Actually, the two channels, "Food Network Asia" and "Life Inspired HD" shared the same Channel 706 (HD). The top left logo changes whenever programs from either one of these two are telecast.

Well... this situation will change starting from 01-10-12... Channel 706 will END and disappear... Channel 727 only for Food Network Asia HD and Channel 728 only for Life Inspired HD.

Saluran 706 diberhentikan selepas dipecahkan kepada dua iaitu 727 dan 728 !

You say that Astro is pushing out new channels recently which may not be really good news for me, in my opinion. Yes, its good to have more SD & HD channels but why am I only a little bit happy ?

For As*teruk, I believe 3 things will only happen when more (HD & SD) channels are added...

1) Add 1 or more new channels, then one or more existing same channels for SD and HD which have different programs will become joined as "simulcast". Example... add new Disney XD Channel 617, then the History Channel 617 and History HD Channel 637 will now show the EXACT same programs "simulcast" at same time... previously many programs for the HD channel are different from the SD channel. Aah... tambah satu jadi untung satu TETAPI rugi satu yang lain juga... + 1 - 1 = 0 !!

2) Add 2 new HD channels, wow... but wait... jangan gembira terlalu awal... actually look nice only because take 1 channel and split to 2 !! Old single channel potong so actually add 1 new channel.

3) Previously when As*teruk add 1 new HD channel, it will have completely or mostly different programs compared to the SD channel from the same channel operator. Example... when Nat Geo HD Channel 573 was added, it have completely different programs to NGEO SD Channel 553. NOW... whenever As*teruk add any new HD channels... it will COMPLETELY have the same programs as the same SD channels. Well... what do you get when new HD channels are added now ? Now we only get sharp 1080i image and 5.1 channel surround sound... actually not all are really "tambah" new HD channels because it have the same exact programs as the SD channel !!! Hmm... I almost forgot that I pay extra RM 20 per month... which I think that in future is only to pay for sharper PQ and better AQ, NOT for additional new programs from new HD channels !! AND... also not all programs in actual HD quality, more and more from films in SD format which have been upscaled to HD. Semacam tambah air kepada sup yang terlalu masam, tak mungkin sup boleh jadi sedap begitu saja !

A few months ago, in the previous thread, "Astro B.yond Episode IV (Version 9.0)", I commented in one of my post asking why (at that time) there is no permanent in-house local malay HD Channel since there is one in-house local chinese HD channel ? Although I am chinese, there should be such local HD channel. At that time, I even phoned to As*teruk complaining that the existing HD channels are not balanced... too many sports channels in HD and not a single news, cartoon and MTV channel in HD ! I also said... not even 1 in-house local HD channel for the Malays and Indians !!

Well... a few months have passed, so the Mustika HD Channel 134 and Sky News HD Channel 532 have now been added. Ok... I will try to "see" the near future for 2012 and 2013... and make some predictions...

Prediction 1... one new Indian HD channel (local in-house or oversea feed from India)
Prediction 2... one new music video HD channel
Prediction 3... one permanent 3D HD channel (I expect it to be for sports). Example... Sky 3D and ESPN 3D channels already available.
Prediction 4... As*teruk is soooo loyal and pro govt so I suspect that RTM 1 HD or Bernama HD channel may be launched.
Prediction 5... I will not be surprised if As*teruk launch Tutor TV HD, LOL !!
Prediction 6... More As*teruk in-house locally produced channels such as RIA, Prima, Oasis will become HD... I have a strong feeling that it can happen in 2013 !

Am I being silly in my predictions ? Or will any of my predictions come true ? I don't know... only time will tell when the future arrived.

Oh... don't forget that the more HD and SD channels are added, the more repeats and repeats, and same simulcast of same programs in HD and SD... and also more and more not popular HD channels will be chosen. I don't mean any disrespect to people who liked these 2 channels... Baby TV and Sundance Channel HD... I really wonder how many people actually watch these 2 channels ? I suspect that more and more lousy HD channels may be added in future... why... the cost is cheap so make more $$ for As*teruk !

AFAIK, what I mentioned in blue text is correct, so... the rest are only my personal opinion without any facts and anyone here can disagree with me... no problem.



This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Sep 29 2012, 05:02 PM

Channel 727 Food Network Asia HD
Channel 728 Life Inspired HD.

Full programs already started at midnight 01-10-2012.

At the same time, Channel 706 closed as shown by screenshot posted by Qash-M earlier.

I am not sure but I believe that this has been discussed before in the previous thread at "Astro B.yond Episode IV (Version 9.0)"... hehe... from what I remembered because I did not search the lots of pages of posts there. Whatever, in any case, I may or may not be repeating info from previous thread.

It depends on whether we want to record in SD or HD from the Byond box using a capture card installed in PC or from an independent standalone set-top box recorder. I believe that both of you already know about this too.

For the sake of discussion and to clear up any confusion, if any, I hope I can clarify a bit here without adding more confusion.

