What if centralised Astro dish is not used in building?
Imagine almost everyone in the building subscribes to Astro satellite TV service, then your condo will look like this:

or even like this:

*illustrative purposes only
That's why some building management don't allow its residents to install own satellite dish around their unit (e.g. balcony) because it will make the building look ugly.

"Centralised signal", centralised dish, centralised antenna, SMATV system (Satellite Master Antenna TeleVision), all these meant the same similar thing, which is:
One (or few) satellite dish or antenna is installed at the rooftop of the building, and then the signal will split and distributed through tens to hundreds of units of houses within the same building unit,
...so that you can straightaway get your Astro satellite signal by connecting to the wall socket that looks like this:

Therefore, no need to install your own satellite dish. So I believe now you know what is centralised dish, right?

OK, moving on.... Earlier you mentioned:
"But got problem with the signal which cant solve on and off , the service provide sometimes lagging, end up I mad at that time and canceled it."
What box did you used back then? Is it Astro PVR box, or Astro HD box? When you faced that issue, you should've come here to Lowyat Forum and ask for answers, not straightaway cancel Astro 🤣🤣🤣

If you faced such signal issues, you should report this to your building management about it, then they can hire some contractor to deal with it. If you're not sure, let the technician settle for you.
As long your condo's centralise antenna system works fine, yes, you can bring Astro box from elsewhere to your condo, connect a RG6 coaxial cable (simply known as "Astro cable") from the Astro box to the wall socket, and you can enjoy watching your Astro's TV channels right away.
Contacting Astro customer service is pretty much useless at this point, because Astro aren't responsible for centralised antenna systems used in buildings. Respective building management are the ones that responsible for it.
---

If you plan to get an Ultra Box, please make sure your condo's centralise antenna system uses the newer DCSS system.
In order not to confuse the general public, DCSS simply means "a technology that can receive/support Astro 4K UHD satellite signals".
If your building doesn't support DCSS (still uses the old legacy type), then you will see "Services currently not available (SCNA)" when you tune to Astro UHD CH780. Yes, as if it is raining outside, no signal.
But don't worry, you can still watch all SD and HD channels without issues as usual, regardless whether you use Astro HD box, PVR box, or Ultra Box....

To identify whether your condo's centralise antenna system supports DCSS or not, the best way is to ask your building management.
But some building management really clueless about this one.... So the alternative way is, refer to this official answer from Astro:

Call Astro using this number 03-74908000, tell them your condo name, they'll help you check whether your condo uses DCSS or not.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Jan 23 2021, 11:20 PM

Must be something got to do with India's dealing with Disney and Star and all those stuff one laaa...
When a channel rebrands into some new name, it is likely means something has changed internally among them.

Sooner or later I think Malaysia's and India one will be affected also...

The one highlighted as bold, yes I know what you meant. You are referring to the SD/HD signal conflict with dual tuners on the Astro PVR box, which occurs prior the year of 2018.
Long story short, in simple words, you won't be facing this signal conflict issues today anymore (after around end-2018) as Astro have carried out "optimisation works and somewhat replanning" on their satellite transponder frequencies, to allow legacy centralised dish systems to be able to receive all SD/HD channels without signal conflicts anymore.

Today, as long the satellite cable inputs of your PVR box is:
- Both inputs (SAT IN 1 and SAT IN 2) is connected; it could be from a cable splitter like this: https://shopee.com.my/2-Way-Splitter-Coaxia...8079.2637264266

Use that one satellite cable from the wall socket, then make a 2 short cables (as shown on picture) like this, and then connects both of the cables into your PVR box's both SAT IN 1 and SAT IN 2 ports.
then you can rest assured that you won't be facing the exact same issue as what you described as quoted above. Just plug and play, and enjoy.

Do note that if you insist on connecting only either one SAT IN inputs of the PVR box (example Tuner 1 has signal, while Tuner 2 has no signal because it is left unconnected), then you may see "Services currently not available (SCNA)" message appears especially when you trigger/schedule record any other channels in the background, or after you reboot the Astro PVR box.
Long story short, just make sure both SAT IN 1 and SAT IN 2 ports of your PVR box is connected, then you won't experience such signal conflicts anymore.

