was wondering non of the forumer using parellel connection and now subscribed to byond... curious!

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.

just leave it on standby mode. my software updated early this morning(around 1am). managed to see the updating progress. 
yup, u are right. there is no "download channel list" option. hope will have this option again. maybe in next software update.

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 !

my astro installer didnt change my cables because they are concealed... the signal is at most 195 during the day and 205 at night.... should i call them to come and change the cable? will the change of cable help boost signal strength? ...today it rained and as usual service currently not available.

i'm from pekan...

i can get 220 - 225 (#1 measat 3)

and 240 - 245 (#18 measat 3a)

If you tune to #18 measat 3a, you won't be getting any shows at all?

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.

Yes, the software is the latest 23 Dec, but ch 18 and ch 1 (default) are locked. There are unlocked channels but signal strength is 0.

Sorry to disappoint you but the increase in signal is not a true increase, all that has happened is that the amplitude of the signal has increased.

For satellite signals the most important measurement is "Carrier to Noise Ratio", this is the magnitude of difference between the actual signal and the noise (interference). For example, if you have a signal of 200 with a "noise" level of 20 and adding an amplifier increases the signal to 250 then the underlying noise will have gone up to 25.

What this means is that the signal will appear stronger but as soon as it rains the signal will disappear just the same as with no amplifier installed.

To reduce rain drop out there are four ways to improve the "Carrier to Noise Ratio".

1. Align the dish properly
2. Use a bigger dish
3. Use a LNB with a better "Carrier to Noise Ratio"
4. Run the cable direct to the decoder, no breaks, no splitters and no concealed wiring.

From the forums, it looks like Astro are trying to improve rain drop out by improving all 4!

If anyone has not allowed direct cable to decoder connection or even worse, kept their old dish / LNB then you have really lost out!

Most ppl here seem to get a major improvement in signal strength without an amplifier, whatever your installer says don't let him sell you an amplifier, it amplifies the signal and the noise giving no real improvement other than better numbers on the screen.

The best thing to do is to get the install done correctly and not to let the installer do a poor installation!

Think about it, the installer does a bad install with a poor signal, then he sells you an amplifier!

b4 Byond installed.  S-video to TV plasma (Hall ground floor) ,  RF to Hall ( 1st floor) +  Room (2nd floor) ,  AV to DVD Recorder.
Now,  HDMI to Plasma TV , AV --> splitter (1 to 2 ) -->  Plasma TV (for SD programme) + DVD recorder,  Byond Component works nothing..   

Since we pay RM20 monthly just for the HD, what the point that faithfull customer like us since 1999 need this work-around eqmt. why so messy, having those uncessary supporting device around the decoder and display device,  perhaps their 2nd decoder programme didn't got well respond, therefore the RF is not included in this new Byond decoder. I'm abit regret now, as I expect much handy/smarter decoder earlier.

Using AV-RF converter expect worst pic quality.