Usually when I changed to any test channels, I only see this message... "This channel is not included in your subscription"... then I immediately changed back to the normal channels because I did not notice anything.

Yes, I never thought of pressing the remote [I-II] button to check which audio and subtitles are being tested.

Thanks for the tip.

Anyway, some of the subs are are fixed for some films. I know that its important for people who do not understand the audio language so having subs are necessary... but the subs should not be fixed and we should be able to switched it off for people who understands the language. For me, its a bit annoying. Example, Malay subs fixed and cannot be switched off for some english films and, since I can understand english, its annoying that I cannot switched it off. Maybe some films already came with fixed subs. Since Byond already have audio and subs that can be changed using the remote [I-II] button, Astro should try their best to use this to allow some people to switch sub language to "None".

That is why I never watched any taiwanese variety shows which shows lots of chinese text, small drawings or graphics that pop out and filled much of the entire TV screen. Annoying for me but other people love it so this is only my taste. Everyone have their own choice and taste so I don't complain and just choose not to watch it. So I am dissapointed when I cannot switch off subs for shows that I can understand the language.

Its ok for RTM, TV3, NTV7 because its free and they do not use any advanced decoder box. Yes... it will take time for Astro to fix and change most programs to switchable audio and subs so I do understand.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 20 2012, 01:57 AM

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Added on March 20, 2012, 6:23 amTake care of your remote bro.its working too hard ! Well rumours is 202 wl be HD so ur discovery abt 981 does make sense,the other could be a malay hd ! Meddle some more and keep us updated!!

This post has been edited by smileguy: Mar 20 2012, 06:23 AM

Just notice that you or somebody mention that he was using RG-58 (?) cable or other than RG-6. This is totally not recommended. Now replacing this cable is mandatory to solve his problem. Either conceal or surface cabling, you have to replace or you can opt to stay with this problem forever. Thank you.

This post has been edited by chikana: Mar 20 2012, 07:38 AM

I'll never go back to Assteruk ever again.

I cancelled my subscription in December 2010. Bills all paid off. They ask that I return my cam card or they will charge me RM80. So I did. I mailed it back to them by registered post and even double-checked with them to see if the card reached them. Case closed.

One year plus no problem.

Then on Friday they have the nerve to send me lawyer letter saying I never return cam card and owe them RM80.

A quick phone call to them netted me an apology, but if they dare kacau me again, will take them to court. You tarik my BBC Entertainment (AC Nielsen. oh you mean those f**ktards whose parent company Nielsen Media got caught faking survey results in the US) . No other way to get Doctor Who, especially after the MCMC FS internet censorship block. You did not deliver the channels you and your salesman promised. Now you want to sue me even though I settled everything.

I did once plan to go back if they bring in the channels I want. Now I will never go back. Screw you Assteruk.




Bootnote: <sarcasm>Yeah, like ITV Granada has better viewership</sarcasm>

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Mar 20 2012, 10:45 PM

If BBCE is available on ABN lineup, you would sign for it?

What a shame legal notice for rm80!

Its really weird to issue a legal letter for rm80. Even if its an actual outstanding, don't they think what is the economic value of the actiion. Weird

Whatever is on ABN i am going for it,16 years is enough,i wl support ABN now!

Anyone will also be furious when being threatened for false accusations ! So I truly understand your anger and do sympathise with you. Most commercial businesses such as Assteruk, Celcom, Maxis, etc are very careful not to make promises whenever customers subscribe to their services. This is why they always put additional sentences in the Terms And Condition which usually states something like... "subject to change without prior notice". We, as consumers, have no choice but to either don't sign in or accept it. Please don't misunderstand me. I have no relations in any form with and neither affiliated to Assteruk so I am not defending them. Assteruk have never "promised" which and what channels they choose to broadcast and they make sure they are "protected" by their "Terms & Cond" as their legal right to change any channels at any time and as many times as they wish. Its terrible that this is a fact that consumers have no say in this. The only way consumers can do is not to buy the products or subscribe to the service. Only when mass cancellation in great numbers or few people sign in, then only will such companies change. In theory, its the ideal way but it isn't going to happen because many many people still continue to be customers. Its like when I complained why durians are overpriced eventhough I love durians ! Then I told my friends that I will never ever buy durians again unless the price drop to reasonable levels. But many others who loved durians still continue to buy. Anyway, everyone have the right as consumers NOT to buy or subscribe or cancel if anyone feels any product or service did not deliver. I respect your right to cancel for non delivery of your choice of channels. I know that Assteruk officially did not promise any specific channels but if any Assteruk salesman promises any channels or mislead anyone, then I will take out my hand gun and shoot that salesman for false claims. That salesman is legally liable to be sued but too often we don't have concrete proof because the conversation was between the 2 parties only, no voice recordings or any written proof to take the salesman to court !

