I have followed this thread and V1 thread closely.

After observations, finally called Astro CS this morning to subscribe the Astro Beyond, I was told ESPN HD will be made available very very soon in Jan. Hopefully within 24 hours, I would receive call from Astro to arrange for AB installer. and AB installation within 10 working days. Cheers.

I even asked Astro CS is any privilege for pioneer subscribers like myself (member since 1998 :haha ), she told me that Astro may have promotions for loyal subscribers. I wish they will keep to their promise, they should not aim for new subscriber but also to 'maintain' their existing subscriber though there are the sole satellite TV service provider currently.

Yalor, even they are sole service provider/operator, I wish they will value their loyal subscribers with promotion package or discounted subscription fees. Haha.

LOL. Yeah everyone get the same deal. You may have misread my statement. It's just my wish that Astro should consider their loyal subscribers.

Oh yeah, I just got a call from Astro marketing that Astro installer will call me for appointment within 10 working days from today, pretty fast from my first call this morning.

First question: It depends on your subscribed package, i.e. Sport - you get sport HD, Movie - you get movie HD, etc.

Second question: I asked the same question to CS, no one can tell at the moment.

That's a good news, so nice. How long did you wait between the call from Astro marketing?

Received sms from Astro notifying me the Astro Installer; and just received call from Astro Installer, they will come to fix tomorrow noon. I registered on 2nd January 2010, consider very lucky on their fast service.

Sport and Documentary

Yeah, I know, don't think ESPN HD is available currently, may be end of this month. Thx

Astro installer came and fix Astro Beyond 1 hour ago, but alamak the new smart card is inactivate, the Astro installer called Astro, apparently their system down and can't activate my smartcard yet. Only can listen to radio stations Dunno how long it takes to activate the smart card? Anyone experience the same problem for today Astro Beyond installation?

How long does it take to activate from installation completed? Mine completed around 1.50pm

I called Astro CS a hour ago , smart card activation is in process, need to wait within 24 hours. WTH !

So nice, jealous me. According to my Astro installer, the activation system is down, can someone confirm?

Or could my Astro installer brought an illegal smartcard, but i verify the box set, the serial number and smart card number is matching

Received call from Astro CS, no problem on smartcard activation system, apparently the Astro Installer did not carry out the right procedure contacting IVR (dunno what stand for) giving his Astro installer code, Astro beyond serial number and smartcard number. Gave him the Astro installer contact number, hope the problem and activation can be done soonest.

Oh thanks, spikey.

According to the Astro installer, the IVR having some problem around noon, he have tried few attempt keying the installer code, serial number and smart card no, the system was not working. According to Astro CS, no problem to their system. Very confusing Still waiting for smartcard activation, hope the installer and astro will resolve the coordination problem.

I thought i was lucky one, called on Sat, they came to fix today, but activation take ..... , at least you still can watch Astro via old decoder, i can only listen to radio 851. *sigh*

They showed me the satellite signal strength, the radio channel, is it consider demo? Spoken to Astro CS just now and blamed Astro on the coordination problem with their installer until the CS almost wanna to cry, then I stopped, not her fault, pity her.

Headcount Update:

1. apexg2
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) ASTRO just called for installation today...wohooooo
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)
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 )
40. darenlks (Cheras, Selangor)
41. Putih (USJ, Selangor)
42. anfieldude (Penang)
43. Donald G.H Tan (Klang)
44. rhemo (Kuching,Sarawak)
45. mlthum (Puchong, Selangor)
46. hoffmeister (Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor)
47. yonggoh (Kuching, Sarawak)
48. tchwang (Hijauan Residence, Cheras Selangor)
49. stryfox (kuching, sarawak)
50. snake1x (Bandar Seri Putra, Kajang)
51. maxpudding (KK, Sabah)
52. fly1968 (Cheras, KL)
53. jackdon
54. Ninja (Ampang, Selangor)
55. kaspersky-fan (hartamas, kl)
56. jeanspearly (JB, Johor)
57. ocdetective (Bukit Damansara, KL)
58. amirsubhi (Taman Seri Gombak, Selangor)
59. cycloneopp (Taman Sri Bahagia, Cheras)
60. Shevagol (Tmn. Lestari Putra, Sri Kembangan)
61. Morpheuzneo (Seri Kembangan)
62. auronthas

Finally smartcard successfully activated after hours of waiting. Watching Valencia and Espanyol match, crystal clear, can't believe my eyes, other SD channels not bad though. Firmware also the latest.

Glad to hear that, the HD channels, sport and NGeo are crystally clear.

I doubt the satellite signal strength will affect the PQ, as long as the signal strength achieve the minimum, you can enjoy the same PQ say 195 vs 225 or 255. The only advantage of signal strength is to deal with bad weather, heavy downpour on the satellite reception, correct me if i am wrong.

I can test CH 18 but it's locked, how do you get unlocked status? Even my default channel 1 is locked too. Please advise.