Hehe... yeah.. correct... so true, so true. Ouch !

I can understand why the "codes" irritated you which appears at random hours, not all the time.

However, this does not irritate me that much when compared to what is actually happening to Fox Movies Premium HD for ALL movies 24 hours which started a few weeks ago !!!

Have a look at the screenshot pictures I took from FMP HD Ch433 (Movie: Fright Night) ...

Screenshot 1 : Without subtitles


Screenshot 2 : With chinese subtitles


Screenshot 3 : With malay subtitles


Note : I believe that only for TV Series without Dolby audio source, the screen area is not cluttered, with only the FMP logo.

Ok, suppose as an example, I have edited the screenshot 4 below to "add" in more of such unnecessary rubbish...

Screenshot 4 : Added more rubbish by me to illustrate my point


... of course for Screenshot 4 above, not actually what is happening... BUT when I put in more "nonsense" into the screen, I think you can imagine how much I am irritated by such similar stupid rubbish (in my opinion) cluttering the screen.

What made the Fox channel operators decide or "feel" that its necessary to add in the (1) Currently showing movie title at top right, (2) Advertising the coming UFC Fight at bottom right and (3) Dolby logo. Grrr.... Fox thinks that we are stupid not to know what movie name that is currently showing, thinks that everyone likes the UFC Fight and reminds us because they think we are very forgetful and to show that Fox broadcast in quality Dolby audio but somehow never tells us if any movie shown is in Dolby Stereo 2.0 or Dolby 5.1 Surround !

Almost forgot... add subtitle to it, which is important and necessary for some people, and this adds more clutter to the screen area. Lucky for me, I am fluent in engliish and a few languages so no need subtitles. Hehe... there are many very good korean dramas/movies but I never watch any because I feel its too tedious to "read" the subs. For goodness sake, FMP HD is a dedicated premium movie channel, not a news or game show channel. I cannot speak for everyone, but for me, I like to watch movies totally without any clutter or "rubbish" on the screen which really distracted me in my movie enjoyment.

I do agree with you and, thus, I feel your annoyance. In retrospect, no offense intended, those stupid "codes" is "kacang putih" when compared to the "rubbish" shown in FMP HD !!

I may have over-reacted here but no worries as I am still happy-go-lucky and always cheerful. Only my opinions here, hehe.

Back to watching my blu-ray collection. Totally no clutter. Peace.

EDITED
Corrected mistakes in the screenshots sequence order with wrong title.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 14 2012, 10:30 PM

For nationwide coverage in Malaysia, its true about Astro but its not the way you think that securing "broadcast rights" mean total exclusivity for Astro. Such rights does not necessarily mean that UniFi and/or ABN cannot sub-purchase telecast rights from Astro. Well... similarly, this was what happened a few months ago when ESPN got the rights as Official Broadcaster for the London Olympics and then "re-selling" such rights to Astro.

Freshly after the Astro IPO of shares, I am not surprised that Astro have the funds to aggressively procure the EPL/Barclay rights and won it at a higher cost. My believe (I may be wrong) is that UniFi may not be "strong" enough to out-bid Astro in terms of ready-available funds.

What I am actually trying to point out here is my opinion that I would have hoped other "competitors", including UniFi, to have gotten the rights. In that way, the "competitor" can then make profits by re-selling the rights to Astro. In my opinion, its a BAD thing that As*teruk got the rights who can then "sell" rights to UniFi and/or ABN to make profits. Why BAD ? As*teruk COMMANDED the nationwide coverage monopoly for satellite transmission and is the big boss who can now determine which competitor it allows to get EPL broadcast... and the worst scenario is when As*teruk (if) decide totally not to "re-sell" to any others and therefore, squeezing other competitors (Unifi, ABN, Maxis/Time) with limited cable TV coverage who are already trying very hard to compete with As*teruk ! For my personal belief, its not about nationwide coverage... its about not allowing As*teruk to continue as big brother with our govt protection with the damn exclusive satellite broadast license and so, I don't want As*teruk to continue with its monopolistic attitude which stifles competition and its BAAAAD for consumers in the long term !