SD Recording
For this type of recording, we have lots of choices of choosing various PC capture cards or standalone box recorders. HDCP is absolutely never any issue since it only encrypts and prevents HD recording from HDMI output. Because of the so-called "analog sunset" imposed by AACS certification, the Component Video Output from Byond have been reduced to SD 576p output only.

If I am not mistaken (please correct me if I am wrong), devices (including Byond) that are manufactured from year 2013 onwards, Component Video or RCA analog outputs will no longer be allowed or such outputs will completely be removed for any devices that have HDMI Output. Hmm... I am curious and wonder what will happen to new Byond boxes supplied to new subscribers in 2013... will Byond still have such outputs or just come with a single HDMI Output only ? Well... only my personal guesses only so I may not be correct about this latest "analog sunset" matter.

Since both the Component Video and RCA (yellow) output from Byond is only in SD quality and do not have HDCP, we do have lots of choices to pick for SD recording so its not necessary to choose DarkCrystal HD capture card because there are others that do an equally good job of recording good quality SD video recording. I say "good quality" because such quality is as good as it gets for maximum SD quality at 576p resolution BUT we just cannot compare this to HD quality which is in a completely different range. Its just like comparing a bicycle tyre size to a truck tyre size!

Yes, from the perspective of SD recording, there should not be much difference between using DarkCrystal HD capture card and the, say, AC Ryan Playon! DVR HD. I suspect the only difference in SD recording between these two can be pointed to the higher video bitrate setting that can be used for DarkCrystal HD in a PC whereas the AC Ryan Playon! DVR HD video bitrate may not be selectable or have limited bitrate settings.

Take note that audio recording from Satellite HD channels from RCA (red, white) will only be Stereo PCM, NO better audio quality Dolby Digital 5.1 !

I have been using the Snazzi PCI capture card in my previous old PC and was happily recording in DVD (SD) or MPEG quality from the old Astro (Not Byond) box. Later I replaced this with the Pinnacle PCI capture when I changed my PC to Core2DUO. I still kept till today the 5 hours recording in SD MPEG quality of the CNN Live broadcast of the Sept 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center. Ever since I changed to Intel I7 PC and got addicted to HD and Blu-ray quality, I am no longer satisfied with only SD recording so I have now removed my Pinnacle card from my PC.

Yes, Kimyee is correct to say "no need to worry about HDCP" when we are referring to SD recording from Byond box. There is no HDCP from the Byond Component Video and RCA (yellow) Video outputs so we can easily choose any compatible devices, be it a PC capture card or a standalone box, to record in SD. The question here is... bypassing HDCP becomes an issue when we want to record in HD from the only HD Output from the Byond box which is the HDMI output.

HD Recording
Now it becomes quite interesting here because we all know that HD quality, even at 720p, do have much better video quality than SD, heck... who doesn't want to record in HD ? I DO !!

Another issue that also creeps into HD recording is the audio quality ! Satellite/Cable Digital TV transmission either broadcast in Dolby Digital Stereo (AC3) or Dolby Digital 5.1/5.0 surround depending on each program source. Of course I will not disagree that the Dolby quality may not be at top quality for all programs but at the very least, Dolby affords us with better audio experience. The question here is... even when we can record in 1080i HD, will I be satisfied to only record in lower analog PCM stereo at 44.1 KHz when higher quality DD5.1 at 48 KHz is available ? In my personal opinion, the audio part makes up half the enjoyment of watching an HD video !

As many of us here already know, most if not all, satellite/cable HD transmission are already encrypted with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) as stipulated by AACS and HDMI controlling bodies (if I am not mistaken). So almost all players such as TVs, Displays, Satellite Set-top boxes can easily get certification and so become HDCP compliant. In my opinion, the major problem here is for the manufacturers of HD recorders (for PC capture cards, standalone HD recorders, etc) to get such "HD recording" products to become HDCP compliant. I would suspect that the "HDCP controlling bodies" are not too keen or may never issue licenses to such HD recording devices.

Therefore, as many of us here already know, the key answer in order to successfully get HD recording at 720p or 1080i from Byond HDMI Output is...

...1) Get a PC Capture Card or Standalone HD Recorder Set-Top Box which is HDCP compliant allows HD recording from its HDMI Input. The difficult answer is... can anyone here find one ? I am at a loss here so I don't know of any. If anyone here knows of one, I also eagerly want to buy one too !!!

...2) Purchase one device from (1) and add another so-called "Converter Device" which receive HDMI Input, shhh... "quietly" remove the HDCP from the HDMI signal and then output to Component Video (1080i). The question here is... are such devices legal ? I don't know. Do anyone here also know of such devices that can bypass the protection ? I also want to know too.

The DarkCrystal HD Capture Pro card for the computer do have HDMI Input as shown at this link below...
http://www.avermedia.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?Id=528
... but in the "Major Description" was also mentioned that "*Capturing HD content with HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) is not supported" which actually means that we cannot record from Byond HDMI with HDCP !

