Factory Restore Settings, you can change to Hybrid mode.

Yes correct.

Well now it's on customer side...
If pick the discounted package.  Contract extension / renew...
Don't take.. u pay more.... Nowadays every ringgit counted...
decision decision decision....

You sure you want to upgrade to Ultra Box?
I wouldn't recommend existing PVR box users to upgrade to Ultra Box cuz the disadvantages are more than the advantages, especially the fact that there's no hard disk used on Ultra Box.
Unless if you're using HD box, then upgrade to Ultra Box should be okay.
But it's up to you anyway.

Some of you might be thinking, should I upgrade to Astro & Broadband?
Well, here's your answer:

Is it worth it? Compare with Unifi or Maxis Fibre plans, you get enjoy some savings a month wor...
But when sh*t happens, this is what you get? If you don't mind with that, thinking that "how rare it happens anyway..." or "it's just an isolated case", then it's your choice.

Well I'm not saying that if you're on other ISP, you'll confirm won't get this kind of treatment, especially during this MCO or Conditional MCO period.
But in my opinion, as long you're on Astro service, you should be prepared for that to happen to you one day.

Yes, getting a package might be cheaper/saving, but it is more like putting all your eggs in one basket. Once internet is down, you don't get your favorite channel as well  . This is why you need to diversify your investment to avoid financial crisis 

That's why, as an Astro customer, you have to be careful and be vigilant at all times. Can't take things for granted...

Some Ultra Box users has been complaining that the box kept restart itself, streaming error, this and that...
It is a risk to take, unless you really love Astro UHD ch780, then u go upgrade lor...

I would advice you not to sacrifice away your PVR box for the sake of enjoy cloud recording feature.
Every Astro customers can already try out the cloud recording feature on Astro Go. It's not that you have to upgrade to Ultra Box to enjoy cloud recording also...
Whatever cloud recordings you do on Astro Go will always in-sync with Ultra Box.
You try schedule cloud recordings on Astro Go, then watch it from there if in case your PVR box fails to record for whatever reasons.

Q: Supposed that complimentary viewing on all channels was ended on 30 April for all Sports pack customers. But how come I'm still able to watch all channels even till today?
A: Here's your answer:



That hidden definition of "enhanced package", is actually Super Pack Plus 4 🤣🤣🤣🤣
But they can't say it explicitly because existing Super Pack Plus 4 customers that been paying RM228/month will confirm make noise.

Im the 1st batch of IPTV(Maxis network on unifi infrastructure) subscribers, during the 1st 2 years, Astro's response to downtime was good, problem were addressed within the same week.

Until 2 years back, line were more than 2 f'ing months..
It was a f'ing nightmare, having to get the right technician over to fix a simple problem, it was a plastic clip outside the house rosak but Astro, Maxis, TM person all performing drama on Mexican standoff, waiting and pointing finger at each other..

Yes > 2 months, I still remember the pain, thats why the F word 

After I got my service back, file for 3 months rebate and straight cut the service. 

No rebate/cheaper astro bill could justify that... Just separate internet and TV, at least you don't get every down at the same time and Astro customer service forwarding your problem to IPTV department but problem not getting sorted.
*edited: at least now, I got a 4G maxis dongle and unlimited on mobile sim so practically internet always up, if astro rosak still AstroGo app there for my family as long as internet is available.

Astro teaches you how to continue watching your shows when there's no satellite signal during heavy rains. 

Yeah, as if like using Play from Start feature as a workaround to continue watching your shows is very convenient, especially for the elderly and non tech savvy persons. 

One of my friend contacted Astro recently, and now I got some info about it, which I have some corrections to made on my previous posts.
All Super Packs and Super Pack Plus does not bind with any contracts. Only Starter Pack and Value Pack has 6 months contract.
If you sign up as new Astro customer, or change to new Astro box (like Ultra Box), then the 24 months contract you would get, is actually the contract for the Astro box and/or Astro account itself, not the package that you've chosen.
Anyhow, it's better that you clarify with Astro on what type of contract agreement you're getting from Astro.
You won't be getting any contracts upon subscribing to any Super Pack and Super Pack Plus. Sorry for the wrong info previously.