Here are my 2 cents and opinions about ABN...

Should we forget about ABN who only talk _r_____ at the present time ? I think you know what words to fill in the underline. Very clever of them to make people type in the post-code at their ABN Excess website and then ALWAYS reply "blank" coverage for the sent post-code area... then request people to fill in personal details (address, whatever) to get more data for ABN... and THAT is also called as free Data Mining for compiling demographic statistics.... ABN is very clever ! Why request people to send in their info ? Any infrastructure that is ongoing or have been completed for any location that will have ABN coverage IS ALREADY known by ABN and therefore, why can't ABN just publish those locations at their website since their future initial launch will only have limited locations ? Its just a simple matter of telling us, for example.... Condo *** (Kenny Hill), Taman *** (Puchong).... is it really that difficult with only a small handful of locations ? Is it also difficult to inform us what the actual channels are for the 50 channels included in the RM 29.99 package? I may be wrong, somehow ABN has always given me the impression that it is constantly trying to "talk the talk" and not really "walking" !

ADDITION
I have informed my sis staying in Kepong/Sungei Buloh area NOT to submit her personal data, to prevent ABN obtaining more free data and just be patient and wait. On actual launch date (maybe in a few years time, who knows?), ABN will definitely let people know the location because they want people to subscribe. The scenario as I see it is... I suspect that the infrastructure for ALL the few coverage locations either are still work-in-progress or have not even commence so that is why ABN did not let people know any coverage location. The infrastructure is crucial for any location to get ABN service... and that included the underground/external pole cabling work, nodes distribution junction, the network transmission capability and many other various work to be done. Teasing people by showing the ABN STB decoder box at their website is not enough to let me know whether my house have ABN service availability or not. Only after the ABN service is available for my house location... only then, I will look at the ABN STB decoder box !

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 15 2012, 02:46 PM

You mis-understood MilesAndMore. Its not the grammar. What he meant was that the "Multi-Room" service IS still available. This is why the present tense "have" was used to correct your question.

Yes, I believe that the Multi-Room service to install additional decoder boxes in the same address IS still available. Each additional decoder box added will have additional RM 50 subscription per month. I am not sure how many more that you can add eventhough, officially, only a maximum of 2... hehe... not sure here. Anyway, just phone to Astro Customer Support to ask about "Multi-Room" to add decoder and you will 100% get your answer. Remember, the additional decoder will come with additional, maybe 1 year, contract.

ADDITION
To add decoder box, your primary subscription for the 1st Byond box must have a minimum monthly subscription of RM 80 (hehe... not sure for the exact amount, old guy like me forgot lah). Just ask Astro.

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 15 2012, 02:40 PM

Note : Many of my comments in this post here are my personal opinions only.

ABN seem to always try to generate "news" to try to sustain or push up public interest to their cable TV services to "cover-up" the expected prolonged launch delay of ABN Cable TV ! After managing businesses long enough for so many years, I understood advertising protocols just enough to smell such publicity tactics.

The only actual real "news" that we can really 100% believe is when ABN actually announced that their Cable TV services has now been launched at this and that location BUT the truth is that... everyone is still waiting for the actual launch so any further publicity, if not handled properly, may only cause disappointment and further erode people's belief and trust on their ABN "news". Remember the perennial story of ... "the boy who always cried wolf".

Eventhough I can be very critical on ABN "tactics", contrary to what many may think of me... I actually wanted ABN to launch as soon as possible, to succeed, and I truly and sincerely wish that ABN can fully launch their Cable TV (+ Broadband) services because any additional competition to As*teruk Satellite TV and Byond IPTV, no matter how tiny or small, will ALWAYS be a good and healthy thing for us as consumers !

ABN should try to allay deteriorating confidence in their "news material" by pushing out actual real news which potential subscribers wanted to know.

