This is precisely what I've been harping about for years.. Sellers who keep branding their boxes as pre-installed this and that.. Calling boxes as "TV boxes" etc.. Computers, mobile phones, tablets etc aren't sold as TV devices, but can run the same apps and output via hdmi even. They wouldn't dare ask to block sales of those.. Those sellers should have just stuck to selling boxes as is and then separate services.. But no.. Greed.. They've made their profits and now it seems users are going to pay the price and sooner than I anticipated. FYI, Astro Go app is built to only work on legit mobile devices only. Hence it's work or not attitude on some devices. Obviously, they want users to sub directly to them and use their propriety STB connected to TVs.. Not shared AOTG accounts. More revenue.

Can anyone recommend me a TV box which comes with astro channel? Particularly Wah Lai Toi.

Well, I prefer my box as it is flexible to have other apps as well.
Since I subscribe Astro for my folks at home, I get to enjoy Astro Go on my box, I cannot deny I kinda like the VOD though... Sometimes I may miss the live shows and it is good to have it stored in the app.

Anyway, I doubt Astro has the power to ban the boxes.

Illegal IPTV discussion is not allowed. Legit way is get an Astro Go account and install in your box.

i got legitimate Astro subscription. so with Astro Go i can just login using my astro account in TV box with all the channels i subscribed?

Not all channels but at least 90%. There are no local channels in Astro Go though.

Another challenging part will be the compatible box to use this app, if it is rooted, you are unlikely to be able to use this app.

So, you will need to find an unrooted box, I'm using Minix U1 and it works. I think MiBox works too.

Thing is Astro doesn't need to have the power to ban.. They only need to lobby the right channels that have the power. C'mon, even we know that such services are not entirely legal.. So where's the defense?.. An excerpt from that article..

"According to reports, this is among proposed changes to the country’s Copyright Act, to be tabled in Parliament this year. The amendments are the result of a three-year review and follows consultation with Singapore’s Intellectual Property Office, content providers, Pay-TV operators, and the public; and will introduce civil and criminal liabilities."

Replace the above with their Malaysian equivalents and the same can very well happen. Anyway, Astro won't be going after their AOTG users cuz those are already paying customers.. They be going to cripple those who don't sub to them at all, due to ehem alternatives out there.

This post has been edited by voncrane: Jan 29 2019, 11:08 AM

I know where they are coming from but to have a blanket ban for all boxes - unfair. Come on, Android boxes are not about IPTVs only.
Anyway, as Malaysians are well-known for piracy, I think we still have a long way to go for this ruling.

The weird thing is that Astro GO actually available for some of the newer LG TVs through their app store. Unfortunately, my TV is an older version and not supported. The only way to get it is through media box/computer. Very useful during rain when I can't watch Astro.

Doubt that banning would help much... IPTV not really new, but it is just easier with these TV boxes. If they want, they can sell computer or software with all these stuff built-in.

MCMC considers regulatory intervention on set-top boxes

CYBERJAYA: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) is exploring regulatory intervention on Android TV boxes.

MCMC chairman Ishsal Ishak said the sale and ownership of set-top boxes with services that allow consumers to access pirated content is illegal in Malaysia.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/business/busines...43pcZ6Fqe64c.99

looked like they have to block all the TV with internet capable too...

and the most damaging to Astro is not the illegal iptv,
it is Netflix, DirecTV, iflix, dimsum, hypp
and... the ultimate big boss YouTube

I still think it is the illegal IPTV. Those you listed are VODs and for e.g. my family doesn't subscribe to Movie package so these apps have no effect on us. I'm the only one who is watching Netflix at home.
Astro pays a lot for sports live streaming and these illegal IPTVs are killing them.

As Unifi is no longer supplyimg STBs, HyppTV users need some sort of box if their TVs don't run Play@unifi

Of course, we that know know.. So yes, while Android powered boxes are not about IPTVs only. In fact, that probably only accounts for 1 % of my media consumption...Noobs and certain sellers are what make the case as is today

Nope.. That was my point earlier.. When you walk into a Dell, HP, Samsung, Apple etc, these guys or their dealers don't advertise their devices as coming pre-installed with thousands of illegally obtained and supplied content. They don't even advertise it can run pirated games and Ms. Office, etc. But those who want such know how to install and run such on their devices.. So its safe and Big Media can't go against such.. Minix or HiMedia don't advertise their boxes as a hub of pirated content. In fact, tis one of the primary reasons i love Minix shipping their devices as bare-bones as possible. Since governments can't go after them directly, cuz duh.. they just produce the box.. Governments will go after the servers (especially if locally hosted/distributed) and sellers who advertise illegal stuff..

What can I say.... kek?

Not really.. Netflix is legit and they do VOD.. Astro does live TV and they have exclusive rights to broadcast certain channels. Netflix's CEO has come out publicly to say they will concentrate only on VOD content (wise move) and won't be venturing into the live TV territory.. iFlix? Pretty much DOA.. Gave me free also, I only used it to catch Black Sails back then.. cuz it was exclusive to them.. After that? ditched em.. UnifiTV is no match for Astro's line up.. YouTube/YouTube Red?? Don't even bother.. Enuf said there.. As far as I can tell, Astro's only main threat is the numerous and easy to get ehem services out there. Which is why people roll in here multiple times per week.. Not asking for "live TV" or DimSum or Youtube.. but particularly for an Astro replacement..

From a customer POV? yep.. True.. But legally, that app was only developed for mobile devices. Which is why when one chats up TM CS to ask about the app not working.. They immediately ask.. "on what device".. mention a tv box? You get no support.. From their business POV.. It's the right call. Kinda like Netflix's call to only allow certified devices to get more than 480p res and surround sound.. Everything else gets less with stereo sound. Can Netflix handle opening to all? Heck yeah!! But then, given the amount of shit boxes out there, that also means they'll be spending more time dealing with reports from paying customers who didn't know better and simply bought a crap box, expecting Netflix to work well on it. I stand by their decision as the customer's experience is as important as them charging us for it.

thanks.
Cz i always think smart tv is those tv can use wifi and internet. like what you say can use Youtube

Refer to bold text. If we buy a 'clean' android box with just the operating system, it shouldn't be illegal right? And MCMC cannot ban the sale of these 'clean' boxes right?

Now say after we bought this 'clean' box and later in our own private home, we install some apps that allow us access to pirated content, how and what can the authorities do to us? Penalty or even jail?

Then what about android phone users in malaysia where some of them install illegal streaming apps in their phone. Are the authorities going to take action on these users as well?

I think it's going to be tough for authorities trying to catch users owning these illegal boxes similar to users using illegal satellite dish in their homes.

I didn't expect MCMC to come out with a statement so quickly.

Yes, I don't think VOD is a threat to Astro, it's the illegal IPTVs which are bothering them.

Like SG, the government works with ISP and telcos to block connection to those servers. You will not be able to watch the illegal IPTVs. Other stuff, I think they are not really going after yet.

You are welcome...

You are right.. Completely banning such services here is a pipe dream. At most, they can go after the sellers or liaise with ISPs to block certain p2p connections..but then.. If folks in China still can find ways around the "great wall" to use Google services, etc..

So you buy a smart TV with Netflix and then Netflix do a software update that disables your almost new UHD TVs app and you are stuffed.

if u got lobang for stb, let me know...


u should use YouTube more... hehe
China hv many official YouTube contents... drama, variety, singing etc
unlimited MTV...
all this is free and we r only looking on very small part of it.

advanced user use p2p lol

What you mentioned it's just VOD. I do watch a lot of YouTube too.

I'm not a fan of P2P.