"Report Card" on Astro's journey to 100 HD channels by 1 Jan 2020

https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=94178038

As of 12 Dec 2019, how's Astro's progress of offering 100 HD channels so far? Let's look at the latest list of all HD channels on Astro now:

So, Astro is currently having a total of 92 HD channels
*If you want to include the 3 Astro First/Best pay-per-view movie channel in HD quality (CH495, 496, 497), then it will be 95 HD channels in total.

Of course, those temporary HD channels (that will cease broadcast after the event ends) like Astro SuperSport on CH826, Astro Box Office CH825 all those, are not counted.

It appear that CNBC channel did not manage to become available in HD? Or they've changed their mind? Whatever...
Cuz apparently CCTV 4 is joining the HD bandwagon. For those CCTV 4 fans out there, happy for u la.

Ok back to the topic, there's about 3 weeks left before 1 Jan 2020. So out of these 15-16 channels below that are available in HD elsewhere:
Which of these above would Astro simulcast it in HD by 1 Jan 2020? Cuz if exclude the 3 PPV HD channels, Astro still have 8 remaining HD channel slots to make it to the 100 HD channels mark.
And don't forget, DIVA and E! is leaving this coming 31 Dec 2019, so that number could make up to 10 remaining HD channels, or 7 HD channels if include PPV HD channels..?

For me, I definitely wish to see MTV and Animax to be available in HD. Yet, I've been waiting that to happen for years.

Or would they make Astro Go exclusive channels to be "no longer exclusive" and makes it part of linear TV channel lineup too?

Or, would Astro plan to upgrade its existing in-house SD channels, as below? :
Out of all these, I find that Astro Awani very likely the one. But that is if they upgrade and supply news content/package in HD format instead of using SD quality broadcast cameras.
Another one is Astro Vaanavil and Vellithirai. There's a possibility there. Other than that, it's very likely that those will remain as SD as now.

What you guys think?

This post has been edited by joshhd: Dec 12 2019, 02:47 PM

Not necessary have to be "carriage" over...
It's between the broadcaster and Astro, nothing gonna do with MYTV...

Anyhow, it depends on RTM, Media Prima and Al Hijrah whether they're willing to pay more money to Astro or not only.

As for RTM, they want to encourage more Malaysians get to know and hop on digital TV,
hence when HD quality made available while Astro/Unifi TV is only in SD, that would make myFreeview digital TV a good selling point, something "special" la basically cuz pay TV platforms don't have it in HD.

But if RTM or Media Prima channels are available in HD on Astro, would you still interested to watch it on myFreeview digital TV platform? I think many viewers, especially existing Astro/Njoi users, wouldn't bother about myFreeview digital TV anymore. That's just my hypothesis.

For Media Prima, although they're trying their best to offer good content to viewers but they're still struggling financially, and keep showing non-stop shopping shopping.
For Al Hijrah, they are also struggling financially, company funds are not putting into good use, and also show shopping during certain timeslots.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Dec 12 2019, 07:49 PM

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?

This post has been edited by joshhd: Dec 13 2019, 06:10 PM

Complaint? To who? MCMC ("SKMM" in Malay)?
So upon filing a complaint, takes 2 weeks to 1 month time to investigate, then they reply something like "We're doing some testing, and no estimated timeframe when will make some changes on the video bitrate", then case closed, expecting you to just forget about it. Oh, I know them well. They are always like this. Once complain, then no action. Whether you complain or no complain, no difference at all, as if nothing happen. Just like ordinary Friday.

Because this bitrate game is something very subjective, and "many people don't care/knowledgeable" about it.
Only some viewers who cares about picture quality will notice and might bring up the matter cuz they feel like this is like "cheating".
Just because the technical engineer department aware about it, that doesn't mean they will take action.
Basically what I'm trying to say is, we as consumer and even customer service agents themselves, have no grounds and nobody for them to take suggestions and complaint seriously.

Arrange a press conference to highlight to local media? Who want to bother that kind of news? Your friends? Relatives? There's no news value about it.

