Yup, Bro...
Such scare tactics never last...
Once upon  time, Android TV boxes were only available underground...
Now these are sold openly...
On even banners...outside shops!!!
Why doesn't those previous scare tactics continue 2scare?

With advancement of Hi Tech, those providing facilities 2do so legally...shld improve likewise...not sit idle and feel that users hv no other choice but continue 2blindly pay for outdated tech & service.
These ppl need 2sit up and go with the times & tech!!
True? 🙏👍🤔😀

then, we also have unifi now gradually pushing unifitv users towards their new plusbox.
the app is designed NOT to work on other ATV boxes or smart ATV's alto the app is using ATV os on that plusbox.
still, people have cracked and modified the app to use as they like.

to sum it up... our local players are so used to monopolistic control methods, they simply won't move to a more open environment.
perhaps a reflection of the way things are done locally, for decades.

I can see that Astro is heading towards that direction. You see, they unify the VOD content you see on PVR/Ultra Box and Astro Go OTT content into the same cloud platform, even programme recording are now cloud-based on Ultra Box.
Right now they rather focus more on smart devices, and computers, while smart TV one are not their priority at the moment.

My friend who using Samsung UHD TV. He use the TV's built in browser, to logon to Astro Go website, and he's able to stream VOD from Astro Go, but live TV via Astro Go doesn't seem to work (it would cause the browser to crash). So for those who wish to stream Astro Go content to TV, maybe can try this method for the time being.

And yes, I agree with AVFAN, if Astro Go official app is available on smart TV platforms (be it Android TV, Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, etc.), it would be a threat to existing STB users, where some might consider might as well terminate Astro subscription, and go ahead with Astro Go platform.
Right now, Astro TV and Astro Go are tied together, so you can't subscribe only Astro Go service without having the TV subscription.
But who knows, time might change where Astro shift its primary focus from DTH based into OTT-first provider.

If you say the UI for PVR box is bad, Astro will advise you to upgrade to Ultra Box.
Now they got Ultra Box already. They'll just maintain the software through software updates, so don't expect much improvement from that.

Maybe try the browser (e.g. Google Chrome/Firefox) on your Android TV box, logon to Astro Go and see if it works.
Yes, use Astro Go through a web browser, on your Android TV box, not using Astro Go app that you install from Google Play Store.

Yea. As of now, Ultra Box isn't available for Astro IPTV.
That also mean, if you want to enjoy Ultra Box, consider convert from Astro IPTV to Astro DTH, means downgrade to the satellite version, then your broadband service will become standalone.

Or, you can consider Astro & Broadband, since monthly fees would be cheaper compared to what you're paying now. As for the contract wise, if terminate to standalone, sure cannot.
But if convert to Astro & Broadband, I'm not so sure. Maybe you can try ask Astro if they willing to put an exception to your case.

not to drag too long on it.. just the essentials:

1. i have 2 smart ATV tv's - old astrogo worked fine, was happy with it... until the current version came, can't use.
afaik, there is no TV that will work well with this new app version. so, RIP for astrogo direct on smart TVs.

2. fret not... there are plenty of boxes incl cheap ones that will work with current astrogo.
https://apkpure.com/astro-go/com.astro.astro
mind you, cheap ones get poorer PQ, better ones get better PQ.
those that dun work at all are the rooted ones, old ones, very poor firmware ones.
plenty already discussed... many happy, many sad users:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4405774/+1260

3. current astrogo works fine on chrome (windows only... i remember a mac user say cannot).. u just need to cast it to TV with chromecast, full screen.
bug or not... a secret for u... using windows chrome to chromecast to TV does not count as one of the 4 allowed.

They can purposely make the customer's STB to appear some technical issues (e.g. smart card error, cannot boot,...), so that installer shall come and replace to a new one.
Of cos I'm not saying that every STBs will happen like that. What I'm saying is just theoretical only, not trying to defame Astro. 

Astro can trigger "self-destruct" if they want to, but whether they do such practice or not, nobody knows. But theoretically, it's not impossible to do so.

Otherwise, look like those legacy box users. "The old Astro box still works as usual, can watch TV channels as usual, got picture come out on TV can already, so change for what?"
And that causes Astro to stuck with MPEG2 video codec on its SD channels for decades even till today.