I am not replying here to offend you or fan your anger so I repeat... please don't misunderstand me. My apologies to you if I have unintentionally offended you.

EDIT : Since you have decided to "close" this case unless they "attack" you again, I have removed all unnecessary comments here about complaint to the Malaysia Bar Council.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 20 2012, 05:29 PM

Exactly.

No offense taken.

Thing is, as I said, I owe them nothing. I paid off all my bills and even returned the card to avoid RM80 fine. I followed their termination terms correctly. But the letter, as indicated, imply that they didn't receive the card, even though registered post said it was delivered, and even their call center acknowledge receiving the card in my final correspondence with them. But as I said, I already called their helpline when I got the letter, and angrily demanded an explanation, and they confirmed again that there is nothing outstanding and apologized. But no more business with them. Like you, I will leave the case close, i just want to vent to make my indignation clear. Will put this behind me for now.

But if they're bodoh enough to do something like that one more time...

Depends if they have other channels I want also, and if their roll out is fast enough to not p!$$ me off.

This post has been edited by RAMChYLD: Mar 20 2012, 11:02 PM

use beyond dish

pay RM20

No HD channel on my package

RM20??? sucking to astro just like dat eh?

This post has been edited by FoxSeaTiger: Mar 20 2012, 02:46 PM

I have just registered for Astro. I want SuperPack 1 which is inclusive of HD channels, PVR, etc.

First the lady mentioned that installation fee was 99RM, later on it was increased to 199RM because I wanted the PVR as well. When I asked if installing the PVR really justified the extra 100RM she couldn't really tell me. Total installation should take about 1 hr. So installing the PVR, which is NOT mine but I'm borrowing it from Astro, takes a few minutes and costs 100RM?? Is this normal?? The lady didn't really understand either. But she said it's "company procedure". Which is the easiest answer of them all. Why is this so steep? The PVR is inclusive of the superpack but if I want it then I have to pay 100RM extra? Rediculous.

Since you have decided to close your case, I have stopped and remove all unnecessary comments about further action to the Bar Council. Sorry for being busybody.

Is it advisable for you to call Assteruk helpline again to tell them to inform legal firm to send reply letter to confirm the "demand for payment" is now closed ? I don't know if this should be done. Anyway, its your decision.

Just my opinion... any "open" letter should "closed" since the legal firm did not state..."ignore this letter if this matter have been settled with our client".

Hopefully they don't poke at you again in future.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 20 2012, 03:36 PM

Our courts are kangaroo courts,consumers can never get justice,if not we can take asstro to court for rain fade,we end up losers no matter what.

Sorry if I am not able to understand you properly and I believe that you may be a bit confused.

I will try to make it clearer for you.

Presently, 3 types of Astro decoder boxes available...
1) Astro DMT decoder : Only receive SD channels, no HD.
2) Byond DMT decoder : Can receive both SD and HD channels (can record only 1 channel if you buy USB external hard disk and plug it in)
3) Byond PVR : Also can receive both SD and HD channels and can record (2 channels at same time) using its internal hard disk.

During promo in 2010, I took the opportunity and upgraded to Byond box + Installation for free but return old Astro DMT (can keep if pay RM 100). If no promotion, have to pay for installation charges for upgrade to Byond or Byond PVR box.

