Hi,

Mustika HD (Ch 134) was only launched recently and is opened for ALL ... HD service and ... Superpack 1, 2 and 3 (HD & Recording Service Incuded) ... Subscribers. BUT only temporary launching preview until July 2012 (forgot the exact date). I am 100% sure from Astro previous announcement in various channels and from my phone chat with the CS person.

Included in Mustika Plus Pack... Ch 131 Astro Citra (SD), Ch 132 Astro Warna (SD), Ch 133 Astro Bella (SD) and Ch 134 Mustika HD.
Included in Indo Pek... Ch 141 Bintang (SD) and Ch 142 Pelangi (SD).

Can subscribe as an individual pack to Mustika Plus Pack... or only Superpack 1 which already incuded it.

Indo Pek NOT included in Superpack 1, 2 or 3 !

When you can watch Ch 134 Mustika HD then its ok because I also can watch it for free until ?? July 2012 and after that date, cannot watch because I did NOT subscribe to Mustika Pack.

So you did NOT subscribe to any of these 3 packs... Superpack 1, Mustika Plus Pack, Indo Pek. Please correct me if I am wrong.

If you did not subscribe to any of the 3 packs I mentioned, then cannot watch Ch 131, 132, 133, 134 (HD), 141 and 142 ! But temporarily can watch Ch 134 (HD) due to launch preview. You did not give more detailed info so please check whether you can watch all these channels which you did not subscribe... if can watch, and if you are worried about your bill then phone to Ass Cust Supp again...and make sure you tell the supp person clearly that you did not subscribe to the mentioned packs... write down the time and date you call, ask for full name of supp person and write it down... and let the person clearly know that if wrong "extra" charge in bill appear, then will complain again on that person !

If you are not worried and feel that everything is ok because your current June 2012 statement is correct... no need to call Ass Cust Supp so you don't need to do anything and enjoy the "free bonus" channels.

I don't know whether I am correct or wrong so.... My June statement is dated 01-06-2012 which means current monthly fee for June 2012 based on no changes in May 2012. If I add 1 pack on 15 June, my June statement will not show it since I already received it, then my 1st July statement will show 45 days fee for that pack. Mmm... I believe that subscribers are already making "early" payment because Asst** is smart and do not issue statements at end-of-month.

Seriously, if you did not subscribe to any of the 3 packs, then there may be a risk that you "may or may not" be charged for 2 packs, Mustika Plus Pack and Indo Pek which is a lot. I hope I am wrong in my guess. Don't wait till the statement come in early July next month. When any wrong overcharge appeared in bill, those bastards will NOT return the money and use it as part of early payment for the next month which is ok for many people but not ok for me lah.

I was overcharged once before, a long time ago when I subscribed to Sports Pack for only 1 month for the World Cup 2010, paid service charge for package reduction and wrongly charged for 2 months Sports Pack ! Well... they won't send me a cheque for the refund which is only a small amount and treated as part advance payment for the next month. My character is that I don't like people to take my money as early payment which can be used to earn extra interest... my stupid principle lah.

I believe "The Best of Chinese Pack Offer" as I mentioned earlier only started in June 2012 so you are NOT included since your subsription started 5 months ago.



This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jun 26 2012, 09:18 PM

Pelangi in Astro Indo Pek = Pay in RM. Speaking for myself only, I never want it and never wanna subscribe to Indo Pek.

Pelangi RTM Digital = Free test channel only... available to lucky RAMChYLD in "some parts" of Klang Valley + other limited locations AND NOT NATIONWIDE, unlucky for me and everyone in the whole of Malaysia, hehe.

EDIT: Ooops... I am not about not being able to receive Pelangi RTM Digital... hehe... I am for NOT being in a location that can receive all the Free-To-Air Terrestrial Digital (not analog) test TV channels from RTM... which when launched later, I believe I have to wait longer until after Wawasan 2020 to be available in my area !

Mmm... will the government really implement in 2013 to stop all analog terrestrial TV channel transmission and change to digital ?? IF, I say IF so, will the analog bandwidth that is freed used for real 4G phone services ?? Mmm.. I wonder why I am NOT optimistic. I already got inside news about A B N which is not encouraging but I cannot mention anything here because my news came from the mouth of inside people who cannot prove what they said. Hehe... all I have to do is wait because only time will speak the truth BUT, I have a gut feeling that A B N will not be available until 2013 or maybe never !! Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock... as official news mentioned ... will be available from June to August 2012... and its already end of June with no further news. Anyone here got more LATEST REAL news about A B N ?

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jun 27 2012, 07:37 PM

You are welcome.

Remember that its up to you to decide whether to call Astro CS or not... so think very carefully first, before deciding because I don't want to be blamed for any wrong decision. Why ? Maybe they made a mistake and "did not know" had accidentally allowed you to watch the 2 packs for "free".

They may or may not find out later so you can keep on hoping that they don't find out ! BUT if you call and inform them, then you will lose the "accidentally free" packs immediately. You can choose to keep quiet and take the risk that they don't find out... and risk possible additional charges if found out later. So this is what I want to be very clear to you before you decide to let them know, hehe.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jun 27 2012, 07:22 PM

I am repeating some parts of my previous Post No. 1500 which are partly related here.

The Byond box HD setting can be used ONLY when subscribed to HD service. When subscribed, it needs to be activated.

These are the available Byond "HD Settings"... 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i. Of course the best quality to choose is 1080i because ALL "HD Ready" and "Full HD" LCD/LED TVs support it.

