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

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

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

It can be bought from any computer shops but prices for different harddisks have increased a LOT because of floods in Thailand (december) last year.

It depends on which location you are staying. KL, PJ, Penang or Malacca ?

If KL, go to Low Yat Plaza, at No. 7 Jalan Bintang, Off Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang Central, Kuala Lumpur. Refer here.. http://plazalowyat.com/ Got many computer shops there such as Cycom Sales And Service, Viewnet Computer System, Thundermatch Technology, Compu-Zone. etc.

If, Petaling Jaya, go to Digital Mall at No. 2, Jalan 14/20 Section 14, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Refer here... http://www.digitalmall.com.my. Also got many shops there such as Jayacom Information S/B, Thundermatch Technology, ALL-IT Hypermarket, etc.

For many years I often travel from Pahang to KL and usually go to Lowyat Plaza... don't have any special preference so I bought from a few shops there since about year 2000... when only a few shops opened at that time. Bought a few WD My Passport AV (320GB, 2.5 in) at RM 230 each in 2010 BUT price have increased a lot now so please check yourself.

You can also find people in this forum who sell it at ... http://forum.lowyat.net/Memory&Drives. Be careful if you choose online payment and postage. Of course there are many reliable and trustworthy sellers in this forum but a few have been known to be conmen. I have bought from a few "trusted" ones by postage but I cannot let you know who, so find out on your own. Don't blame me if you got cheated so its advisable to COD (personally meet seller and then pay after checking items).

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 22 2012, 04:42 PM

At Astro SuperSport HD 2 (Same programs as Astro SuperSport 2).

So go here to check... http://www.astro.com.my/epg/event.php?id=6296852

Just saw announcement in Astro Beyond HD today 22-03-12,... AXN Beyond changes name to BeTV on 2nd April 2012. So AXN Beyond HD also to BeTV HD. I think someone here have previously mentioned about the "new" BeTV channel. Not "new", only name change.

I think they are afraid we don't believe if they choose 1st April because of "ah-hem fools day" so they picked 2nd April. Strange, isn't it ?

More info here... http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/03/08/12/axn-beyond-be-rebranded-betv

Here was what the vice president (communications, marketing and digital) of Sony Pictures Televisions Asia, said ... "BeTV will have the three Es: entertaining, engaging and easy viewing...It will be very different from AXN".

Mmm... "will be very different from AXN" ??? What ? Was he kidding everyone ?

Nay, just a statement for publicity only. He just talk stupid rubbish. Shows and programs still remain the same and the many repeats will still be there, hehe.

In my opinion, BeTV can be twisted to mean "Bullshit Entertainment TV". Sorry for the mildly foul language.

Same thing happened for Star Movies name changed over to Fox Movies Premium, and "maybe" the only change was more movies with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround audio. Using my Home Theatre audio system, some of such newer movies have good surround effects from rear to front speakers and good vocal placement in the centre speaker but not for those movies with only Dolby 2.0 surround using only 2 main speakers. I seem to feel that HBO HD show more upscaled from SD to HD quality movies when compared to Fox M.P. Of course the Astro HD channels Dolby Digital 2.0 or 5.1 audio is way way below the quality from blu-ray discs with lossless DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby True-HD audio (5.1 or 7.1 audio channels).

Maybe in future Astro change Wah Lai Toi to "Wo Bu Qan" in mandarin which means "I don't watch". Poking at Astro and joking only (只是开个玩笑).

---

Added on March 22, 2012, 6:02 pm
My pleasure, you are welcome.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 22 2012, 06:28 PM

I didn't subscribe to Sport Package as I am one of the few idiots who seldom watch daily sports events from BPL football, Golf, etc. However, I do go or stay in my sister's house to watch football World Cup (from 2nd round matches to final) and Olympics. I cannot possibly miss those.

I do remember that Astro completely telecast live for ALL events of the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games from Opening to Closing Ceremony using many interactive channels. All subscribers to Sports Package could watch these Beijing Games channels at NO extra charge !

