On the 720p vs 1080i, in my case too, 1080i is definitely more detailed. I think this is because most TVs these days can do a good job of deinterlacing without losing resolution, also helped by whatever motion compensation feature that the TV has (100Hz, 200Hz, etc). The real test will be pictures with a lot of movements, like a football game where the ball is always moving around on the screen, if the ball is clearer with 720p, then only you might wanna consider switching down to 720p, else I'll say just set it to 1080i and enjoy!

Thanks Bro. I already solved the problem by restart the Astro B.yond decoder.

Im confusing with the RM20.
My current monthly bill is RM12X.

I'm just wondering, why ASTRO's new decoder didnt have a setting to output default resolutions as it is broadcasted? For example if the channel is 576i, then just output that, etc... instead of forcing us to choose 720p or 1080i... I understand this option allows hd ready tv to be viewed, but if only they could include another option with "Broadcasted resolution".

Another fear I have in mind is... how does the decoder work? Lets say you set your output resolution choice of 720p. Does the decoder continues to resize again 720p broadcasted video to 720p and perform deinterlacing or it will intelligently know "ah this video stream is 720p, no need resize and deinterlace, just output the video stream straight away". I'm sure the decoder would do that to non 720p video stream, like if it seems 1080i stream, it will do the resize and deinterlacing. I just want to know if this decoder is smart.

Same goes to 1080i setting. If you set 1080i resolution, what will it do? Will it perform resize and frame interpolation to video streams broadcasted in 1080i? Or it is smart enough to know ok its the same resolution, just output it to the tv?

And I'm also afraid that does the decoder adds noise reduction to those standard definition channel? Im very sure if they need to resize SD channels to 1080i, noise reduction + smoothing effect would be needed to ensure the picture quality stays satisfying, hence they claimed that the SD channels are "enhanced".

Why do i fear all these?

I have a feeling one day recording via hdmi would be possible by bypassing hdcp protocols since it has know to have some serious flaws. And if that day comes, we would still not be recording pure digital video stream out of the hdmi since the decoder has adjusted something to the streams.

one sharing; just realized if press the "Back" button, this will change to the previous channel, if press the "Back" button again then it will move back to the current channel.

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Thanks for the info. I'll look into it. Usually the sales assistants don't take out the TV remote.

A lot of movies are in 1.85. While it's true that most action/sci-fi movies are in 2.39, a lot more movies are in 1.85 since more dramas and comedy are shot this way; shooting 2.39 in anamorphic using film requires more lights which means a higher budget. Examples of action movies in 1.85 are the Jurassic Park trilogy, Bram Stoker's Dracula and Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes.


fuad

regretfully not yet, only La Liga in HD for time being....

The reason has to do with reducing the number of phone calls Astro CS will get.

Astro can actually do signal resolution via HDMI and output SD as SD and HD as 720p or 1080i. HOWEVER, that means for ONE SECOND, the HDTV will go blank as it applies the right setting to the signal (so that SD/720p is upconverted to fill up the entire screen). You can see this clearly when you play Blu-ray Discs when the disc cycles from 1080i to 1080p to 480p because of your selection.

So imagine somebody flipping the channels on Astro.

There are flags in the video stream that identifies it as such so that the decoder doesn't do a lot of work.

The decoder is smart but it's also software driven. If Astro wants to screw it up majorly, they can upload a firmware that can do that. But they won't.

If you set your output as 720p, a 720p signal goes out as is while 1080i will be downconverted to 720p.

If you set your output as 1080i, a 720p signal goes out upconverted to 1080i while 1080i will be released as is.

Apart from upconverting SD video to 720p/1080i, we don't know if NR is applied or if so, how much.

Which flaw does HDCP have? Sounds like you want to hack the HD signal before it gets to the HDCP chip. But that chip may already be integrated in the decoding chip.

Worry only that when B.yond enables recording, it will record the pure digital stream prior to decoding.


fuad

recording...how about piracy problem?

I think the Pace DS-830 series decoder is marketed as a "single chip" satellite decoding solution, must be one of those system-on-a-chip IC that integrates as many things as possible. There will still be some peripheral chips, but until someone voids his/her warranty and opens up his/her Byond/Pace DS-830NA and posts pictures of the circuit board, then only we can be sure of the design.

Speaking of opening up the decoder, I noticed the screws are not the regular allen key screws, but some multi-angled "security" screws, I think it is still possible to get those 30-in-1 screw driver set that has this combination. Take a look at the close up photos of the rear and observe the type of screws used...





Edit: One more photo to show the screws at the side...



This post has been edited by LCP: Jan 2 2010, 02:28 AM

I guess the only way to record the raw digital stream is to hack, but knowing Astro, it will make this difficult...

From what I understand, Astro will enable the user recording feature soon, via the USB ports. Apparently the encrypted recording can only be played back on the decoder that it was recorded on. Astro will also list out the specification of the devices that can be used on the USB ports, eg. HDD specs, etc., when they launch the feature.

Currently, poking a USB flash drive into the front USB port of the decoder does nothing, the set didn't even attempt to read the USB device. Looks like they can also enable/disable the USB ports from their control centre, just like the HDMI port as someone found out...

what about plugging in the ethernet cable? lol... i would want to try it out once i get mine =P

Try asking fellow forumer prasys, looks like he's the expert on Linux boxes like this decoder...

looks like torx screw. my old philips decoder uses that too

Ya... im using this to open my Xbobx360 console to repair 3ROD as well last time... i have a set of this~

pls add me to the list

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3.torreto (Subang Jaya/Kelantan)
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8. azri (U5, Shah Alam)
9. teikwing (Taiping, Perak)
10. AjKR06 (Bgn Serai, Perak)
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2.kelvin (Penang)
3.torreto (Subang Jaya/Kelantan)
4. rayfoo
5.l_berd (Penang)
6.RAMChYLD (Klang)
7 Cyberian (Sepang)
8. azri (U5, Shah Alam)
9. teikwing (Taiping, Perak)
10. AjKR06 (Bgn Serai, Perak)
11. horray (Petaling Jaya, Selangor)
12. LCP (Penang)
13. pknride (pekan,pahang)
14. dsubra (Klang)
15. tHeRiDdLeR (Serdang, Selangor)
16. economist (PJ,Sgor)
17. honamd77(Kuantan,Pahang)
18. zwanvedder(meru, setia alam)
19. ape (Shah Alam)
20. Iman210 (Pinggiran USJ, Subang Jaya)
21. kuekss (Sunway SPK Damansara,KL)
22. crossmaniac (saujana utama sg buloh)
23. ssyam ( dungun, Terengganu )
24. edthrax (ttdi, KL)
25. twL (Klang)
26. maja_5365(Nilai)
27. pirateguy
28. stimix
29. tailesley (Bukit Jalil)
30. suffeylp (Shah Alam)
31. sun_flower5 (Cheras,Selangor)
32. wcloh111 (Bkt. Mertajam, Penang)
33. seed80 (Seremban)[/spoiler]
34. allenultra (Gunung Rapat, Ipoh, Perak)
35. yanhui95 (Petaling Jaya, Selangor)
36.ScienceFreak (Gombak)
37. low98944 (Kuching, Sarawak)
38. R.ap7or (Penang)
39. Ares187 ( Pandan Indah )
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