There is some discrepancies between the old and newer Super Pack 3 right now
Same package but different price? Yes, it is confusing.
Whatever information you see below, may not be 100% accurate. Even if it's accurate, it may be subject to change by Astro at later date without prior notice.

Before you continue reading...
Due to this Movement Control Order (MCO), as long your subscription has Sports pack (which all Super Packs has that), you'd get to enjoy complimentary viewing on ALL channels (aka Super Pack Plus 4) until at least 12 May 2020.
Therefore, you won't see the difference in what channels you can watch, cuz you can watch all those channels including ABO Tayangan hebat/Thangathirai/BollyOne HD/ch821-824 channels like I'll mention on the table below.....

This is the information I got so far. Study this table below to know what are the changes occurred in detail on Super Pack 3 and Super Pack Plus 3 since 5 April 2020.

Reminder:
All Super Packs comes with HD-PVR service, Family, Sports, Movies, Korean and Baby TV as well as 3 mini packages.
For Super Pack 3, it also comes with New Emperor and Dynasty pack.

	When you're on Super Pack 3 before 5 Apr 2020	Existing Super Pack 3 customers from 5 Apr 2020	Whoever just subscribe to Super Pack 3 from 5 Apr 2020	Super Pack Plus 3 from 5 Apr 2020
Price excl. 6% SST	RM163/month	RM163/month (unchanged)	RM146/month (revised)	RM178/month
ABO Tayangan Hebat (115)	No	No	Yes	Yes
ABO Thangathirai HD (241)	No	No	Yes	Yes
Astro BollyOne HD (251)	No	No	Yes	Yes
Star Chinese Channel (315)	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
WWE Network (821)	No	No	No	Yes
Golf Channel (822)	No	Yes	No	Yes
RugbyPass TV (823)	No	No	No	Yes
Astro Cricket (824)	No	Yes	No	Yes
Total cloud recording storage	200 hours (default)	200 + 200 = 400 hours	200 + 200 = 400 hours	200 + 200 = 400 hours

- Star Chinese Channel (ch315)?

Previously this is included in Super Pack Plus 3, or you'll need to pay extra RM5/month to watch this.
Now, as you can refer to the 5 April 2020 version of Subscription Rate Card, this channel is now "automatically" included as long you're on Super Pack 3.

- Errr wait... How come Golf Channel and Astro Cricket?
Apparently Astro says that Golf Channel and Astro Cricket would be added to existing Super Pack 3 customers that continue paying the same RM163/month rate.
But whoever subscribe to Super Pack 3 from 5 April 2020, regardless of new or old customer, will only get the revised RM146/month, and won't be getting Golf Channel and Astro Cricket unless you subscribe it separately.
Hmm, seems to me Astro want its customers continue paying more, but "don't mind much" to give you some additional premium sports channels, that you might not watch.
But how long can they sustain this, I wonder? 

- Total of 400 hours of cloud recording storage?
On top of the free 200 hours that every Astro customers has, it is claimed that as long you're on any Super Pack 3 (new or old) as well as Super Pack Plus 3, you'll get a total of 400 hours cloud recording storage.

Anyway, if you don't use Ultra Box nor cloud recording feature on Astro Go, then this "additional 200 hours of cloud recording storage" is useless to you.

For existing Super Pack 1, 2 or 4 customer, too bad for you. 
It is claimed that this "free" added recording hours is only available for Super Pack 3 (new or old) and Super Pack Plus 3 customers.
You can upgrade the cloud recording storage if you want, such as 1500 hours for RM15/month.

My personal advice?
Don't worry much about this first. Will see how things goes when Astro ends its complimentary viewing on all channels for Sports pack subscribers (which includes all Super Pack customers).
If you're Super Pack 3 subscriber, keep a close watch on your upcoming Astro bills.
Maybe, there is a possibility that Astro would automatically revise every Super Pack 3 customers that has been paying the old price of RM163/month into RM146/month.
So does it means Super Pack 3 customers no need to contact Astro to change to Super Pack 3 for RM146/month? Maybe. At the time of writing, things are not so "confirmed" now.

If, just in case, the price revision is not automatic, and has to be done manually by call Astro customer service (03-95433838), you might be able to do so without issues.
But then as usual la, because it is considered as "downgrade" (cuz your total bill amount become lesser), so a one-time RM10.60 switching fee will be charged, and package change will take into effect on your next bill.
Yeah, as straightforward as that. No "beating around the bush".

