Opps... Seems like for private TV stations, indeed they are more concern in the platform's potential viewer reach, more than anything else? Anyway, their channels nowadays are just shopping non-stop almost whole day
So in the case of RTM channels, you previously mentioned that TV1, TV2, RTM Sports and Saluran Berita RTM would be available on Sirius TV platform (I assume RTM TV Okey channel wouldn't be available...), so I assume you guys at Sirius TV were initially offer them FOC too?

You meant by "as for other channels" is where other local FTA stations that wants its channels to be distributed through Sirius TV platform, including Al Hijrah (and maybe future potential ones like Awesome TV and TVS), they have to pay channel leasing fees to Sirius TV of the approx amount of "RM 500K for Year 1 , RM 500K for Year 2 and RM 2.0 Mil for year 3" in general, is that correct?
That price is for HD quality or SD quality? Or it doesn't matter?
Talking about the technicalities, would Sirius TV consider using AV1 video codec for its linear for TV broadcasts instead of HEVC video codec, since it saves almost 50% bandwidth over HEVC? Or AV1 isn't possible for linear TV broadcasts yet, or how?
How Sirius TV plans to utilises AV1 video codec onto its services then? For future VOD streaming?

This post has been edited by joshhd: Jan 18 2021, 05:05 PM

You mean both H.264 and H.265 HEVC?
Why not 100% HEVC only on all SD and HD channels, since HEVC uses almost 50% lesser bandwidth compared to H.264?

Hmm then why not transmit all channels in HD quality, since the number of channels won't be a lot at launch?
If offers more 1080p channels takes up too much bandwidth, at least 720p quality is better than SD quality though...

Also, if the particular channel provider offers the channel/content in Dolby 5.1 surround sound, would Sirius TV offers the same to the viewers?

Erm, I'd rather see more international channels being introduced, rather than another rojak channels. Hahaha...

Sorry Sirius TV 😭😭😭
But thanks for sharing the info with us though

And also, I know especially those who craving on more Japanese language shows like anime lovers, would love to have channels like Aniplus, WakuWaku Japan, and also Animax and GEM (by KC Global Media)...

Do you think it is possible to carry some of it in near future?
Or like you said, those channels listed above, are too expensive also?

I thought Sirius TV have lease one whole 54MHz transponder from SES 12 at a "fixed price", no? Since the symbol rate would be 45000 already?

I know some backend, IRD box provided is H.264 like you mentioned in the previous post, but I believe Sirius TV can re-encode all channels into HEVC before deliver to viewers via SES 12 satellite, isn't it?
Cuz it would be somewhat a breakthrough to see a new pay TV provider uses only HEVC video codec to deliver its content to viewers.
Because of the bandwidth savings, Sirius TV could have more number of HD channels than SD channels upon launch, which would makes it attractive to viewers...
Just my opinion...

Oh, how about the audio codec? Which one would Sirius TV plan to use? MP2? AAC-LC? Dolby AC3 or E-AC3?

Seems that Sirius TV admin is a long time fan of Lowyat Forum

Yes. Make all channels in HD quality 😂😂😂😂
And also, be the first satellite TV provider in Malaysia to use 100% HEVC video codec on all channels.

I know bandwidth is not the main concern now, but that's just my suggestion anyway.

As for the channel/content, well, have to wait till you guys start to broadcast the TV channels to SES 12, then only I can comment further.

RM299 for 12 months. So from 13th month onwards, would be RM20 per month or something? Prepaid payment method? Can start and cancel anytime, similar like Netflix?
My goodness... I find that Malaysia should just waive the AA fees for all local pay satellite TV providers. Cuz you mentioned that only those who uses Measat 91.5E and Asiasat 9 are exempted for the annual fees, this seems to be unfair practice to me, especially to new pay TV startups.

If this were to continue, then Sirius TV would have to separately charge the customer RM60 per year for Apparatus Assignment fee on customer's bill. Just the AA fees, doesn't include the Sirius TV channels packages or whatsoever. Put all the blame to MCMC. If customer ask why, tell them it's MCMC charging it, and the money goes to MCMC, not Sirius TV.

Woah... The website has refreshed to a new look now
Anyway, do inform us if you started the 2 months FTA broadcast on SES 12, and I'll be happy to give some review
And do list out the frequency, polarity and symbol rate as well 😁

According to Sirius TV website, it uses 60cm size of satellite dish.


Sirius TV I remember previously the website stated that you guys will be using 75cm. Now appears to be 60cm? Could you explain what is the reason behind that change?

Hmm... What if standardise them to 75cm in both West and East Malaysia?
Or do you mean that even if 75cm dish is used for West Malaysia, there won't be any signal improvements at all, compared to 60/65cm dish?
The LPF requires to delay the feed by few minutes too?

But..... Is this business model sustainable though?
I mean, how'd you guys ensure able to gain profit to offer more channels in the future?

From consumer point of view, the concept of prepaid basis, start and stop anytime, and no contract, is indeed a plus point.