Kimyee casually mentioned "no need to worry about HDCP but you need to get HDMI to component video converter"... so will it really and actually work to remove the HDCP from the HDMI signal ? Will ANY such HD converters work or do we have to find a specific model ? Please remember that I am talking about recording in 720p or 1080i from HDMI HD, not Upscale from SD Input to HD. If you already found one that can remove the HDCP from the HDMI, please let me know because I DO really want it ! Appreciate any feedback or recommendations here.

The advantage of using PC for HD recording is that I have unlimited harddisk capacity... I can buy as many 2000GB harddisk as I want and not get restricted to only 500GB from PVR... what happens when the PVR is spoilt and replaced ? All the previous recording gone ! With a PC, all my videos in my external harddisk still exist when my PC motherboard is spoilt, unless... of course... the harddisk also got spoilt, hehe. Well... Byond PVR also do have good features too, such as easy convenience for people who are not proficient in computers, 2 tuners which can record from 2 channels at the same time, etc... but, only for me, is not needed or necessary.

In my opinion... HDCP helped As*teruk to make $$ from monthly subscription to PVR Service!

To everyone.... Please feel free to make any suggestions or to correct any mistakes that I made here because I also wish to get HD recording. No problem.

Peace

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Oct 19 2012, 07:44 PM

Honestly, I don't know whether it will work or not. IF its true according to the reviewer from the link you gave, then it is good news. However, at about US 1000, its pricey lah ! Well... I could just simply say that the only way to be absolutely certain is "see" it with our own eyes at a local shop display ! Hmm... this GeFen DVR allowed HD recording to its internal hard drive only, not to external SD card.

If I am not mistaken, there are 2 local malaysian distributors for GeFen products and I actually did phone to one in Kelana Jaya last year... hmm... as far as I can remember... I was told that most of the HD recording devices are not HDCP compliant... after hearing this, only problem is I did NOT pursue this further and have forgotten which GeFen product I had asked at that time, hehe.

Anyway, you have renewed my interest in GeFen products so I will check all their various products for any possible solution... but I suspect that it will be a very expensive solution from GeFen which may be out of my budget, hehe. I guess it will take me a longer time to find out, maybe months loh.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Yes, a sensible choice. I believe the HDFury had been mentioned before in the previous Episode IV thread.

Hmm... is HDFury4 the latest model ? Its specs is impressive as shown in this link below...
http://www.hdfury.com/products/hdfury4-specs/
... which in part stated ... "Input: HDMI 1.4 (HDCP compliant) input with 3D and Deep Colour support"

I wonder how much it will cost in RM ? If price is reasonable, not too expensive and can record in HD from Byond HDMI, I am interested to get one because I have never like the miserable Byond PVR (with builtin 500GB harddisk) from As*teruk which have caused so many subscribers with various problems... more than half of my personal friends somehow got their PVR replaced after about 6 to 20 months (incredible, isn't it?).

Any local malaysian sellers here or in LYN ? Have anyone got hold of HDFury4 and tested it ? Or do we have to get from Amazon, eBay, etc ?

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Oct 19 2012, 08:07 PM

This question have been asked a few times before and have been answered by members here. Anyway, I don't mind repeating it here.

Yes, the Byond PVR (with builtin 500GB harddisk) is HD ready and can receive all the Astro HD channels.

However, which HD channels you can watch will depend on which Package you subscribed. Not necessarily you can watch/record all the available HD channels... if you did not subscribe to Movies Pack, then the HBO HD Ch 431 is locked so cannot watch/record. If you did NOT subscribe to any SuperPacks or HD Service, then ALL the HD channels are locked and you cannot watch or record any HD channels, only watch/record SD channels.

I really don't know whether you are allowed to get the Byond PVR box by subscribing to PVR Recording Service only, without subscribing to HD Service. Of course, no problem for the 4 SuperPacks because already included PVR Recording and HD Service.

Please refer to Astro website for further details or contact Customer Support for such enquiries. I am a bit lazy to explain in full detail here again.

The Byond DVR (with builtin 500GB harddisk) have 2 tuners which allows recording from 2 different sat TV channels at the same time... or record from 1 channel and watch another channel at the same time. Because of this, it has 2 Inputs to be connected to 2 different cables to the LNB at satellite dish.

For Byond PVR subscribers, the installer will change or install to a new Dual (2) or Quad (4) Output LNB at the dish which allows more cable connections.

Eventhough you mentioned that your new house is "Astro cable ready", is it only ONE single cable installed in-wall ? If only 1 cable, then unfortunately you need to have a second (2) cable for the Byond PVR so this will be problem for you to find a way to install the second satellite cable.

Well... to avoid adding second cable, you can think of using "1 In-2 Out" cable splitters to connect 2 cables from the single cable plug at wall to the Byond PVR BUT this is not recommended. Why ? Signal quality will be affected and can drop so much to affect the HD channels reception, maybe interference/noise appears or maybe more "rain fade" will occur eventhough slight rain. Remember that some installers DID use splitters for the Byond PVR when the Byond PVR subscriber refused to allow extra second cable to be installed because house looked "ugly" if cables are seen snaking on the walls. Well... I have heard of complains later about the reception, hehe. If you decided to use such splitters for your Byond PVR, then good luck to you, hehe.