Maybe there's a lot of things going on your mind now. But let me remind you again that things may change at later date.

And yes, as long you're on any Value Packs, like what you said, you can add on additional packages that you need.

Unless you want to watch non-Chinese channels often like Movies, Sports, mini packages, and so on, then Super Pack 3 is a better option.

If you mainly watch Chinese channels, especially if your family members only interested to watch Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien content, and rarely watch those non-Chinese channels, especially movie and sports channels,
Wah Pack (Value Pack 3) is already serve its purpose. Not necessary you have to go for Super Pack 3 anymore.

Just in case for those who still don't understand, here's another explanation. As long you're on Wah Pack (Value Pack 3) RM80/month:
- You can watch ALL Chinese channels from ch300 until ch398 (yeah, including Korean pack channels and NHK World Premium too)
- The only Chinese language channel that is not included on Wah Pack, is Star Chinese Channel (卫视中文台) ch315.
If you want that channel, you can add on the channel separately for +RM5/month.
If you're not interested to watch that channel, or never hear that channel before, then don't bother.

Ok, let's say you take Wah Pack, and then want to have some English language channels, just add +RM33 for Sports pack, +RM25 for Movies pack or +RM12 per mini package.
Customise the package yourself, do the math, then you'll know what's best for you. And then compare with what Super Pack 3 offers.

Well, unless you enjoy experience the feeling of able to watch "almost all channels" kind of feeling on Super Pack 3, then it's your choice la

Once you subscribe to any Value Packs, do note that it comes with 6 months contract, or penalty of RM120 prorated if early termination.

yongtjunkitIf you upgrade to Ultra Box, then you will get 24 months contract for the Ultra Box itself, and it's nothing got to do with whatever package you're in.
Let's say on 6 May 2020, you've successfully upgrade to Ultra Box and subscribes to Value Pack, and also Astro & Broadband, your contract will look something like this:


1) Ultra Box: 6 May 2020 - 6 May 2022
Means your entire Astro account must remain active until 6 May 2022, or penalty of RM1600 prorated if early termination. Yes, the penalty fee for Ultra Box is more expensive than PVR box.
Even if Astro allows you to suspend account or your account becomes inactive for some reasons like didn't pay bills, the contract date will also extends depending on the number of days that your account being inactive.

No it won't work at all.
And the WiFi router shall configure (especially VLAN Tagging settings) for IPTV Multicast to work. And then, the IPTV mode must be activated on both Astro and Maxis side.
Astro IPTV is not OTT service. It's not as straightforward as you think, lol...

Astro will ask you the reasons why you want to downgrade back from Ultra Box to PVR box, so you better give them hundreds of good reasons why.
Whether they'll charge you penalty or not, that would be case-to-case basis.
And of course, contract will restart.

"No request of downgrading..."? That's not true.

If you watch Astro Facebook page closely, you can see that there are numerous complaints on Ultra Box on issues like auto restart itself, cloud recording not working and experienced some errors/glitches, felt disappointed after realising that Internet connection is needed to watch cloud recordings, and so on, and by the time they regret of upgrading to Ultra Box, it's already too late.
They demanded Astro to downgrade back to PVR box due to many reasons, or even terminate Astro for good.
But erm, penalty of RM1600 prorated if early termination within 24 months contract.

If you swap back to PVR box, Astro will give you the refurbished PVR box. They don't manufacture brand new PVR boxes anymore.

Considering the fact that as long Ultra Box still doesn't allow customer to connect to an external hard disk for features like time shift (pause live TV), record programme to hard disk, and other Ultra Box features that can't work offline, you need to think carefully before you make that decision, as it is a risk to take especially for an existing PVR box users.
A risk where, a new stuff that has lots of advantages/features, but also has lots of disadvantages/feature removal at the same time.

If you usually don't record shows, pause live TV, or even stream shows On Demand often, then upgrading to Ultra Box shouldn't be a major problem.

If the particular issue is bothering you so much, you wouldn't have the patience to get used to it and wait till 24 months contract is over. It's better that you contact Astro as it happens.