I did not call Astro to enquire for clearer explanation. However, I do suspect that something is not right with Astro "Unmissable" promo to persuade people to subscribe to Sports Package and then "Add-On" EURO 2012 and London 2012 Olympic Games with one-time charge of RM 50.

Very fishy and maybe some trick to hook us to Sports Package. Look at my phone screenshots I took from HBO HD channel (pressed Red button on remote) ...

This "Unmissable Offer" include these 2 coming live events in 2012... UEFA EURO 2012 and the London 2012 Olympic Games.

From the above image, subscribers to Astro Sports Pack do NOT have to pay additional charge. Ok, good, which "seem" to be as usual like before. But only "free add-on" before 01-04-12 ? What ?

Now this image above is where I cannot really understand, maybe I am too stupid. It stated that this promo ends on 31-Mar-2012 ! I feel something is NOT right here.

Question 1
Ok, if I call and subscribe to Sports Pack before 01-04-12, that means I can watch all the sports channels AND including EURO 2012 and London 2012 Olympic Games ?? Extra "Add-On" charge of RM 50 will be refunded next year !

Question 2
No, I did not call and waited till after promo ends on 31-03-12 and then subscribe to Sports Pack on 02-04-2012. Yea, I can watch all the usual sports channels ... BUT this does NOT include EURO 2012 and London 2012 Olympic Games ? I have to pay extra (RM 50 ?) to watch these 2 said events ? If this is true, I do feel CHEATED since Beijing 2008 Olympic Games was included "free" in Sports Pack !

Question 3
What about those existing subscribers who already have Sports Pack, such as those who have this Pack already included in their SuperPack 3 ? Do existing Sport Pack subscribers need to "inform" Astro before 01-04-12 to watch these 2 events ? If they informed Astro before promo ends, then the "extra RM 50" charged will be refunded NEXT YEAR 2013 ?

What happens if any existing Sports Pack subscribers were ignorant and did not know about it until after the promo ends ? Even if such subscribers knew about the promo, maybe they did not bother to call or forgot to call or did not know that they must call Astro. Ok, if existing Sport Pack subscribers failed to contact Astro during promo period... then they will be charged RM 50 and cannot get a refund next year ?

What rubbish is Astro trying to do ? Too expensive to include in Sports Pack or want to suck subscribers for more fat profits ? Does it mean that Astro now says that the EURO 2012 and the London 2012 Olympic Games is "Add-On" and is NOT included in Sports Pack ?

Does it mean that people who already have Sports Pack must inform Astro before promo ends and if did not, then no RM 50 refund ?

What about those people who came in late as new Astro subscribers after 01-04-12 ? If anyone signed-in as new Astro subscriber on or after 01-04-12 and took the Sports Pack, did not know about it and found they cannot watch the 2 events... called Astro and was informed to pay extra RM 50 as "add-on" to Sports Pack (with no refund after promo period)... I can GUARANTEE that the unfortunate subscriber will SHOUT WHAT THE HELL ! And Astro may lose one more customer after the 1 year contract is over.

Of course I did not call Astro to seek clarification on this yet. But if I logically assumed corrrectly, then I can only say ..."This is ridiculous !"... for using very cunning and foxy method to try and "rob" subscribers of more money. I feel that Astro used vague and confusing tactics in their "Unmissable Promo" and maybe trying to fool us by not explaining clearly or in detail !

Can anyone in this forum please correct me if I am wrong anywhere or provide more clearer info ? Hehe... lazy to call Astro again... have called so many times in previous months lah.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 23 2012, 12:13 AM

Thanks for explaining.

If the one-time payment of RM 50 for "this special events pack" is for non Sports Pack subscribers, then why is Astro trying to "fool" us by stating this ...
"To subscribe to Astro Sports Pack, SMS ASTRO<space>Astro account..." ?

Refer to image in spoiler...


Astro did NOT clearly state something like... "To subscribe to this Special Sports Event Mini Pack, SMS ASTRO...". Is Astro trying to fool us into subscribing to the normal Astro Sport Pack ? Remember that Assteruk will charge "service fee" of RM 10 when we decide to downgrade any packages or cancel Sport Pack after these 2 events are over !