News should be published at their ABN website of which location is now in beta testing (AFAIK, only through Smileguy who confirmed for Sri Damansara), which location has now confirmed finished beta test, all-set and ready to go before launch, and what are the targeted locations which have been marked for coverage. ABN should also, as soon as possible, provide real info of actual channels in their line-up of various packages... just mentioning 50 channels at RM 29.99 is sorely not adequate ! In my opinion, it should NOT be using "check service availability using post-code submitted" at their website and then using "no result" tactic to coerce people to submit their email, phone numbers (many will also put in their rough location such as "Damansara Utama" too). There is no guarantee that their "Cable Guy" will reply to you. Just read their website privacy policy page and you will know that the data collected on our personal info is clearly stated to partly include use for their market research.

All being said, eventhough may never see ABN coverage for my location in central Pahang, any competition however small, if can remain alive long enough, IS good competition to provide healthy rivalry to As*teruk nationwide stranglehold. Therefore, absolutely no problems for me for ABN to come in, I welcome it.

Thanks, Smileguy, for confirming ABN beta-test in Sri Damansara.

Peace

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 15 2012, 05:32 PM

Obviously now you know that there will be a number of HD channels that can be watched with only the Basic (Family) Pack so its not necessary that we have to subscribe to any of the four Superpacks.

However, without subscribing to any Superpack, you will still need to pay "extra RM 20 per month" to subscribe to HD Service ! If you did NOT subscribe to HD Service or any Superpack, then ALL the HD channels are locked and I believe that the Byond box HDMI Output is disabled too.

For Superpack 1, 2, 3 or 4... HD Service and PVR Service is already included in the pre-selected group of Astro packages.

The question here is whether you can accept paying extra RM 20 per month to watch 9 HD channels (available for Family Pack).

I believe only got 9 HD channels under the Family Pack, not 10.

I think Ch.532 Sky News HD is grouped into the News Mini Pack. Presently all subscribers can watch this because I think its free preview for a few months after this HD channel was launched recently. Anyway, I could be wrong so this HD channel MAY be grouped into the Family Pack BUT I doubt it.

I remembered what happened when Ch 309 Celestial HD channel was launched previously. At the time when this HD channel was launched, ALL subscribers can watch. A few weeks later, I was curious so I even phoned to Astro Customer Support to ask whether this channel is grouped to Family Pack, not New Emperor Plus Pack and was actually told yes and that ALL HD Service subscribers can watch... BUT then ... this was changed about 2 months ago and is now NOT available for all subscribers, only for New Emperor Plus and Superpack 3 and 4 ! Now I cannot watch this Celestial HD channel.

Remember that the terms and conditions of As*teruk subscription allows them to change the existing packages without our permission so therefore, we as subscribers have no right to do anything to complain... well... the only way is to terminate subscription after the contract (if any) is over. ... if only UniFi and other Cable TV operators can go nationwide.



This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Nov 21 2012, 06:18 PM

Hehehehe ... go to this link here.... http://www.jobstreet.com.my/jobs/2012/3/m/10/1570784.htm?fr=J

CEPP.... Corporate Employee Program Package

... or is it as*teruk's "Charge Excessively Power Package" specially designed to suck blood from subscribers pocket ?

CEPP is not a TV subscription package... it cannot be eaten, cannot be swallowed and cannot be used as a program to reduce body fat !

As*teruk is the malaysian TOP monopoly king cobra that is expanding its venom all over the malaysian market with the full backing of the go_ver_men !

This matter has been discussed before a very long time ago, many many pages earlier in this thread or previous Byond Version 9. No problem, as its not easy to search back so long ago.

I believe that you already know that there are 2 types of byond boxes, Byond and Byond PVR.

What Dickong is using is the Byond box with single tuner. Yes, its also a "Personal Video Recorder" (PVR) but only when (1) subscribed to recording service, (2) when a Western Digital My Passport (2.5in) 320 GB External USB Harddisk is attached to the Byond USB port and (3) can only record from 1 selected astro TV channel.