The thing is, when they do test broadcasts, bitrate set high high and they don't wanna make it public. Of cos lo.. They can test whatever they want.
They know that high bitrate offers superior picture quality. Perhaps they want to stress test their whatever systems.
Once official launch, they reduce the bitrate to whatever they are comfortable with, cuz they assume viewers won't see any difference and picture quality still look sharp, even that they are capable of using higher bitrate.
Customers are paying a lot a month, they go and reduce the quality to allow them to save costs?

Company like Astro, all they care about is profit profit profit, and its company image to please the stakeholders (by introducing new and innovative stuff), and nothing else.
Customer experience, you say? Erm, just pay your bills on time will do. Seriously, they should find ways to make it a balance, win-win for both sides? Or else, this is damaging their reputation for nothing.

What can the government do?
I think MCMC and communication ministry should create a regulation to all broadcasters, including pay and free to air TV like MYTV Broadcasting, to set a minimum bitrate cap on both video and audio on what defines as a "SD channel" and "HD channel" to ensure broadcasters won't take any chances to reduce overall broadcast quality, assuming majority of viewers won't realise the difference, for the sake of saving costs, bandwidth and many others technical reasons that only benefits them, yet viewers get disadvantaged when it comes to overall broadcast quality (video and audio). Service providers finds it "cost effective", yet customers are paying premium price for the service.

Because let say, (example only)
If a particular HD channel uses 6Mbps (MPEG4 H.264), it's called "HD channel".
If a particular SD channel uses 6Mbps (MPEG2), it's called "SD channel".

If a particular HD channel uses 1Mbps (MPEG4 H.264), it is still called "HD channel" because overall it still looks sharp and HD.
If a particular SD channel uses 1Mbps (MPEG2), it is still called "SD channel" because... that's what SD channel suppose to look like?

So who's gonna know and care about video bitrate? Do you think this is justifiable? If they want, they can even use 500kbps (0.5Mbps) on a Full HD channel, and still call it "HD channel". "Bad picture quality ah? Must be your satellite dish problem." Relating problems that are not relevant to the context, is what they do best.

Otherwise, when you experience bad picture or audio quality, who do you call? And how are you going to explain to them?
Picture quality look bad? Picture look "pixelated"? Picture quality has lots of compression artifacts? Picture quality look like bad quality JPEG photo? How you wanna explain that they can understand? Do suggest it to me, cuz I want to know what is the layman term to describe to let non-tech savvy person working in technical department to understand the issue better, other than saying "bad picture quality" which is so damn general and wide.
Their customer service technical department will surely say funny funny stuff like:
"Are you sure you're watching the HD channel?"
"Are you sure that your HD TV is connected using HDMI cable?"
"Then maybe satellite dish antenna is not properly aligned. It's okay, we'll arrange a technician to come and check. We'll charge RM65 for technical service fee"
"Maybe your TV got problem... We apologise for any inconvenience caused. We couldn't help you further"

As time goes by, you will realise that "We apologise for any inconvenience caused." has become Astro's most well known catchphrase, as if they say it like nothing, like everyday apologise to customers until get used to it already.
Talk is cheap. If Astro felt "sad" about it, then they go and offer prorated bill rebate la. See how long they can be that apologetic when they start to realise they're losing money because of countless dissatisfied customers, and see what the stakeholders would respond, especially when it comes to their stock price.

Pushing the blame back to you, making things difficult to solve. If you're not a tech person, you also blur blur assume it's own problem until you wanna give up.

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).

Absolutely no. You do not own Astro box at all, and they have the rights for you to collect it back from you.
Unless you're using Njoi, then they don't care. Even if it's spoil, they rather let you throw it away. Your business.

Astro will ask you why you want to terminate.
They'll usually let you keep the Astro PVR box, so that in case when you want to activate it in the future, or they counter offer you some promotions like free preview many channels but pay at low price for certain period, you can still use that Astro box. Basically the business strategy is, it is still better than you are no longer paying them any money.

If you tell them you are so damn determined that you don't want Astro anymore, or you're migrating to overseas, then they'll need you to return the Astro box, or else pay penalty, even if contract is over.