If your condo centralise antenna system supports DCSS, then you don't need to split the cable like what I said earlier, just connect that one cable from the wall socket into SAT IN 1 port of your PVR box, and then go to the satellite settings of your PVR box, change the Input Source from "LNB" to "DCSS" like this, then press OK again and again, then done.


...that's why laaa... You should've come to Lowyat Forum many years ago.
Why didn't you just call that dedicated hotline and ask?
They have different teams in charge on certain particular things, and there's no such thing as one-agent knows-it-all in Astro customer service.
Otherwise, you contact your building management and ask

There's so much more I can share with you. But I don't wanna overload you too much information yet.
So the question now is, which one do you want?
Right now, if you want to add new Multiroom subscription, you can only choose either the Astro HD box or Astro Ultra Box only.
Due to limited stocks and other reasons, Astro now "reserves" refurbished PVR boxes to existing PVR box users as well as new Astro IPTV users ONLY.

By default, the HDMI Audio setting is set to "Auto".
Dolby Digital audio will be used automatically whenever the channel/content has Dolby audio, and your TV or whatever audio devices supports Dolby audio.

Not every content on Astro has Dolby 5.1 audio, so don't be surprised when you see your favourite shows is only in Stereo ya...

Coming soon.
Just wait till they launch la...

Which Astro box you are using now, at your Perak hometown one? HD box or PVR box?

If Super Pack is too costly for you, you may opt for Super Pack Lite packages instead, which costs RM115/month excl SST.
Refer to this Subscription Rate Card, to better understand on the complete Astro packages offered:
https://imgur.com/a/DNr63Ei
Brief explanation here:
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=98458199

By right, Dolby Digital Plus is backward compatible with Dolby Digital.
So if your soundbar doesn't support Dolby Digital Plus (also known as DD+) but only supports Dolby Digital, then it'll automatically down-convert into Dolby Digital audio.
In simple words, pretty much nothing happens, and you'll still be able listen to the audio as usual.

Unless if one day, the particular content has Dolby Atmos audio, and you want to make sure your home theatre system plays the audio as Dolby Atmos format, then you may select Dolby Atmos - Dolby Digital Plus option.
Right now there is no Dolby Atmos content from Astro, so you can ignore this point for now.

Yes of course. Astro aren't dumb to "automatically" tell all its existing SP3 @ RM172/month subscribers to "downgrade" and pay less on the newer Super Pack 3 at RM154.80/month incl SST.
For those who aware of this difference, like you right now, can contact customer service 03-95433838 and tell them to downgrade to that Super Pack 3. Do note that a one time RM10 switching fee applies.

The biggest difference with the old and new Super Pack 3 is, you won't get Golf Channel (822) and Astro Cricket (824) channels when you're on the newer Super Pack 3 at RM154.80 incl SST
Astro "secretly" includes this 2 expensive premium sport channel (which you may not realise that you can actually watch this channels now), to justify the reason for existing SP3 customers like you, to continue paying RM172.80/month.
If you or your parents don't watch this 2 channels, I suggest you to "downgrade" to the newer RM154.80/month version of Super Pack 3 instead. Read this to know more:
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...&#entry96647553

So this is how the calculation formula look like:
RM89 for 30Mbps
RM146 for Super Pack 3
Total: RM235

RM235 - rebates RM_____ x 24 months*** = Your final price for Astro & Broadband or Astro IPTV
***depending on the particular promo during sign up, as amount may varies depending on their campaign promos
Also, if you pay Astro bill via auto debit, you may entitle to enjoy additional monthly rebate of RM5 x 24 months too.
And, don't forget to add RM50/month per Multiroom subscription on top of the total price...