Hehe... one of my friends came to me to ask for suggestions when his new house was still being built so I advised him to put in at least 3 or 4 satellite cables inside the walls. More expensive because of more cables used but at least it is "future proof" and he never regretted it later when he did actually used 3 for 1 Byond and 1 Byond PVR so no need to worry anymore on "drilling holes" into the wall !

At this price !? Hmm... ... and its only "HDFury3 Connector", so will I be wrong to believe that it may shoot up to RM 2000++ for the HDFury4 ?

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Oct 19 2012, 09:19 PM

You are welcome.

In your previous first post, you did not mention anything about whether you will be a new subscriber or will be upgrading from existing "old" Astro decoder box/Byond (non PVR) to the Byond PVR (with builtin 500GB harddisk). What you did confirm is that you already have laid a single "hidden" cable inside walls for Astro reception. What I am trying to say is that... for the Byond and Byond PVR boxes, a slightly larger dark grey dish is used when compared to the dish used by previous "old" Astro box which have been discontinued for new subscribers.

Ok, whether you intend to use cable splitter or not, do make sure these are installed for your Byond PVR... (1) Dual or Quad LNB at the satellite dish so that you can still add more cables in future in case you decide to later use more cables and therefore, no need to "change" LNB again, (2) the recommended slightly larger dark grey satellite dish is installed which will help to improve signal reception, especially important for the much "heavier bandwidth" HD reception, which will of course also help to stabilise/improve the SD reception as well as "slightly" reduce occurances of signal loss due to "rain fade". After all... these are standard items included for the Byond PVR installation so there is no excuse for failing to use them eventhough you want to use splitter for your in-wall single cable.

Hehe... do all installers come ready with the cable splitters ? Honestly I don't know. I can only use my own common sense that they will come prepared for all situations when they do the installations. Anyway, the installer will phone to you before he/she come for installation so you can probably explain your existing cable situation and also ask about the cable splitter... the installer will be able to advice you further and be better prepared before coming. Many years ago, when I was using only 2 "old" Astro DMT boxes (before Byond appeared), a single splitter was used for the old 1-output LNB... the splitter was given free so I "think" the splitter should be given "free" but that was a long time ago... at that time, no signal problem for the SD channels with the 2 old Astro boxes. Now the LNB have been replaced when I added the Byond box.

Eventhough I mention the "1 In-2 Out" cable splitter, I need to repeat my caution to you that using the splitter from one cable split to two for your Byond PVR 2 Inputs is NOT the standard recommended installation so you may or may not face signal or other problems later. So please don't blame me later if any "problems" appear in future, hehe.

Here's a "rough explanation" just for comparison...
The HD signal uses a "heavier" bandwidth with screen size of 720p or 1080i and 6 channels Dolby Digital audio at 48KHz.
The SD signal uses a "lighter" bandwidth with screen size of 576p and 2 channels PCM audio at 44.1 KHz.
A slightly bigger dark grey dish will help to slightly improve reception of the "heavier" HD signal and of course will help much more for the SD signals.

...so, what I can actually say is that... it would seem that using splitter for the 2 tuners of the Byond PVR should cause less problems for SD reception BUT does not mean it will not cause any problem because 2 tuners "share" the same cable.

I am using 1 Byond (non PVR) box and 2 old Astro boxes connected to 3 separate cables to a Quad (4 outputs) LNB so one LNB output is not used, no splitter used. Well... 3 "ugly" cables are seen on the walls of my house but I don't mind it, hehe. Since I do not use Byond PVR (with builtin 500GB harddisk), I cannot personally 100% confirm to you whether using cable splitters for the Byond PVR inputs will be ok or not for the SD channels.

Remember that each installation location is different due to different cable lengths used and where the dish is located. For example... when the LNB signal direction to the satellite above is slightly blocked by a nearby very tall condo. So... of course, if possible, using 2 separate cables will be better loh.

Just be aware that I may or may not be correct in some of my comments here. Probably anyone here who have installed such splitter for the Byond PVR can provide you with an accurate answer. Also, probably this has already been answered in some posts in the earlier thread... I don't know because I was lazy to check loh, hehe... so you can search yourself. So, for now, I guess that the only way to be sure if got any problems is to see it with your own eyes when the splitter is used... even if got no problems for the SD channels now, you may still not know for sure until after it has been used for a longer period especially when rain occurs... and when problem appear later, I really don't know whether the installer will not charge you to come again to add the second cable.

Even when separate cables are used, signal loss still occur due to heavy rain because of the 2 feet diameter dish ! No need for me to explain further on why we are still not allowed to legally (without any license) install large dish to watch satellite TV channels... the debate continues, hehe.

Its your personal decision not to install second cable and use splitter for your new Byond PVR so I hope there will be no problems for you eventhough should have less issues for SD reception only.

