Oh don't you underestimate the greatness of DTH. Although internet streaming is the current thing for today, satellite (DTH) will still remain relevant today and future.

Satellite can achieve something that Internet (IPTV/OTT) hard/impossible to achieve.
One of the key advantages of DTH are, coverage, depends on signal strength to get service rather than "sufficient bandwidth" like internet, and better choice to offer UHD services compared to IPTV/cable TV, and many more.

Which is why, DTH pay TV service is still being used in many countries around the world.

Yeah. ABNxcess did try focus on different market segments. But eventually what happened? You know the answer.
It is very hard to sustain if you don't offer highly anticipated content.

Hah, all I can say is, get ready to change to new Astro box. Remember to ask if there is any charges or your 12/24 months contract will be restarted, especially if you replace new Astro box.

But if you ask me, I never experience this before. As long your Astro box has proper ventilation, it shouldn't have overheat issues.

Somewhat true. But then, if you cancel Astro, Hypp TV will be your alternative pay TV service provider. Question is, is the channel offerings on Hypp TV as good as Astro, especially sports content? Unless you don't mind not watching TV at all, or go watch our Malaysian "very good" terrestrial TV channels, or go internet streaming, you can "live" without Astro.

This is one of the main reason why many Malaysians still on Astro because of this, despite the fact that many people complain about its expensive pricing and wanting to boycott the company.

This is the latest model for Astro HD box (also known as DMT 5).

In a nutshell:

Compared to the previous model, this is smaller in size, no time/channel number display, Optical audio ouput only instead of Coaxial audio output (to connect to your home theatre to enjoy Dolby 5.1), Component video outputs (red, green, blue RCA ports) has been removed. The HD box's performance is slightly slower than the previous HD box (DMT 4), but still somewhat acceptable. If you ask Astro: what is the difference? They will say, no difference, just that the size is smaller.

Technical detail:

DMT 4: Previous HD box model that is wider and has time/channel number display
DMT 5: Latest HD box model which is smaller, the one that you are using now

In my opinion, this HD box (DMT 5) is for Astro to somewhat save cost. Why do I say so? Because it is smaller in size, the manufacturing costs could be lower. Also, it removed some of the output ports that existed on the previous model like Component video and Coaxial (replaced by Optical output as more people prefer using it, and digital optical cable is easier to find in stores).

Back in 2010, the DMT 4 do feature a built-in PVR function where previously users can subscribe to Plug 'N Play PVR service (add RM5/month) to enjoy PVR service by using HD box. You can read more here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/astro/astro-...50186231955245/

Just purchase the one and only WD My Passport AV 320GB external hard disk, which Astro made this exact and only model to be compatible with it. This is why you will get the same white colour Astro B.yond remote control when you use either HD or PVR box. However, since HD box is single tuner only, so once you start to record a channel, you can't change to other channel until you stop the recording, which is the biggest downside of it.

But then, this Plug 'N Play service is not offered for long. It was eventually discontinued and no longer being offered by Astro. Existing users who still using Plug 'N Play PVR service are advised to upgrade to PVR box.

So, the PVR functionality that was existed on DMT 4, has been completely removed on the DMT 5 HD box. Since it is no longer being offered, why still include feature that no longer using? Which is why you get separate, smaller remote control model for HD box that don't have those PVR buttons (e.g. record, rewind, fast) and another separate, bigger remote control model for PVR box that has those PVR buttons.


This is the latest remote control model for the latest DMT 5 and DMT 5 v2 PVR box.

Next, the overall system performance is slower and more sluggish compared to DMT4. I suspect they use a slightly lower performance CPU and whatever chips in this DMT 5, to somewhat save cost, and also for the sake of the smaller form factor of the HD box. LOL. You will notice the difference when you perform any actions on the box and see how fast it responds. Example, compared to DMT 4, the duration of changing a channel takes slightly longer time, press any buttons (e.g. "home" or "ok" or "info" button) takes longer time for the menus to appear, etc.

Whenever customer dislikes any of these small little things, such as no time/channel number display, Astro will recommend them to upgrade to PVR box, which has the complete functionalities. Besides having that time/channel number display, you get Component output, both digital Coaxial and Optical audio output, way faster performance (response time are almost real-time as you perform any actions (change channel, display Info Banner, open TV Guide, etc.), built-in WiFi function to easy access to OD service (Video On Demand service), and of course PVR functions, and many more. So when customer upgrades to PVR box, eventually customers may be paying more money to Astro, and don't forget, PVR box has 24 months contract while HD box is 12 months.