A good question is the "refund" if I subscribe to the normal Sport Pack before 01-04-12. Astro did not mention anything about the "temporary sports package". Why refund ? I am not a Sport Pack subscriber so I have to subscribe to Sport Pack first in order to watch these 2 events ?

As clearly shown in my picture above, must I subscribe to Sport Pack first before 01-04-12 so that I get the RM 50 refund next year ? If I called late and subscribed to Sports Pack after 31-03-12, then Astro will charge me extra RM 50 with no refund in 2013 ? And have to pay "service fee" when I decide to cancel Sports Pack later when these 2 events are over ?

From your explanation, I understood that existing Sport Pack subscribers will be able to watch these 2 events, no extra charge of RM 50. The confusing part for me now is the non Sport Pack subscribers, like me, who wants to watch these 2 events.

This refund was mentioned by Pokemon...
"Assthrow is charging one time RM50 for those who add on Sport Package from 1st Apr and this amt will be refunded next year January. If you want to add on Sport Package, please do before 1st April"

I appreciate your feedback and thanks again.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 23 2012, 05:37 AM

Oops ! I missed your post.

Since I am no longer interested in this promo, I have now put parts of my earlier comments inside this "spoiler" for reference only...


Why Astro advertised this promo using interactive screen only on HBO HD and mentioned Sport Pack only. Since I don't have Sports Pack, I don't know if advertised in those channels.

This promo is only 1 month and expires after 31-03-12 and these are 2 super events. For heavens sake, why did Astro only put so little publicity in only a single HBO HD ? And absolutely no info in Astro website. I used many different search words in google and found NOTHING on this Astro promo. If Astro wants to make money from this Special Pack for Non Sport Pack subscribers, why not put much more effort on publicity such as 30 second advertisements shown numerous times in many channels similar to "Pass The Popcorn: The Sequel" promo or Astro First ? Its ridiculous to have a promo with so little publicity and this promo is about to end too !

For me, I think I will just forget about calling Astro to find the full details, don't subscribe to Special Pack and save the RM 50 because Astro seem to have a "tak peduli, tidak apa" attitude in this 2 sport events promo. Little or no publicity from Astro, they don't care and I am not interested.

Where got a salesman who wants to sell something at offer price and still want customers to search, hunt and chase after that salesman to find out the offer price? Unless the salesman is selling medicine which can save my life !

The longer I think about it, I think I am not interested anymore so forget about calling Astro to find the actual details. Banyak kurang publisiti. Tak boleh mati kalau tak mengambil kesempatan untuk melanggan semasa promosi ini.

Finally, this matter is closed for me. Decided not to call Astro to enquire on this promo.

Note : I have sacked Marketing Directors before for poor preparations on many promotional campaigns. And its my personal opinion that the Astro Marketing Head should be called in for some serious talk to find out the reasons. I am not inside the management so I don't know the actual reasons for the poor effort on publicity for this promo.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 23 2012, 05:47 AM

This is what you have done. Upgraded your Byond box to Byond PVR and subscribed to one SuperPack which have HD and recording service.

You have done correctly... returned previous Byond box and pay RM 50 less. I do have one old Astro DMT box with 50% monthly subscription and I was given a new "box" for "free".

Not necessary to keep your previous Byond box. In the future, when half price promo comes again, you can then decide to grab it. Astro will 100% provide you with a new Byond box + 2nd smartcard.

The smartcard is activated and locked to the Byond PVR box using very strong encryption generated from combining smartcard serial number with the Byond PVR box serial number.

You already know that you cannot use this same smartcard in PVR on your previous Byond box, if thinking of "sharing" the card. So, keeping the previous Byond box is useless for "card sharing". Many people knew that "card sharing" can be used for different old Astro DMT boxes BUT not for Byond and Byond PVR.