If liddat, better don't kacau your parents enjoying their PVR box that has hard disk inside.
It is very likely that your parent's peaceful mind on PVR box will be severely disrupted upon upgrading to Ultra Box cuz they're forced to use 00% cloud recording.

If money is not your biggest concern, consider this:
You can maintain the Astro IPTV as it is now.
But if you love to try out Ultra Box, consider add a Multiroom subscription (+RM50/month) to get a second Astro box to install at your room/bedroom or something.
Just remember to tell Astro you want the Ultra Box, for the Multiroom subscription (second Astro box).

Your PVR box that works in IP mode shall remain as it is (you can say, it is left untouched), while that Ultra Box will be connected to the satellite dish and operate as 100% satellite DTH mode.
That installer will replace the LNB on your Astro satellite dish to the DCSS LNB.

And yes, do take this opportunity to downgrade to Super Pack 3 or even Value Pack 3 (Wah Pack), and then add Multiroom subscription.
The total amount you'll be paying at the end of the day shouldn't be too big of a difference, compared to what you've been paying now.

Done. Your parents get to continue enjoying recordings on Astro PVR box with a peace of mind, while you can experiment both Astro PVR and Ultra Box at the comfort of your home. 

Btw, can you screenshot your latest Astro bill (PDF file), scroll to page 3 that shows your package information and total amount you're paying now?

You mean your area has both Maxis own fibre and Unifi own fibre also???     
How do you know oh? Is there a separate fibre cable pole at the back of your house, where one is from Maxis, another is for TM? Take picture see....

If your house is connected to Maxis's own fibre, then I would advise you to stick on Maxis Fibre instead of going over to TM Unifi.
Generally, Maxis's after sales support is still better than TM regardless.

Once you convert your Astro IPTV subscription into DTH subscription, automatically you'll bind another 24 months contract for your Astro account.

As far as I know Maxis does not have own fiber. Only TM and Time have fiber. Time broadband use either one of these two. That is why some places no Unifi but have Maxis fiber.

Yup, that’s correct... Maxis fiber and unifi is separate infra, Unifi came in like last year only.... maxis fiber already very long time
never tried maxis/Unifi CS.... my parents straight upgrade from maxis broadband(usb, 3G) to Astro IPTV 10mbps in 2013
maxis infra(together with Maxis landline)



Unifi infra(fiber only)


When my house install Astro IPTV that time only got Maxis fiber

It's available for FTTH (fibre-to-the-home) only, by either Maxis (under TM backbone) or Maxis backbone.

VDSL and TIME Fibre ones are not available for now.

Thanks 

Measat is indeed a great satellite company, and it is known to the international satellite market.
They do have sufficient resources of offering backup services in case of *touchwood* interruption occurs.
Malaysian pride lah   

But when it comes to Astro, their customer service support is like 360 degrees change 🙃
Err nope.. There's no option to change to IP mode on my Ultra Box now. It's kinda expected la, since this news is just released.
Or maybe there's another version of Ultra Box software that works on IP mode.

But I have a feeling that since it is IPTV, so it shall works as IPTV, then it shall have VLAN just like the current PVR box.
If there's no VLAN, then it's literally an OTT service rather than IPTV service already.
Other than 'fibre-only', not much technical info are known to the public yet... So will see la... 


The phrase that scares me is "All eligible upgrades to Ultra Box via IPTV does not requires a satellite dish for the transmission of our 4K UHD content."
Is that means UHD channels will be receive via Internet instead of Satellite?
Imagine if there's a case of packet loss/unreliable network from the fibre ISP..... Hah, confirm pixelation  How far can they guarantee that such incidents won't occur?
I've seen quite a few Astro IPTV customers (PVR box) experiences such pixelation due to network errors.
I hope the upcoming Ultra Box still offers the option for viewers to easily toggle between Satellite DTH to IP mode, instead of 100% IP mode.
To me, it's kinda risky if it's 100% IP mode and can't toggle to Satellite mode.

Also, what's that "Ultra Box is only offered to new customers and those without contract"?
Too many existing customers complained on how terrible Ultra Box is, especially many 'missing features' due to no built in hard disk, or the self-reboot and self-disconnecting WiFi issues?
Hmmmm... I dunno la...