See that? If they let you keep, means they are "putting hope" on you that you can activate the account again in the future.
If they see that your reasons of terminating the service is like, you hate Astro so much, Astro too many repeated shows, totally not interested in keeping the Astro box, like literally "no hope" anymore, then they'll order you to return it back, or else you pay the penalty.
And that might include dismantling satellite dish to some extent.

Need help to dismantle or want Astro installer to come and collect back? You got to pay for the dismantling and collection fees, or you bring it to the nearest Astro service centre.
Unless they put your case an exception to waive the fees. So yeah, it's case-to-case basis.

If I would terminate Astro, I'll just talk nicely to them, so that I can keep the Astro box to give them some "hope" that I might resume their service in the future, even if I'm no longer interested to continue Astro service in the future whatsoever. That way, I won't "feel punished" as they forced customers to return the Astro box and other equipment back to them, like giving you so much hassle to proceed with the termination process.
So it's like, if you don't trouble people too much (by terminating their service; their income reduced bcuz of you), then they don't trouble you too much. It's kinda reciprocal la basically.

What to do? It's called business strategy. Cost effective. Who don't want their business to be cost effective?

It's an auto generated email. Their bot messages are like that. Don't take it personally. Just wait for their reply.

Email response might take forever. You can consider have a live chat with them here:
https://www.astro.com.my/contactus

Yeah I do aware of that news.
Media Prima decided to offer their channels in HD quality on Unifi TV, but Astro still the same SD as now.

Like I said before, it is Media Prima's decision.
It might because Unifi TV's fees to offer/carry channels in HD quality is lower than Astro, so they start with Unifi TV first?
That's if you compare how many people are watching Unifi TV with Astro.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Dec 14 2019, 12:54 PM

They have the resources. But they want to reduce the cost, to optimise their spending better.
If money is all they think about, then they might as well go invest in other kinds of business, like some stocks, invest in properties, or something else.
Don't come and let customer suffer. Picture quality are just one thing. There's many other problems.

Since they operate a pay TV business, then it is their responsibility to provide good service to customers, and that starts with improving their overall service quality.
They don't seem to prioritise on what can they do when customers are unhappy, without affecting their monthly income.

If you tell them you're not happy, you want a bill rebate, you will realise the world suddenly become silence. You'll get what I mean. Nobody wants to lose money.
Then at the end, you will realise, it's better that you "let it go, let it go..." like the Frozen movie. Give up and embrace that crap service is your only option.
They can't satisfy everyone anyway. "So we should be grateful on whatever services they offer."

That depends on how you gonna have a sweet talk to Astro.
Err, if they deactivate/suspend your account, it's likely that they will restrict you from watching any channels, not even Njoi's free channels.
The dismantle satellite dish (not disc), is case-to-case basis. They might just want the Astro box back, but satellite dish just leave it there, cuz still can reuse it when you want to use Astro again in the future.

You can request to convert your account to Njoi, with a fee of course. As for how much, you ask and double confirm with Astro.
Then you shall able to use back your existing Astro PVR box, and satellite dish. By right, no technician shall come and visit your house to convert to Njoi.
Why? Feeling disappointed already? 😏

Once you switched to Njoi, you can't use PVR functions anymore, and you can no longer watch your previously recorded programmes. They will disable it for your account.
Alternatively, you can consider cancel all Astro packages you have, then remain Astro Family pack + Dynasty pack = Total RM81.95/month
Do note that this does not include HD service.

-----------

What you're seeing on TVB Classic channel now (as shown on picture below), is called windowboxed. Nothing gonna do with Ultra Box or your TV problem. As usual, it is Astro's own problem.