For HD, must use Byond or Byond PVR. I think upgrade to the Byond box is free. You have to pay for installation fee for upgrade to either Byond or Byond PVR ! I did not check now but I believe the standard Installation Fee is RM 100. I don't understand why RM 99 and RM 199.

Astro charges additional (one-time) fee for upgrade to the Byond PVR box ...
New Customer (straight to Byond PVR) : RM 400
Astro SD Customer upgrade to Byond PVR : RM 400
Byond HD Customer upgrade to Byond PVR (return Byond DMT box) : RM300
Byond HD Customer upgrade to Byond PVR (keep Byond DMT box) : RM 400
* Refer here... http://www.astro.com.my/byond/articles/art_6122.html
* Because of limited time promotion, 50% discount

You said "just registered for Astro" so please explain if (a) or (b)...
a) New subscriber to Astro DMT (SD) and then requested upgrade to Byond PVR.
b) New subscriber to Byond DMT (HD) and then requested upgrade to Byond PVR.

During this Byond PVR promo period, this is what I think you have to pay only for the PVR box ...

If (a), Byond PVR (RM 200) + *Installation Fee (RM 100) = RM 300
If (b), Byond PVR (RM 150) + *Installation Fee (RM 100) = RM 250 (if return Byond box)
* if PVR promo include installation, then no installation fee.

All the Astro packages are charged monthly which limit us to pre-chosen channels.

You want SuperPack 1 which do include...
~ High-Definition Service (to watch HD channels)
~ External Hard Drive PVR Service (Monthly RM 5 is now free)... only for Byond box + if you buy external USB harddisk
~ Personal Video Recorder Service (Monthly RM 10 is now free)... only for Byond PVR box (already got internal harddisk)
Refer here... http://www.astro.com.my/mypackages/articles/art_5155.html

Ok... Superpack 1, 2 and 3 all do NOT include the Byond PVR box. We have to pay for the PVR box, one-time payment.

I did enquire from Astro last year about the Superpacks and Byond PVR to check if its a better choice or not. I decided not, as my situation is different, with 3 "boxes".

With Byond PVR + Superpack 1, you have to pay for these...
> Byond PVR box (50% discount during this promo period)
> Installation Fee (If promo got free installation, then FOC)
> Superpack 1 (Monthly subscription)

If you are a new (straight to) Byond PVR customer, then I think you pay these...
> New Customer (straight to Byond PVR) : RM 200 (50% discount)
> Installation Fee : RM 100
> Superpack 1 : RM 125 (charged monthly)
> Government Tax : RM 7.5 (6 % of RM 125 monthly subscription)
Total first time payment : RM 200 + 100 + 125 + 7.5 = RM 432.50

If anyone from this forum found any wrong info, please correct me. Thanks.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 20 2012, 05:22 PM

I'm a new customer, straight to Byond PVR. I was told though that the installation fee (with PVR) was 200 RM. You make it 300 RM.

I just want to know WHY there is a diffference between installation of Astro SD, Astro HD or Astro HD with PVR. Technically there is no real difference, perhaps a few minutes. In hardware there is also no difference since you don't own the actual hardware but are only "borrowing" it. So why such an enormous difference in price?

That means during this Upgrade To Byond PVR Promotion, the installation fee (RM 100) is free.

For straight to PVR ...
Without promo, PVR box RM 400 + Inst Fee RM 100.
This promo, PVR box RM 200 + Free Installation.

The decoder boards inside all 3 "boxes" are similar but do have differences. No difference only for time taken to install "Astro SD, Astro HD or Astro HD with PVR"

Astro DMT (SD) box
No HD decoder chip, may use a completely different internal board. Cannot record and no internal hard disk.

Byond (HD) box
With SD and HD decoder chips (or different single decoder chip which can decode both SD and HD). No harddisk inside. We have to buy our own external USB harddisk. Only Western Digital My Passport AV 320 GB external USB harddisk is recommended. Can record from only 1 channel. While watching one channel, cannot record another channel.

