Hi,

I'm about to upgrade to Astro Beyond mainly for the Worldcup.
I have some question and hope you sifu here can share some experience/advice:

1. those 5 channels will be in 16:9 display through HDMI, but what happen to others since the source will be in 4:3 ? Stretch and force to 16:9 and become "fat & short"?

2. if this happen, is there any method we can setup on the Beyond decoder to auto-zoom those 4:3 channels and fit into 16:9 by keeping the aspect ratio ?

3. I was told that those non-HD channels image quality is better than the existing decoder, is it truth?

Thanks in advance!

Why Astro want to "remove" the zoom option from the decoder which suppose to enrich viewing experience?
How many of us like to watch distorted "FatFat-Shortshort" TV??

If we still have to use TV remote control to zoom in & out between channels, it would be very troublesome for us...
Imagine, after paying extra, both hands need to hold 2 remote controls.... I guess no more beer & peanuts to enjoy anymore .....

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Added on April 10, 2010, 10:21 pmHi TallJustin,

You said "....we will bring back the zoom option..."
Are you working with Astro?
Or you know some trick to enable the decoder to bring back zoom option ? Mind to share how ?

This post has been edited by klseet: Apr 10 2010, 10:21 PM

You mean the new HD decoder can get over-heat ? roughly after how many hours ?

Hmmmmm, pay extra, need to hold 2 remote control, and have to worry about hang & over-heat problem

holy .... you mean we have to treat the HD decoder like a notebook and buy a Cooler Master underneath it ??
Even then, if I'm not wrong, those notebook cooler is not flat, so how to .....
This is REALLY getting VERY troublesome now

Yes, I didn't read through all the posting here as I only knew last night that Astro is giving life-time warranty and free installation for Beyond and I was in the rush trying to understand more and quickly get it over and done over the weekend ....

Huh, luckily it has USB, so I just go and get a Cooler Master to solve the heat problem!

So you mean the Beyond remote control can "learn" from the TV remote control so we just need to use 1 remote ?
If like that not so bad la, at least still got 1 hand for the beer

Er, there are 126 pages in V.3 I guess I just have to put down my beer and hold the TV remote .....

Sorry but I just couldn't understand what do you mean by you are probably the only 1 use that and "they" took it away?
Who are "they"? Astro? But why?

Mind me, the rest prefer to watch FFSS (FatFat-ShortShort) distorted TV is it ?? Or simply don't bother??

If like that also can, might as well design it to allow those who are still using CRT able to squeeze HD channels become SSTT (SlimSlim-TallTall) to fit into 4:3 nicely

Just couldn't understand how Astro can even think of designing a decoder like this, really amazing, really BEYOND imagination .....

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Added on April 11, 2010, 1:30 amI'm getting a Plasma and intend to upgrade to HD, that's why I'll NOT watch 4:3 in pillarbox to prevent burn-in.

Most LCD/Plasma has the function to zoom 4:3 to fit 16:9 by keeping the aspect ratio and I was hoping that the decoder has such function so I don't have to use TV remote to zoom between channels.

This post has been edited by klseet: Apr 11 2010, 01:30 AM

Many thanks for the explanation dxib!

Actually I'm using "Cinama1" mode on my current Redza LCD output from the current Astro decoder.
It's able to fit full screen into 16:9 nicely, only small portion of sub-title and top section gone, but I don't really see a lot being chop, at least not to the extend that hair/head disappear.

So that's why I'm really hoping the new HD decoder can do that, or oblige to to that judging on the facts that :

1. we are paying for the new HD service which suppose to have proper HD display for all channels.
2. however, since not all the channels are in HD at this moment, the source provider Astro should indeed allow others who really want to see proper images with proper aspect ratio.
3. currently some of us use TV remote to setup zoom effect simply because we are paying the non-HD and that's a 1-time off setup on TV, the source provider Astro has no obligation to do so.
4. end of the day, we as the consumer really do not have control over the new HD decoder, Astro is the ONLY who has full control over the decoder, we are at their mercy.

Also thanks for reminding me not to become public enemy here, from now I won't talk about FFSS thing anymore.
My apologize if others feel unhappy about my words here, I really don't mean to angry anyone here.


Anywhere, I already submitted my application form and waiting for the "surprise" moment
Also I'll use the following device to consolidate all remote controls:
http://www.chunghop.com/en/products_view.asp?id=137
http://www.chunghop.com/en/products_view.asp?id=313

So, still got 1 hand on beer

I bought it in ShenZhen, not sure whether can find here or not......
So far can "learn" most of my electrical items except for my old Yamaha AMP remote control.....
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/785648/+160
post#171


Yes, I do know HD will display in 16:9 aspect nicely without any zoom / stretch.
I'm referring to those SD channels where I'm hoping can setup some kind of "zoom" as default on those SD channels so I don't have to use TV remote control to select "Cinama1" mode on my Redza LCD each time I switch between HD & SD channel.
Lazy people like me will say this is inconvenient lo....

Actually I saw this post and just submit my application to cam40729:
http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1358615

He told me need about 5 working days to submit & confirm by Astro, still waiting for him to tell me when to install .....