This is how it looks like on 4:3 TV (old, big and fat CRT TV)


This is how it looks like on 16:9 TV (flat screen TV, HD TV, UHD TVs like what you see today)

If you contact Astro customer service and tell them about this windowbox, black bars, this and that..., they'll tell you to use Astro remote control, press the aspect ratio button, make sure it's "Fit to screen", change to "LB Expand", make sure the TV Size is "16:9", check your own TV's settings....
Still doesn't solve the issue? If you talk somemore, they'll arrange a technician to visit to your house to check, and charge you RM65 technical service fee. This is so Astro.
Basically, it's a waste of time. Relating irrelevant stuff. Be a smart consumer, don't do that. :thumbsup:

So how come channels like TVB Classic, Asian Action Channel (ch327), TVB Classic Movies (ch328) has this windowboxed problem? Here's why:

Firstly, there's this 2 common and basic aspect ratio used for TVs, which is 4:3 (pronounce as "four-by-three") and 16:9 (pronounce as "sixteen-by-nine").

Aspect ratio	How does picture shape look like?	Where is it commonly seen and used?
4:3	Square shape, like old CRT TVs	Old TV shows in SD quality
16:9	Rectangular, or widescreen, just like the HD or UHD TV you see today	Today's TV shows in HD or UHD quality

*4:3's "square" shape size are not to be confused with "Square" or "1:1" size as what you commonly see in photo sharing platforms like Instagram.

However, as channels are moving towards HD broadcasting, they have to transmit it in 16:9. So when it comes to displaying 4:3 content, there's some technical conflict that many people not aware of (in harsher words, lazy to bother).

1) The actual channel from channel provider is in 16:9 aspect ratio (presumably in HD), which looks like this:



Because TVB Classic now broadcasts in native 16:9 aspect ratio, but because old TV shows (HK series) are in 4:3 aspect ratio, the channel provider (TVB) puts a letterbox (black bars) on left and right sides, so that the shape won't be stretched and distorted like below:



*Simulated image of how it looks like if there's no pillarbox used when showing a 4:3 shows on a 16:9 TV screen.
You like what you see? Well, some people don't mind as long it's "fit my entire 16:9 TV screen", even if the picture will turn out fat, huge and out of shape.

2) So now you know the channel provider transmits the channel in 16:9. But Astro did not change any display aspect ratio settings from their broadcasting side.
Either they lazy, or they don't care, or they think is no big deal, so why bother? Or they think it's normal because it's "4:3".
"They don't know about it" is not a good reason lor. Work in technical/broadcasting sector don't know about these? What are they doing? Sit down and wait for salary to come in?

So by default, when the channel or content is in 16:9, a letterbox (black bars on top and bottom) will appear.


Letterbox + pillarbox = windowboxed (result as shown on first pic above)

Astro still uses 4:3 aspect ratio on all SD channels, except Disney Junior, which is so far I know, the only SD channel on Astro in native 16:9 aspect ratio.
More than half of all Astro customers are already using HD TV (16:9), so continue using 4:3 format isn't practical anymore.

What Astro can do?
> Just because it's SD, that doesn't mean they cannot or must not use 16:9. Astro should stop using excuse that SD must only be in 4:3, especially when customer service agents in technical department advises its customers.
> It's fine if they want to continue transmit the video in 4:3, but they should not add letterbox or centre cut on a 16:9 content by any means just to make it look nice on 4:3 TV, especially when Astro airs own in-house ads like Astro SuperSport ads, Astro First/Best movies ads on SD channels that isn't available in HD.
> Astro should remove the letterbox added by themselves on channels like TVB Classic, Asian Action Channel, TVB Classic Movies.
> If that channel provider transmits the SD channel in 4:3 but letterbox is added by channel provider, Astro can remove it themselves before transmitting to viewers, maybe like TVB Entertainment News (313),

Does Astro aware about this? Hah, you ask the ones who in broadcasting department. I've known this long enough.
Am I surprised or disappointed? Nope. Why? Because I get used to it already.

> Basically, Astro should just use 16:9 even for SD channel, including some of its in-house SD channels like Astro AOD catch up (351-363), all Astro Tutor TV channels, Astro TVIQ, Astro First/Best SD channels. Yea, some of it no longer having the letterbox to make it fit to screen even the channel video is actually in 4:3 such as Astro AOD catch up channels (351-363), Astro First/Best SD channels, but you can see the shape of the channel UI (logo and "multiple audio language" indicator) is stretched and rectangular shape, and when during commercial breaks, the ads are still in the 4:3 video, then when programme resumes, it goes back to the usual "fit to screen/no letterbox" again. So it is perceivable that the channel "video" is still in 4:3 that shows 16:9 content without letterbox.