Well... these are my 2 cents, I guess.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Oct 24 2012, 12:50 AM

No problem, you are welcome.

The only problem is my "bad" character of making extremely looooong replies/comments. All my personal friends say that I am too fussy and too long-winded, and never use short sentences with short sms words such as "u, I c, dun knw, tks" etc, hehe. Sorry for that.

Anyway, hope you can let me know later whether the splitter can be used for the 2 inputs of the Byond PVR without any problems... just send pm to me will do.

Hehe... setiap orang ada kesukaan dan pilihan sendiri... dan terlebih dahulu, saya ingin nyatakan bahawa saya memang menghormati sesiapa punya pilihan.

For me, personally, I also don't watch any korean/japanese channels, not because its not good... but because I never liked to "read" the subtitles which can also make mistakes too. I don't mean any disrepect to people who love korean dramas, shows, etc. Hehe... I remember the good old days in the 70s and I still remember once when I went to watch an english cowboy movie where the hero shouted "on my command, open FIRE" which was shown in the subtitle as "atas arahan saya, buka api" !!! It should be "mula tembakan"... I laughed so loud in the cinema that people near me looked at me and "sshhhh". Another time was "where are my wheels" which was subbed as "dimana tayar saya?". Should be "dimana kereta saya". Well... time has changed now where we see less of such silly mistakes BUT some translation mistakes DO occur !

Well... when as*teruk adds more korean channels later... I won't be surprised IF filipino (or from other non-english countries) channel may be added in future because I suspect (I maybe wrong) its cheaper to have such channels. Damn, if it happens for as*teruk! Again... no disrespect to any people here.

Wow... I noticed MAK Ch 203 indian channel is now showing (08:39pm - 09:33pm) the great Alfred Hitchcock golden classic "Vertigo (1958)" with audio in tamil. I have watched this movie many many years ago from rented videotape and its a great thriller... but I, hehe... cannot understand tamil and there is no subtitle too.

In the previous thread (Version IV), at that time, I did mention why there was no dedicated malay HD channel... and now there is Mustika HD.

After I read the posts here about the additional new korean channel to be launched later in as*teruk... and begin to think and have to ask this... "how come NO dedicated Indian channel in HD ?" I am chinese... but I also feel that its not fair to my fellow malaysian indian friends who also deserve to have at least 1 or 2 Indian HD channels. Chinese have the in-house Wah Lai Toi (SD) and Zhi Zun HD, and Malays have in-house Ria, Prima, OASIS (SD) and Mustika HD. Why NO HD channel for our fellow malaysian indians ?

Why add 1 more Korean channel when as*teruk did not think of adding any Indian HD channel ? Is it that hard to find any indian HD channels ? As a chinese, eventhough I don't understand tamil/hindi, I feel that its not fair to the indians here not to have at least 1 Indian HD channel !

Peace

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 4 2012, 09:15 PM

Please check info at As*teruk website.

Refer to this as*teruk link...
http://www.astro.com.my/relocation/

Quote... "Currently it is available to active As*teruk customers who are relocating from Klang Valley and Northern Region only. We will soon make this program nationwide to benefit all customers who want to upgrade to the Byond box".

Hmmm ... Move house, old Astro DMT box get to replace to new Byond box (not Byond PVR with 500GB internal harddisk) for FREE and NO Relocation (installation charges).

From what I read from the info, if I am not mistaken... at the present time now, relocation is NOT FREE for other regions... and that include me in Pahang so no FREE Relocation when I move house loh, DAMN !

No free replace old Astro box to Byond box and no free relocation charges for wenching87 in Kuching. Hope I am wrong so that wenching87 can get it "free".

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 6 2012, 02:38 PM

Ya, I knew about this too so its true... about 9 years ago, my relative moved from Pahang to KL and got free relocation. But that was many years ago so I was just casually browsing as*teruk site and noticed the latest relocation info. Well... maybe it cost as*teruk a lot to pay the installer/contractor who obviously don't do work for free. Now, I "suspect" that as*teruk just gave excuse at their website that "free relocation nationwide will come in future", hehe.

Because of this latest info, I posted a reply just to let wenching87 know about this.

Probably wenching87 can use talking skills to "persuade" as*teruk custmer support to waive relocation charges (get free) and ...hmm... if his set is the old Astro DMT, to get free "replacement" to Byond box (not Byond PVR with 500GN internal harddisk). Don't know what type of as*teruk box he/she presently have since he/she did not mention it.



This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 6 2012, 05:29 PM

Portion of my reply... "free relocation nationwide will come in future"

When I posted my reply, I did not use the "exact words" used at as*teruk website.

Here's the exact sentence from the as*teruk relocation notice...
"We will soon make this program nationwide to benefit all customers who want to upgrade to the Byond box".

Hmm... upon analysing... very clever play of words used.

Understood : Free upgrade of existing box to Byond box ONLY for people who relocates and resides in Klang Valley and Northern Region.