The rebate amount usually varies from RM20 to RM30. As you approach Astro sales agent, they may offer you something else (e.g. different rebate value) compared to the one I mentioned above.
And sometimes, Astro sales agent's campaign promo may be more attractive than what you see on Astro website.
Like example, what you saw on Astro website is RM225/month (RM10 difference compared to original price), but the rebate may be higher if you approach an Astro sales agent directly.
Feel free to look up for Astro sales agent online, and ask them to advise the packages for you further. Cuz I'm not Astro sales agent lollll 🤣🤣🤣

But I can advise you on the technicality stuff though, which sales agent usually wouldn't know.

Yes, you are right. This is how the super old version of Super Pack look like back in the year of 2013:

A cropped version of Astro Subscription Rate Card - November 2013 version

Cuz back in around 2014, when Astro increases the price for Sports pack as high as RM13 per month with the excuse of Premier League broadcast rights getting more and more expensive, hence it also affects all Super Pack customers.
That is how Super Pack 3 ended up becoming from RM155 into RM163 per month, excl SST.

Main features differences between PVR box vs Ultra Box READ THIS especially if you are an existing Astro PVR box user

EDIT: The original post contains outdated information. Refer to the updated version of this post here: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...ost&p=100498320
Original post:

This post has been edited by joshhd: Apr 3 2021, 12:55 AM

Go to your TV's Picture Settings, and change the Sharpness setting to all the way down to zero (0).
Note: Some TV models have a zero setting in the centre of the control, so lowering it beyond that point might actually soften the image.
If you feel like the picture quality looks too "blurry" to you, as if it looks like you have short sighted eye vision, then try change the Sharpness setting to not more than 50/100 or 5/10 (depending on TV model).

And also, try look deeper at your TV's "Advanced Picture settings" or "Expert Settings", and look for options that mentions the following, or similar (depending on your TV brand and model):
- Digital Clean View (for Samsung TVs)
- Noise Reduction
- MPEG Noise Reduction (also known as MPEG NR for some Panasonic TVs)
- Super Resolution (for LG TV)
- Dot Noise Reduction
- Detail Enhancer
- Edge Enhancer
- Edge Enhancement

Make sure all these picture settings listed above (or similar names) is set to "None" or "Off". Once done, check if the picture quality now looks more "natural looking" to you.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Jan 25 2021, 03:15 PM

Hmmm... Nice discovery. This one u should ask the software engineer guys at Astro already... 😅

I guess is because in order not to create too much unnecessary burden to the Ultra Box hardware, the software guys decides to make its UI to render as up to 1080p resolution, even when the Ultra Box output resolution is in 2160p.
After all, most importantly is the picture quality/sharpness from the 2160p UHD content, and user may not bother much to think whether the UI resolution is in 2160p resolution or not, cuz as long user can use/interact with the software without issues is more important?
Perhaps by rendering the UI as 1080p, it could also make Ultra Box to easily achieve exact or almost 50fps on the visual animations of the UI too, meanwhile if the UI is in 2160p, it could cause drop/skip frames on the visual animations, which gives an negative impression to users like us by thinking the Ultra Box is sluggish and lag?

Wah. I feel like I can work as a technical advisor for Astro's UI/UX designer already HAHAHA... 😂😂

This post has been edited by joshhd: Jan 25 2021, 06:20 PM

Well it's kinda predicted anyway...

Is it really that bad?
I don't see any visible difference when watching Full HD content on these resolutions: 1080i/1080p/2160p

But if watching 4K UHD content on Ultra Box, and if I compare the quality by switching between 1080i/1080p/2160p, then yes, I can see the difference.
The one at 2160p provides much more picture detail than 1080p.

Btw I'm using Samsung UHD TV.

Complimentary viewing of Kids pack and news channels is extended to 4 Feb 2021.

You can assume that you're in bad luck, where so happen they gave you a poorly/faulty manufactured Astro box...
I mean like, let's say out of all hundreds of thousands of Astro boxes, there are a "few" boxes that are poorly manufactured and may have issue ones, and unluckily you were given the poorly manufactured ones, and the people in Astro didn't realise. It could be overlooked or something.

My advice is, don't forgive them.
Just go ahead and replace as many times of Astro boxes as possible, until the problem is solved. If it needs to replace 10 times, then let them replace 10 times.
Count from the date you start experiencing these nightmare until the day where the issue is solved, and then call Astro and ask for prorated bill rebate.
At least you get some form of "compensation" from that.

