Seems the so-called upgrade isn't really - or as far as what is immediately obvious. They may have fixed some problems which we cannot see, but what we can is... no more stretch mode.

I think we just want the option to be available and let us choose which mode.



please send this link to Astro byond contact http://astro.com.my/byond/contactus.asp

This post has been edited by SiriuslyCold: Mar 11 2010, 02:04 PM

I would like to see fat people rather than part of people's head chopped off

Fat people ! Go Fat People ! Support !!!

Agreed. Better see a fat Rooney than headless Rooney

My choice is none of above
I like zoom with retain aspect ratio, but not until full screen. Still have pillar box, but I can control which area to crop. It will be great if byond can set to 10%, 20% - 100% zoom.

As a purist I'm a pillar box man myself. I get to see the whole picture as the producer intended me to see it. I get to see a normal Rooney, which is better then fat or headless.
I don't even notice the black bars.

Bro, so how is Astro reacting to the feedbacks? Any insider info?

haha, I'll just say they are reacting. Your comments are being heard.

Mate,
Do me a favour, just a little experiment.

Watch your channels in pillar box (no matter how much it pains you) for a day or 2 and then switch back to stretch (over component if you can't do it via your TV's settings). Then let me know your reaction to watching stretch after having trained your eye to view pillar box. I think you'll become a purist (my wife calls it being anal) like me.

The reason i want it stretched is because i'm watching byond using my plasma and i don't want to have burnt marks caused by the pillarboxing.. and zoomed cut off too much of the video feeds.. and i'm on plasma so the ppl doesn't really get too overweight

And again.. I WANT MY STRETCH OPTION BACK!!!!

Ahaha. I doubt I can stand it. But ok, will try tonight.

i with Justin on this one... i dont pay ASTRO to watch distorted pictures.. dont mind the visual effect of smaller picture in pillarbox either as my 37" LCD already felt too big in term of comfortable watching distance for my small apartment.

i jump straight from CRT to B.yond and already used to thin Rooney. He really doesnt need to be any fatter..

Is this software upgrade done automatically or you can decide whether to install it or not?

That's the point. We PAY. So we should be given the options to choose according to individual preferences.

Agree with you. Full zoom to convert 4:3 to 16:9 will lose too much video resolution. I like the smart stretch mode or panoramic mode in some flat TV models that minimize the cutting off of the top and bottom part of the video, while achieving a pretty good 16:9 output.

+1.
Why la can't asstro get it right!

No way for the zoom option, subtitles are being cut off!!!

I think the point we're trying to make is that we want the option to be available, whether we're purists and ok with black bars, whether we're ok with fatter Rooney or even if we're ok with headless - and defeeted - chickens

what if the update had taken away the pillarbox option?

if the choice is either stretch or zoom, i will just bring out my old 29" CRT from the store and use that to watch SD channels.

to think about it the other way around, maybe ASTRO dont have a choice in this matter. Maybe its a precondition in HD bussiness that producers have the right for their product to be shown in the way they originally produced....

i will call the CS when i reach home tonight,,

Is this what i get for a price of RM130 every month?

Yeah u maybe right about HD channel. But I think we here discuss about SD channels.
Stretch or zoom option right now dont give any problem to HD channels.

---

Added on March 11, 2010, 4:38 pmYeah ur right. Just give us all the option and we decide.

This post has been edited by minimize: Mar 11 2010, 04:38 PM

i think astro should make a "message" icon with 2 way communication....we can accept and send message, but sadly, asto oni 1 way....cannot send system...guess so..

You may send them a message here

Blow the mail box

http://astro.com.my/byond/contactus.asp

kns ... and i thought my TV rosak this morning!

That's totally contradictory on what CS told me about how they survey how many channels go how many people watch tho. She claim that the decoder can send back viewing statistics wor...

Anyway, lucky I not yet update. Now not planning to update.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Mar 11 2010, 05:22 PM

Well..why dont astro offer 3 of them..It just a matter of programming the decoder right..If they can provide strecth like before..Why not offer both 3 option..Some like purist with the pillarbox..Not many like zoom though....to be honest I wonder who use zoom at first place...

And as for me..I prefer stretch more than zoom.

