No... I don't think so.

First of all, not everyone are fancy of that 4K UHD stuff, plus not everyone uses UHD TV at home, and not everyone cares about 4K UHD stuff, so in my opinion, Astro might as well save cost by introducing another downsize version of Ultra Box, at least can offer those main features like adaptive streaming Video On Demand, Play From Start, cloud recording, also good enough already lo... Also, these features can also be enjoyed even for those on Family pack. Cuz for Ultra Box, you must be on Starter Pack and above.

Plus, DCSS LNB also has its limitations, such as cable length from dish to the STB (Ultra Box) must not exceed 15 metres, otherwise it'll become no satellite signal. The usual Universal LNB's limitation doesn't reach to that extent of straight away no satellite signal due to cable length too long.

Yes now I am waiting the agent to call back. But I read it if upgrade to ultra box means need to go through another 24 months contract?

Awesome, you can use ultra box remote to control your device using bluetooth

Ok. MCO is back again.... 13 Jan until 26 Jan 2021.
Source: https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...-jan-13/1939422

So what's next?
"Please open up all channels again like last year..."     
"I want to terminate Astro account, but they don't let me to."

Still remember their uncontactable customer service disaster?
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=97148450
https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=96337271

I wonder how would it look like this time in this MCO 2.0

18. Ordinan-ordinan yang bertujuan untuk memerangi sabotaj ekonomi, monopoli dan kenaikan harga barang secara keterlaluan dalam masa pandemik juga boleh dimasyhurkan oleh Seri Paduka Baginda. Tindakan penguatkuasaan yang lebih tegas dan hukuman yang lebih berat boleh dikenakan untuk tujuan ini.

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...

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.

Software matter ?

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... 😂😂

So that option is better even when the TV in 4K...ight imma select for awhile.

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.

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

The one that will be SD for sure, and Astro cannot do anything 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 351
15. Astro AOD 352
16. Astro AOD 353
17. Astro AOD 354
18. 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.
19. TV1
20. TV2
21. TV3
22. NTV7
23. 8TV
24. TV9
25. TV Al Hijrah
26. RTM TV Okey
27. Bernama

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

Total: 28 SD channels.

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... 😅😅

hi. any good offer for astro + maxis?

the price seems same with the website. is with SST or before SST?

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. 

Just complaint. You never know what's the outcome. You don't loose anything.

But just curious, your intention is to use astro remote to control your LG TV or the other way round?

You try lo 

Just complaint. You never know what's the outcome. You don't loose anything.

But just curious, your intention is to use astro remote to control your LG TV or the other way round?

Are you able to pair successfully following the instruction. I mean do you see the green flash twice?
Kind of strange that the remote is working on your ultrabox but not able to control TV if pairing is successful.

Usually if remote spoilt, everything goes...