As of 5 May 2017, MTV (ch713) is now the one and only channel that is broadcasts in native 16:9 format but transmits in 4:3 format. Prior to this, only Go Shop (ch118) transmits using this format, but now the channel has upgraded to HD. In simple words, still in 4:3 but no letterbox, so when you watch it on your 16:9 TV, it will display as the correct shape if you don't set the viewing setting as pillarbox.

Now as what I see, besides correct picture shape (aspect ratio), the picture quality of MTV has improved a lot, but still not as good as native SD 16:9 channels like Astro Arena, Bloomberg, Disney XD, etc. But at least, better than nothing.

I was like, finally after been sooo many months, Astro only take action about the aspect ratio thinggy.
Nice one, Astro! Thumbs up!

they will close their eyes .... the only thing they know , increase monthly fee and put all trash channels 

lets count how many of us will spam their email .... me & you total 2 , how bout others ? 

You guys don't forget the fact why they chose to transmit most of SD channels with letterbox instead of native 16:9 aspect ratio.
I think this time, they chose to upgrade MTV is because they have no plan to upgrade the channel to HD for now.

MTV's viewership isn't very high as other in-house channels. Astro knows that upgrading the channel to HD won't encourage more customers to subscribe to HD. Ask yourself, how often will you watch MTV channel in your leisure time? If MTV really upgraded to HD, and customers are forced to subscribe to HD + Variety pack, will you subscribe them? Do you think Astro will earn more money, or lose money because customers chose to give up and don't wish to watch MTV anymore?

Unlike the Lifetime channel now (ch709), part of the reason why they chose to upgrade this channel is probably due to well performing viewership ratings, or they find out that certain group of viewers enjoy watching this channel, so after upgrading the channel to HD, they hope those group of viewers will pay more money (if they haven't) to continue watching Lifetime channel in HD quality. As for FYI (ch736), it is the opposite of this.

So if you want to convince Astro to remove pillarbox on those highly rated channels like HBO 411, Fox Movies Premium 413, all Astro SuperSport SD channels, Astro AEC 301, Astri Shuang Xing 324, etc. I can tell you is, it won't be easy.

Because if they really do, they will lose marketing advantage to convince customers to subscribe to HD service. Majority of the customers will react like this: "Ehhh, I watch HBO 411 no letterbox and all, the picture quality looks great to me, looks almost like HD, so why would I pay more money for HD?"

Hah, see that? Now even if you go compare with Astro Arena 801 and Astro Arena HD 802, then you will get what I mean. Majority of viewers like us are just being materialistic. We want to see BIG difference by paying more money, not small differences and we pay nothing and hey gain nothing. Get it now?

Haha i didnt know HGTV hd has disappeared from astro

Better also because who in the right mind can buy property like buying fish in market unless you are property tycoon great in playing speculations full time

Cooking channel full hd even better because everybody likes 2 cook especially auntie mak cik

No lah... That's the same kind of nonsense as our minister say Malaysians love cheap and slow Internet. I believe you heard about the news long ago, right?

Customer service representative are just a customer service representative, they're not professionals and necessarily good in tech stuff.

This is true, bcoz they do their own job.
The slogan of staff in malaysia "I makan gaji saja, macam mana tahu, tunggu loh".

I think will be on Mustika pack with HD.
Who know there is additional cost for that.. lol..

Astro bagi free review astro warna HD sampai 31 Mei je... Lepas tu kena langgan mustika

Hahahahaha

Just now watched Taiwan drama on 307.
Just a little kiss also kena cut..(and this is only man and woman kiss only) the..

because warna programmes are now broadcast on warna hd too, so mustika hd needs new programs. based on the tv guide, i can see a lot of movies (malay, bollywood, korea and chinese) in mustika hd lineup. so i guess that includes SCM movies.

rojak program from citra and bella channel

The rojak is so tasty and even sold to singapore

Mio/Starhub  just want to attract malay and indian customers ,chinese hv other sources but for indians and malays choices are limited in spore cos they cannot access other sources like in msia

The channel in SG but different Pay TV providers.
You want Astro Ria? You need to subscribe Singtel TV. And if you want Astro Warna.. You need to subscribe Starhub TV. Do note this channel is not available in Family Pack. Probaly in Astrojak Pack...