HD resolution is actually 720p, 1080i and 1080p. I think Astro included SD resolution for 576i and 576p into the Byond HD Setting for compatibility with very old LCD TVs and Projectors.

Its not necessary for me to explain in detail what is "interlace mode" for 1080i and "progressive mode" for 1080p. Although there is a difference in delivery and video quality, I would believe that most people eyes don't notice the difference !

Ok, to answer your question, I will try my best to explain with full details below...

1) Basic HD Pack
When subscribed to the HD service, it means the Basic HD Pack. Monthly Subscription : RM 20. For Superpack 1, 2 and 3, this HD service is already included.

2) HD channels included in Basic HD Pack
These are the HD channels that ALL subscribers to Basic HD Pack can watch...

Ch 309 Celestial HD
Ch 393 One HD
Ch 721 AXN HD *
Ch 706 LiTV/Food Network
Ch 720 beTV
Ch 726 FX HD
Ch 729 Kix HD

... that means that these are the "7 minimum HD channels" which we can watch with the extra payment of RM 20 per/mth.

Refer here... http://support.astro.com.my/Shop/AstroPackages.aspx and look for the title "High Definition Channels" which explains this clearly.

3) Additional HD Channels Tied To Packages
Yes, HD Service (Basic HD Pack) included 7 HD channels BUT more HD channels can also be watched which depend on which pack it is "tied" to. I think there are a total of about 18+ HD Channels available now.

Example
Movie Pack include these channels...
SD channels > HBO Ch 411, MAX Ch 412, Fox Movies Premium Ch 413
HD channels > HBO HD Ch 431, Fox Movies Premium HD Ch 433, Sundance Channel HD Ch 438

Ch 431, 433 and 438 are tied to the Movie Pack. Eventhough we subscribed to Movie Pack, it does not mean we can automatically watch these 3 HD channels! So if NOT subscribed to HD Service, we CANNOT watch these HD channels. To watch ALL the SD & HD channels in Movie Pack, we must subscribe to (a) Movie Pack and (b) HD Service (Basic HD Pack).

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So... some people may ask... setting Byond to 1080i mean the best HD video quality ?
NO, it does not mean the best video quality all the time.

Why ? Video quality depends on the source video. If they transmit an old movie from SD source (such as DVD), upconvert it to HD, then you will get not so good quality. Usually new movies from blu-ray disc source will be able to give much much better quality. Example... HBO HD... "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls" (older movie 1995) is from a lower quality source and "Thor" (new movie 2011) has incredible excellent video and audio quality.

Even for HD channels, you can get video quality from not so good to excellent ! Well... you will get quality that looks like playing DVD disc to a LCD TV and also quality that reach near to blu-ray disc. I noticed that FMP HD Ch 433 shows a lot more "excellent video quality" movies than HBO HD Ch 431.

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HD Service also gives you better audio quality from Dolby Digital Audio which include surround effects. The HD channels can use Dolby 2.0, 4.0, 4.1 or 5.1 audio channels. Also, Dolby Digital does not guarantee the best audio quality...mmm... also depend on source. I did notice that some programs in Nat Geo HD Ch 573 don't have center channel so the voice heard from main speakers only. Some programs also don't have back surround.

Without HD Service, you get only fixed 2 channel stereo PCM audio and unfortunately, the volume loudness is much lower than HD audio (Dolby).

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Is it worth to pay RM 20 per month for the HD Service ? If you have already subscribed to Superpack 1, 2 or 3, HD service is already included.

Well... I cannot answer that question. Much depends on whether you feel the additional 7 or more HD channels do or do not satisfy what you want, hehe.

In order to get to enjoy the most out of HD service, we need to have a HDTV and connection to a Home Theater System with AV amplifier capable of Dolby 5.1 surround to 6 quality speakers and HDMI cable connection.

Yes, we can still watch HD channels on old non-HD TV... just set the Byond box to output at "Standard Definition"... so the output quality will be downscaled to SD (576i)

I do know of one friend who is willing to pay RM 20 extra per month just to watch Zhi Zun HD Ch 310 and One HD Ch 393 eventhough she have old non-HD TV and no amplifier !!! No HD video and Dolby 5.1 audio quality for her. She loves the chinese (mandarin) mini-series from China/Taiwan and the Korean series from the 2 HD channels, lol !

There is another rich guy I know who used the Multi-Room Promo to add 5 more Byond boxes for him and all his 5 children at an additional total of RM 250 per month (RM 50 for each additional box). Mmm... each account only allowed a maximum of 2 additional Byond boxes but somehow he managed to get 5 by using 3 separate sub-accounts !!

I have another friend who canceled/terminated his Astro account because he don't like the many many many repeats, did not show some of his favourite shows and Channel V was cancelled.

Well... everyone have the right to decide... start new subscription, add/upgrade more Packs, add Byond boxes, or cancel/terminate totally... and also condemn Assteruk monopoly!

FYI... the Multi-Room Promo ends on 30-06-2012 for additional Byond/Byond PVR box of flat RM 50 per month. Mmm... I suspect that this period may be extended depending on good demand, hehe.

Note On Byond/Byond PVR Output Cable Connection
RF Out (BNC) = This connection is NOT Available for Byond/Byond PVR.
RCA Out (Yellow, Red, White) = Only SD quality audio (red, white) and video (yellow) (lowest quality)
Component Video (red, green blue) = Only SD quality (better quality) for Byond but only for video. Actually Component Video specification can accept HD 1080i but the Byond cannot.
HDMI = HD video and audio (best quality)

The old Astro DMT cannot receive any HD channels so it has to be replaced with the Byond/Byond PVR box. Eventhough anyone who only have non-HD TV and want to watch the HD channels in SD quality, the old Astro DMT box still need to be replaced, hehe.