Ok, now you know that Astro will provide a new Byond box + another smartcard when you subscribe to a 2nd Byond box in the future. Remember that Astro only allow 2nd Byond box for half monthly subscription price (during promo) installed at the same address as the 1st Byond PVR box.

So you will be thinking of bringing this 2nd Byond box + its smartcard to secretly use at another location which already have an old LNB + Satellite dish. Yes, its against Astro's agreement but everyone (including me) don't care and say "go to hell with the agreement". Just don't get caught by Astro, hehe. Nay, not to worry lah.

No problem, you can do so BUT you will have some problems when you want to watch HD channels. Its because of the old Single LNB, old sat dish and RG5 cables used.


* I was one of the early pionner subscribers since 1996 so I was stupid enough to have bought the previous Philips old decoder box for about RM 1400 ! This ancient box was later changed twice for free. So when I upgraded to Byond, I decided to pay RM 100 to keep the extra Astro DMT box just for decoration and because I feel that I have paid so much for it. Yea, stupid to pay the RM 100. Photo above shows the useless Astro DMT box. Already connected to dish, switched on and still working.

I know your previous one was the Byond box, not the old Astro DMT box as shown in above picture.

The old Astro DMT box used a Single (cable input) LNB and a slightly smaller satellite dish than the one used by Byond.

In future, if you want to use the 2nd Byond box (not PVR) connected using previous type RG5 cables to the old LNB+dish, you will have problems with poorer signal quality which can affect your HD channels. For HD and SD channels reception, the slightly thicker RG6 co-axial cable is recommended for connection to LNB because of the 2 different frequencies (9.75 and 10.6 MHz). In simple explanation, HD (High Definition) have larger data size so, for proper HD reception, RG6 cables and a slightly bigger sized dish is needed.

Look at my handphone picture of my LNB used for my Byond (inside this spoiler)...


Byond box with the old LNB+dish > Okay for SD Channels only
If you intend to watch only SD (no HD) channels, I believe no problems and can use Byond box with the old LNB+dish. Problems come when HD channels are watched because HD reception is "heavier" and more "sensitive" which can be affected by higher signal loss + transmission noise caused by "smaller" dish, not recommended LNB and cable type used.

I have 3 decoder boxes (1 Byond, 2 Astro DMT). My satellite connection used Quad LNB as shown in above picture. This Quad LNB can connect 4 different cables to it. Since you only have 1 Byond PVR, I think you are using Dual LNB which accepts 2 separate cable connection.

I have a friend who is an Astro installer who also goes out to solve problems from other idiot installers. There can be mistakes done by installers who came and installed Byond PVR. Check to see if 2 separate cables are connected direct from the LNB to your 2 input behind your Byond PVR. Your PVR have 2 tuners inside for 2 channels simultaneous recording. My friend previously did tell me that there are idiots who only connected 1 single sat cable to the PVR and later the subscriber complained cannot record 2 channels. Another installer is even more "smart"... took one single cable from LNB and used cable-splitter connector (1 in - 2 out) to split to 2 cables and connect both to the PVR.

Oh, about the cable-splitter connector... if you can avoid using it, its much better NOT to use it. Sharing same cable with such splits can cause signal loss and "interference" between old Astro DMT and Byond/Byond PVR. As you can see from my picture above, I have 3 decoder boxes which used 3 different cables directly connected to the Quad LNB. No cable-splits and no unnecessary joints.

For the most optimum quality to receive HD channels, its important to use RG6 cables, no cable-split joints, each decoder box used direct cable connection to LNB, use the bigger grey satelite dish (not the old smaller one). Not a problem if used for SD channels only.

I hope I have not confused you with my long answer, as usual, hehe.

For Others In This Forum
I also use 2 normal Astro DMT box with active subscriptions. So I did try to receive satellite radio channels after removing its smartcard. Well... silent and completely cannot hear any radio channels from the RCA (Red & White) connections. I have heard from others too.. that they can listen to radio channels without a smartcard. I hope someone in this forum can show me the secret, please. Just curious.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 23 2012, 06:20 PM

Hi again,

So you decided not to use the existing in-wall cable and change to RG6 ones. Mmm... yes, does not look neat and tidy... same for my cables which can be seen running through my room walls, hehe. For me, I don't mind.

