Just got my B.yond today. HBO HD memang syok. For the first time since I last visit Singapore the HBO HD logo looks sharp.

Now I regret joining the complain that the B.yond prototype no HDMI early this year. My HDMI connector on the TV has since been connected to a PS3. VGA connector connected to a VGA-to-component box that I bought in anticipation to Astro HD. Bangang betul, the final B.yond set can only output HD through HDMI. Even component output is only 576p

Anyone know how much a HDFury2 cost in Malaysia? And where to find one locally? Or do I have to use eBay?

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Dec 24 2009, 11:52 AM

I have various reasons to not want to use a switch, biggest being desk clutter (note how populated the table is in the "Post your gaming setup" thread in Consoles Couch). I wanted to put the VGA port to good use (dunno why they include this on TVs instead of a second HDMI...)

They need to bring in Discovery HD also in addition to ESPN HD. I want to see Mythbusters in HD!

At least it's same time with Singapore History HD and Nat Geo HD.
http://www.starhub.com/entertainment/tvguide.html
vs
http://www.astro.com.my/channels/natgeohd/
http://www.astro.com.my/channels/historyhd/

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Dec 28 2009, 10:02 AM

So far I have the following problems with my B.yond:
- Picture stopped output through HDMI for no reason shortly after install, problem mysteriously went away after 5 minutes. So far no repeat because I'm no longer using HDMI (sorry, but my PS3 has higher priority over the HDMI port. I originally bought the TV for gaming, not Astro. It doesn't even do 1080P. The original plan was to have the Astro connect to my HTPC using a BlackMagic Intensity card. Currently B.yond is going through component connected to VGA box).
- Picture lose sync with sound after a while, turn decoder off and then back on fixes it.
- HD output only through HDMI. That's plain stupid since for some people, HDMI is not an option (either they still using first-gen component HDTV or have no free HDMI ports left on their TV) and only have component port.

I hope the thing can do both SDTV output and HDTV output at the same time. So I can connect it to my HTPC and get 5.1 sound with 1080i video, but keep composite connected to my ye-olde-VCR.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Dec 28 2009, 11:51 AM

Well, the new episodes are in HD, plus there's a lot more HD shows on Discovery HD apart from Mythbusters.

Agreed. Also, the practical length for a good quality HDMI cable is 15m. Not sure if HDMI repeaters exist.

For sure one of the function is recording to USB hard disk. Manuals already state that as a future feature. I wish they will put in a streaming server into the decoder so can use the network port to relay to media extender boxes and PCs. That will solve the problem for people needing alot of cables running around.

How you get Discovery HD? I want!

Actually, the current package is ASSP HD, HBO HD, Nat Geo HD and History HD. ESPN HD coming soon.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Dec 29 2009, 09:59 AM

No worries. And to answer your question, B.yond does carry HBO HD, although it has 1 hour delay.

I agree. Some of these channels doesn't even seem to exist according to Singaporean listing.

http://www.starhub.com/tv/moreforyourtv/hd...ml#tabcontrol-2

Plus: Is Astro seriously not going to carry RTM HD? Want to encourage sales of DVB-T set top box izzit?

Edit:
It gets even weirder. The listing say Malaysia has own Disney channel. If so, why is the Malaysian guide a splitting image of the Singaporean guide?

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Dec 29 2009, 11:35 AM

Agreed. B.yond will do scaling on the decoder. You need to go into settings and change the output to 4:3 and cropping to either letterbox or pan and scan.

For most of us with widescreen TV tho, it's godsent. Pictures now no longer look squished.

Btw, I removed the speculation of future HD channels from Wikipedia. It just doesn't make sense, some of the channels doesn't even exist.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Dec 29 2009, 11:54 AM

As stated in earlier edit, I removed the speculation of future HD channels from Wikipedia already. It just doesn't make sense, some of the channels doesn't even exist.

You can add a composite to RF modulator to the video out to split. You cannot get HD if you do that tho, since composite and even component will downscale HD to 576i, however at least the TV can still do widescreen that way.

Decoder only output HD signal through HDMI. There's no way to output HD signal through RF anyway, unless the TV has DVB-T tuner and the decoder output DVB-T signal.

Yes. you can split HDMI signal. There are HDMI splitters out there. But then quite hassle theorically. Theorically, A HDMI cable has a maximum length of 15M, after which you must use a repeater box every 15M or so. So you need like 3-4 box to aside from the splitter to pull the HDMI wire upstairs. And you also need the boxes to be near a power plug, since theorically repeaters are like boosters and also need power to work. And they're also expensive.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Dec 29 2009, 12:08 PM

Well, it's free until April, when channels belonging to package you're not subscribed to will be locked (i.e. for me, I lose ESPN HD, HBO HD and ASSP HD because I dun have movie and sports package). So for the 12 months, you only pay 8 months. Not really a bad deal, if they can bring in more HD channels before start charging.

Probably RF converter not good. If using external adapter, try adapter that has same voltage but can provide more milliamp. Also, check to see if the RF converter is set to a known good channel. Avoid 27 (8TV), 29 (TV3), 35, 37 (NTV7) and 42 (TV9). If can, use channel 60+.

Press enter to bring up info screen first, then favourite key will work. Pressing the key will bring you to next nearest favourite channel and will cycle back to beginning once reach last favourite channel. That's how it works for me.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Dec 30 2009, 09:25 AM

I have to go home and check. Because I dun view sports and movies wan. Last I check was two days ago and it was working, yesterday only spent half hour watching History HD and then spent rest of evening playing Bejeweled 2 on PS3 and surfing net on PC. will try again when I get home.

---

Added on December 30, 2009, 12:23 pmJust saw something in the Astro website:
This is, of course, bulls#!t. As anyone with a PS3 component output can tell you.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Dec 30 2009, 12:25 PM

Ok, I am home and switched on my decoder. HBO HD OK ah, and I dun have that package.

ASSP HD also okay. Also dun have Sports package.

Eh, I already 6 days
Got my b.Yond last Thursday.

Yes, we're the beta testers. Enjoy it Remember, beta testing is a privilege, not a right.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Dec 31 2009, 09:45 AM

Anyone try changing their entrypoint in the decoder from #1 Measat 3 (VL) to #14 Measat 3A (VH)? I was messing around and I seem to be getting a slightly better signal at that setting. Signal strength jump from 80 to around 88, highest point 94 . All channels seem to be present. #2-#13 seems to be not working at all.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Dec 31 2009, 10:25 AM

Btw, about the list earlier... I dun think we're receiving those feeds. The feed we're receiving are the ones marked "Astro". In other words, Astro clustering their signals into one or more feeds and transmitting. Those feeds on the list are for satellite providers to pick up only.


'k. Funny... maybe they doing testing when I playing around.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Dec 31 2009, 10:33 AM

Digital Audio only two type afaik. Coaxial(SPDIF) and Optical(TOSLink). Coaxial dun need special cable, a simple RCA wire will do. Optical need fiber optic cable. The Home Theater amplifier must support either.

Astro Byond using coaxial. However the 5.1 amp must support coax in and corresponding DD 5.1 bitstream.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Dec 31 2009, 10:44 AM

Doesn't make sense tho. Those feeds are not using the same encryption method as Astro box (Irdeto vs. Mediaguard).