BUT... for people in other regions... free relocation will come soon for people who want to upgrade to Byond Box... so if I guess correctly, then people like me in Pahang who relocates to Johore... I will NOT get "free relocation" if I don't upgrade to Byond box....

AND to upgrade to Byond box, do I have to subscribe to HD service at additional RM 20 per month ? Why...? From what I understand, people with old Astro DMT box will not get replacement to Byond box if did not subscribe to HD Service.

So... for people in other regions with old Astro box, will they have to pay extra RM 20 per month for HD service to get replacement to Byond and THEN get free relocation... ???

This is what I perceive to understand from the above as*teruk sentence (in bold green) so please correct me if I am wrong.

Well... maybe I should not have bothered because the so-called "nationwide free relocation" may forever remain at "will soon make this program nationwide"... which may never come at all. Hehehehe.

NOTE : Of course people who subscribe to any Superpack (already included HD Service) will get the Byond box and free relocation... presently not available nationwide so we can only wait like fools for people in other regions.

Sorry if it is confusing here ... because my brain now is a bit loose loose... "tetapi belum sampai ke taraf gila, belum lagi tidak siuman".

Before you decide, you should go to this link here ... http://support.astro.com.my/shop.aspx
... scroll down and click on "Customise my packages". The link here also shows ALL the 4 Superpack prices.

Next click on "Astro Packages"...

... click on packages that you have already subscribed
... then also click on "HD Services" because upgrade to Byond must minimum have this.

THEN look at the right for the package price (not the total with 6% govt tax).

Now... note down the price and compare the amount you have to pay IF you choose to upgrade to Superpack 3 (RM 155)

I don't know the "exact" packages that you have already subscribed so I selected these...

* Sport
* Dynasty
* News
* HD service

... and the price is RM 134.95 (not include govt tax) ... so if correct... compared to Superpack 3 (RM 155), is it okay to pay additional RM 10.05 per month ? If the total customised price is more than the chosen Superpack, then you "save $$". Decision is up to you if this is what you want.

As far as I know... there are 4 different Superpacks, each with different pre-selected sub-packages. All the four Superpacks already included these...
* HD Service
* PVR (recording service)

Be smart and calculate how much more or less you have to pay to choose individual packages + HD Service when compared to any chosen Superpack !

If you subscribe to any Superpack... you can choose upgrade to either one of these 2 "Byond" boxes...

1) Byond box < can record SD & HD channels BUT must buy WD USB External 320GB harddisk or buy Astro EASi PVR (actually also an external harddisk from Astro), free replacement of old Astro DMT box.
2) Byond PVR box (with internal 500GB hardisk) < have to pay extra one-time "installation fee" for this box BUT if got promotion, existing subscribers get free installation. You have to ask Astro Customer Support.

If you choose (1), the Byond box can do recording but only for 1 selected channel at any time AND have to purchase external harddisk. The satellite dish MUST be replaced with a dark grey slightly larger dish. Only 1 cable from LNB at dish is used.

If you choose (2), the Byond PVR box already have internal harddisk so no need to buy any external harddisk. The satellite dish MUST also be replaced with a dark grey slightly larger dish AND the LNB at dish should be changed to Dual Output (which can connect to to 2 separate cables) or QUAD Output (which have 4 separate outputs). Why change LNB ? Because the Byond PVR have 2 tuners with 2 sat cable inputs so it is recommended to use 2 sat cables connected to the DUAL/QUAD output LNB. Byond PVR can record from 2 channels at the same time... refer to as*teruk website for more info.

Both Byond and Byond PVR have 1 HDMI out only so can easily connect directly to your HDTV HDMI input. The installer will do it for you. Most newer HDTV now support Dolby Digital audio so you should make sure installer change the Byond box "Dolby Digital Audio" setting to use "Dolby Digital 5.1 (Digital Only). You will then get (at least) better audio quality from your HDTV speakers. For older cheaper HDTVs with NO Dolby Digital audio internal decoder, the setting must be changed to "Stereo (Analogue and Digital)"

When you connect the Byond/Byond PVR box to your HDTV, you should also know these...

a) The picture quality when watching any SD channels on a large size HDTV (LCD/LED) may appear worse for some people. Because HDTV have much higher resolution which can reveal the "noise", "blurriness", etc from low resolution SD pictures. So... I did hear some of my friends who have parents that complained about the "poor" picture quality of, example, Wah Lai Toi.

b) Of course all the HD channels will be much much better BUT NOT all HD channels show programs/shows from actual HD sources. Some may be from SD source which have been upscaled to HD for broadcast in the HD channels.

c) Full screen and Widescreen... Ahhh.... some old people don't like "people" which looked "fat" and some don't like the "black bars" at sides when 4:3 programs is shown in a HD channel and then complain when 16:9 widescreen programs are shown with "black bars" at top/bottom in a SD channel. LOL !