Hehe... I think I have answered more than you have asked. And I hope I did not confuse you.

ADDITION
Astro announced that The Euro Cup 2012 Finals will be shown in 3D on Channel 831. Only for people who subscribed to Sports Pack (or SuperPack 3) and with 3D HDTV ! I heard from some people that it will be broadcast in S-B-S (Side-By-Side) 3D, not Active Shutter 3D. Astro have broadcast in 3D a few times before BUT only for Live sports events. I did not subscribe to Sports Pack and do not have 3D TV !

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jun 28 2012, 09:57 PM

When the message "not available for viewing on this DEVICE" appeared, it means you are using an internet browser that do not support Microsoft Silerlight plug-in or you did not install Microsoft Silverlight 5. Firefox version 3 and above do support Silverlight plug-in as I have mentioned in my previous post.

From what I notice from your screenshot picture you posted, taskbar at bottom left shows "Start" means you are using either Windows XP or Windows Vista (32bit or 64 bit) and your browser is Firefox.

Here are the things you need to check and fix if not correct...

1) Make sure Firefox is the latest version.

2) Check if you have accidentally disabled "Silverlight plug-in" in the Firefox settings.

3a) If Silverlight installed, check if at least version 3 or later. Is better to be updated to version 5 for better compatibility.

3b) If Silverlight NOT installed, then go to microsoft silverlight to install. I have given the download link in my previous post.

4) Mmm... you are using AVG antivirus which I can see the icon on the bottom right. Make sure its firewall did not block running of Silverlight application.

5) Make sure Microsoft .NET Framework is installed and advisable to update to version 4.

I am not sure but I think it is NOT because you did NOT subscribe to a Pack or the Pay-Per-View movie... because the error message mentioned "not available for viewing on this DEVICE" so its the device problem which is your PC software. In your situation, from your posted picture, your are using Firefox from a Windows system PC.

People may also have problems if Ast O-T-G is run inside a virtual environment using "sandwich" virtual windows PC, hehe.

Of course Ast O-T-G is already supported from the computer internet browser. For other people who use Iphone, should install the correct Apple App to login and play. Slightly different method for Apple PC with Apple OS and Safari browser. At present, Microsoft Silverlight plugin is NOT yet supported for Android phones which include Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) so have to wait for Astro to create an Android App for such android phones. Please correct me if I make any mistakes here.

Take Note : The Astro website (top of browser) announced this... "We will perform maintenance on 30 June 2012 (1am to 4am). Customers will not have access to Astro On-The-Go services. We apologies for any inconvenience caused" ... so the Ast O-T-G services will be offline during that time.

Maybe you have problems because the Ast O-T-G got some problems so that is why they will be doing maintenance on 30-06-12, hehe... only guessing the maintenance because of "problems".



This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jun 29 2012, 10:27 PM

Aah... so its intermittent playback problems ! Then I guess that is why they will doing maintenance later because probably they found out some problems. Hehe... I think not much you can do... only wait for the scheduled maintenance to be completed. If you cannot wait, hehe... then can phone to Ast Cuss Supp to ask why and maybe the support person will tell you to wait till their maintenance is completed.

Nothing much more I can do to help you further.

Wow, you are new here and did not read all the previous answers to the many questions posted by many people. No problem because got too many pages of posts to read already.

I have already given answers before, at Page 75 (my Post No. 1500) and Page 104 (my Post No. 2072) so please find it and read the answers there. I don't want to repeat it here. I think others have asked similar questions before Page 75 and have already been answered... so a few months later, other people who will come here late and will again repeat the same questions, hehe.

Some or many questions can be answered by browsing "astro.com.my" and search for the answers there OR by phoning to Astro Customer Support which is toll-free (costs only local call by land-phones).

Mouse click on this link here... "http://www.astro.com.my/byond/articles/art_7929.html" which shows all the available HD channels at the present time. Look at the left column showing the HD channels logos. There are only a total of 19 HD Channels and most (not all) programs are different between the HD and SD channels.

Examples...

NGEO (National Gepgraphic) Channel 553 in SD... showing the program "Narrow Escapes Of WWII" at 11:00 pm, 02-07-12. Nat Geo HD Channel 573 showing the program "Ultimate Disaster" at 11:05 pm, 02-07-12. So the 2 Nat Geo channels, SD and HD showing different programs.

But Fox Movies Premium Channel 413 in SD and Fox Movies Premium HD Channel 433 showing same movie "Across The Universe" at the same time 11:00 pm 02-07-12. Of course, HD is much better in 1080i and, if available, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround audio. Some HD programs can be in Dolby 2.0 only.

When subscribed to HD service (RM 20/mth), at least 7 HD channels (from the total 19) can be watched. More HD channels that can be watched depend on which Astro Package is subscribed. Please refer to my previous posts.

Corrected typing mistake... Fox Movies Premium HD Channel 433... not 413. The SD channel is 413.



This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 2 2012, 11:51 PM

I don't understand what you actually mean.

LOL ! So you think its time to quote my previous post about what HD channels can be watched after subscribing to HD Service because you think someone who is new here may again ask the same question ? Hehehe.... you want to prevent people from asking the same thing again, eh ?