Assuming your building's Astro centralised dish system doesn't support DCSS, then you'll just have to make sure the installer "find ways" to make sure Both inputs (SAT IN 1 and SAT IN 2) is connected; it could be from a cable splitter like this: https://shopee.com.my/2-Way-Splitter-Coaxia...8079.2637264266

Use that one satellite cable from the wall socket, then make a 2 short cables (as shown on picture) like this, and then connects both of the cables into your PVR box's both SAT IN 1 and SAT IN 2 ports.
And that's it.

Do note that if you insist on connecting only either one SAT IN inputs of the PVR box (example Tuner 1 has signal, while Tuner 2 has no signal because it is left unconnected), then you may see "Services currently not available (SCNA)" message appears especially when you trigger/schedule record any other channels in the background, or after you reboot the Astro PVR box.
Long story short, just make sure both SAT IN 1 and SAT IN 2 ports of your PVR box is connected, then you won't experience whatever signal conflicts anymore.

If your building's Astro centralise dish system has upgraded to DCSS, then you don't need to split the cable like what I said above, just connect that one cable from the wall socket into SAT IN 1 port of your PVR box, and then go to the satellite settings of your PVR box, change the Input Source from "LNB" to "DCSS" like this, then press OK again and again, then done.

Info source: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=99741779

If you don't understand or confused on what I just said, then just let the technician do their job

This post has been edited by joshhd: Jan 28 2021, 12:03 PM

Astro no longer manufactures brand new PVR boxes. Now they only offer refurbished PVR boxes (also known as RDMT5).
If the PVR box want to auto update, then let it auto update la. What's the issue with that?

By pressing power button on remote control while the electric power remains on as you mentioned, that process is called putting it into standby mode.
You can just leave your PVR box into standby mode overnight 24/7 or whenever you're not watching. Not necessarily have to power off the electric supply everyday before you go to bed.
It consumes very very little electricity only, so don't worry too much about that.

To let the auto update complete (which it could take quite some time), just leave your PVR box into standby mode, and don't power off the electric supply, as it could possibly corrupt the software of the PVR box (same concept like when you auto update your computer or phone, you can't just forcefully power off the electric supply).

I think is, sometimes when Astro box itself is kept in Astro's warehouse for too long (e.g. many years), the software version might still remains the same initial version of manufacture year (e.g. year of 2018 version)
So by the time you started using the Astro box in the year of 2021, you might realise that your Astro box carries out auto update several times and it takes long time, because the Astro box has been "left out" too many versions of software updates throughout the years in the warehouse. Get what I mean, right?
The concept is like, you buy a Windows 10 laptop back in 2018, so the laptop's Windows 10 version will be Version 1803. But you keep in the store room, didn't even turn it on, until today, the year of 2021.
As you start to use it today, because your laptop still remains the same Version 1803, so for it to get updated to today's latest Windows 10 version of Version 20H2, it will take a much longer to keep installing updates.
That is just an example la, just in case for those who can't understand what I'm saying earlier...

So when you see auto update, just let it update, don't interrupt the update process.
Better is, put your Astro box into standby mode before you go to bed at night. And then see how is it on the next day.

Either way, just tell them to arrange a technician to your house and replace/swap to another PVR box.
Keep swapping until the issue is solved.

Otherwise, you may opt for Ultra Box.
Please do research on the differences between PVR box and Ultra Box here, before you make a decision:
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...&#entry99746858
Refurbished doesn't mean it is originally rosak.
It could be 100% working PVR box. It's just that it is being returned by customer during box upgrades or whatsoever.
For example like me, previously I am a PVR box DMT5 user, and as I upgrade to Ultra Box, I must surrender my PVR box back to the technician.
Of course, when the PVR boxes is back to Astro's hand, they will do all the quality checks, repairs, parts replacements on the box...
They'll make sure it is working fine and look like new, before the box being distributed to those who in need again, and one of them, it's like pandikar.
That is how refurbished PVR boxes is being offered to customers right now. And that is why it only has 6 months warranty 😂😂

But sometimes, the scenario of "overlooked" among Astro, is not something new also.
And unfortunately that's probably why pandikar getting PVR boxes that refuse to install software updates properly.
If you don't want auto update to carry out, the easiest workaround is don't put your Astro box into standby mode, and just leave your Astro box powered on 24/7 even when you're not watching.
Let's say your PVR box is on HBO CH 411. Now perhaps you want to go to bed already. So what you do is, you just switch off your TV, leave the PVR box leave it powered on. Don't put it into standby mode.