After checking the packages that you actually want and comparing it with the Superpack price, then only you can decide if its worth it to choose Superpack 3 or not. Remember... actually HD Service & PVR Recording Service are NOT FREE because its already included in the Superpack price. The difference is that Superpack is more value for money (in some ways... cheaper) if have already subscribed to many packages BUT be wise... must compare price first. People who only subscribed to only a few packs will find the Superpacks more expensive eventhough can watch more channels.

For all other info about installation charges, promotions, Multi-Room Promo... please enquire from Astro Customer Support for full details. Its difficult for me to mention everything here... also, a lot of what I have mentioned here, are repeats of what have already been mentioned before in this present and previous thread so you have to do some searching.

Peace

ADDITION
Forgot to mention this...

The calculation of RM 134.95 was obtained from the "channels" you mentioned so the Superpack 3 is slightly more expensive by RM 10.05 extra per month. You should also look at what are the total packs included in Superpack 3 which are the Family, 3 Minis, Sport, Movies, New Emperor, Dynasty, Astro On Demand, HD Services, PVR packages. Eventhough pay additional RM 10.05, can watch lots more channels than the existing ones you currently subscribed.

Some people are like me who pays less than RM 155 (Superpack) and don't want to pay more as I feel its not worth it. For me, I pay RM 125.95 for my 1st decoder so I don't want to pay more for Superpack 3 since I don't watch Sport and never want Astro-On-Demand.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 6 2012, 09:22 PM

While watching CNN coverage of the US elections, I saw the Astro announcement that the 3 SD channels in Mustika Package including Mustika HD channel will be opened for ALL as*teruk subscribers for 8 days from 9th to 17th November 2012 !!

I wonder why... hmm... I suspect not enough people subscribing to Mustika Package so as*teruk may be "fishing" for more subscribers to this package by putting "bait" with free viewing for all subscribers.

Well... speaking for myself only... eventhough get to watch "free" for a week... and after that... forget about it, NOT interested to add Mustika Package.

Mustika Package
Ch 131 Astro Citra (SD)
Ch 132 Astro Warna (SD)
Ch 133 Astro Bella (SD)
Ch 134 Mustika HD
... ALL in-house As*teruk channels.

Interesting news of Astro share prices drop (shortly after its initial IPO), read on...
23-10-2012 : http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/10/23/business/20121023134354
24-10-2012 : http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/10/24/business/12216640
26-10-2012 : http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/10/26/business/12228772

Whatever the reasons, I expected the as*teruk share prices to drop so I did not apply to purchase the damn as*teruk stocks !! Even if I can make money from the shares, I will never support and help as*teruk with extra capital to continue bullying subscribers with its exclusive satellite TV monopoly from our go_ver_ment! Already more than 16 years monopoly !

In my personal opinion (may be wrong), I believe the as*teruk shares will NOT perform well. I don't know BUT... even if its "normal" to use part of the capital revenue from the share sales to pay debts, my personal opinion is that its not "healthy" to allocate part of the share revenue (I think about 30%) just to pay as*teruk debt !

One of my friends had asked my opinion on whether to apply for purchase of as*teruk stocks from the IPO and I advised him that I believed that it will not be a good investment... and... hehe... he followed my advice and later thanked me when he saw the price drop ! Probably my instinct told me not to invest in the as*teruk stocks so its not based on any professional research. Hehe... utilised some $ on some other public company stocks and made some better profits !



ADDENDUM
I am not a professional stock market investor. Only sometimes an opportunistic share market player who sometimes make a bit profit and also sometimes got burnt with losses too ! Except for the news article from The Star online... so, whatever opinions I stated about the as*teruk "shares" not performing well are just my "kedai kopi" talk only.

According to the news report, Ananda and Khazanah Nasional Bhd had already sold a lot of their shares in the IPO exercise, BUT I suspect that there may be some other big players who may be working behind the curtains to manipulate as*teruk shares to reap more profits... maybe push prices down and then later buy for cheap... hehe... only my uneducated opinion lah.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 7 2012, 07:49 AM

I think as*teruk will not be scared loh.

As*teruk will still sit happily enjoying their golden coffee with their monopoly of nationwide satellite TV coverage for more than 16 years (continuing maybe forever) plus "extra" money from the sales of shares (saham) from the IPO and using part of their share revenue to pay their existing "hutang"... so why should as*teruk worry ? The only way that as*teruk will worry and maybe "forced" to "take action" is when ALL the as*teruk subscribers join together to terminate their accounts BUT all of us know that this will not happen... if I cancel/terminate my account now, it is only 1 person without the power of everyone doing it loh !

And for many as*teruk subscribers to terminate their accounts will also require whether there are any other alternatives to the as*teruk satellite TV services. UniFi will certainly help to increase the competition pressure BUT its coverage IS STILL a very LOOOONG way to go with only very limited coverage areas.

UniFi competition is ONLY "kacang putih" to As*teruk so their UniFi RM 30 for 50 channels will NOT scare as*teruk. As*teruk presently is still the HD channel leader with more such HD channels than UniFi. No need to even talk about Byond IPTV for Cable TV because its owned by As*teruk so I believe that UniFi is only competing with as*teruk for Cable TV only.