No problem for me to answer again because I always try to be patient and polite. After I answered to the question posted by that person here, he pm me with more questions because he's a bit blur so I replied by pm to him with more detailed info and answers. Glad to help. I have already replied quite a few other questions when some people pm me so no problem. Only problem is not enough free time to do it.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 3 2012, 11:02 PM

There is no stereo 2.1 (Dolby Digital 2.1). The ".1" is the LFE channel for very low frequencies to the Sub-Woofer. Actually its Dolby Digital 2.0.

The Byond box output from RCA (red and white) in 2 channel stereo PCM audio BUT the Byond digital audio settings must be changed to "Stereo (Analogue and Digital)".

The Byond box output from RCA (red, white cable) ...
1) When settings to "Stereo (Analogue and Digital)", the RCA audio output will be in 2 channel stereo PCM for ALL HD and SD channels.
2) When settings to "Dolby Digital 5.1 (Digital Only)", the RCA audio output will be in 2 channel stereo PCM for ALL SD channels. Completely no audio for ALL HD channels.

The Byond box output from HDMI ...
1) When settings to "Stereo (Analogue and Digital)", the HDMI audio output will be in 2 channel stereo PCM for ALL HD and SD channels.
2) When settings to "Dolby Digital 5.1 (Digital Only)", the HDMI audio output will be in Dolby Digital 5.1 for HD channels, in PCM stereo 2 channels for the SD channels.

When output in Dolby Digital 5.1, eventhough all the 6 audio channels is active, NOT all channels may be used. Some programs only have 3 channels (main left and right, and centre), some in 2 channels, some in 4 channels and the best when all 6 channels are heard. I used Byond HDMI output connected to my Yamaha AV amplifier so sometimes my sub-woofer is not active, sometimes some programs no audio from my 2 back surround speakers.

For the Byond, you will get better "sound" when Dolby Digital 5.1 is used from HDMI. Analogue stereo 2 channel PCM from RCA (red, white) has lower loudness and poorer sound quality.

To use Dolby Digital audio, must use HDMI connection. Can connect directly to the HD TV using HDMI... most HD TV already have Dolby Digital decoder built-in so it will decode the digital audio to its own TV speakers... which means any 5.1 channels will be decoded into stereo. My Samsung TV have builtin Dolby Digital and DTS built-in decoder.

Well... it depends on what you want to do to play stereo 2 channel audio. Connect by RCA (red, white) cable (which is the lowest audio quality) ? Or do you want to connect by HDMI cable ...
(1) directly to HD TV (better audio quality but only in mixed 2 channel audio from the low quality TV speakers)
(2) to AV Amplifier (best audio quality from maximum 6 channel audio using amplifier to 6 high quality home theatre speakers)

If you use an old AV amplifier without HDMI input, then you have to connect the HDMI cable directly to the HD TV. There are HDMI converter boxes available which can convert the audio from the HDMI into 6 channel RCA output or stereo 2 channel RCA output for connection to old amplifiers but its NOT cheap !! Such boxes must be HDCP compliant for the digital video.

If your AV amplifier got HDMI input, the best audio and video quality is from Byond HDMI >> to AV Amplifier to get the best surround audio to 6 home theatre speakers. Then from amplifier HDMI output connect to HD TV for the video in fantastic HD in 1080i.



Hehe... fully enjoyed the animated movie "Rio" from Fox Movies Premium HD channel 433 in full 5.1 surround which ended now at 12:50 am 04-07-12. Beautiful music and surround effects from the flying birds, good bass from sub-woofer... all the 6 speakers sounds great. Really enjoying the songs from the movie end title now in great surround audio.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 4 2012, 12:54 AM

Hehe... oops ! Correct. Forgot about the co-axial output. Forgot probably because was enjoying the FMP HD channel "Rio" movie (great music).

Anyway, it is the same as the HDMI connection for Co-Axial audio output.

Minor correction...

The Byond box output from HDMI/Co-Axial ...
1) When settings to "Stereo (Analogue and Digital)", the HDMI/Co-Axial audio output will be in 2 channel stereo PCM for ALL HD and SD channels.
2) When settings to "Dolby Digital 5.1 (Digital Only)", the HDMI/Co-Axial audio output will be in Dolby Digital 5.1 for HD channels, in PCM stereo 2 channels for the SD channels.

Thanks.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 4 2012, 01:03 AM

How many HDMI you need to connect to your BD HT sys ? Is your system HTIB (Home Theater-In-A-Box) ? IS your blu-ray player joined together to amplifier as 1 unit ?

Please let me know how many HDMI devices you want to connect to your BD HT sys. Byond is one HDMI to be connected to it. Any other ? Also let me know the brand and model number of your "BD HT sys". New Samsung HTIB have Cinavia chip which locks the audio when pirated DVD or Blu-ray is played for new movies that are encrypted.

After your reply, I will reply a bit later... have something urgent to do now.

I ran a google search to check for more detailed specifications of your HTIB system, the Sony BDV-E490 so here's some specs...

1 x HDMI Output
1 x USB
1 x Composite Video Output
1 x Optical Audio In
1 x Analog Audio In
1 x Ethernet Connection
1 x Infrared In

Mmm... you DO have a problem to connect Byond HDMI to your system.

From your reply, you can only use... (2) BD Home Theatre to HDTV via HDMI for both audio and video without spending extra $$ to purchase converter. Can also use Byond RCA (red, white) to your Sony BDV-E490 but only PCM stereo 2 channel audio.

The Sony BDV-E490 blu-ray player have the amplifier built-in. This stand-alone blu-ray/amp unit is NOT intended for any HDMI devices to be connected to it so ZERO HDMI Input ! Too bad for you.

