Yes, its not necassary to use the LAN port.
(IPTV will use network port 1[Its a guess])

Nah. They keep the original (4:3) tv ratio even for 16:9 screen. That said, Sony Pictures Television Network channels (SET, beTV (HD), ONE (HD), AXN (HD) & Animax) still doing worst by stretching their 4:3 (either default 4:3 or 4:3 letterbox) video in their HD channels.

not all movies are stretched la. only those older movies. but agree at it's not really HD

I'm still on SD    yes, i know...

Few days ago, got a letter telling me to upgrade to B.yond decoder at no additional cost.

I'm wondering, is there a catch (ie. contract, termination fee, etc.) on this? Appreciate if anyone have any info.

If I stick to my package, is the monthly fees the same or is HD a little more expensive?

Yes, I will call them soon too.

Thanks 

You mention, HD fee: RM20/month* , which means there will be an increase of RM20.00 after upgrade current package to HD?

Can choose to upgrade only the decoder without the HD channels?

Not only standardize all the decoder, malah the beyond decoder cannot use smart card from other decoder. 

I didn't encounter that kind of problem at all even though I'm also using first gen Pace PVR. Have you contact astro regarding that matter?

I don't think so Astro will bring in Phoenix in HD after 14th March as your mentioned because Phoenix HK already officially broadcast Phoenix Infonews,Chinese Channel and Hong Kong Channel @ new frequency @ Satellite 105.5C  4120H27500 since 1st January 2014.

Yes Phoenix HK will stop broadcast those channel on OLD frequency @ 4000H26850, but unfortunately your friend ASTRO already start using the new feed since 1st January 2014, maybe u didn't notice the picture aspect ratio are SHI.T like ever since 1st JAN ? Due to the original Satellite feed are in 16:9 ratio, but your friend ASTRO 'compress' the original 16:9 format to suit their majority customer who are still using old generation CRT TV..... and it cause those 16:9 LED/Plasma/LCD TV received SHI.T like picture quality and aspect ratio on new generation TV !!! (16:9 TV still consider new generation TV @ Malaysia ??? come on Astro we are not so out date!!! )

Here is the comparison on a exactly same TV for Phoenix Infonews Channel from SHI.T like ASTRO SD picture quality & aspect ratio against Original Phoenix HK broadcast @ Satellite 105.5C, both original 16:9 SD picture quality and HD picture quality and is FREE TO AIR channel !!
All this picture took on Today @ 17.01pm for Satellite broadcast and 17.05pm for ASTRO broadcast (Astro broadcast are 4 minutes delay compare with original broadcast)

ASTRO picture quality & compress aspect ratio   :





VS

Original Satellite Free broadcast @ Original Aspect Ratio, 1st pic are SD and 2nd pic are HD :

the only channel which perfectly fit when LD expand it is CNN. the rest.. nah. you still don't really get the 16:9.

As i promised yesterday, here is the picture for Astro SD version Al Jazeera channel with and without LB Expand against Original Satellite 16:9 SD version of Al Jazeera.... Astro Al Jazeera channel become very blur and Top & Bottom are actually disappear/cut out (Miami are missing from weather forecast) compare with actual size aspect ratio from original broadcast.... and how Astro CEL channel looks like with LB Expand setting.... channel logo @ top right and bottom part of sub tittle are missing.... 

Astro :








VS

Original Sat feed :

Correct! Astro should transmit SD 16:9 in the original format instead of letterboxing it to 4:3.

The current firmware supports 16:9 -> 4:3 conversion options when your tv type is set to 4:3
similar to the 4:3 -> 16:9 conversion options.
If I remember correctly, ther are
1) letterbox 
2) fit to screen (image will be stretched)
3) expand (cut off the 2 sides)

Not sure if it is available on the previous firmware.
Discovered it while playing around after getting the firmware update.

Certainly.
http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1003145

because new version GUI was not able to sretch to fix the SD channel while my TV is 16:9... now force to see those SD channel in letterbox ...     

Are they still there now? lel.
Did you remember seeing them taking photos and writing a report of something?
If not just bring it home and when they come again ask for the prove.