As for JuneResources's case, it is completely different. Guys, please don't confuse with his encounter with C band satellite TV case as he uses universal satellite decoder to receive satellite TV channels, not a pay TV decoder. Okay since he mentioned this, I got to change subject into satellite TV topic.

Universal satellite decoder is where the decoder's job is pretty much "everything customize and manual" by yourself. (Take DVD player as an easy to understand example, where you put your own DVD disc to play your movie). What channels/satellites you want to watch/receive, it is all up to you to decide. Because it is customized by yourself, and if you messed up with the channels list, signal parameters and other satellite related settings, you may lose satellite signal, not because of faulty, it is because the user do not know to configure the settings correctly. If you want to scan for channels, you have to manually perform Auto Scan by yourself. Or, if you are so unfortunate that your satellite decoder (usually is older, cheap and low quality ones) doesn't support Auto Scan, then you will have to manually enter the signal parameters such as frequency, symbol rate, polarization, all by yourself, especially when the TV channel change frequency into another frequency or launch new channels. If you are not a tech savvy, and you are still using that decoder, I advice you to upgrade into newer ones that support HD and other new features. Universal satellite decoder is not a pay TV decoder like Astro, where the decoder software already "locked" that it only receive channels from the pay TV provider only and you can't receive channels from other satellites as you wish. Pay TV decoders will automatically update whatever settings, new channels and other stuff that you don't care about, unlike universal satellite decoder is the opposite and manual.

Plus, he is using satellite dish with motorize system, where there is a motor install at the satellite dish to be able to change satellite dish position whenever the user switches channels from different satellite than the current satellite position. With this, you can receive multiple satellite signals with different positions by using only 1 satellite dish, no need to install 2 separate satellite dishes that facing west and east respectively (for example). In his installation as what he described, he used to receive Asiasat 3S (located at 105 E, this satellite has retired, now replaced with Asiasat 7) and ST1 (located at 88 E, this satellite has retired, now replaced with ST2 satellite). Motorized satellite dish is completely optional (not compulsory) and it is up to you to use that equipment so that you can watch more TV channels from multiple satellites. And, Diseqc is also required to "combine" the signals from multiple satellites output from the LNB into one satellite input to the satellite decoder. As you described earlier, it seems that it is either the motor itself has been not moving for a long period of time, or the motor components inside is rusty or faulty or other problems. Because in general, motorize system do not require maintenance after you configure it correctly.

Parabolic satellite equipment indeed is more expensive in general compared to Ku band equipment. And whether do you need to fork out more money or do maintenance on your C band dish, all these depends on what equipment and it is up to your "creativity" on how you set up and install it. C band dish can be consumer-friendly like Astro Ku band dish, but at the same time it can be very challenging, complex, complicated, and requires time and skills for you to learn. If you use those universal satellite decoder, Diseqc, prime focus satellite dish (in simple words, the big ugly parabolic dishes that you saw the images above) and even motorized system like JuneResources did to receive signals from Asiasat 3S and ST1 during that time, of course it will be more challenging, unlike what I was referring my opinion my previous post about what if Astro uses C band for DTH service by using 90cm satellite dish with CSR just like what Transvision used to do. In addition to that, if you use cheap and low quality made in China equipment, then don't expect it will last for many years time, and no surprise that you may need regular maintenance to maintain the signal reception for that, or even equipment replacement. So choosing the right equipment with good quality is also important. Besides China, you can consider buying some parts of the equipment that is Thailand or Indonesia brand which is known to have better quality products than China ones.

Why C band channels are getting lesser nowadays compared to those days? Perhaps many viewers nowadays especially youngsters watches TV content via internet and watch less TV, this could be the reasons why channel provider are not so focused on C band to gain profit. However, C band TV will still be there for a long time as there are many other viewers still depends on TV as their main source of information and entertainment, and also many other technical advantages.