It also do NOT have any Co-Axial Input. The coaxial cable used is the same as the satellite cable with 75 ohms. The problem for you is that the Byond box have Co-Axial Output BUT NO Optical Output. Your BDV-E490 have 1 Optical Input BUT do NOT have Co-Axial Input.

First, solve the video connection which is easy. I am sure your HD TV have at least 2 HDMI Inputs. You can use the TV HDMI 1 connect to your Sony BDV-E490, and HDMI 2 connect to Byond. Done for video.

For the audio... bad news because you CANNOT use either the HDMI or the Co-Axial outputs from Byond connect directly to your Sony BDV-E490 to get Dolby Digital 5.1 audio.

If you use the Byond RCA (red, white) connection to your Sony BDV-E490 Analog Audio In, then you will NOT get Dolby 5.1 ! If you use your HD TV speakers from the HDMI 2 connection, then the audio is lower quality at only PCM stereo 2 channels.

If you do NOT want to spend $$ any more, then too bad that you have to accept using either the TV speakers sound or your Sony BDV-E490 stereo 2 channels.



IF you really want Dolby 5.1 to your Sony BDV-E490, then I can suggest to purchase a Co-Axial-To-Optical Converter which supports Dolby Digital 5.1 such as the Gefen Digital Audio Translator which costs about US$ 79. Here is the link... "http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=9137". This converter accepts audio signal from 2 channels up to 5.1 channels. Mmm... last year I did phone to a local Malaysian agent in Kelana Jaya or Mid Valley but unfortunately I cannot remember much. Mmm... I think its about RM 300 to 400, not sure now. Anyway, you can search the website from the link I gave here to find the Gefen Malaysian dealers.

Of course, you can use other brand Co-Axial-To-Optical converters as long as its reliable, cheap and have quality and make sure it can output to Optical as Dolby 5.1. I hope others here may be able to recommend other brand converters which are better and cheaper, hehe.

I did not suggest using HDMI to HDMI Video+Optical Audio Output converters because these are usually very expensive, maybe between RM 800 to RM 2000 !

Ok... if can get the Co-Axial-To-Optical Converter (support Dolby 5.1 output), then your problem solved...
1) Byond HDMI Out to HDTV HDMI In 1 for 1080i HD Video.
2) Byond Co-Axial Out to Co-Axial-To-Optical Converter and then optical out to your Sony BDV-E490.

I do NOT know whether the Sony BDV-E490 support or not support Dolby 5.1 from its Optical In. IMPORTANT... if Sony BDV-E490 Optical In do not support Dolby 5.1 then forget about the Converter and too bad you have to accept lower audio quality as I have explained earlier.

I can understand that you are worried that "you did not make sense" in your post. Don't worry, no problem. Not everyone is good in everything. I am a person who seldom lose temper, try to always stay cool and got patience... and very little sleep too



EDIT : Oh, I am not a salesman for Gefen products, did not say that its products are suitable, good or bad and did NOT recommend anyone to purchase their products... my suggestion only. You can always choose other brands.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 4 2012, 05:35 AM

Wow ! You bikin I rasa sikit malu, hehe. Thanks for your kind compliments. Hehe... I am sure you also noticed that I also make quite some errors and mistakes in many of my previous answers too because I am only human and learn from my mistakes.

I am not saying that the person who called you is not from Astro. BUT you must be very careful on confirming anything from the phone.

Whenever someone who says he/she is from Astro phoned to you, ask for the person's full name and phone number. If that person refused to give full name or gave only a short sirname, then politely say no and hang up the phone. Anyway, we may never know for sure if he/she is a representative from Astro or not.

I believe the people who calls are usually Astro agents or installers who earns commission from Astro.

I subscribed since December 1996 and have 3 decoders (1 Byond and 2 Old Astro DMT) BUT till today, I have not received any call from anyone about phasing out of the old decoder.

Just remember that the "phasing out of old boxes" is Astro own responsibility and you have the legal consumer right not to pay anything when Astro tries to force you to upgrade the decoder box. I know it may be useless but if you look in astro.com.my, there is a complaints phone number shown at the bottom right of web page (1800 18 2222)

AND I don't believe that Astro will force us to upgrade to HD Service... when the caller told you "but we have to pay RM20 HD fee with 1 year contract"

If you don't want "HD Service", I hope you did not confirm with the caller.

Remember that the phasing out of all the old decoder (non Byond) boxes is a major Astro project. Here is what you should do whenever someone calls you and says is from Astro...

1) Ask for the person full name and phone number. If that caller can give mobile number, then not from "Astro", only a salesman/agent. People from Astro Call Centre do not have any other different number to use for return call, only the same general phone number, 1 300 82 3838.

2) Don't confirm with any person who says is from Astro. Just tell the person that you will think it over and then call back to 1 300 82 3838 to confirm. I don't know that person and don't care that he/she did not get "sales" from me. Any upgrade/downgrade and subscription changes (including any promos) can ALWAYS be done by calling Astro Customer Support at 1 300 82 3838. This is important to prevent fraud/cons and especially to protect sensitive important personal information.

The Byond/Byond PVR is now supplied for ALL new subscribers and such boxes ALL can support SD channels also. If not subscribed to "HD Service", then still can watch all the SD channels.

I remember the time many years ago when Astro previously phased out the first generation Philips decoder boxes which cannot be used after a stated date and need to be changed. All the subscribers at that time, including me, received written letters from Astro notifying about replacing the decoder boxes for FREE.