The Byond PVR box has 2 tuners which can record a maximum of 2 different selected astro TV channels at the same time and already have built-in 500GB harddisk allowing a total recording of around 200 hours video.

When the LNB at dish is properly aligned, the satellite signal strength for Byond box is usually around 240 to 250. For the Byond PVR is around 135 to 150.

For Byond...


For Byond PVR...


Having a reading of lower signal strength numbers does not necessarily mean that the signal received by your Byond or Byond PVR box is too weak which you fear may cause reception interruptions. Of course, after knowing this "signal strength" of around 250 for Byond and 150 for Byond PVR, a small deviation from this "reference" strength is okay BUT if the difference is a lot such as 130 for Byond, then something is wrong which will cause reception problems. We need also have to look at the "Signal Quality" too which MUST stay at 100.

What these numbers for "Signal Strength" and "Signal Quality" actually mean, as shown in the settings of both Byond and Byond PVR, I do NOT know. Is it for dB (decibels) or Megahertz (MHz) or Gigahertz (GHz) or whatever cannot be used as a realistic and accurate representation of the actual signal strength. Well... its just numbers that we can only use as a rough and general comparison so that we make sure that it should be within the same numbers that most of other people's Byond boxes are getting.

Changing the "Entry Point" to any displayed selection from "13 MEASAT 3A(VH)" to "18 MEASAT 3A(VH)" do not necessarily mean getting better signal strength eventhough you get better higher numbers. Maybe one of the physical transponders on the MEASAT 3A satellite for the selected "Entry Point" is slightly weaker but its still functioning properly within the allowed performance. As in all electronic components, it has a lifespan which will be out-of-service after a stipulated period so when it drops below its performance or "died suddenly", it will be switched off and another un-used spare transponder will be switched on into service. That is why there are un-used spare transponders (though limited numbers) which can be used in case any transponders got damaged. Well... as a layman and not technical guy, this is my "simple, not so accurate" explanation from what I can understand from an "engineer" friend... so please feel free to correct me IF anyone with experience in satellite tech found any errors in my "Entry Point" explanations.

Read about this at this link here...
http://stinkyfruit.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/astro-b-yond-satellite-signal/

Yes, in my personal opinion, such "Signal Strength" numbers can help me know at least whether my Byond reception is weak or not. However, if found to be too weak, I believe the too low indicated level should show for almost all the "Entry Points", not just one or two... and the first thing for me to do is NOT to change the "Entry Points" because there are other more important reasons that caused the sudden drop in level.

I have heard such stories before, from my friends who noticed that their Byond reception was getting bad... the reception was very good for many years, very very few times reception disrupted only during heavy thunderstorms... BUT lately, even a slight rain can cause disruption.... then he heard from a friend about the "Entry Point" and changed the setting with higher number shown... well... it did help but not much loh !

Well... I told that friend to call to As*teruk and complain about the bad reception, and the bad reception was found to be caused by the faulty LNB !! Both my friend and I never would have thought that the LNB can "rosak", LOL !!

So... again, in my personal view, playing around with the "Entry Points" selection can serve to only satisfy the believe that a "better reception" can be obtained BUT such actions do not help to correct "bad reception" because there are other actual causes so do not forget to check them such as...

a) LNB alignment out of position.
b) Faulty LNB.
b) Old satellite cables which need to be replaced. (Maybe some parts with covering cracked and exposing the copper inside)
c) Cable connection loose or bad connection due to accummulation of dirt, grime or materials.
d) Recently replaced cable with 1-to-2 splitters or too many splitters that can cause signal degradation.
e) Byond / Byond PVR decoder box faulty or updated firmware which is corrupted.
f) The Byond Box A/C Adapter is faulty, not supplying correct DC current, rarely happened BUT can happen.