So, you can somewhat assume that this DMT 5 HD box is a "Lite" and the most basic version among Astro boxes, cuz the main purpose is to watch Astro channels in a very basic way.

Hope my explanation clarify your curiosity.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Jul 18 2017, 06:51 PM

If you are using 4K TV to watch Astro, either it will look the same as your HDTV, or if your 4K TV has upscaling function from Full HD source, you might see a slightly better, improved picture quality.
Astro (as well as the rest of pay TV services all around the world) transmits HD channel in 1080i quality. The quality is somewhat similar like 1080p.

Since upgrading/purchasing new TV is a long term investment for most people, why not go ahead and buy a 4K TV? Since more 4K (also known as UHD) content will be offered in the future, you need a 4K TV to enjoy the great picture detail of it. Of course, it is no surprise that Astro will launch 4K UHD service, but of course, not soon lah.

The video quality on Astro IPTV is the same as what you see on regular Astro via satellite.

FYI, worldwide broadcast standards set by ITU (International Telecommunication Union) for UHD content/channel is only in Progressive, meaning only 2160p, no more interlaced like 1080i. So in fact, there are no such thing as 2160i like you said. So, UHD channel will transmitted in 2160p50 (50Hz countries) or 2160p60 (60Hz countries), either HEVC codec or H.264 codec.

Both Hypp TV and also digital terrestrial TV (MYTV/myFreeview) uses the newer MPEG4 codec instead of MPEG2 like Astro. So you will definitely see improved picture quality compared to Astro's SD channel quality.

Every pay TV around the world will set the video bitrate according to their capability of the bandwidth they have, and also many other factors, so Hypp TV is not an exception.
Well, AXN HD is just my example for every HD channel on Astro... So not only specifically AXN HD channel only.

Astro uses 5Mbps video bitrate for their HD channel (I find it out by myself, in pretty complicated way). The picture shall look good enough at this bitrate (pretty much just like what you see 1080p videos on YouTube), but when the programme has fast moving scenes (e.g. car chase scene) or sudden bright/dark scenes (e.g gunshots in dark place, flashlights flashing here and there in a dark place), you will see a pretty obvious poor video quality, depend on how much you go notice it.

This Astro IPTV with TIME Fibre..... Hopeless.......


This post has been edited by joshhd: Jul 19 2017, 02:19 AM

Well, this topic is all about Astro. Feel free to ask questions about Astro IPTV here...

The cables and routers installation is the same as the usual TM UniFi/Maxis Fibre/TIME Fibre set up.
Only thing is, a LAN cable from your WiFi router (e.g Maxis router) will be connected to your Astro PVR box. It's pretty much simple.

May I know, your area is under which ISP? Unifi? Maxis Fibre? Or you plan to subscribe Astro IPTV with TIME Fibre?

This one, better Google yourself, if you really want to know. Because this is a very technical and broadcasting stuff that usually consumers don't bother. In simple words, 50Hz or 60Hz means 50fps or 60fps. When we say 50Hz, it refers to the European broadcast standards, PAL. For 60Hz, US broadcast standards, NTSC.

But the thing you need to know is, Malaysia using the European/UK standards which is PAL = 50Hz for TV. So the TV content you see in Malaysia are all 50Hz, including Astro, Hypp TV, MYTV or whatsoever.
In fact, majority of the countries around the world uses 50Hz PAL standards more than 60Hz.

60Hz is a little bit smoother than 50Hz, but 50Hz is still very smooth already, and most people can hardly tell the difference between 50Hz/60Hz.

Please note that I am referring this 50/60Hz thing to TV broadcasting standards, not to be confused with computer/phone screen's refresh rate, and gaming.

Anime/cartoon in 2160p is nothing surprising lah... Everything will soon goes to UHD eventually, just like how SD migrates to HD.

Yeah it is pretty much expected that Astro will use HEVC for UHD channels. I mean is, broadcasters have the option to choose to transmit either H.264/MPEG4 OR H.265/HEVC for UHD content, depend on their equipment, bandwidth and other factors. But it is true to say, UHD will be using much more bandwidth compared to HD channel in a single transponder. UHD broadcasting is still under trial for some countries, although some countries already have a very limited number of official, 24/7 UHD linear TV channel, especially developing countries like Korea/Japan. And some even still testing out HDR + UHD broadcasting too!