So... as you can see... why worry about the old Astro DMT decoder box that one day in future cannot receive Astro channels when Astro changed the software and hardware system. When the time comes, I am sure Astro will notify me by POST to change my 2 old boxes for FREE !

Do NOT be forced to subscribe to "HD Service" if you don't want it. Threaten anyone calling "from Astro" that you will terminate/cancel subscription and will call complaints 1800 18 2222 if you are forced to subscribe or upgrade anything, because its your legal consumer right. Also... you have the full right to terminate/cancel Astro subscription if you don't like Astro for whatever reasons.

My Advice... do NOT confirm upgrade to HD Service if you don't want it and just wait for the time when Astro must change the old Astro DMT boxes for FREE !

* The Byond boxes are legacy compatible which means it will still work with old TV in SD resolution and ALL SD channels supported.
* Mmm... I believe that Astro may be trying to stop card sharing from old Astro boxes by actively promoting upgrade to Byond box, hehe. Each smartcard is locked to its installed Byond box so the smartcard cannot be used on another Byond box.



ADDITION
When the time comes that the old Asto DMT boxes cannot be used, I am absolutely sure that Astro WILL NOTIFY us by post, by email, in their website, from the Astro TV channels, in subscribers online login, etc... NOT by phone only lah which is also not the professional way.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 4 2012, 02:03 PM

You are most welcome.

Sound quality is always subjective which depend on how each person accept as good or bad.

That is why I mentioned that the audio quality from the Byond RCA (red, white) in PCM stereo 2 channels is the lowest when compared to the Byond other audio connections. I did not say its good, bad or decent, only that it has the lowest audio quality when compared to other connections. Mmm.. for you is decent... but its not acceptable for me because I am able to choose a better Dolby 5.1. Unfortunately for you, you cannot choose because of your Sony BDV-E490 system.

Yes, messy cables for the home theatre 6 speakers... BUT for audio/video connections its actually less cables for HDMI connection. Only just 1 HDMI cable is enough because this HDMI cable system supports Dolby 2.0/5.1/7.1, DTS 2.0/5.1/7.1, PCM (48, 192 KHz) 2.0/5.1/7.1, Dolby TrueHD 5.1/7.1, DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1/7.1. Using 6 RCA cables for PCM 5.1 audio is more messy... there are high-end blu-ray players with analogue 5.1/7.1 RCA output.

Well... its ok to use RCA... what is important is that you have accepted the sound quality when you say "didn't seem too bad". Luckily you cannot come to my home to get hooked or addicted to my system 5.1 audio quality from the Byond HD channels, hehe. Better audio quality means spending more $$$ so its not cheap.

Hopefully you will get a reply from Sony MY with proper advice or feedback so best of luck to you.

You cannot make such comparisons between different AV devices (Byond and BD Player). The Byond box supports a maximum Dolby Digital 5.1 audio and HD 1080i video. The blu-ray player supports a maximum Dolby True-HD 7.1 Audio and DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 which is far far lots better.

What you need to do is to try to use the best connection available for the best audio/video quality from the Byond box IF it is possible with your existing AV system. And its only fair to make comparisons on each different type of connections for audio quality that is already available for your Byond box.

Its only my opinion so I can only give a very rough comparison in percentage for each different connection available for Byond (inside spoilers)...

... hehe... ALL my not accurate personal opinion only. No scientific measurements here. If anyone disagrees with my percentages here, then I will say that anyone is also right to disagree with me.

As I mentioned before, your Sony BDV-E490 system uses 1 unit device which is combined together as (a) blu-ray/dvd player and (b) amplifier for the 6 home theatre speakers. That means Sony designed the combined blu-ray/amp unit as primarily a "blu-ray/DVD player" so there is no HDMI Input. FYI, ALL separate Blu-ray and DVD Players do NOT have audio and video inputs. Only the separate AV Amplifier/Receiver have many different inputs for different connections to different source devices such as to the Byond and a separate Blu-ray Player.

A separate AV Amplifier/Receiver unit is the best choice allowing for much more varieties of connections for the best audio/video quality supported BUT, of course, it can be much more expensive when compared to your "All-In-One" HTIB system. Presently, I have Dune HD D1, Oppo BDP-93, Sony BD-S360 BD Player, Byond, Computer Graphics Card HDMI Out, and AC Ryan POHD connected using HDMI to my AV amplifier.

If you are satisfied with your existing RCA connections to Byond, then don't waste $$ to buy converter box to get Dolby 5.1.

Remember that a lot of factors also changes the audio/video quality such as using high-end 6 home-theatre speakers, amplifiers, etc. So the percentage audio quality improvement will always change BUT one thing that I can say for sure... the Byond Dolby Digital 5.1 audio DO sound much much better than the analogue PCM stereo 2.0 channels, no need describe in percentages ! Just don't compare the Byond Dolby 5.1 to the Blu-ray lossless DTS-HD MA and Dolby True-HD audio !

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Hehe... spot on, bro ! I could not have said it better !

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 4 2012, 04:51 PM

When you first asked about which to select for "Conversion for 4:3 Input video", I already guessed that you will also ask about the difference.

The old TV display standard is still being used in many countries which is the full-screen 4:3 (or 1.33:1) format.

There are 3 commonly used screen formats being used eventhough different countries may use slightly different ratios.

I believe a picture is worth a thousand words so I have prepared some sample pics to add to my explanations.

