I've already noticed that long ago...

For Question 1, I've actually answered this quite some time ago:
Basically, the cloud recording feature is always in sync with Astro Go and the one on Astro Ultra Box.
So when you initiate the Cloud Record command on your Ultra Box, it's just sending instructions to Astro server and they'll do the job.
Just like sending a message to Astro, tell them to record "now" or "this particular programme at this date and time" like that.
Your Ultra Box don't do recording job also, unless it's recording to external hard disk (now don't have, feature might available in the future)

---

2. Try change the preferred "Audio" language setting, by scrolling down the options and look for "Cantonese".
See if it works.

Meanwhile for the subtitle track, I recommend you guys to set it to "Multiple" instead of "English" or whatever language.
Even if you've selected Multiple, the priority order of the software selecting the subtitles shall be "Multiple > English > Malay > Chinese", so whichever that channel/programme has that subtitle, it will automatically choose that one for you. This is also useful especially for channels like HBO, Celestial Movies, CCM, etc.

But then, if your preferred subtitle language is not English, and instead it's either in Malay or Chinese, then you choose "Bahasa Malaysia" or "Chinese".

Seriously, I've also suggested to them to add Primary and Secondary language options for Audio and Subtitle tracks since many months ago.
And like I said, until now still nothing happen.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Nov 30 2019, 02:25 PM

Yet, another complaint about Astro Ultra Box on Facebook.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/Astro/posts/10157548607374627

From consumer point of view, if a simple thing as activating/deactivating a smart card or Astro box also can't handle well, then this is simply nothing but deliberately giving inconveniences to customers.
But when it comes to outstanding bills, no doubt it will cut off and suspend your service very fast without you seeing it coming, but resuming or solving customer's issues takes forever and so much of an hassle.

Something like this old poster of Najib on KTM train:

Yes, Astro is (seriously) listens to customer's complaints, but that doesn't mean they'll take action ASAP to solve your issues seriously.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Nov 30 2019, 02:25 PM

Calm down guys, don't get excited....
They're just doing testing now, doesn't mean they'll do it for real anytime soon.
They can test whatever they want, but they might eventually don't even use HEVC video codec for SD and HD channels at the end.
Or maybe they will use it, but maybe both MPEG4 and HEVC would co-exist together, or all channels to use HEVC, that would happen many years later, like 5+ years maybe. I don't know.
It's up to the higher level management to decide.

That's why some information is better off knowing by the mass public, similar like the beta programme.

Err no....

Astro Go app won't work if that device is rooted or jailbreak.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Nov 30 2019, 04:17 PM

Basically, HDCP applies only to HD and UHD content that is being displayed from the Astro box, not Astro Go (old name AOTG).
Astro Go has its own DRM protection to prevent illegal copy protection.

Why? What devices do you suspect that it may not be "HDCP compliant"?

Their media streaming server looks pretty half-baked to me.
Video quality starts streaming from worst quality first then up to HD automatically, including streaming VOD content, Play from Start or play cloud recordings.

Even I have fast and stable internet connection, buffering still happens occasionally even I'm on LAN cable connection. Nope, no one is doing other heavy downloads/upload in the house.

Now even HD streaming is still a challenge for them to overcome with their half-baked streaming server, yet advise customer to have a minimum 10Mbps connection, how could we so soon expect Astro to offer 4K UHD streaming via its OTT platform (including Astro Go and internet access from Astro Ultra Box). At least 25Mbps is needed for 4K UHD streaming though. Even to enjoy selected Astro Best movies in UHD quality is only available via satellite on channel 498 and 499.

Meanwhile, I stream Netflix in 4K UHD also no problem. In fact, I almost never see any buffering issues when watching Netflix in 4K UHD.

Anyhow, I'll still continue to observe Astro services.

When did this message appear?
Are you (your relative) able to dismiss that message, by pressing any buttons on remote?
How do you trigger this message to appear? Is it like, it'll pop up again every time you change channel, or every time you wake up from standby mode, or how?

Btw you can discuss anything about Astro here, including legacy Astro box.

Read my previous post:
This post has been edited by joshhd: Dec 1 2019, 01:15 AM

It'll popup every time when you change to any channels, or certain channels only?

You're welcome.

If that's the case, you got to contact Astro...

For me, I usually don't bother much about it as long the signal strength is high enough....

As for your question about cloud recording, I've mentioned about it before.

CONFIRMED:


Source: http://www.singteltv.com.sg/channelupdates...e-entertainment

Remember, this is the channel provider's decision, NBC Universal, to discontinue the 2 channels on 1 Jan 2020, which are DIVA and E!.
So not only this will affect Singapore pay TV, Singtel TV, but it affect all pay TVs in entire Southeast Asian countries, and Astro are not excepted.

