Don't forget RTM, Media Prima, TV Alhijrah and Bernama will make decision to bring their channels in HD on Astro.

Dear Astro broadcast engineer team or whoever is from the higher level people in Astro, if you're reading this, pls don't think your customers are stupid. This is seriously getting worse.... 
Now Astro have reduced the video bitrate of all 3 UHD channels, from 15Mbps to as low as 12.8Mbps!

12.8Mbps for CH 780
13.2Mbps for CH 498 and CH 499

Based on the data I got, it seems to me that Astro UHD channels uses Constant Bit Rate (CBR) instead of Variable Bit Rate (VBR), such as using the Constant Rate Factor (CRF) method like what they use on SD and HD channels.
So Astro broadcast engineer team assume that Ultra Box customers won't realise any picture quality difference because it's barely just 3Mbps difference....       

12316MHz
  

12436MHz
  

*Only video and audio tracks are shown for easier viewing. Others such as ECM, EIT, DVB subtitle tracks has been filtered.

"3Mbps very little difference only", is it? Come, story telling time:
1) So now 13Mbps per UHD channel. Following weeks, 10Mbps per UHD channel. Then Jan 2020 onwards, 7Mbps per UHD channel?? Then Feb 2020 onwards, 4Mbps per UHD channel???
2) When customer complain how come picture quality look so bad, your customer service agents from technical department would say, "it's my satellite signal or the satellite dish problem"?
3) Later arrange a technician visit to customer premise, and charge RM65 technical service fee?
4) Eventually you'll be kind and waive the technical charges (case to case basis) because technician couldn't find out what's the problem, and then try replace brand new set of Ultra Box, and then restart 24 months contract?
Oh, Astro is very kind already lo... "We change a brand new Ultra Box for you, at no additional charges somemore."
5) After some time, customer realises, picture quality problem still the same after changing new Ultra Box.
6) Contact Astro again, the customer service agent say, since issue still persists, then it must be your TV problem, and come out with funny funny excuses like "Your TV does not fully support Astro services properly". "It's customer's problem, not our problem. So, relax."
Problem solved, close case. "Ok, don't explain any further. We got many customers calling in, and we're very busy, customers are waiting too long." Like that?
7) Not happy? Report to MCMC. And then eventually close case.
8) Feeling frustrated? Want to terminate Astro? "Go ahead." After all, Astro has 5.7 million customers now, if 1 customer leaves Astro, the numbers still remains 5.7 million and growing. So what's the big deal anyway?

Wahhh, where you learn that marketing strategy from? Confirm profit. Very smart  

4K UHD picture quality on Netflix's is so much better than your crappy service. You might well don't introduce such Ultra Box to customers if saving cost and bandwidth is what you're thinking about. Or you're just doing these Ultra Box nonsense is for the sake of pleasing your stakeholders?

You want me to reveal the actual video bitrates used on your SD and HD channels now? I have solid evidence that you have been reducing video bitrate on almost all channels (which I am super disappointed), so don't be in denial as what you always love to do.

You better set a cap your variable bit rate to not go way lower than already is now, and increase back to 5-6Mbps per HD channels in the next coming months like we all used to have since for many years.
Or else I'll reveal all your lousy bitrate data that I've collected to this forum topic.  
And yes, I am very well aware that you are phasing out legacy Astro boxes, so better stick to the 31 Jan 2020 date as scheduled.

I will continue monitor all bitrates used on all transponders from now onwards (in fact I been doing this since a while ago, but now I'll monitor it more aggressively), to see what kinds of funny tricks you're trying to do.
Customer pay you money, you go and reduce the picture quality. What's your problem? Oh, testing? It's just temporary? You better convince me that. 
You want to save cost? You might as well shut down entire Astro company. Confirm save cost.

And where is that almost forgotten mr_j? Are you being pressured by some higher level parties to not engaging such discussions in public forum like this?

Also, I almost forgot to share to you guys... About audio stuff.

The Astro UHD channel on ch780, both HE-AAC track (80kbps) and Dolby AC3 audio track (256kbps) is Stereo.
Just because it is a Dolby audio track, that does not mean it is Dolby 5.1 surround sound.

Seriously, if both HE-AAC and AC3 is in Stereo, then what's the point of implementing HE-AAC audio track somemore? Both duplicate Stereo audio track?
Only Ultra Box has access to the UHD channels, and it has the capability of down-convert Dolby audio to PCM audio if the TV doesn't support Dolby audio, unlike non-Ultra Box where audio will become mute if digital audio output settings is set to 5.1.

Another disappointing thing.
UHD channel, don't have 5.1 surround sound?
Those home theatre audiophile out there gonna feel disappointed. 

Meanwhile on all HD channels, some channels that is not originally available in 5.1 audio,
Astro transmits it in 5.1 audio track, making only left and right speakers has audio,
while centre, surround left and surround right speakers no sound.

Suggestion: If that channel is originally only in Stereo, then transmit it only in Stereo (also in Dolby Stereo).

I am by the way

I'm using Sony ATV too

As what I've known, most of the Sony ATV users face this issue after update to Oreo earlier this year. But for me, same as your situation, it started after install Ultra box.

Yes... disconnect the cable, unplug, restart the tv is the quick fix. By my permanent solution is chang to optical cable.

I might need to test again when I got time

Just like the Go Shop channel..
Suddenly it become HD overnight

Happy new year everyone...

As DIVA and E! channel ceases on 1 Jan, so many Astro customers asking the same question. This is the official reply from Astro:
For those who just came here and still not aware what happened:

Like it or not, it is the channel provider's decision (NBC Universal, that operates DIVA and E! channels) to cease the channels across South East Asia. So not only Astro are affected, even pay TVs from other SEA countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand are affected too. So in other words, Astro can't do anything also. It's not that Astro want it to cease also.
So, do your research first before you blame Astro for any channel cessation.
Comedy Central is their decision as a channel replacement for DIVA and E!.
Yes I know, 2 channels in exchange into only 1, while still same package rates. You're not the only one complain about this, and this is not the first time Astro doing this too. And it's no point even you complain to whichever parties, like MCMC for example.
In Astro T&C, they are not committed and obligated to replace any channels that are being ceased for whatever reasons. So when Astro decides to bring Comedy Central channel, you can actually assume that this is simply just their act of goodwill.

If you're not happy, feel free to terminate Astro as long you have no outstanding contracts.
And, you need to give a 30 days advance notice to Astro that you want to terminate. So you can't just terminate it with immediate effect just because you want it now.

StarHub is late..
Zee TV cease earlier on Astro Malaysia 🤣

Anyhow both also same head.. save cost measure only..
Don't think about customer...

Unlike SG one, it's in HD unlike SD for there.

yah i also have Videocon d2h almost cheaper i paid 1 Year + 1 month free expire Aug 2020
will be renew 1 year get 1 month + free alot cheaper then astro expensive

SUN TV HD Very sharp clear for Videocon d2h
but ASTRO SUN TV HD look very not sharp look like VCD Quality SD and FAKE HD to much compress

There's no really an "international standards" for bitrates.
It is up to the TV operator to decide what video bitrate they want to use for its channels. Some just want quantity more than quality, so they'd use lower bitrate.

And btw I'm not boss.

is under movie pack or family?

This I agree..
Those services from India give better choice...
More channels & lower cost I think...

True..later GO SHOP channels in Sabah/Sarawak/Kelantan/Terengganu dialects