3 screen ratios commonly used...

a) Full Screen 4:3 (or 1.33:1) > As used by traditional old TV for the old SD TV channels.
b) HD Television Standard Wide Screen 16:9 (or 1.77:1) > As used by all LCD/LED/Plasma HD TV.
c) Cinema Standard Anamorphic Wide Screen, Aproximately 22:10 (or 2:39:1) > As used by Cinemas.

Of course there are other different ratios used such as the (35mm, 65mm, 70mm) formats, Todd-AO format, the IMAX large screen theatres, etc BUT I used only these 3 commonratio sizes to make my explanations simpler.

Sample Pictures (inside spoilers)...


As you can see from the sample pics above, if the same hieght is used as a comparison, the shortest is (a) and the longest is ©.

When 3 such different screen ratio sizes are used, there will be a problem in trying to get the "best fit" for our TV. Why ? Because, generally there are 2 common TV types being used to receive the TV channels.

2 common types of TV screen size used...

a) The old CRT TV which can only accept SD resolution... Screen size ratio : Full Screen 4:3
b) The new generaton thin HD TV which accepts HD/SD resolution... Screen size ratio : Wide Screen 16:9

Ok... lets talk about each of the 2 TV types.

For CRT TV
Its screen size is "full screen 4:3". No problem to fill the entire screen for videos that are originally 4:3.

But how to fit the videos that was filmed in (1) Wide Screen 16:9 and (2) Cinema ~22:10 which are "wider in ratio" to this TV Full Screen 4:3 size ? Well, the answer is simple. Reduce the video screen size to fit the 4:3 TV screen.

Here's the sample pics of fitting and preserving different videos in correct ratios to the Full Screen 4:3 TV...


As you can see, the 2 Wide Screen videos have been reduced in size to fit the TV 4:3 screen BUT there will be top and bottom black bars that appear on the screen.

These black bars are what the movie industry people refer to as... "Widescreen In Letterbox Format", hehe.

Because the Cinema ~22:10 is much much wider, you will notice that the black bars will be much bigger and many people don't like this, hehe.

I have heard of many people's complains before so it doesn't surprise me when someone tells me... "Why ? I have an old 29 inch TV and I don't like to watch movies which look soooo small now, why don't they show it on the entire TV screen"... BUT in order to do that... they have to cut-off a lot of the left and righ side of the movie and zoom in to fit the 4:3 TV screen losing a LOT of important video details... can you imagine cutting of 2 persons talking to each other and each person standing at the extreme left and right screen area and then you will hear them talking but see no people in the screen.

Many times they can do cut-off the left and right side of the video screen and used a process called "Pan And Scan" technique which involve moving the screen area left and right according to what is important or who is talking.

Ok, to partly answer your question for Byond box connected to old CRT TV, the Byond do NOT have setting for "Conversion of 16:9 Input video". It will always refit Wide Screen videos (HD TV and Cinema formats) to "LETTERBOX" with black bars at top and bottom.

For Widescreen HD TV
Its screen size is "Wide Screen 16:9". No problem to fill the entire screen for videos that are originally 16:9.

Well... so how do videos that was filmed in (1) Full Screen 4:3 (old TV films) (2) Cinema ~22:10 fit into this Wide Screen HD TV 16:9 ?

Again, to preserve the correct ratio size, they can choose to use LETTERBOX again but this time the black bars appear at left and right for 4:3 videos.

Here's the sample pics of fitting and preserving different videos in correct ratios to the Wide Screen 16:9 TV...


The Byond Conversion Settings

Ok, to finally answer your question, your Byond box have 3 settings to change the way Full Screen 4:3 and Cinema ~22:10 original-size programs fit into the HD TV screen area.

The 3 Byond "Conversion for 4:3 Input video" settings for Wide Screen 16:9 HD TV...
1) Pillar Box
2) LB Expand
3) Fit to screen

Sample pics of the conversion on the Wide Screen 16:9 TV...

Pillar Box
For "Full Screen 4:3" source programs, the original ratio is preserved so black bars will appear. Good... scenes in video appear correct shape, people appear in original shape. Bad... picture appear smaller with side black bars.

For "Cinema ~22:10" source programs, same thing but black bars appear at top and bottom.

LB Expand
For "Full Screen 4:3" source programs, the video is stretched to fill the screen vertically and horizontally to preserve same ratio and black bars do NOT appear. This is actually "zooming" the entire screen until no black bars appear. Good... no more side black bars and everything appear in correct shape. Bad... scenes in video are zoomed in until a lot of screen areas at top and bottom disappear outside the TV screen and picture sharpness reduced.

For "Cinema ~22:10" source programs, no change or maybe very slight change to fill the small top and bottom black bar. Screen may be zoomed slightly.

Fit to screen
For "Full Screen 4:3" source programs, the video is stretched horizontally only left and right to fill the screen. the original ratio is NOT preserved so that black bars do not appear. Good... no more left and right black bars. Bad... scenes in video appear out of shape, people and everything appear fatter, picture not so sharp due to stretching.

For "Cinema ~22:10" source programs, no change is size. Black bars still appear at top and bottom.

So you need to ask yourself just what you think is the best choice !

Do you want the entire screen area of your HD TV to be "filled up" with no black bars ? If so, choose "Fit to screen" but not good to choose "LB Expand". Well... people will appear "out of shape", hehe.

Do you want everything in the video to appear in their correct original shape, not fat or thin ? If so, choose "Pillar Box" but not good to choose "LB Expand".