So to those hardcore fans of DIVA and E! out there, when that happens, don't go and blame Astro yea.
You got to learn to let go...

Basically, operating a premium pay TV channel isn't gaining much profit/revenue today, as consumers spend more time streaming from Internet rather than on TV like those days...
Yeahh, it's been a while I didn't see you posting around here... Where have you been though?

Would Astro add new channels after this? Here's my guess:

1) The nearest alternative entertainment channels that they can consider as a channel replacement, it would be:
Blue Ant Entertainment and Blue Ant Extreme.

This 2 channels are currently available only on Unifi TV. Maybe Astro can consider bringing in this channel, if Unifi TV doesn't hold any exclusive rights on that 2 channels.

2) Astro don't feel like want to spend more money? Then the nearest alternative channels that they can consider upgrade to HD, as a form of "compensation" is:
MTV and Animax

3) Still no? Consider making this channel to be part of TV channel lineup:
Comedy Central
This channel is currently available on Astro Go and Unifi TV.

4) Do nothing
...and just tell customers the usual excuse, which is "the channels has been ceased, and there will be no channel replacement, do check out our Facebook page for more updates".

UPDATED: This original post reply are no longer relevant due to new findings been discovered from the latest Astro annual financial report published on 5 Dec 2019, which is 1 day after this original post was published in this forum topic.
See the newer, more relevant and up-to-date info meant for this original post:
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=94789865

Original post:


This post has been edited by joshhd: Dec 7 2019, 10:42 AM

Unfortunately, I try to do some counting and some simple math, here's my findings...

TP = transponder

Situation...
If the alleged bitrate reduction on HD channels is true, and Astro would to increase back the video bitrate for HD channels to what it used to be, which result in reducing from 12 to 10 HD channels on Measat 3b TP, and 10 to 8 HD channels on Measat 3 TP (except 11182MHz)...

Result...
They'll not have enough TP bandwidth to migrate the 2 HD channels (from 12 to 10 HD channels per TP) to another available Measat 3 and 3b TPs, plus don't forget that 4 new HD channels is coming on 12 Dec. Even after DIVA and E! ceases on 31 Dec/1 Jan, there's still not enough Measat 3 and 3b bandwidth for them to accommodate all HD channels by using higher video bitrate.

How about Measat 3a?
I can see that Astro have decided to use Measat 3a exclusively only for UHD channels, not HD channels anymore as it seems that they want to put an end on the "Certain HD channels not supported in older centralise antenna system" issue for good because Measat 3a's TP is only in the high range Ku band frequencies. And perhaps, use lesser TPs means lesser cost too.

When would be the soonest possibility that we can expect Astro to increase back video bitrate to what it used to be?
>at least after they officially discontinue the use of legacy Astro box for good, which is scheduled to be on 31 Jan 2020, provided if they don't postpone it...
>change all Measat 3 TP that all this while uses DVB-S for SD channels, into the DVB-S2 mode (same as what it currently used for HD/UHD channels).

After these would to happen, they can use the vacant bandwidth to increase back the video bitrate, and also it's assumable that they're able to squeeze more SD channels per TP; likely able to accommodate more than 20 SD channels per TP on DVB-S like now, and finally can use MPEG4 and HE-AAC for SD channels.

What if they find it still not enough; want more TP bandwidth?
1) They should cease all SD simulcast channels, hence freeing at least 2 TPs from Measat 3.
2) Then, make HD service to be available to all by default.
3) Channel numbers might be reassigned/rearranged to new channel numbers.

How come able to free at least 2 transponders after ceasing all SD simulcast channels?
Do you guys realise that Astro is currently transmitting at least 50 over SD simulcast channels, where all those channels are actually available in HD on Astro?
Oh, you read somewhere that Astro has over 170+ channels? Yeah, that includes the 50+ simulcast duplicated SD/HD channels, which in my opinion, it's kinda cheating...
Sounds sceptical? You can do the counting yourself, from sports, movies, documentary, kids channels, etc.
This is not something new also... I've realised this since many many years ago.

Once that really happen, they have the potential to offer 16+ new HD channels on the 2 TPs, or otherwise use higher video bitrate on ALL current HD channels.

What if Astro decided not to do anything; HD picture quality remain as it is, and SD simulcast channels are here to stay?
Then unfortunately, Astro would continue using this "SD simulcast" as a marketing tactic to encourage customers to subscribe to HD service, or their "Starter Pack" that also bundles with HD service at RM60 per month excl SST. Which in return, they want customers to paying more for HD.
Well I mean, if you're in pay TV business, nobody wants the ARPU to be reduced any further though.
So yea, your Astro subscription rates aren't gonna reduce any further.