This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jun 24 2013, 04:48 PM

Unfortunately you have to pay RM 100 Installation (One-Time) Charges for your Multi-Room Byond upgrade to Byond PVR.

Yes, during this Promo for the recently launch of AOD HD Channel 350, existing Superpack 3 and new AOD subscribers can upgrade from Byond box to Byond PVR box with free installation. There will be a contract period of 2 years !!

BUT... this "free installation" is ONLY for the Byond box under the primary account SO subscribers with additional Byond boxes OR Multi-Room installations are NOT entitled. Therefore, for each additional "upgrade to PVR Box", subscribers will have to pay RM100 installation charges + additional 2 years contract on each of the upgraded Byond PVR boxes.

Examples
Byond Upgrade To Byond PVR on 01-07-2013
1st box (under Primary Account) ... Free Installation (2 year contract for this box until 30-06-2015)
2nd box (under supplementary account, Multi-Room) ... Did NOT upgrade so no additional contract

Byond Upgrade To Byond PVR on 01-07-2013
1st box (under Primary Account) ... Free Installation (2 year contract for this box until 30-06-2015)
2nd box (under supplementary account, Multi-Room) ... RM 100 one-time payment Installation charges (2 year contract for this 2nd box until 30-06-2015)
3rd box (under supplementary account, Multi-Room) ... RM 100 one-time payment Installation charges (2 year contract for this 3rd box until 30-06-2015)

Byond Upgrade To Byond PVR on 01-07-2013
1st box (under Primary Account) ... Already Byond PVR since 2011 so NO upgrade and NO contract (contract period already expired)
2nd box (under supplementary account, Multi-Room) ... RM 100 one-time payment Installation charges (2 year contract for this 2nd box until 30-06-2015)

I knew this because I have 2 boxes and upgraded my 1st box to PVR and did not pay anything but now this have additional 2 year contract. Two of my friends also upgraded to Byond PVRs but they paid RM100 for each of the Multi-Room boxes.

What I do know from my friends is that they were given the Byond PVR (from Pace), even for the Multi-Room units SO were not given the new model Byond PVR (from Samsung with built-in WiFi). All of us were told that the new Samsung models will only be given subject to availability so, temporarily I think there are not enough units available for now... mmm... maybe more available after a few months so I don't know.

We were also told that we can BUY the USB Receiver Dongle to attach to the Byond PVR (from Pace) if we want to use the VOD Services which need internet connection. I don't know the price as I told the Assteruk person that I don't want it since I can use wired connection using Ethernet cable to my modem-router. Mmm... you can call As*-teruk Customer Support to ask about the price.

In my own personal opinion, the VOD is totally useless for me so its okay that I didn't get the Samsung PVR unit. Only IF VOD is important and wired internet connection to the PVR is not possible, and don't want to pay for the external WiFi USB Dongle, then the Samsung PVR Builtin WiFi is useful. In fact, personally I prefer getting the older Pace PVR unit manufactured recently because I believe various earlier problems have been corrected. Also, the new Samsung PVR models look cosmetically nice but still have almost the same features and functions as the older Pace units. Maybe the new Samsung PVR have a better and faster processor (CPU) for speedier function control. The main big difference (as far as I am concerned) is that the new Samsung PVRs have Builtin WiFi whereas the older Pace PVRs need external WiFi USB Dongle attached. Mmm... already heard some news from my installer friend that one Samsung PVR unit installed by him got "some problems with the builtin WiFi board which cannot connect" after installed for less than 2 weeks. I don't know if I am right or wrong to say this, I would prefer not to be a test guinea pig for this new Samsung PVR so people who get this new model a year later will get later units with less problems. Hehe... that's why I changed my Byond to Byond PVR (Pace) only this month where this Pace unit have less problems with the board and internal harddisk, especially when I don't have to pay installation charges during this AOD Promo. Mmm... I repeat, only my own personal opinion.



This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jun 29 2013, 10:37 AM

My pleasure. You are welcome.