CONCLUSION (read this if above "essay" is too long for you to read):
Erm, is these stuff above is too complex for you to understand? That means installing C band for yourself to receive other satellite signals is not a DIY choice for you. Or, call an installer to install everything for you and you pay them the money and you will call installer when you got problem to settle for you. Otherwise, you better stick with pay TV service, either using Ku band (that has rain fade) or IPTV.

About my opinion that what if Astro interested to use C band to offer DTH service using other satellite, it will be different story compared to using universal satellite decoder as mentioned above. The possibility will be the upcoming Measat 2a satellite, located at 148 E and expected to be launch on end 2018. If Measat 2a satellite's C band beam is strong enough and can be receive by using 90cm offset dish with CSR exactly just like one of Indonesian pay TV, Transvision previously used to do, then it will be great as customers are not necessary to use big ugly parabolic dish to get the signal if the satellite power output is strong enough. Because of its smaller 90cm offset dish compared to parabolic dish, you don't need to bother about maintenance (unless the dish is not properly adjusted) just like Astro 65cm Ku band dish, and the cost will be way lesser compared to parabolic dish. If Astro use this method, customer may not need to fork out much money or perhaps just little higher than Ku band ones, for Astro C band DTH. And of course only Astro decoders can be used to receive the channels (not universal satellite decoder), so no need to think about manual channel updating, and whatsoever. Don't forget the main reason of using C band is you won't experience rain fade issue, as long you properly adjust the dish.

This one you can understand easily, right? Hope you can now understand and differentiate between the different uses of C band in satellite TV.

It seems that you are strongly referring to Videocon d2h, which is known for pay TV service from India that is easily receivable in West Malaysia, am I right?

For Malaysian Indians, Videocon d2h is the best option if you are craving for more Indian content as Astro doesn't provide much Indian channels, which is an disadvantage among Malaysian Indians. For non Indians, there is still English in-house channels, movies and sports channels to enjoy. Many Malaysians prefers to watch some in-house channels that Astro provides but Videocon d2h doesn't have, especially Malay and Chinese channels. So eventually it is all depends on individual taste, no right or wrongs here.

If I m not wrong, the decorder need to purchase from other source, but not under Astro decorder. Am I right?

So much technical stuff I learned today..
C band & Ku band.. And type of dish..

Respect for this expert guy really clear and nice explanation
Sorry for you all guy make it confuse and complicated..
Although looonnnggg essay, but it's much more interesting have like this sharing information each other.

By the way, currently use the Universal satellite decorder with HD enable plus can record channels to external HDD. However, the problem is there is "NO Smart card slot".. So not sure this type decorder still consider in old version unit or what? Some-more get this unit from cousin them.
Can you have some advice for that? (P.S, seriously we are start to out of topic from Astro..)

Yes, it's good that you added-in the main point that this motorize system is not compulsory item. But without this motorize system, you just only can watch for 1 satellite position. One of the example that most of the people prefer ChinaSat ONLY which can watch FREE view China channels (enjoy up to 1 hour advertisement program after the show... )

Suggestions & Idea

We saw some IMPORTANT information that astro Malaysia licence will be end on Feb 2017, which means after Feb 2017 astro will NOT become monopoly payTV subscriber in Malaysia?
If this monopoly payTV info is really true, any possible new payTV company will enter to Malaysia market?
P/S: Sincerely new payTV company can join in Malaysia's market and compete with this Assteruk & Hypptv.

Based on joshhd's conclusion there, it is a good idea that astro can use C band to offer DTH services. However from my view, I don't think so it is possible that astro will interest by using the C Band signal. Some-more, most of the astro subscriber experienced too much negative feedback towards the astro. You can see from astro FB page regarding the inquiry and complain (Let's have a popcorn ). Eventually, their sales drop already and most of the customers switch to Unifi with Hypptv.

Recycle program shows (over a year and a year repeat again) + Fabricate own Astro brand channel name (such as Astro Hua Hee, Astro Shuang Xing and so on) are the most PROFESSIONAL in their company. <RESPECT>

I was wondering possible another cableTV subscriber (sorry no Astro and Hypptv pls... ) can only focus of use C band + (if available for) IPTV or not...

