which give you a few firmware to choose from.

i may have broke the law just by taking about this kind of hardware. 

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Added on December 10, 2009, 3:42 pm

now i live in KL 

But still, with the new decoder, Astro will have to change my wiring and.....where to find few hundred feet of HDMI cable? I refuse to pay for a second decoder even if it is 50 percent off.

get a HDMI splitter just like how they do it in the big electrical store

HDMI extender use CAT5 ethernet cable to save money on HDMI cable cost.