But in another point of view, if every Astro customers keep changing its STB once every few years, that could also means, more electronic waste being ended up in landfills too
So how Astro would handle those collected old/faulty STBs, and whether is it 100% recyclable, that one nobody knows... bcuz customers won't care about it anyway.

What you mean smoke come out?

If they would want a certain batch of users to change to new STB, they can trigger such "switch" by making some technical issues to occur, such as STB cannot boot, STB auto restart automatically, STB cannot detect smart card, satellite tuner got issue that causes it to no signal, etc.
Not literally like time bomb, literally "smoke come out" la lol...

Then they shall arrange a technician to your premise, and get it checked then eventually replace a new one.

Disclaimer: This is just my assumption, and I'm not sure if Astro does this kind of practice or not, but theoretically from what I see, it is not impossible for them to do so.

Legacy boxes are meant to last long, but newer Astro boxes don't.
Because technology keep on advancing and improving, just like why many people would change a new smartphone after some time (like once every 2 years, 4 years, or so)

According to Astro, their STB's average lifespan is approximately 5 years. I saw this statement before on one of the article on Astro's financial report or Astro Quake (formerly Astro Radar).
So, if they make it last long long like legacy box, who knows, the next difficulty for them in phasing out a particular platform would be DMT4 HD/PVR boxes, just like what Astro is facing now with migrating its legacy box users.

Or maybe entire DMT 4, DMT5, DMT 5 v2, and HD Zapper box platform, if Astro transmit all of its channel in HEVC, and Ultra Box can be used.
I think that would only happen 10+ years later la, so no need to think about this now.

Hi Everyone...

Kinda feel an Update of UI for new UltraBox is long overdue...
With the numerous issues subscribers are facing...
A more user-friendly update?

Or am I the only one feeling such a need? 🤔

Btw is there a way 2chk for latest update?
Tqvm. 👍✌️

The current software I'm using now is "Jan 27 2020" version.
My Ultra Box ran through several software updates this month.

I don't see any new features or obvious changes, so I assume those software updates are just to fix bugs.
It's like all the feedbacks and that I submitted to them via Astro Beta's feedback page since last year May, all go down to dust bin.

Put your Ultra Box to standby mode whenever you're not watching, so that you'll receive any new updates.
However, for what I know is, to make sure you're on the latest update, try perform force software update, by going to the bootloader page of the Ultra Box.

Yes, overall it is better and more user friendly than the previous software used on HD and PVR boxes.
But there's quite a number of things of removed features too... To most people, it may not be relevant, but some would like to have it back...

I cannot find mute button 

Well, I keep using old remote since with new remote I need to go menu>sub-menu>sub-menu to get what I want 

New remote is simplistic concept. Small, looks good and less buttons. You just need to navigate the on screen menu more. That's all. As I said I still don;t know how to get instant mute unless continue pressing Vol- 

Yes. Power off your Ultra Box, then power on again.
Once you power on (before it starts to boot), keep press and hold the Power button on Astro remote control.
Keep pressing it until you see this Startup Options page.

Use your remote control's numpad to select the option.

What I know is, software is like the Operating System and the firmware of the STB.
Bootloader is "a program that loads an operating system when a computer is turned on" (according to Google).

The one that has "manual tuning" one and "Advanced Bootloader" ones, just ignore.
That is likely for super technical/engineer persons to use only.

I think the bootloader is more like the firmware. Firmware is more like the program that bridge the hardware with software. The interface and everything that enable human to talk to machine is software (OS).

The BIOS on the PC is the firmware which must be loaded first before the OS can talk to the machine.

Yes ,I got boot page and press option 1.
Software update 100% and self reboot....after boot...again old software......

Software update on LAN cable...now I trying by WIFI....

Which firmware..?
I pressed only option 1....



Edit:
Still old software......

Yea...option 2 running now.....only difference is on header...left side...22/22/01/0000/xxxx/019F

100 %.....Rebooting.....

Still old software....  

Actually I'm kinda curious... Why u guys so look forward into getting the new software version?

Honestly, I don't see any major changes.
If you're expected some huge changes, you guys can forget it. Really. For now.