Before you start changing cables, is it possible to cut a small length and ask someone who is expert in such cables to check if it is RG5 or not. If RG6, then the correct cable was used and did not cause your signal drop-outs. Well... of course you can just change without checking, to make sure.

I do not know the full situation on the cable connection used in your home. After saying that... avoid using any cable joints or cable-splitter connectors... use only continuous cable connection direct from LNB to your Byond box, without any of such "joints".

I hope that changing to RG6 cables solve your problem. I should let you know that there is a small chance that changing to RG6 cables may not solve your problem if this is not the actual cause. If not... then you will start to get heated up again and I will start scratching my head.

I fully agree with you.

I have given this advice before at ... http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2114557/+980#

Here's a part from my previous reply...


This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 23 2012, 07:30 PM

Yea, really LOL. After looking at your pics here, I started scratching my head trying to find out where I went wrong. Switched on older Astro DMT box without smartcard to test again. Mmm... still no sound. I begun to wonder whether there was any hidden trick to this. I used S-Video and RCA (Red+White) to my amp.

Before I change to direct connections to TV to test, I decided to check my complicated connections to my amp again. Then I found the answer !! I connected the Astro box S-Video/RCA out to my amp DVD input and have also assigned my amp same DVD "Optical In" to also use [Optical Input 6] with my HD TV optical out connected to it. Woila... when I changed the DVD optical in assignment to [NONE], the radio channels can be heard !!

* My HD TV optical out was connected to my amp optical in labelled No. 6. which my amp auto disconnect my DVD RCA input when detected signal from TV. Once I disabled assignment from No.6 to NONE, I got sound !

That means the old Astro DMT box without smartcard can still be used to listen to all the radio channels.

I never bothered to check when I heard this from many people before since it was really not important for me. But when I tested, I did not get the sound. I thought wrongly that maybe got some hidden trick to make it work. Then... you posted your pics here... so this prompted me to recheck my connections again.

LOLouder... Thanks to your small push, I got it right with a 100% confirmation that the radio channels do work for Astro box without smartcard. I appreciate your indirect gentle nudge.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 23 2012, 07:26 PM

So true... so true. It was also stupid of me not to check using one of my 2 other Astro DMT boxes which is directly connected to the TV and removing its smartcard. Sometimes my over-complicated brain failed to "see" the simple things. A simple mind is clearer, hehe.

Good advice ! Unfortunately my 2 other Astro DMT boxes have active subscriptions used by my father and my uncle who pays for the 50% subscription price.

As you can see in my posted pictures, this left me with 1 astro box which I paid RM 100 to keep when I upgraded one box to Byond but now it can also be used for radio listening through my amp output to my Monitor Audio floor standing speakers.

My Home Theatre AV and HiFi and computer room is also my bedroom which I always "locked" myself inside my own world. So now I can choose to use either my old Astro DMT box or my Byond box to listen to satellite radio. The PCM stereo signal from the satellite boxes is always much better than the FM signal from the traditional radio.

Me? Tell assteruk about my use for radio listening ? Not stupid enough to do that, hehe. Anyway, since I am also a subscriber and do actually legally own my Astro DMT box when I paid RM 100 to keep it after Byond upgrade, I have very strong grounds to legally use this Astro DMT box without smartcard for radio reception. I know how to present my case if they try to terminate my subscription without proper legal justification. Have always paid on time for more than 14 years. Mmm... why throw a stone on calm water and create ripples ? Hehe... I just casual kopitiam talk only.



NEW ADDITION
I spent a short time comparing the audio quality of the radio channels between my older Astro DMT box and my Byond box. This confirmed what I already suspected. The radio channels audio quality from my Byond is much much better than my older Astro DMT box.

This is because the older Astro DMT box used analog RCA (red+white) audio connections and my Byond used digital HDMI connection. RCA analog cables are more affected by EFI electromagnetic interference which causes discolourations in the stereo audio.