And also, remember to change from "Enabled" to "Disabled" for the Auto Standby setting in home>Preferences>Auto Standby


If you really have to power off the electric supply to the PVR box (e.g. away from home for many days to weeks), then make sure as you power on the PVR box later on, don't let the PVR box stayed in standby mode for too long, or else it might trigger auto update.
Let's say as you power on the electric supply to your PVR box, as you see --:-- or the clock appears on the front panel of the PVR box, you quickly press power button on your remote control to wake up your Astro box.
It doesn't matter whether you want to watch TV or not. Just make sure the Astro box is not in standby mode will do.
As a gentle reminder, do make sure your PVR box is placed in a well ventilated area, instead of confined spaces or poor ventilated areas. In worst case scenario, it can cause overheating problem on the PVR box in the long run, which can cause hard disk failure too.
----
As the PVR box might be left power on for 24/7, the hard disk inside PVR box will continue to temporary record the TV channel due to the timeshift function (pause/rewind live TV) even when you're not watching at midnight.
This could cause a little further wear and tear on the Write cycles of the hard disk inside PVR box (well, that's if you concern about the lifespan of the hard disk laaa ).
As a workaround, you can tune to any radio channels first (e.g. CH 852 - 882) before you switch off your TV and go to bed or whenever you're not watching.
That's because PVR timeshift functions (e.g. record/pause/rewind) doesn't work for radio channels, so your hard disk won't be in "Write" mode when you're on radio channels
If the lifespan of the hard disk isn't your primary concern, then just ignore this point.
Yes. You have to voice out and request for bill rebate. If you don't, they will just say sorry to you, and that's it.
Unfortunately, big companies like Astro, aren't sincere to give out bill rebates.
Even they say they will give you bill rebate, and they will record it down into their system, but eventually your bill rebates might take many months later only can get it, instead of immediately reflect on next bill.
In other words, they expect you to forget about it la.
In a business point of view, the reason they delay the bill rebates might because they want to "wait and hold" the payments longer, or to make the money figures in their quarterly financial reports to "look nicer" first.

That is the reason why I said, don't forgive them especially when it comes to money. If you would to forgive them, make sure you don't forget about it.

Can....

You can request for bill rebates due to technical issues faced. The best example is during MCO 1.0 last year, where technical visits can't be carried out for quite sometime, so what Astro can do is to offer bill rebates for the number of days that you face the issue. Of course, the reason of the rebate has to be justifiable (e.g. totally cannot watch Astro at all, or couldn't access to certain primary functions of the PVR box).

And of course, please, don't expect Astro will immediately reflect that bill rebate right on the next bill. You might have to wait many months later to actually get the rebate. Who knows you'll have to wait until end of this year to get the rebate.

They say they can offer you bill rebate, because that's what we customers want to hear from them.
It is obvious that the reason they delay the bill rebates, is because they aren't sincere to give out bill rebate, as it will definitely hurts them financially and profits. They have to do some sort of financial damage control, since they want their quarter financial report to look nice and convincing to the stakeholders.

If it's just a few people asking for bill rebate, they'll probably can reimburse you on the next bill. But imagine if there's thousands to hundreds of thousands of people asking for bill rebate, would you want to reimburse it fast?

Can delay how long, then delay how long.

Yeah, the irony is, Astro reimburses bill rebates very late to customers, yet nothing happens. But if you pay Astro bill late, they will suspend your service pretty instantly.

Thanks for highlighting this to us about the Brunei version of Astro, Kristal Astro. 👍👍👍