> SD channels that is supposed to be in 16:9, should seen as 16:9 on viewer's screen, including Astro Go.

Sometimes it's just a matter of changing settings from their side, things that doesn't cost them money, but they got many other bigger things to attend to, so they won't bother this kind of suggestion because for them it's just a minor issue.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Dec 16 2019, 03:02 AM

Try ask your family members (according to account holder name), and see if they agreed to any Astro package change recently.
Anyhow, you're paying less than already is. So why worry for paying lesser while getting a few more channels?

Do note that upon changing to package bundles like Value Packs, you'll have 6 months contract.
Meaning you can't cancel or change this Value Pack for the next 6 months, otherwise penalty will be imposed.

If you tell them like that, for sure some of the experts over there on Astro will say "Aiya, still can watch mah... No big deal lah."
If you say this, they will recommend you to subscribe to HD service, "to enhance your viewing experience."
You say not sharp mah, not clear mah, subscribe HD lor...

Now their HD quality doesn't look good like back in those days anymore, still dare to charge customers at same price? Oh, don't come and offer Starter Pack or Value Pack to me.

"Just embrace the bad, be grateful and appreciate for what we as customer get from their service."
They can't make every customers happy.
After all, both legal streaming services like Netflix, and illegal underground IPTV streaming services are available out there.
"Not happy can just terminate Astro." Then you wait till your company shuts down someday lor, if what Astro still continue to behave whatever they're doing now.

If you want to clarify anything when it comes to billing, you can contact Astro customer service, or have a live chat with them here:
https://www.astro.com.my/contactus
Look for option to speak with live agent. The chat bot look like pretty cool smart, but eventually you'll realise it doesn't serve much purpose.

It starts on 20 Dec... Only in HD quality.

Ohhhhhhhh... So apparently, the video bitrate on 3 Astro UHD channels now has increased 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 and I did not expect they take action so fast...
I expect they would take action after.... like several weeks to months, or never.

12316MHz for Astro UHD CH780


Minimum: 21.1Mbps
Average: 21.5Mbps
Maximum: 21.6Mbps

12436MHz for 2 Astro Best UHD channels on CH498 and CH499



Minimum: 16.7Mbps
Average: 17.2Mbps
Maximum: 17.3Mbps

**Only video tracks (VPID) and audio tracks (APID) are shown for easier viewing. Others such as ECM, EIT, DVB subtitle tracks were filtered to look "less cluttering".

The overall average bitrate used on UHD channels appears significantly higher than what I observed few days ago.
From 12.8Mbps to 21.5Mbps, from 13.2Mbps to 17.2Mbps. Nearly half the average bitrate oh...

And apparently, they've increased the audio bitrate a little bit too... Good job

However, all 3 UHD channels are still in Stereo audio, even there is Dolby AC3 audio track.
Hmm, why they want to stick to Stereo for UHD channels? All HD channels can provide Dolby 5.1, but UHD channels only Dolby "Stereo"?
And tbh, I don't understand why the HE-AAC audio track (Stereo) is still being used, since Ultra Box can downconvert Dolby audio output to PCM uncompressed audio to TV that doesn't support Dolby audio passthrough (I've tried this and it works unlike the previous HD and PVR boxes that uses previous software), and only Ultra Box can access to UHD channels, so it shouldn't be a compatibility issues, isn't it? They can save some little bitrate bandwidth from there. I dunno, just my opinion...

Hope they'll continue to maintain this bitrate...

---

Aha, by the way, do you guys see any differences in the picture quality on (almost) all HD channels, like from now onwards as you're reading this? 😏
Looks that they've done "something" 😏😏😏... I told you I'll monitor more aggressively from now on.
Hope you guys here, including Ultra Box users here, to observe the picture quality on all HD and UHD channels. And if you suspect the picture quality on any HD or UHD channels becomes bad, do share it to us here first, before contact Astro customer service because they'll likely to suggest that there's something wrong with your satellite dish instead (or maybe they'll start to lecture their customer service agents soon. Kesian... ).