The digital PCM audio from Byond HDMI for radio listening have a much better sound quality. The audio has better soundstage, much less ambient noise, better vocals and musical intrument clarity and better stereo separation.

Sob, sob... I guess my older Astro DMT box will still continue to be for "decoration" only. I might decide to give the older Astro DMT box to one of my relatives for use with a mini-compo but I am a bit stingy and reluctant to give it away because of paying RM 1400 for it in 1996. This box have been replaced twice or more since the 1st generation Philips one. Too bad my stupid ears are too choosy on audio and picture quality.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 23 2012, 09:10 PM

You have added "but do it quietly, we don't want astro spies..." to your original post so I think I should make a separate reply here.

Hehe... Not to worry lah. Nothing will happen for now. If it changes in future, it will NOT be because of finding out that people listened to radio channels without a smartcard.

You think assteruk don't know about this. If they don't want us to receive the radio channels without smartcard, then they would already have encrypted the radio channels a long long time ago. They do employ many technical engineers and also have international collaborations with satellite transmission companies so these people will be the first group to know about it.

If Assteruk wanted to shut us off, they would have already shut us off a long time ago and not wait until "ah-hem" ignorant people like me to find out, hehe.

There are businesses such as small hotels, mamak shops, kedai kopi, pubs, etc that subscribed to Astro as home subscribers which have a much much lower subscription rate. I did not make a survey but I suspect many kedai mamak did not use company name to subscribe. Yes... Assteruk is not stupid... they DO know ... do really know. It will depend on whether Assteruk is strict or not and constantly take 100% action or whether they "relax" their surveillance.

I do remember a few years ago when a friend of mine subscribed to Astro using the hotel business name. Its a small hotel with 15 rooms, all with TV inside. I could not understand why my friend was so ignorant when he subscribed. Why didn't the Astro people inform my friend clearly before he subscribed ? Maybe my friend mis-understood because he's a china-man with not much education so its not his fault. He should have contacted me for advice and I only knew about it after its too late. Astro installer came and also installed "signal distributor" with a shared sat dish. My friend did not mind to pay, I think about RM 600, for the installation because of lots of cabling work to each room and additional "equipment". What happened was... later he found out that the monthly bill is about RM 1000+ and it seemed the business subscription is very expensive and also charge for each individal room too. He almost got a heart attack ! He quickly terminated the subscription after only one month and don't mind to pay the huge penalty before the 1 year contract expires. Many months later, he quietly registered his name as a subscriber and did not mention the address is in a hotel. He secretly paid some "angpau" to the installer to keep quiet about the installation location in a hotel. Business or Home subscribers ? Yes, Assteruk already knew that such incorrect subscriptions exist and it depends on whether they are active enough to take action loh.

This is what I believe and also my logical reasoning.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 23 2012, 10:18 PM

Please correct me if I am wrong because I am not very sure.

I believe Astro uses the DtU (Direct-To-U) services using digital Ku-band to transmit digital TV and Radio channels to our homes. This means that the descrambler used to decrypt the protected satellite signals in our "decoder boxes" such as Byond box is based on Ku-band.

Because of this, am I correct or wrong to suspect that the Astro DMT, Byond and Byond PVR is built only to receive Ku-band signals... and NOT designed to receive C-band signals?

I think C-band transmission is less powerful which should require a larger satellite dish measuring between 10 to 12 feet in diameter. The stronger Ku-band spot-beam is precise enough to be received by a satellite dish measuring about 2 feet in diameter but is more prone to heavy thunderstorms.

So I am not surprised that satellite JCsat-3A at 128.0°E require a sat dish which is 1.5 metre (5 feet) in diameter. Maybe the Byond dish is too small.

I refer back to a few posts from a few people here including my own replies at ...http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2114557/+1020# ... posts No. 1029, 1030, 1031, etc.

For reference, Post 1029 from Pokemon...

This is the Unmissable Promotion for the Sports Pack starting from 1-Mar-12 to 31-Mar-12. Refer to the interactive advertisement at HBO HD channel by pressing the remote "red" button.