NEW ADDITION
Almost forgot to mention. I believe the usual upgrade to Byond PVR for existing subscribers is RM 150 (or more) Installation (One-Time) Charges depending on existing subscriber status. So I believe that this "so-called special installation price" of RM 100 is during this "AOD HD Ch. 350" Promo only.

Without this promo, the different "more" installation charges to pay will depend on the "subscriber status".

Not during Promo, what do the subscriber status mean ?

For example (normal charges, not for Promo)...

1) If I did NOT subscribe to any Superpack 1, 2, 3 or 4... to upgrade to Byond PVR, I have to pay RM 10 PER MONTH for "Recording Charges" AND PVR Installation Charges of RM 200 !! Contract is still 2 years period. Note: Even during promo, have to pay for Recording Charges every month.

2) If I am one of the Superpack 1, 2, 3 or 4 subscribers... to upgrade to Byond PVR, I don't have to pay for HD service and Recording Charges per month AND PVR Installation Charges is RM 100 BUT, BUT, BUT I must have already subscribed to Superpack for at least 6 months. If I only subscribed to Superpack less than 6 months, then I have to pay the usual RM 150 installation charges BUT I am actually not sure how much more to pay.

3) If I am NOT a Superpack subscriber, I wish to upgrade to any Superpack 1, 2, 3 or 4 AND Byond PVR, then the usual installation charges will apply. Hehe, I forgot and did not check on this so you have to call As*teruk Support for actual charges. Also the same 2 year contract period.

Hehe, a bit complicated here.

Please correct me if anyone here found any errors I made on the non-promo charges.



This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jun 29 2013, 12:43 PM

In my personal opinion, I believe that As*teruk are doing this "no installation charges, no additional contract" because they already knew a looooong time ago that many subscribers swap the smartcards between different old DMT boxes. Therefore, changing to the new Byond box will 100% lock the smartcard to that Byond box which prevent subscribers from using the swap smartcard use.

Eventhough any subscriber who did not subscribe to HD service, can use the new Byond box or the old DMT box, the main important difference for subscribers who "swap" smartcard is that... the Byond box is locked to that smartcard which CANNOT be used on another Byond box !

Example... IF you have 1 old DMT box in your Petaling Jaya house and 1 old DMT box in your other Damansara Utama house and only have 1 smartcard (1 subscription only), that single smartcard can be used at either of your 2 houses. Therefore... IF you changed the old DMT box to the new Byond box (yea, its free installation, no contract) THEN that single smartcard CANNOT be swap used anymore, hehe !!

For subscribers in such similar situations, PLEASE take note !!

I mean NO disrespect to azrin_kiko with my remarks here. My apologies if there is any.

Peace

This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 5 2013, 10:34 AM

For people who moved home (for example: from terrace house to another bungalow), the installer actually DO NOT remove the old LNB + dish and take it over to the new house to install... they just forget about the old dish and install new ones at the new location.

Since you have moved to a condo which already have Astro connections (centralised SMATV points), re-installation of LNB + dish is not necessary.

You mentioned that you are using Byond but did not say whether you subscribed to HD service or not and also did not say if Byond PVR or not. I believe this is important because the infrastructure installed at your new condo must support HD transmission which require higher specifications.

The best way for you is to call Astro Customer Support to "help" you "move" your Astro installation. What Smaelz83 replied earlier and suggested to you is correct, installation for moving house is free BUT not nationwide as some areas in Sabah is not easily accessible.

Well... if you managed to get just the RG6 co-axial cable, of course its mostly possible that everything will be okay BUT in my opinion, its better to contact Astro to send installer to check and then install everything for you. Anyway, you also need to contact them too... to inform them on change of residential/correspondence address for delivery of monthly statements, hehe.

Unless ACE Hardware is a very well-known company, I have never heard of it. For well-known names such as Carrefour, KFC, etc, its yes, I have heard of it.



This post has been edited by jamesleetech: Jul 5 2013, 11:08 AM