Astro SD stinks zoom for what ? I notice after upgrade HBO HD is close to SD !

i was implying that the precondition take effect on every procedure company wide.. like ISO.

ehhh...Sure any firmware update> Mine still stuck at V1.01.001 Dec 23 2009 wor??

Better stuck than new update.

I discover after update the stupid firmware every SD channel is been overstretch but I discover using the analogue cable for SD n its fine but when u want to watch HD channel u have to switch back HDMI. Try this it really work at least for the time being before astro verify their firmware.

This post has been edited by Dickong: Mar 11 2010, 07:00 PM

So you guys who called CS, what did they say? Did the tech dept really contact you?

damnit...no wonder i feel something wrong with my astro just now lol ....

yes... sure... i think it's better for u to stick with older firmware...
new firmware really make people here and out there including me and my family in headache now....

---

Added on March 11, 2010, 7:01 pmfor my case, they said the case are still in investigation....

This post has been edited by AjkR06: Mar 11 2010, 07:01 PM

I did not turn off the decoder or do manual update, but when I came back home, it was already updated Already complained to CS and it seems that they are doing it remotely group by group. Don't worry, your turn will arrive But I already made official complaint and hope more people will complain to them. The zoom mode is VERY BAD that I now use the pillarbox mode.

fat people ftw!

I have called CS, and they are under the impression that this is a technical error done by the update. But I believe that Astro is purposely doing this and shoving the zoom and pillarbox format down our throat, hoping that we can accept. They were greatly mistaken.

The CS mentioned that they have received a lot of calls about that today. He even asked me straightaway upon answering,"Is this about the picture issue sir?" Nevertheless, he took my account number and phone number and filed a report. He also mentioned that another update may be done in the next 24 hours to fix this (somehow I doubt this), so try to leave the Byond box in standby.

This post has been edited by spikey2506: Mar 11 2010, 07:50 PM

Argggh........why the head is cut off . Now my 32" tv look like 29" only. Hate those pillar box.

Call them and rant! Get them to change!

who selected Zoom?? get with the program!! A lot more naturists (oops) than expected though...

and the guy who uses a 4:3 TV... why are you even in this thread?

This post has been edited by SiriuslyCold: Mar 11 2010, 08:24 PM

netken,

In ur case, it is better to pillar box and select wide zoom on your TV. The scalar in ur display is better than what the box is capable of doing.

I also already complaint about this... I don't pay premium for this crap

Anyone have the latest info, when is this stupid upgrade be solve, tonight, or tomorrow or just ????????????

No news, even the update has not been deployed yet i guess..

i send a feedback thru their website
============================
please bring back the stretch viewing option, i cannot watch my SD channels in zoom with the subtitle being cut off and people's head cut on the top.

if i wanted to watch SD channel in pillar box i might as well stick with my CRT TV.

astro never test the setting before being made available to public? what kind of service is this? only in MALAYSIA.
===================================

hope i got a call , we need rebate for this mess!!!!!! muahahahah

This post has been edited by esca_flo: Mar 11 2010, 10:59 PM

lucky me i din switch of my beyond so still not updated yet. better make sure it's not in standby mode

if we reset factory setting , would this be able to solve the problem ? anyone tried it yet ? i was going to try but i figure i check with lowyat forum 1st , and true enough ppl are making noise left and right, i thought i was alone when i was ranting on the bed with my wife didnt understand anything of it. she say i keep disturbing her watching american idol. how to watch ryan seacrest head on top gone!!!

i've reset to factory setting....same also.....

Someone say their decoder still update automatically although it not switch to standby mode. Maybe it matter of time.
Its astro style to push their customer to follow their scrap rule.

I think if Astro are serious in keeping their subscribers happy, they should roll back the firmware version to 1.0 while they work on fixing the zoom issue and also, they have to include the stretch option back again the new firmware. what's wrong in having 3 options? stretch, zoom and 4:3? I don't think it's that difficuly since the stretch option was there in the 1st place. With the zoom function, all the ticker bars in the news channels are missing....

Each of us must complain!!

i just sent a email to complain them. i hope astro will solve this problem if each of us send a mail to complain.

for what we subscribe to astro b.yond but we cannot get 'full screen' mode?