Because it is a universal satellite decoder, it is better that you do some research by yourself on the types of satellite decoder models available, instead of just accepting whatever decoder that the installer provide to you. And of course you can't compare with Astro decoders. May you share with us, what decoder brand and model you are using now? And why do you want a smart card slot for? What channels do you want to watch that uses smart card to decrypt the channels?

Well, there is other alternatives to watch channels from multiple satellites besides motorize system because motorize system itself is not cheap (I think it costs thousands of ringgit if not mistaken) and not everyone willing to spend money on that. The easiest one is to buy another satellite dish to receive signals from another satellite, which is easy and straightforward. If you don't want to spend money to buy another dish and other equipment, you can put multiple LNBs on your satellite dish, but this is quite challenging and time consuming to set it up but of course it saves cost, or you can ask an installer to help you. It looks something like this:



Yes, Astro exclusive DTH license expires on Feb 2017, while non-exclusive license expires on 2022. And yes it means companies can introduce new DTH pay TV after Feb 2017. But this is just DTH pay TV company, not TV content. Astro holds quite an amount of exclusive content/channels across several TV networks for several years, such as HBO, Fox Network Group, etc. The future DTH pay TV might struggle if they couldn't offer TV channels that aren't so attractive to customers because Astro still owns those exclusive rights to those "nice" channels. Pretty much almost every channels you saw on Astro that Hypp TV don't provide such as HBO, Discovery Channel, Nat Geo, others are exclusive by Astro. Unless the new DTH pay TV willing to bid over Astro for the content, and not to forget about sports content as well.

It depends whether Astro interested to provide C band DTH or not, since that is one of the easiest solution to solve rain fade issue and all Malaysian customers can enjoy the service, unlike Astro IPTV where it is limited to service coverage as the area must have fibre broadband service to enjoy the service. Yes I am very aware that Astro FB page are full of negative feedback and complaints. You say their sales drop? Nope. The number of subscribers kept increasing non-stop quarter by quarter, year by year and the graph never drop, plus Njoi also provided some support too. Currently there are 5 millions and growing subscribers, including 1 million Njoi customers. Thanks to Astro's monopoly, despite how much effort the customers tries to complain, cancel Astro service and even tells people to boycott Astro, Astro will still continue to stand as "No. 1 pay TV in Malaysia" and win some sort of awards (such as Putra Brand Awards) that we don't care. Because they know that there's no other pay TV in Malaysia provide the channels as good as Astro. Ask yourself, do you prefer the channels you see on Astro or Hypp TV, or both? If you cancel Astro, you can't watch those channels, as simple as that. Even there is those Internet TV, watch TV shows on Internet for free, Netflix, iflix, Hypp TV or whatsoever, Astro aren't afraid about this because as long the number of subscribers is growing and profit are there, it's fine for them. Remember, whatever they do, they will prioritize on money first, not customer first. It sounds like I'm giving hate speech towards Astro, but it is the truth. Like it or not, we Malaysians just have to accept it.

Exclusive DTH license means, no other satellite pay TV is allowed to be in Malaysian pay TV market until the exclusive license expires. If our "very good" government wants to renew and extend their exclusive license again, then literally Malaysia no hope already. Whether to use C band or not, it still have to depend on our "very good" government allow the usage of C band for the particular DTH pay TV or not. But that one is future thing la...

Yes. Satellite TV can be interesting. If you like to feel the challenge to use parabolic dish to receive foreign channels from other satellites, then this is something you can "play" and learn to try it out. Because compared to Astro and IPTV, it is just.... TV channels from the provider.

Don't get me wrong. I am not encouraging people to cancel Astro and watch foreign TV channels from other satellites. Also another thing to remind that, it is somehow not legal under Malaysian law, especially West Malaysia unless you got the permission from government such as TV station company like RTM, Media Prima and Astro. If you stay at rural areas, people usually don't bother because not all of them can afford to subscribe Astro also, so there are minorities of people uses parabolic dish to receive foreign channels such as channels from China. For urban city areas, you can do it also, but you need to pandai pandai la, hide the parabolic dish from obvious view and make sure your neighbours won't get jealous that you can watch TV channels for free, and end up file a complaint to MCMC (Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission) or the police.