The 2 big sports events are the Euro Cup 2012 and the London Olympics 2012.

A few of my friends (who did not subscribe to Sports Pack) also wanted to watch only the London Olympics 2012 so I had to call Astro twice to understand clearly in detail because I am confused about the additional charge of RM 50.

In my opinion, its not actually a "promo" because we don't get any benefit for subscribing to Sports Pack early. The only thing we get if we subscribe late is to pay the additional RM 50 first and get refund in February 2013. Hehe.... I am sure a lot of people who didn't know and subscribed to Sports Pack late will shoot fire to Astro with phone calls when they see this additional charge and why charge-then-refund later!

1) As mentioned by Pokemon, anyone who subscribed to Sport Pack [SP] or SuperPack 1, 2 or 3 [SpP] (included Sport Pack) before 01-Apr-2012... NO additional charge of RM 50 to watch the TWO events.

2) Anyone who subscribed to SP or SpP on 01-Apr-2012 and later, will be charged additional RM 50 for these 2 events. This RM 50 will be refunded if this subscription is not cancelled before 01-Feb-2012. Example, we will not get the refund if we cancelled SP on 31-Jan-2013. Hehe, people who subscribed to SpP will continue for long-term because its already special low price for a group of packages. Astro is being "teruk" smart to "penalise" anyone who thought of saving money by subscribing to Sports Pack from June to August 2012 only, when the London Olympics is over.

3) Anyone who never want to subscribe to SP or SpP, can pay a one-time charge for watching one or two of these 2 events. Just pay RM 50 for Euro Cup and another RM 50 for London Olympics. Total RM 100 for 2 events. Can only watch the temporary additional interactive channels during the events, cannot watch the regular sports channels such as the Golf channel 815 in Sports Pack.

I didn't ask the situation for the other coming soon events such as Thomas/Uber Cup, French Open, etc so I don't know whether got any "special arrangements" or not.

Euro Cup 2012 : 08-Jun-2012.
London Olympics 2012 : 27-Jul-2012.

For me, I will not subscribe to Sports Pack, wait and may decide to pay RM 50 for the London Olympics only, hehe. If football World Cup 2014 in Brazil, yea, yea, yea, I will pay just to watch only this one!



NEW ADDITION - OFF-TOPIC (inside spoiler below)...


This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 26 2012, 11:46 PM

Byond IPTV is available in limited locations in Klang Valley and NOT available nationwide so its not available in my location.

This is your connection... Byond > HDMI cable > TV > Optical cable > Home Theatre Amplifier. Correct ?

This means you have an older HT Amp which does not have HDMI inputs.

So nothing to do with Byond because you want to use your TV audio out to connect using "optical cable" to your HT Amp.

The optical cable is actually called SPDIF or Toslink cable which is the same type used in many PC sound cards with SPDIF out.

You did not show a picture of the cable you used which cannot fit.

Below is a picture illustration I made (inside spoiler)...

The above picture shows 2 types of toslink... mini-toslink and toslink.

Which type do your TV use and HT amp use ? These two should use the same Toslink type. If use different type, then buy Mini-Toslink To Toslink cable which is more difficult to find. If your TV and HT amp both use Toslink head, then buy the correct one and change.

If you use Toslink, make sure the input "hole" in TV or HT amp looks the same as shown on bottom right of my above picture. I don't know if the shape of the cable head which cannot fit. Or is it because the centre rounded optical cable is jutting out too long?

I may be wrong but I believe that most amps and TVs do NOT use mini-Toslink anymore.

If possible, post a picture of your cable that cannot fit, and also the back of TV and HT amp. This will greatly help us in this forum to understand why your optical cable cannot fit.



ADDITION
Oops...I almost forgot... I don't have Byond IPTV so does it have Co-axial out ? My Byond have co-axial output. If the Byond IPTV and your HT amp have Co-axial connection, then I can suggest that you connect IPTV co-axial out, using co-axial cable, direct connection to your HT amp. Not necessary to use SPDIF from TV to HT amp.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 27 2012, 05:33 PM

You must be about the same age as me. At that time I was just fresh out, looking for work after graduating from TAR College, campus at Genting Klang. You stated "SS"... so I forgot about Shukor Salleh, hehe.