Hehe... what about ABN Excess cable TV ?? Forget it... after so many many many months of talk talk, I am now lazy to even talk more news about them... yes, I know it will (may) come in the future so I will sit quietly waiting for 2013 to come and then see whether ABN Cable TV will (maybe) start broadcast in ONLY limited locations... people like me in Pahang may NEVER see it launch nationwide !! For me, just like most people nationwide... I "think" we can forget about ABN cable TV.

The BIG QUESTION is not the price and how many channels that can hit the killer blow to As*teruk, it IS about whether any strong Competitor that is able to go NATIONWIDE for Cable/Satellite TV (with HD channels). Without out go_ver_men exclusive satellite TV license, together with a strong Competitor with Nationwide Coverage, THEN and ONLY THEN will As*teruk start to TREMBLE with FEAR !!

My info here may or may not be accurate so please correct me if wrong. No problem.



ADDITION
You did not mention where you obtained the picture for the RM 29.99 so I assumed its for UniFi. Hmm... right now I cannot access tm.com.my and only get "offline" message... should be only temporary... so I cannot check the info there right now. My bro-in-law near Sungei Buloh, have UniFi and he also told me that there is currently a promo of RM 30 for 50 channels so he will be subscribing to the "promo" package.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 10 2012, 01:43 PM

Thanks for the info.

My previous post 840 ... http://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2465662/+840#

Well... as my earlier post from "The Star Online" had already mentioned... the as*teruk share prices are going down. How far it will continue to drop and for how long... we can only look as bystanders, wait and see what will happen as time continues.

Well... first as*teruk take the share income from the IPO, do whatever they want with it legally, then big share investors (read the news, so you know who) who bought the shares then "play around" with it in the share market causing the small "ikan bilis" as*teruk shareholders to suffer !! Sell it in big quantities immediately after purchase, wait for share prices to drop a lot and then buy back cheaply... a dirty legal tactic from people with the money and power ! The question here is... I wonder why there was NO lock-up period ("cornerstone investors" only) for the as*teruk shares after the IPO sales where new shareholders are not allowed to sell/dispose off the shares for a stipulated period (example... cannot sell off the shares for 6 months after IPO)... so this will profit the big players who can easily sell off immediately, wait for price to drop to the lowest and then buy it back... so make huge profit and still control the shares.

Why there is NO lock-up period specifically for the "conerstone investors" only, as normally occur for other public company IPOs ? Hmm... sssh... I don't have to answer this question... people will have already guessed the answer !

ADDITION
TAKE NOTE : I can only imply, speculate and guess on the sale/disposal of the shares caused the price drop because I don't have any evidence to prove it. Also, I do not know who the actual shareholders who have disposed off the shares. Anyway, I sympathise with the small-time investors who bought as*teruk shares and worries when as*teruk prices keep on dropping. I can sleep well as I did not and will NOT buy as*teruk shares.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 10 2012, 02:39 PM

Ah... no need to ask me lah. You and I already know who are the "back-door big guns" behind this !

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 10 2012, 02:29 PM

Hmm... I think something is NOT right here.

Yes, this Oli HD channel 231 have appeared BUT... only a wallpaper which says... "Celebrate Deepavali together with (channel name in indian words), CH 231... 9 - 18 November"

So... today is already 10 November 2012 and I wonder why still no programs yet ? As*teruk made a very silly mistake with the "9 to 18 November" dates ? What happened ? Or did I mis-understood anything here, so please correct me if I am wrong. The ONLY temporay as*teruk in-house HD channel and still did not do it properly... already a few days before Deepavali and should have started showing indian HD programs now, which I suspect will start only on Deepavali day.

Did any indian subscribers call to As*teruk Customer Support to "complain" ? I don't know because I am chinese so I did not call.

Yes... CH 108 Zee Variasi (SD channel) is now showing, should only be temporary but I can be wrong here because as*teruk can change decision as they wish.



This Chakravarthy Ch 221 (SD) channel has also now appeared with wallpaper which stated "12-18 November". Because programs did not start for Oli HD channel 231 eventhough mentioned 9-18 November... I wonder whether when 12 November comes, will the same thing happen with no programs shown in Chakravarthy Ch 221 ?

Oh my goodness gracious !! Deepavali is a joyous and happy occasion for the malaysian indians who celebrate the festival of lights... and for as*teruk to make mistake for Ch 231 is really disappointing.

My Best Wishes And Happiness To All Our Malaysian Indian Brothers and Sisters For The Upcoming Joyous Occasion... Happy Divali, Deepavali !

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 10 2012, 03:24 PM

Hehe... yeah... checked the EPG just now. Yes, according to EPG, Oli HD Ch 231 programs will start on 11-11-12.

Hmm... maybe, as*teruk wanted to show that Oli HD Ch 232 will "appear" on 9 November with no programs... and programs will start only from 11-11-12, hehe.