To know more info on what are the limitations of the cloud recording (e.g. what channels can't be recorded, Play from Start, etc.), refer to this PDF file from Astro here:
https://static02.astro.com.my/astro/media/1...3063.1565962588

Original PDF file for archive purposes:  astro_list_of_sd_hd_channels.pdf ( 201.94k ) Number of downloads: 43


Yeah, it is assumable that it is due to content rights licensing as cloud recording makes the platform become an OTT platform, instead of TV platform. cuz you can also watch the cloud recorded programmes on Astro Go (which is considered as an OTT platform). Yeah, basically the concept is they wanna make it synchronised and seamless as much as possible on either platforms, which I find that, they did a great job.

But there are several shortcomings la, I must say... which I've mentioned quite some of it on way previous posts.

Wah this Astro... Playing with me or what? Now the bitrate for UHD channels is dropped to...

12316MHz for CH780

Average: 16Mbps
*That "SPARE_1600" is not the one you see on CH 780.

12436MHz for CH498 and CH499

Average: 16Mbps

Since the decimals are similar, I'll just round off the bitrate to whole number...

What Astro is thinking of? Drop down then up then down, keep fluctuating... They experiencing mood swings or what?
Never mind. I'll continue to monitor... I'll share to you guys if I find anything significant, such as drop all the way to 1Mbps on all UHD channels or something. 🤣

By the way, what you guys think of the picture quality on the 4 new HD Chinese channels that was launched recently... 😏😏
Which are Phoenix Chinese Channel (318), TVB Xing He (319), TVBS Asia (320), and CCTV 4 (335)?
Is it the same like any other HD channels, like what I expect most of you guys would find? 😎

This post has been edited by joshhd: Dec 16 2019, 02:38 AM

Nope. I won't go and check the data like this if the satellite signal is weak due to heavy rain (until it causes no signal), cuz it won't be accurate anymore.

Almost all of it are average around 2-5Mbps. Not every HD channels on Astro are made equal.
If Astro still gonna squeeze more HD channels, as much as 12 in one transponder, don't expect the picture quality will look good anymore like in those days.
Anyhow, they must discontinue the use of legacy Astro boxes which uses MPEG 2 and DVB-S (which is scheduled to happen on 31 Jan/1 Feb, hope they don't postpone anymore), otherwise it's hard for them to use higher bitrate on every HD channels also, considering Astro suddenly simulcast/upgrade so many channels into HD in such a short time.

More HD channels is definitely good for customers, but in the expense of compromising HD picture quality? Hmmm...

Astro Go Shop on ch120 has upgraded to HD out of the blue.
I'm using Ultra Box, yet I see this message that was supposed to be seen only by legacy Astro box users.
Well yea, this message go away after I do some troubleshooting steps like reboot my Ultra Box or something. I know that. "Update channel list".



Interesting. Is that how all SD channels gonna look like for legacy Astro box users after 1 Feb 2020? Similar like grey background and a text in the middle like this.

Moments ago, I've received this SMS from Astro:

Original PDF file from link above, for archive purposes:  corresponding_sd_hd_channels.pdf ( 592.04k ) Number of downloads: 117


Oooh... Ultra Box users have no more chance to access the SD simulcast version of corresponding HD channels from tomorrow onwards. Pretty much similar like Astro IPTV users now.

For those who already "get used to pressing SD channel numbers", you'll need to take note oh...

Dear advertisers out there that love to advertise your products/services on Astro channels, you see how loyal Astro are to you guys...
Astro would rather inform you advertisers that DIVA and E! channels will cease transmission on 31 Dec 2019, also don't wanna make public announcement everywhere on Astro website, Astro Facebook page to inform its over 5 million customers nationwide. I think Astro wanna cause disaster and give a New Year surprise gift to all customer service agents working on Astro from 1 Jan onwards.

Astro is a good platform for you to shine your products, so do appreciate that.