The following refers to Kristal Astro (Brunei), not Astro Malaysia
Kristal Astro is the Brunei version of Astro. Do note that its offerings are totally different compared to Malaysia's version of Astro, so don't get confused ya.
----
News article from Borneo Bulletin (https://borneobulletin.com.bn/revamped-hd-packages-on-offer/):

"Kristal Astro, receiving satellite feed directly from MBNS Astro Malaysia, will phase out the SD channels starting March 1 and cease SD content by early April 2021 as they will also be ceasing SD channels in Malaysia."
Source: https://borneobulletin.com.bn/revamped-hd-packages-on-offer/

Finally, Astro legacy box is approaching to its graveyard. For those who forgot how legacy Astro boxes look like, here are some pictures:


Jump to 0:48
Interestingly, according to the T&C, it appears that both Astro Malaysia and Kristal Astro (Brunei) is facing stock shortages in its HD set-top-boxes?
"10. Due to the limited stock availability of HD set-top box, change/upgrade plan will be on first come-first serve basis."
"13. In the event of out of stock, your application will not be processed. You can rest assure that we will notify you as soon as set-top box become available."

Limited stocks of HD boxes, refurbished PVR boxes....
So this seems to suggest that Astro is going "full out" and mainly focus only Ultra Box to customers in near future?
Or this is just a common signs that Astro is cutting costs in manufacturing its set-top-boxes by putting primary focus on Ultra Box only?

Even after April 2021, there will still be a few handful of SD channels on Astro...

The ones that will still be in SD because channel provider offers only in SD quality, and Astro can't do much about it:
1. ART Variety
2. Makkal TV
3. Chutti TV
4. Adithya TV
5. Celestial Classic Movies
6. ABC Australia

Astro in-house channels that is still in SD only, and of course they have the choice of upgrading them into HD if they want to:
7. Astro Vellithirai
8. Astro Awani
9. Astro Tutor TV UPSR
10. Astro Tutor TV PT3
11. Astro Tutor TV SPM
12. Astro TVIQ
13. iNjoi (For Njoi viewers only)

Astro AOD catch up channels is unlikely to upgrade to HD, since you can catch up the episodes in HD quality via On Demand and Astro Go:
14. Astro AOD 352
15. Astro AOD 353
16. Astro AOD 354
17. Astro AOD 355

National FTA TV stations shall continue to be in SD on Astro if both Astro and the respective TV station (e.g. RTM, Media Prima) still don't make the first move to offer broadcast its channels in HD.
18. TV1
19. TV2
20. TV3
21. NTV7
22. 8TV
23. TV9
24. TV Al Hijrah
25. RTM TV Okey
26. Bernama

The only one channel that Astro isn't seems interested to offer in HD is:
27. CNBC Asia 🤣

Total: 27 SD channels.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Jan 29 2021, 01:49 PM

Nope.. Not me.
What Astro box model are you using? HD Zapper box? PVR box? Ultra Box?

Have you tried reboot your Astro box (power off electric supply, then power on again)?
If issue persists, try Restore Factory Settings.

The 28 SD channels shown above, is how it looks like AFTER they completely cease legacy Astro box, as well as removing all SD versions of the simulcast SD & HD channels.

If you're using Ultra Box, you will only have access to the HD version of the simulcast SD/HD channels.
Example, you can only watch AXN HD (CH 701), and AXN SD (CH 721) will not appear on the channel list of your Ultra Box at all, as if the channel doesn't exist.
It's been some time already though...

All Astro in house channels are already like that for quite some time already.
Nowadays they emphasise more on "Astro Go and On Demand" during programme promos.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Jan 29 2021, 12:47 AM

What you mean?
The only thing that NJOI customers need to pay money, is subscribing to their prepaid channels. The rest are free to view.

Or unless Njoi customers being upselled to become Astro subscriber.

---
Btw correction. The more accurate answer is 27 SD channels, not 28. Cuz Astro AOD HD CH 311 and CH 351 SD are actually simulcast. Missed out that... 😅😅

This post has been edited by joshhd: Jan 29 2021, 01:48 PM

You can simply search any Astro sales agents on Facebook. It's all over the place.

Nice 👍👍👍

No...
Astro AEC HD is not even an option for Njoi customers, and not even a choice for Njoi prepaid.

If you want to watch AEC HD on a Njoi account, the only way is to upgrade to Astro subscription. Same goes to some other channels like Vaanavil HD, Prima HD and so on.

Certain prepaid channels (not all) such as Astro Ria all those... Even if you subscribe to that prepaid channel, you only get the SD version of the channels, HD not even a choice for you.

However, Njoi prepaid sports channels like ASSP 1 until 4, is offered in HD though...

Ohh... Technically, if the corresponding SD version of the channel is ceased and no longer in transmission, then Njoi viewers shall get access to the HD version of that channel, for free. That is just theory la...
But who knows, plot twist, Astro may continue to transmit channels like Astro AEC in both SD and HD quality (just like Astro Vaanavil).
Perhaps the SD version of the channel is in MPEG-4 H.264 video codec, and HD-enabled boxes can access to the channel.
Only time will tell

This is called "another source of income"
Because from business perspective, they know that having UPSR/PT3/SPM or home based learning channels like TV Pendidikan is not gonna earn much money, and advertisers ain't so convinced with the viewership.
Right now because schools can't be open as usual, they got no choice but to implement it back in the form of like Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Slotting in airtimes in existing NTV7 and TV9 slots is still cheaper than creating a whole new channel, which would costs even more money and time.
Media Prima gets another source of income from government (since they sell their airtimes to government instead of Wow Shop), and they gets to enhance its reputation/public image.
And NTV7 and TV9 is already a channel that are familiar with Malaysians, and it is available across digital TV and pay TV platforms now, so it also means easy access to everyone.
Looks like win-win to me.

Looks like "miscommunication" to me.

Probably because the help desk guy is just following orders and instructions.

When the complaint goes up to MCMC or tribunal, the higher management people in the company shall know. Then they'll usually find ways to avoid further dispute from the customer by granting this and that. You know, find ways to quickly keep your mouth shut and close the case.

Normal lah...
And yes, if you feel that it is really necessary, feel free to lodge a complaint to MCMC and whatsoever.

Errr what'd you mean "join engineering team for setup production."?
Can elaborate further?

By any chance, are you SMATV installer or what?

Oh ok. No comment. 😶😶

That PDF file seems to show the older 2018 Multiroom promo instead?

Aiyooo... Astro have opened up their Kids pack channels and News pack for quite some time already though...
This pandemic and MCO has been hurting everyone financially, and Astro is not an exception to that...

At least there's free Kids pack and news channels to watch from them... Good enough lo

Errr.... It depends
Because if it is opened for too long, more and more people will start to make noise to Astro, by saying Astro's movie channels keep repeating the same movies over and over again

Open also make noise. No open also make noise. Can't satisfy everyone lah.

Hah, imagine Fox Movies channel rebrands into Star Movies... It's like it goes back to the good old days

In simple words, all Astro in-house channels now indicates only the HD channel numbers on programme promos.

Yes. It is a wise decision to attach the file here, also for archive purposes too (cuz Astro can modify or take down the PDF file from their website anytime they want).

And yeah, it appears that "newer batch" of Ultra Box units would include the revised version of Astro Ultra Remote control, with re-introduced buttons like rewind, forward, pause, and a few more.

I hope we can easily purchase this newer version of Astro Ultra remote control through Go Shop, easier for everyone to get accessories item from Astro also.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Feb 6 2021, 11:17 PM

You try lo