What is their cs email ?

sorry, i have to make correction,
i submit 'contact us' form in their website..

Just the only good thing about it...you can now use the remote control to select the aspect ratio by pressing the aspect ratio button, no need to go into installation settings anymore.

hmmm, that firmware update doesn't really bother me since i've already using the pillar box setting way back before byond on my tv. just can't stand looking at stretch people. no offense

Those with HDTV dont bother just play with you TV picture settings my Toshiba ZV does a great job. Leave Astro at pillar box zoom your TV settings I get full picture with Subs and logos and its perfect only problem each time you off the tv u have to reset back but its far smarter then silly asstro ! If only our tv was like that stupid box ? Thank god our TVs actually do a great job as far astro's feed is concerned if not Astro wld look wworst then pirated VCD !

But when you change to HD channels, you have to set your TV back to "Full" mode. ... Many ladies would think that switching the TV aspect ratios depending on the source is too complicated.

But when I want to watch HD channels, I need to revert to old settings? OMG! now need 2 remote in my hands....

really? thanks for the tip ....

I use the TV to do the wide zoom on 4:3 material
setting the b.yond to pillar box, and TV for wide zoom solve the zoom problem of the b.yond
however, I found that if zoom by the TV, the picture quality degrade a lil as compared to wide zoom by b.yond

This post has been edited by mpyw: Mar 12 2010, 08:46 AM

i also did call Astro last nite and they promise to call me back 4 hours later.

no calls after that - typical ...

You "purists" should consider that not all TV enable scaling in HDMI. And if you're using a DVI/HDMI monitor that can do 50Hz, no scaling at all.

Typical.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Mar 12 2010, 10:48 AM

I've made a call to CS yesterday morning around 9.10am and they said that their "Technical Person" will contact me within 4 hours.

They actually call me at 10pm yesterday and after telling them that I need the "stretch" option. He said that he'll forward my complaint to the right department, but I thought that he's from technical department.

So, let's just wait and see. I'll contact them every 24 hours until this problem is rectified.

Good bro, thats the spirit. We'll bug them till they rectify. I will make another call today. Yesterday when I called, the CS said he handled a lot of calls regarding the stretch issue. He filed a report for me straightaway.

Just remember when you adjust zoom/pillarbox setting via remote control, it'll always revert to your saved setting in "TV Setting" when changing channel.

Had to dig out my component cable to be used with SD channels. Will only use HDMI on HD channels. I packed the component cable after getting Byond. Sigh..

agreed. and not only that, the picture is compressed more i.e. more "stretched" .. Better results by adjusting AR in the source i.e. byond box.

same problem here. but my plasma tv panasonic cannot stretch the pillar setting.
I hope astro make a quick fix because its affected all of its byond new customer.

I have complaint to Astro twice but still no effect yet.

Tribunal Consumer is the way solutions to fakap them bodoh nyer call support suruh pakai AV Cable

Select the Just viewing mode.

I am familiar with netken's display, that's the reason I am suggesting to let the display do the scaling.

Astro even in HD cannot be deemed as a purist's dream, the bitrates are low. More so with SD broadcasts.

I just called them up 5 mins ago and gave them a piece of my mind. How can something so stupid be incorporated into the firmware update.

Over the years I've given so many people pieces of my mind, I've got nothing left

hi anfieldude,

mine once hook up via HDMI, got only Full, Full 1080 and Panorama

This post has been edited by idoblu: Mar 12 2010, 10:49 PM

Any idea if you reset factory settings will we get back 1.0 ? and do we need to reset the satelite stuff?
anyone tried this?

my tv doesnt support stretch..


It seems like stretch gone might be something permanent

http://stinkyfruit.wordpress.com/

This post has been edited by akubeejays: Mar 13 2010, 12:30 AM

I missed that. I believe Panny is one of the displays that do not scale thru HDMI I suppose. I need to check.

i got mine to "stretch"

set my byond to pillarbox then set Panoramic on my plasma
but changing back and forth from HD to SD will need to reset again cause watching HD channels with panoramic will be too stretch out

---

Added on March 13, 2010, 8:18 ampreviously before all this happens, stretch option doesnt make everyone looks short and fat. i dont notice it much on my TV
but zoom chops off top and bottom. how can that be better than stretch?