Hmm, so they rather use the tactic of using 2 TPs to provide SD simulcast channels to earn more profit for its "additional HD service fee/Starter Pack", rather than using at least 2 TPs to allocate for HD channels, at higher bitrate or more HD channels, or perhaps more UHD channels in the future?
Certainly, their marketing/strategy team is really something else. So cunning indeed.
More than half of Astro customers are watching and paying for HD, and they reduce the HD picture quality? That's really something else la

But we as customer, we want to save money as much as we can...
"That's why we offer Astro + Broadband, where you can bundle your Astro and fibre internet subscription into one bill, yet you can save some money in the long term too..."
Well yea, cuz you're paying both TV and Internet service to Astro, and no longer TM/Maxis Fibre like what you're paying to now.
From your side, you save some in a month for internet, plus Astro can earn a bit from you paying for the "after discount" internet service.
Ok la... At least they can offer something that is more relevant to customers.
This one I give a thumbs up.
But when it comes to network problem or network down, will the after sales support be the same as what you used to have on Maxis Fibre, this one nobody dares to guarantee.

Not interested in Ultra Box? It's okay.
But you must upgrade to at least HD box as soon as possible, or else you won't be able to watch Astro at all once they officially discontinued the use of legacy box. Don't worry. There's an option for no contract, no additional monthly fees, no installation fee, basically nothing. Pay nothing extra, but get new Astro receiver box. Read my previous post below for more info.

But yea, if you're interested to see how the legacy Astro box can no longer receiving channels as what you have now, then continue using it, and share with us some screenshots on what it happens. Cuz I'm really interested to see how it stops working. I'm serious.

Basically from what you explained, it seems that the customer service agent or direct sales agent, will be able to earn more commission if the customer successfully upgraded to Ultra Box. Commission shall be higher than customer upgrade to HD box, that's why. That's just my guess la...

Anyhow, if you're seriously not interested in that Ultra Box for whatever reasons, please go for HD box. Cuz sooner or later you must get it change no matter what.

Which TV channel and programme is having that overlapping subtitles issue? What if you stream content from On Demand? Will it overlap too?

What I know is recently there are ppl complain to Astro fb page that the subtitles showing on tvN Movies channel is overlapping with each other... The overlapping subtitles is likely due to some technical errors from the broadcast engineering side instead of your Ultra Box issue.

----

Try use the Search function and look for the movie or programmes you want to watch, and stream it from On Demand and watch it from there instead of relying on cloud TV recording.
Or is there any special reason you prefer to record the programme from a TV channel rather than stream it from On Demand?

Unless if the show you're looking for, isn't available to stream On Demand, then you'd go for cloud recording.

I don't really understand your question actually 😓
Can you elaborate further?
What you mean by moving and using PVR remote control then there's a buzzing sound, and the TV goes black screen, Ultra Box also power off?

It doesn't look like a bug to me.... Or there's some issues with your power supply outlet??
Did you use any power extension or something? Try change to another power extension and see if problem still persists.

To fast rewind/forward on Ultra Box by using Ultra Box remote, press OK, then press up arrow (which it'll select the seek bar), then you can press left or right arrow buttons to fast rewind/forward.

Try to learn and able to get used to the new and lesser buttons of Ultra Box remote whenever you can. Cuz sooner or later we all got to learn and get used to it also...

Are you able to identify how to trigger that "Ultra Box suddenly power off itself" issue? Do observe what triggers it to happen...
Or it happen randomly without you doing anything?

I've checked on Astro Go...
The Taiwan Hokkien series, The Sound of Happiness is available on Astro Go, from Episode 1 until Episode 232. Lol....

Whatever that is available on Astro Go, is also available to stream On Demand on your Astro box. Basically, it is always in sync.

Just use the "Search" function, navigate and key in the letters (and numbers) to enter the programme name you're looking for.

Here are the examples below. Press the "magnifying glass" icon on your remote to access to Search function right away,


or "home", then keep pressing right arrow buttons until it reach "Search".


And you shall see the programme name on the suggestion list as you key in the letters.
Press down arrow few times to navigate to the suggestion menus, and choose the one you're looking for.


To select the show you wanna stream from On Demand, make sure the title menu there is "On Demand" (pic below) instead of selecting your show from "Television" section.


Yes, it is almost very similar. They purposely make it like this, so that it looks in sync between the platforms.

If you don't feel like going through the "Catch Up" or "Boxsets" menus to look for your shows, just use the Search function,
which in my opinion, it's faster to find the specific programme you want to watch.

You're welcome.
Feel free to post a reply here if you have anything to ask or share about Astro.