Yes. Definitely not from Astro.

He is referring to Videocon d2h, one of India's pay TV.

Too bad most of us staying in urban areas..
And well neighbours are not in talking term.. Well got some previous unsolved issues...
If I were to put the parabolic dish, confirm they would report..

That depends on your neighbours in your neighbourhood, because not every neighbours are so busy body like this.
Because, you using a parabolic dish is none of their business, unless your neighbours are jealous.

If can, hide it from obvious view such as at the back of the house, balcony, rooftop or something. As long is not easily spotted at the main road of your residential area, then it should be fine.

Yup, it's depends on individuals neighborhood..
Some are okay..
Best is those kampung areas or those far far away from people.. No disturbances...

Yeah.

So, better stick with Astro, ya? Or if Astro would use C band DTH using 90cm offset dish with CSR, the dish will look like this:



This above picture is what Transvision uses C band for DTH on 90cm offset dish with CSR (the blue circular ring thing on the LNB).

FYI, parabolic dish is used to receive C band signals because the satellite power output for C band is not as strong as Ku band signals. One of the main reason is C band coverage can cover as big as 1/3 Earth surface! So you need bigger parabolic dishes to get more signals for C band. But as newer satellites features better and more advanced technology, using smaller size dish can be made possible, just like what Transvision C band DTH does on Telkom 1, one of Indonesian satellite.

Generally, if the C band coverage beam is small, the output power can be stronger. Telkom 1 satellite has C band beam that covers only South East Asia, that could explains why C band signals can be receive by using 90cm dish with CSR. Meanwhile, upcoming Measat 2a's C band coverage beam is South East Asia where they choose not to cover large area due to orbit position that is near to the pacific ocean, 148 E.



Source: Measat (http://www.measat.com/satellite_148e_measat2a.html)

This post has been edited by joshhd: Nov 30 2016, 12:49 PM

well if uses the dish like shown above, should be no problem as it's looks like astro dish from far

Haha what a pusseh these people i see these dishes quite a lot in indonesia and thailand pun tak ada hal pun unless i visited just the kampung area dang havent gone 2 bangkok jakarta 2 check their satelite

If kampung got unifi then i rather live in kampung tanam own jagung sama ubi jimat banyak tau

Indonesia and Thailand no problem because parabolic dishes are legal in their country and the people there has the freedom to install satellite dish and watch whatever channels they like. And many of their people depends on parabolic satellite dish as their primary method to watch TV, especially in areas where terrestrial TV service is not available.

Malaysia different because of money and politics involved, parabolic dishes are not legal, so Malaysians got to subscribe to Astro instead, or depend on Internet to watch TV content.

it's depends on your neighborhood lor..
if okay type. then no problem if u put up those big parabolic dish (I think can see in Petrol station there). always got one big dish..

well if kampong got unifi, sure can use IPTV lor

Petrol station one is different. And it is not for TV ya...

Most of petrol stations uses C band for data related services (or satellite broadband), such as credit card payments and so on. They use satellite broadband so that they don't have to depend on Internet connection like ADSL or Fibre, and plus they don't need high speed internet for that. As long it is fast enough to transfer data, then it's good enough already, and satellite broadband can do the job. If they use the usual Internet like TM streamyx or Unifi, and if ISP network is down, it will be a trouble. Satellite broadband are less likely to have service disruption unlike what you experience on Streamyx or Unifi. And yes, even heavy rains, it still can be used because it's C band....

hahah I know.. sure it's not for TV

the dish is that size right.. if we were use for TV..

yeah, good to know there's will be minimal service disruption.. they will incur loss if always network down

I think the dish size used at petrol station is 120cm. If use 90cm, signal will be weak or no signal because Measat 3 and 3a output power is just "strong enough".

Let's hope that upcoming Measat 2a satellite can be even stronger than Measat 3 and 3a transmission output power for C band.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Nov 30 2016, 02:08 PM