This post has been edited by idoblu: Mar 13 2010, 08:18 AM

Below is the response i got after complaining to them via the link on the 1st page.

"We refer to your e-mail with regard to Astro B.yond.

Thank you for highlighting your concern to us. Rest assured that we have conveyed your feedback to the department in charge for their attention and consideration.

We wish to take this opportunity to clarify that Astro B.yond has recently introduced the aspect ratio switch as part of a process change to enhance customers’ viewing experience on high definition television. Today, all flat panel/high definition televisions and HD content is transmitted on 16:9 aspect ratio which offers full screen viewing. On the other hand, SD channels are still broadcasted on 4:3 aspect ratio. This means that the standard definition channels images viewed on a flat panel television/high definition television will be pillar-boxed. Some customers may stretch the 4:3 aspect ratio images to fill up the screen but this may distort the images.

To ensure that customers have the best possible viewing experience of standard definition channels on High Definition TV and Astro B.yond, all images broadcasted will be in the correct native ratio for SD channels and HD channels respectively. We regret any inconvenience caused.

Should you have any other enquiries, kindly contact our Contact Centre at 1300-82-3838 which is operational from 8.00 am to 12.00 midnight daily or email to wecare@astro.com.my.

We appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you.

Yours sincerely,

Muhammad Jan Rawi
Associate
Correspondence and Operations
Customer Contact Centre"

This post has been edited by wast8: Mar 13 2010, 08:29 AM

dammm....i hate those zoom mode.SD channel are over zoom in my Regza.playing with the TV function no helping at all.The best that i can do is to put the tv in native mode and watching SD channel in pillar box.

This is what happen when you have a monopoly. Asstro can be so arrogant & ill-prepared for the difference in HD & SD. Screwing the customer and bleeding them dry is so typical of our country!

looks like its gonna be a permanent feature

Arghh. No way.
I will write to the newspapers next. If I cannot get them to change this nonsense, at least I can tell others about it. So that other wont fall into the trap by subscribing to Byond. Astro will only hear us if their Byond uptake starts to fall!

I can't deny that picture in pillar box is better than stretch option because it is in in original ratio, however, watching 4:3 in pillar box on 32" screen make the picture smaller. Now, instead of 32" screen it become become 26" screen. Almost like 24" lcd monitor.

Found this
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/index.p...yond-customers-

I just called them... did anyone notice the phoneline sometimes just goes silent? After 5 attempts i finally got thru..


Yeah the customer service rep told me to email... WECARE@ASTRO.com.my

i said.. yeah wecare indeed.. i wonder how long it will take you guys to show YOU CARE this time

This is really screwed up. OK....I get the purists who want a pillar-boxed image for the 4:3. But WHAT ABOUT the native SD 16:9 broadcasts? Check out some of the SD History channels: they are in SD widescreen format, but due to the stupid firmware, we get PILLAR BOX AND LETTERBOXING!! WTF? I thought that having black bard ALL AROUND the image is illegal for a broadcasting company.

is it rite?, i will terminate my beyond n pay the penalty rather watch tv in pillar mode... f****88*888888***k ASTRO

the cost for terminating byond before the end of contract is RM200, isn't it??

If u terminate is going to be a heavy penalty, why wont u stop paying this month bill until they do the necessary.I am not going to paying this month bill if they dont buck up, hopefully more will follow to show we subscriber mean business.

This post has been edited by Dickong: Mar 13 2010, 01:43 PM

If you stop paying they will still suspend your service and RM20 will be charged for reconnection. They will still charge you the penalty RM 240.00 if you didn't pay and they terminate your service.

This is wat i dont like about Astro, every single piece of service..

Even if they charge us RM240 we just can ignore it or ask them to come n collect back their set, the only thing they can do is disconnect our line. Nothing more they can do.

Then the lawyer firm letter will be issued.

a lawyer is not a judge,,

dont be scared if u received any letter from lawyer..

Then how to watch world cup? Currently monopoly mah!

Better watch online streaming, i rather dont pay for crap services..regret subscribing..