This post has been edited by klseet: Apr 11 2010, 05:14 PM

I saw this Byond decoder from internet, I have some questions:

1. What's the main usage for the LAN port ? For output or future input purpose?

2. Can we use HDMI, Components & Composite output concurrently ?

3. If I already use the Red/White audio, can I still use the Digital output ?




May I know what's the 2 buttons function (in circle)?
The right one seem to be screen zoom/stretch option is it ?


Sorry, too excited and just want to know more in advance, appreciate some user to explain further.

This post has been edited by klseet: Apr 11 2010, 06:02 PM

That's why I dare not compare Astro with neighbourhood countries, I can only compare it with local RTM1,2, TV3 .... that way I feel better

Sorry if I'm too extreme here, but I think Astro has been making (and will continue to) tons of money through monopoly & protection, this is the fact & cannot be deny. It is not a question whether they can make money or not, it's a question how much more they can get from us and at which price level consumers are still willing to pay for it "whole-heartedly"

But what other Astro-type of choices do we have here?
End of the day, unless we give-up, we are merely at their mercy.

That's why I feel better to compare with the "down" not the "up", so Astro definitely more "up"

Compare TV entertainment provider with public ultities & services?? Hmmmmm, I rather not to ....
But again, it would be interesting to see how much we are willing to pay for say if we want tap water to be drinkable and Tenaga can supply 110voltage??

It's true that we do have other "alternatives" to get TV entertainment out there, but if talk about download.... er, with "SlowMax" ?? I rather give-up !!

Anywhere, personally I think it's reasonable for an additional monthly RM20 for HD feature, I was told even those SD channels also look better --> this is the main factor for me to upgrade. Furthermore, now it comes with LIFE-TIME warranty for the decoder, remote control, HDMI cable & the disc.

I'm now waiting for my B'yond to be installed, really can't wait to experience it with new Plasma!!

Can you PM me where you buy the RM35 HDMI?
Hmmmm, I thought a decent HDMI cable should be good enough to handle digital signal.....
I'll test it out when my B.yond arrive.


Wah , this is real bad, was it raining or thundering at that moment ? Do you have similar problem before upgrade to B.yond?
If not, could it be faulty decoder ? Does anyone here also encountered this?

Really want to know what causes and remedy action .....

But I thought you already have a cooler master underneath the decoder? Is it still over-heat problem ?
So it means hot weather also cause such problem on B'yond .... it sounds worry man ......

May be you should call Astro if possible exchange another 1 and try first ?!

Strange, if it's cable problem, why it only happen on certain hours in the afternoon ?
They did not give you the new 20m cable?

At first I thought can use back the existing cable but I was told it is better to use the new one meant for the B'yond --> that was my initial worry because it's going to be very messy from roof into hall .....

Just wonder, is B'yond using the exact same type of cable as compare to current decoder?
Wah, if really need to change the cable, then messy again, from roof to hall ......

But the Astro dealer is advising me to change it since the current one "quality might not be as good due to aging", furthermore is FREE 20m now .....
That's why I'm actually worrying now and been trying to see where & how the cable can come into hall "nicely".... imagine the cable run across the hall

Is it ? Under which package er?! Can "unsubscribe" or not ?!
This is good one!!

To TallJustin,

Can you share some technical experience in terms of old Vs new cable for the B'yond?

- My current cable was concealed when I moved in about 6 years ago.
- Except for the usual raining black-out no image problem, so far my Astro has no problem at all.

I can understand the advantage of new cable but I don't think it will be conceal again due to messy work involved....
But is it ok if the new cable is not conceal ?

While I'm writing this, I just received an SMS and the installer confirm will come over tomorrow morning to install
I ask him the same question, he said better change and he said ok if unconceal.....

Too excited now tonight probably insomnia until morning.....

No worry bro, family matters always come first!
Congratulation in advance, cheers!



It's good to have some kind of excitement once in a while, especially after so many years on the current Astro.....
I think my excitement will continue for a while, at least I was told even the SD channels are better than old one, also the up-coming worldcup!!

YES!!

Finally, I'm Beyonder

I just leave it on for almost 10 hours straight without any cooler, try to "warm" this guy up
Yes, it's real hot underneath it....

The installer use the 20m new cable come with the package, luckily it's just nice and no need to extend further.
After the new disc & decoder installed, took him 2min to configure signals, then wait for another 10min and walla ..... ACTIVATED ... that was fast !!

- I'm rather surprised to see the size is so small, half of the previous!
- I leave it on from 1pm until now still running without any cooler and yes, it's REAL hot underneath it!
- So far no signal interruption, may be still new
- The HD is really impressive, just like DVD quality
- For SD, overall better than the old decoder, but it seem like there are few channels even clearer ... may be I'm blur after so many hours ... will check & re-confirm again.

So far very happy, still got the excitement

However, I noticed:

1. The boot-up time is quite long, almost 2min, is it normal?

2. The sound seem to be rather weak. Previously I only use around level 20~23 on my TV, but now I have to increase to almost 32~35 for same level of listening, I also tried the following but till the same:
- adjust the Byong volume to maximum
- audio setting = Stereo (Analogue+Digital)
- change HDMI cable and try on different HDMI inputs on TV

3. Each time power off and on again, the last volumn level setting on the decoder gone again, then have to maximise again....

Does anyone has the above issues ?


I applied B'yond through cam40729 @ http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1358625
He submitted for me on Monday and now up & running, all within 4 working days only, pretty fast I must say !