My conclusion for widescreen SD transmission is this: Astro will not do it until more than 60% of their subscribers have HDTVs. By which time, the same number would have already migrated to B.yond, or are forced to upgrade if Astro wants to migrate to H.264 codec for all of their transmissions.

Judging from the sale of VCDs which is still fairly significant, TV owners in Malaysia are mostly 4:3 CRT SDTVs. They don't see the value of DVDs - which most often has anamorphic video - so they also won't see the value of widescreen SD transmission. When they DO get a HDTV, THEN they'll demand for it.

But as I said earlier, by which time HD channels will be the default and SD channels are provided free or at minimal costs.

You're talking about the B.yond function with regards to SD channels. What we were talking about is widescreen SD transmission where the video is actually anamorphic video like what is on anamorphic DVDs.

You can still get the aspect ratio of SD channels correct using the aspect ratio function on B.yond. But you'd have to use your TV remote as well. First, enable the zoom function on B.yond; this will stretch the video. Second, use the Zoom function on your TV to squash it back to the correct aspect ratio; use a channel like Discovery, NGC or History to make the adjustments. BE MINDFUL that the non-anamorphic widescreen programs do not have the same aspect ratio. Some are correct 16:9 while others are more zoomed in; for example some of the programs on Star World like Mercy and Trauma.
fuad

4

Hi all,

Is the HDMI cable that is supplied with Byond good enuf ? 

What minor improvement did u see? Also what about the Astro supplied cable did you realise was not so good quality?

1 dish to 4 byond decoders max i.e 1 LNB out to 1 byond decoder and cannot split. If you have 4 byond, you get a dish with 4 LNBs

You can only split if the output is connecting to a normal box.

OR 1 dish to 3 byond and the other LNB output can use splitter to two or 3 normal decoder
OR 1 dish to 2 byond and the other two to splitters and connect 6 normal decoders
OR... you get the idea?
???

dish receives everything. only you decide which decoder is on which channel

Ok, I get it. More of build quality. The cable supplied with the decoder is more than capable to send a 12bit Deep Colour signal with no sparklies. With HDMI when it fails, you shd know. Based on my own observations and measurements, there are not differences between the cable provided and the other cables I own. In fact, I have other cables that seem to be better build but do not pass 12bit YCbCr properly.

There is an entire thread on HDMI cables that would be more relevant. I will look for it and link it.

In short, if u do not see any weird sparklies, audio dropouts, the signal is being sent correctly. Most of the time, the differences are only in build quality.

errr....how to sync ur tv with byond remote?

edit: got it...sorry
errr....my lcd model is samsung LA32S81B ...tried all the codes...also the 2nd option....but,nothing....is my lcd din support the feature?  

Can i ask u guys something..
Would u rather take in this new astro PVR device or take the PVR device below?
I'm afraid astro will charge us very expensive for the PVR functions and service and at the same time its a new thing just like Byond
I scared it will have many problems..
.... a device like the Noontec V9 Full HD media player ....

I think  I dont want recording anymore, enogh of Max experience how Ass screwed our money  for that . It could not perform and was faulty,quietly Ass discontinued it but RM900 gone ! Now what we need is more HD  channels for RM20 , not interested in PVR cos its  $$$$$$$$ thats all, nothing great to record and watch anyway,

I'm pretty sure that Astro actually wanna make 2 version of HD decoder....
Just like older SD version, one is normal version, other one are equipped with PVR functions (astro max)....
so, now like this, Byond is normal version and the other one which schedule to be launch this 1st June, the PVR version (probably the name will be Byond Max)...
Yes, it's pretty confusing now.....    Because before this, Astro promise that they will make Byond to functions just like PVR..
but now, already "lain".... 

.... the front USB port, u can plug in another FAN to cool you down ....
Then, this will lead to v5.0 soon. 

The bottom line is We have to pay for all services provided, so who cares they launch PVR or not what we all want now is Variety in HD ! I recall  all my recordings in Max all went missing by itself, when you wann play something  FILE NOT AVAILIABLE ! Knowing something wrong Ass withdrew the Max ! I gave back my RM900  Max for Beyond this  is Malaysia ! We have no rights as far Ass is concerned ! Now the lesson to all take whatever from Ass only if it is FREE dont buy decorders or recorders please

hi guys,

i spoke to the management office at my apartment this morning, just wanna find out if how many ppl already replied the 'survey' for Astro B.yond.

i'm not sure if the recep girl know what she's talking about, but apparently, the 'survey' exercise was carried out by the building management itself, because they need to fork out around RM200k "to install new booster" to be b.yond ready.

i thought Astro are paying for the upgrade? or am i getting the wrong message? if the building management indeed is paying for the upgrade then it makes full sense why they wanna carry out a survey to see how many ppl would actually subscribe to it.

.....
The recording function of B.yond may or may not come with a one-time activation fee. But it doesn't mean that you own the box, unlike Astro Max where you actually BUY and own the device.
.....
Apart from you paying extra for the installers to use a longer cable than provided, B.yond is practically free. Granted that you are tied to the service and you pay RM480 in two years for the HD access, the decoder and installation itself is free.
...

...
People who live in flats generally can have their own Astro dishes. The people who live in condos with centralized systems are the ones who feel envious.
....

i think someone here needs to do the jailbreak for astro PVR function.. problem solved and everybody happy except astro

im in dilemma of whether of getting Byond or wait for the Byond max to launch as I do not want to miss out on Byond Max once I get the Byond.

... Incurring costs is highly likely but how much, we won't know until an official press announcement is made.....
The decision is up to Astro, but B.yond itself will not change. All you need is to enable the recording function and attach a HDD.....

....The same customer-provider conundrum also exists with Telekom Malaysia's Unifi service.

It's not a federal/state law that prohibits individual dish in a building. It's building management that impose such a rule. If condo dwellers want B.yond, they have to convince their management to allow them to install the dish; since Astro is asking the management to foot the bill, convincing them could be easier.

I found 1 file for complete schedule of match here, you can customize with our timezone, automatically calculate group standing & so on..  You just need to put the score line

Hi neighbours,

Your long awaited good news!

http://www.casbaa.com/NewsDetail.aspx?id=0...44bd437590daadb

AXN HD on Astro 721 from June 16. Cheers!!

so it looks like what bro cam said is 1/3 true..

he said AXN HD will launch next month..
so its true..
he said FX HD and a Chinese HD channel will also be available next month..
So that remains to be seen but im hopeful its true..
If true, it would make the total of HD channels to 8?

eh..FX HD should go under which package eh?
The programmes are like what ar?
Hpo not into movie or variety or metro package la..
I dont have them..let it go into family package plzzzzz

Sorry I've been MIA on here, working on the data behind the EPG and my new baby girl click HERE (isn't she cute!) ....

Thanks for info.. 

BTW I have a few questions regarding HDD for PVR
1- What type of HDD file system support by decoder? FAT or EXT?
2- Maximum size of HDD support?
2- Is it recording file only playable on byond decoder only? or I can play it with my PC?

Byond running on Linux so its imposible to support NTFS. Maybe it using EXT because this file system dont have size limition.
Right now only bro Talljustine have the answer. 

... but unfortunately, we need to buy external HDD from Astro....