But how about practicing the similar method as those OTT subscription?
Example let's say Sirius TV from 13th month onwards, if customer is interested, an auto reoccurring option is offered, where RM20/month would deduct automatically through debit/credit card monthly on time.
That way, viewers no need to headache about "forgot to pay", and ensure uninterrupted viewing, and only initiate to cancel the service as per request (whenever you want), similar like Netflix.

Unless if customer prefers other manual payment methods, then can go ahead with topup basis through cash or PIN voucher (e.g. Buy at convenient store or online).

This post has been edited by joshhd: Mar 6 2021, 12:45 AM

Okay sorry...
Anyhow, I'll look forward for your good news.

Yeah. The content of the channel is target towards niche viewers. So not everyone would be interested to that channel, unless you're an outdoor, adventurous type of person...

But in terms of offering "never seen before TV channels", then Outdoor Channel is also a good option...

Yes you are right.

Years later, Hypp TV (now Unifi TV) ceases that channel, probably due to low viewership.

Ahh nice Now we can see a clearer picture on what types of channels they'll be offering

https://siriusmalaysia.tv/channel-listing/

Since Sirius TV mentioned before that "bandwidth savings" on the transponders aren't their main concern now, I really think they should just go ahead and launch them in HD quality right away.
Of course, the priority on which channels to be in HD quality would go for those premium channels mentioned.

I mean, Astro has been phasing out its simulcast SD quality channels, and making HD quality channels a norm nowadays.
Even MYTV Broadcasting's digital TV channels has more HD channels than SD channels now.....
If Sirius TV launch all those channels in SD quality, then it's like........ errrr

Yeah ikr.... I see a lot of Japanese show fans been suggesting Astro and Unifi TV to offer this channel for many years already, yet until today no news...
And now Sirius TV would to make it happen

Hmm, seems like you missed a lot from our previous discussions...
You can start reading from here: https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopi...post&p=99662796

LOL... Don't expect Sirius TV to be like NJOI, can watch certain free TV channels without paying.
If no subscription, then the service will be hard stopped.

Sirius TV Test Broadcast
19 March 2021

Before you read further, do note that I am well aware that Sirius TV broadcasts is still on testing period, so some technical hiccups here and there is expected. Hence, don't expect everything to be perfect just yet.

Here are some technical parameters, if you are interested to know:
Frequency: 12595MHz | Polarity: Horizontal | Symbol rate: 45000
Modulation: DVB-S2 QPSK | FEC: 4/5
Satellite: SES-12 | Orbital Position: 95°E


To be honest, when I was aligning the satellite dish, I kept wonder how come it seems difficult to get good signal readings... Turns out actually, the satellite signal apparently, isn't as strong as I would expect...
C/N (signal-to-noise ratio) of 10.40dB is the very maximum signal strength I can get from my Astro 65cm dish... Signal strength seems "average"? And btw, I'm located in Selangor, Malaysia.
And because of that, I have to be more patient and slow while aligning the dish (If you compare, Astro satellite signals are so much easier to get high signal readings )
It could be due to the satellite coverage footprint itself, so can't really comment much... Perhaps that's the reason they uses QPSK 4/5, to make signal reception more robust to compensate the lower signal strength reception.


TV channels
I perform channel scan earlier, and there's only 3 channels available free-to-air (FTA) now:

GEM (SD)

Outdoor Channel (HD)

TechStorm (HD)

I also noticed that as of the point of writing (19 Mar 2021 morning):
- GEM is not in HD And right now there are no subtitle, and no subtitle tracks at all And the "SIRIUS TV | TEST TRANSMISSION | SIARAN CUBAAN " indicator looks awful
- The date and time info from satellite is inaccurate (Most satellite TV receivers out there tend to sync the date/time info provided from satellite.)
- The actual source of all these 3 channels, are from the same Measat 3 satellite (C band) 🤣 And yeah, there is no EPG data on the channels there.
- The channel names appears the same as what the providers obtain from Measat 3 C band. (Example; "GEM (ENG)") They haven't rename it? Never mind, it gives me the feel of "originality"
- Whatever subtitle language tracks that Outdoor Channel itself has from Measat 3 C band, Sirius TV has it all too:

Good also la... Can get to see some foreign subtitle languages

Picture quality
Here are some screenshots on how the original resolution of the actual TV channel look like. Whether it looks good to you or not, I'll let you be the judge:







Bitrate Check

Video Codec and Bitrate details
*click/tap spoiler to revealAudio Codec and Bitrates
Tech Storm & Outdoor Channel: MP2 192kbps Stereo
GEM: MP2 96kbps Stereo

Conclusion
Like I said earlier, Sirius TV is in testing phase now, and yeah I do notice that the reception would suddenly blackout for about 1 second or a little pixelation appears occasionally, so I believe they haven't finish testing yet. That is why it is called test transmission 🤣🤣
As you guys know, the Sirius TV launch date was "postponed/delayed" several times since years ago due to many reasons (I believe many stuff happened behind the scene) and some technical hiccups, but still, I believe now we get to see their test broadcasts is indeed a milestone for not just Sirius TV itself, but also the hope for the upcoming second Malaysian satellite pay TV service, which many of us been wanting to see for many years.