In my personal opinion, "LB Expand" is the worst choice because of too much zooming on the wide screen HD TV which makes the picture more blur AND lots of video area at top and bottom "missing"... sometimes can see peoples heads with eyes missing at the top... very ugly. This setting works better on CRT TV (4:3)

Mmm... I have explained enough. I hope I did not confuse you, hehe.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 4 2012, 10:21 PM

Mmm... the HD channels overall PQ for me is great and I don't know whether Astro can or cannot improve an already great PQ generally, although not stirling or perfectly excellent.

I do agree that its actually debatable when anyone discusses anything about Picture Quality and this also include Audio Quality too.

I am 100% sure that you already knew that PQ for the HD Channels depends on many factors. One of them is the source materials that are used for broadcast. Example... some old TV show materials (the original "Hawaii 5-0" from 1969) came from SD resolution which have been re-encoded and upscaled to HD resolution so the PQ is not so good and sometimes sucks.

In my opinion... as an example on source materials... I found that FMP HD Ch 433, Discovery HD World Ch 571 most of the time (about 80%) have excellent PQ... AND, in contrast that FX HD Ch 726 and KIX HD Ch 729 about 50% of the time have BAD HD PQ !

Other factors that can also affect the PQ are the TV display settings which require proper calibration, cable type and connection, video decoder quality, etc.

Chrominance and Luminance are different for different TVs so proper display calibration includes (among others) adjustments to... , white balance, black levels, colour tones, brightness, contrast, gamma, etc. Hehe... I adjusted my HD TV settings without professional help (Do-It-Yourself) according to what I perceived as the the best settings to achieve the optimum PQ. Of course, professional display calibrator will do a much better job than me ! I believe a forumer here, anfieldude, is a qualified calibrator.



This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 5 2012, 03:51 PM

You have not yet moved to your new condo so right now, I want to know how you connect the Byond box to your HDTV. Is it using the recommended way by HDMI cable ? Ok... I assume you are using HDMI connection now to watch HD channels so don't make any changes to this HDMI connection when you move.

Your situation has nothing to do with your confusing reference to SD or HD connections.

You CAN still receive HD channels from the new condo existing old Astro installation but there may or may not be problems.

Basically, its about the satellite signal quality and strength which is received and relayed by in-wall cables to your Byond box.

The in-wall cables already installed in your "new" condo are 75 ohms cable which looks like our traditional TV aerial cable. Hopefully its the RG6 recommended type for all condos. This in-wall cable ends in your new condo with a special wall socket for you to connect to your Byond box. There is no such "build-in SD connection" as you have described.

What is important here is the signal strength because your new condo installation infrastructure (LNB, dish, repeater boosters, routers) is not optimised for HD reception.

Poor signal can cause reception interruptions. Example... slight rain or cloudy skies can cause HD channels to "disappear" !

What you need to do when you actually moved to your "new" condo ...

1) Get ready a satellite cable (with enough length from 2m to 5m) with male-to-male (I think) head.

2) Connect the satellite cable to your Byond box "SAT-IN" Input.

3) Then connect this sat cable to the condo wall socket (for satellite connection).

4) Connect the Byond to your TV or Amplifier exactly the same way as you had used before you moved to the new condo.

5) Switch on Byond and check signal strength. For Byond (Non PVR), the Signal Level should be about 180 to 205 on a sunny day... hehe... according to my Byond readings.

I believe for condos, it should be lower... mmm... maybe 160 to 185 roughly. I am guessing the numbers here but I think you know what I mean about the lower signal strength.

If the signal strength usually stays at very low level on a sunny day, then you will have constant interruptions to your Byond channels reception.

HD channel reception require a much larger bandwidth so its more "sensitive" to drop in signal levels. SD channels are less sensitive.

If the actual signal strength is not acceptable causing a lot of disruption to your HD channels, then there is not much you can do to change the condo management decision.

Yes... you can "secretly" install another dish outside your condo but this depends on how long before the condo management finds out. Some condos have verandahs so its easier to "hide" the dish but some condos only have vertical flat walls outside with only windows so its not easy to "hide" the dish.

Probably I can also suggest that you contact the condo owners/tenants action committee for help. You need to spend some time to do some leg work, hehe. Contact as many condo owners as possible, together with the committee, and get their support to request the condo management to make a request to Astro to upgrade the LNB, Repeater Boosters, Cable Routers for HD channels reception. In-wall cables cannot be changed but can still be used. You must let all the people know that upgrading the Astro equipment at the condo do NOT affect the normal SD channels reception... in fact, tell them that in future, if anyone changes their old Astro box to Byond can receive HD channels without problems. After all the signatures have been collected... pester the condo management to submit the request to Astro. Hehe... if you can get about 100 condo owner signatures to show their intention to subscribe to HD service or already subscribed to HD service (Superpack) then will have a much higher chance for those Astro bastards to come and upgrade. Success or failure to upgrade the condo Astro installation... I don't know the answer.

HDMI cable, Component Video cables, Optical cables, RCA cables are ALL connections between the Byond box AND the HDTV or Amplifier or "Audio/Video Devices"... completely not related and nothing to do with the Byond box connection to the condo installation for satellite reception.

If you use HDMI to connect your Byond box to your HDTV, then use back the same connection so ...hehe... don't change to RCA (yellow) cable or whatever.



This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 5 2012, 05:56 PM

Hehehe... simpan duit susu RM 50 per month for future use. Eventhough we are strangers... May both of you, as newlyweds, have a blissful lifetime marriage and continue to have a happy family life.

Mmm... sorry.... for being out-of-topic here.