Byond PVR (HD) box
Slightly different than Byond (HD) box, but have 2 satellite cable input and chips for recording 2 channels at the same time. Have built-in internal hard disk. I think the hard disk capacity is 500 GB which can record a total of 290 hours.

I think the installation fee is standard and fixed at RM 100 for any installation. Its only free because of promotion.

We pay different prices for the Byond PVR (HD) box. I may be wrong but so far I believe that we are not charged for Astro DMT (SD) and Byond (HD) decoder boxes. So I believe we are only charged for the Byond PVR (HD) box. Why are we charged for Byond PVR (HD) box ? I am not from Astro so I don't know. Maybe cost of the 500 GB internal harddisk ? Maybe a different internal board with extra chips for recording 2 channels simultaneously ?

There are "differences" between the 3 different "decoder boxes" (Astro DMT, Byond and Byond PVR). Huge or slight differences inside these boxes ? I don't know how much is the actual difference.

Currently Astro uses DVB-S2 for the HD channels, and DVB-S for the SD channels.



This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 20 2012, 06:42 PM

Thanks for explaining this all, and in great detail too,

From you I understand that installation fee is always 100RM, regardless of which package (SD / HD / PVR). I understand that they are different and therefore the monthly subscription fee is different (duh: you get more, you pay more). The lady on the phone however told me that installation fee was 200RM. I now understand that during this promo period, installation fee is waived, and I am paying 50% of 400RM to "borrow" the PVR. For another package (HD) the installation fee is also waived but I'd be paying 50% of 200RM to "borrow" the HD-Decoder.

Thanks for clearing this up. Would've helped a lot if the telemarketeer would have just explained where the costs come from.

You are welcome. Glad to help.

I don't think the telemarketers know much about the hardware differences between the 3 different "decoder boxes" so I do know they can give confusing answers. Heck.. many times when I called Astro Customer Support, pressed 2 on the phone to select english and spoke in english to the support person. He/She don't know how to explain properly in english so I ended up speaking in malay or mandarin (if chinese person). Many times, they also asked me to hold the line while they checked with their supervisor for an answer. Annoying to wait about 10 minutes. Sometimes I can ask very difficult questions and a few times told me that I knew more than him/her... what ?

Previously I asked my friend (who is an Astro installer) and he told me that the customer pay a flat RM 100 for Inst. Fee for any "decoder box". If the supplied cables are not long enough, then they charge per metre for extra length used. Many times this friend came to visit me to check what was wrong with his notebook, a few times failed to send email bi-weekly installation report to Astro claims dept. Of course I don't read his confidential email report, haha !

You were told... "The lady on the phone however told me that installation fee was 200RM"... mmm... this is where I am also confused. Now I am not 100% sure. I will see if I can triple check again with my installer friend who will be back from holidays in Vietnam in a few days time. Anyway, since your installation was free during promo, it doesn't really matter now.

Yes, the Byond and Byond PVR are the properties of Astro. To be returned with smartcard when subscription terminated. But there is warranty for the boxes which continue (not 1 year) until subscription is terminated. Anytime spoilt after 3 years can still be replaced with no extra charge. I don't know whether lightning strike is covered or not, hehe.

The Byond PVR internal board is more advanced because of "extra" functions. Example... you can watch a Live telecast and immediately rewind and playback something you missed such as a football goal score.

NEW ADDITION
A BIG OOPS !!! Mistake. Since the Byond and Byond PVR is loaned to us, there is no such thing as warranty. If got problem, Astro will fix it. If completely spoilt, Astro will replace it. This will make sure that subscribers can continue to watch the channels. Its like the toll fee we pay in a highway... if the road got damaged, they repaired it ... we only use the highway and do not own it.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 20 2012, 07:43 PM

Thanks mate, great help you are!

Just interesting to know the difference between Unifi, for example, and ASTRO. Because when I subscribed to Unifi half a year ago, and moved after 3 months, I got all new modems, phone sets, boxes, etc etc. I asked if I didn't have to return the "old" ones or use the "old" ones in my new place, they simply said "no". So I guess these are mine to keep now? Interesting ...