Its not about what you mentioned... "purchase extra passes above SP". I think its about the smart-aleck people at Astro who sees only more profits and try to be smarter than people who think of subscribing to Sport Pack for only 3 months until the Olympics is over. The additional RM 50 charged after 01-Apr-2012 for Sports Pack is to make extra profit from people who only subscribed to Sports Pack for short period due to the 2 big events.

Assteruk is BLOODY smart!

* SP = Sports Pack

If I took SP in June 2012 and cancel in Sept 2012, I have paid extra RM 50... and... if I continue SP and cancel in Feb 2013, I get the refund but I will have paid more for about 8 months of SP.

When Assteruk start the special one-time charge on 01-Apr-2012 for Euro Cup 2012 (RM 50) and London Olympics 2012 (another RM 50), they know some people will choose to watch only 1 sport event, such as the Olympics, and only subscribe SP for 1 month only and pay about RM 27. If anyone does this, then will actually pay RM 27 + 50 !!! Oh, there is also the extra RM 10 service charge when reduce or cancel any normal packages.

Ass..teruk is trying to mislead or trick non SP subscribers by using the Unmissable Promo ! This is what Assteruk said for this promo... "Get the SP before 01-Apr-2012 and no extra charge of RM 50" !!! Why must we get SP in March 2012 to avoid this charge ? Just because of the 2 sports events, subscribing to SP from March 2012 means I will have already stupidly paid extra for Apr-May SP before the 2 sports event begins. I still lose to avoid the RM 50 charge. If I subscribed to SP in June 2012, I have to continue to next year to get the refund AND I still lose !

No changes and no problem for people who already have continued long term subscription to SP.

BUT for Non SP subscribers who wants to watch the 2 sports events... whichever way we choose, we will end up paying more and Assteruk will go to the bank laughing very loudly !

I wish to remind non SP subscribers who only want to watch the 2 sport events to be very careful and do not be fooled by Assteruk trying to trick us into subscribing to SP early. Read carefully my earlier explanation... we don't benefit anything at all to subscribe to SP in March 2012. What?.... get SP in March 2012 to avoid the RM 50 ?.... if get SP in April 2013, I will be charged RM 50 and can ONLY get refund in 2013 ? ... aya forget about SP ... and pay the one-time charge of RM 100 for BOTH events laaaaaaaaaaah.

And this morning, Assteruk people have the audacity to phone to me TWICE from different persons (at different times) with... "Astro have a promo... if you subscribe early before 01-Apr, no additional charge to watch the 2 events..." Oh my god !! I did not scold the 2 persons but I did use very strong words and powerful explanations to criticise Assteruk for trying to trick non SP subscribers by using bad business tactics. Talked so much for a long time until the 2 persons cannot explain anymore and cannot disagree with my opinions ! I rest my case.

I will definitely not grab SP and may or may not choose to pay RM 50 one-time charge for the Olympics only. Maybe just forget it and watch at my sis place.

So much complains on Ass..teruk by me but what can I do ? Totally cancel and kick Assteruk out and get quarrel from my father and uncle ? Wait for cable TV, IPTV, UniFi, ABC, XYZ, blah, blah blah to be available nationwide which included my location... and continue waiting until I have died due to old age ? Forget about HD channels and go back to TV3, RTM, NTV7 with old dinosaur foreign programs and wait many more years for them to go HD ? Go illegal and get DreamBox or OpenBox with big sat dish (or use Ass..teruk dish) and risk getting caught ? A few months ago, I have actually seen OpenBox with my own eyes which my friend brought to me for testing on my Ass..teruk dish (I will not give more info on this as its illegal to receive Ass..teruk without a lawful subscription)

Well... I can only shout everywhere just to release tension and then calmly continue watching Ass..teruk !

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Mar 27 2012, 08:17 PM