Discovery Channel on Astro is a dedicated Malaysia feed, and it is only available in SD. Asia feed one already have in HD. Not sure why Astro simply waste money to spend to have dedicated Malaysia feed for Discovery Channel. Cartoon Network on Astro is Asia feed, but it is in SD. Asia HD feed are already available "elsewhere", it is just that Astro didn't carry the channel just yet.

Astro are silently, already in transition to migrate from legacy Astro box to B.yond boxes as legacy boxes do not support MPEG4 and also DVB-S2.
Meaning that, if Astro change to MPEG4 for SD channels, customers who still using legacy boxes will no longer able to watch Astro, making legacy boxes totally useless.

Astro is taking their sweet time, obviously.

I personally think, Astro's Animax or Animax On Demand should not be your main source of watching anime, especially when it comes to our censorship board and content availability.
Animax/Aniplus on either Astro or Hypp TV shall be your alternative platform for you to watch anime.

Conclusion: Don't expect these kinds of platforms to provide the best service that you would expect.

Hmmm... Your installation setup is quite complex... I'll see if I can help.

Could you share with us the main reason you want to upgrade to Astro IPTV?

You are using Fibre or VDSL? In case you don't know, since your area is under TM, fibre cable will be used for Unifi for landed properties, while VDSL copper for high rise buildings (e.g. condo, apartment).

Reply:
1) Which Unifi speed package you've subscribed to? Is it the Personal one or Business one (eg. UniFi BIZ)? Does your CCTV, network attached storage, etc. requires static IP? You need to check with Astro IPTV if you need static IP according to your usage.
2) Yes. One of your TM router will be replaced to the Maxis one.

Are you saying that you have Multiroom subscription (multiple Astro boxes in the same home)? Which Astro box type are you using for primary and secondary Astro box? HD or PVR box?
What kind of repeater you use to connect each Astro box to 2 TVs?

If possible, explain and describe your installation setup in detail.

Yeap. They are testing out HDR together with UHD channel offerings... Pretty cool, eh?

The dedicated feed will have some difference in programming and commercials compared to Asia feed. If you compare the TV schedule with Malaysia feed and Asia feed for Discovery Channel, it is the same most of the time, only with some programme showing differently. It is said that it is to cater Malaysian audience with the dedicated feed, but I don't see such necessary for Astro to do that for Discovery Channel.

It depends. Hypp TV (or Astro in the future) may take it from Asia feed, but they can modify a limited amount of programming by themselves, such as replacing a movie with another movie that is in their (Hypp TV) "movie library" with tvN Movies logo on it (make it look as identical as possible), so that viewers won't notice major difference in terms of channel UI compared to original Asia feed.

This sometimes (very seldom) happens on Fox Action Movies too (one of the example) as you will see some little tiny changes on channel UI such as channel logo size/position, different subtitle font/font size, no movie name indicator at the side of the screen (e.g. top right corner), etc.

I'm not so familiar about tvN Movies, but I know AXN in Singapore is a dedicated Singapore feed, meanwhile the rest of Asia like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, etc. is on Asia feed.

Ohhh.... From what I see, you don't need to do any changes on your existing cable setup. However, just make sure both Astro PVR boxes can be connected to your router via LAN cables.

Also, if you are using the older PVR box (the one that don't have built in WiFi), it will be replaced to the new one as well.

I think, that's pretty much you need to know.

Your LAN wall socket connects to your router, right?

Well I'm not sure about splitter. whether it will work or not.. But I think using LAN Switcher has higher chance that it will work. Connect the LAN cable to your LAN Switcher so that you can connect multiple LAN ports, one to your PlayStation, another to Astro PVR box. I guess it should work, and the switcher isn't expensive also...

If it doesn't work, use powerline adapter.

Whenever I see this user Low Li Hao posting about new HD channel is launching soon and did not state any source on where he get the info, just ignore.
Obviously he simply hantam one...

Wow.. Thanks for this info... Hypp TV is slowly getting better with the channel offering now.

They will give no s**t about this.
They have 5 over million customers. They aren't scared of that, little complaints.

Astro is like that one. Typically ignorant.