Tuesday, December 15, 2009

High definition is B.Yond me...

Zainir Aminullah, executive director, Astro Entertainment. His wife is Kak Lin's MRSM Seremban mate...once loose cannon sought his help, through Kak Lin of course...

Datuk Rohana Rozhan, Astro TV CEO

The HD decoder...free for selected few...

Packed press conference

Hubby and wifey team with real time reporting for Malay Mail

The Malay Male, the decent chap with an indecent blog


On July 30, 1996, Berita Harian carried a filler on Page 1. The story was written by loose cannon!

Cakera parabola yang membolehkan orang ramai menerima siaran 20 saluran televisyen dan lapan saluran radio digital menerusi Measat Broadcast Network Systems Sdn Bhd (Measat Broadcast), berharga tidak melebihi RM2,000.

Bayaran langganan untuk siaran itu, yang dijangka dilancarkan Oktober ini, tidak melebihi RM100 sebulan, manakala pemasangan cakera parabola berukur lilit 60 sentimeter itu akan dikendalikan oleh pengedar tunggal, Phillips Malaysia Sdn Bhd (Phillips).

Sumber-sumber berkata, cakera parabola itu boleh digunakan untuk set televisyen lama atau baru. Pengguna dikehendaki menghubungi pengedar bagi kerja pemasangan sebelum meminta Measat memulakan siaran.

Having been a loyal subscriber since its launch, loose cannon remembers one of the first major sporting events to be beamed live was the 1996 Asian Cup in UAE on StarSports.

Last Friday, Astro set another benchmark.

KUALA LUMPUR, 11 December 2009 – ASTRO today launched ASTRO B.yond, a multi-phased innovative service starting with the first ever High Definition (HD) broadcast, setting yet another new benchmark in Malaysia’s broadcast industry.

“At 48 per cent penetration of Malaysian TV homes, we are part of 2.875 million homes. It is a privilege we do not take for granted. At ASTRO, we are committed to innovation in content, technology and customer experience. We would also like to ensure our customers get the maximum value out of every ringgit they spend with us,” said Dato’ Rohana Rozhan, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRO.

Incorporating best in class technologies, the newly launched ASTRO B.yond offers customers more innovative services which will be introduced in phases. Starting with the first ever High-Definition (HD) broadcast in Malaysia, ASTRO B.yond will change TV viewing experience with richer colours, picture-perfect clarity and cinematic surround sound. Along with this, a new and improved Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) designed for better viewer interface will be introduced.

As the technology infrastructure and hardware around ASTRO B.yond is future-ready, more innovations will follow. In 2010, ASTRO aims to be the first in the world to offer video recording through an external hard drive. With this service, customers can record their favourite programmes and personalize their TV viewing schedules. ASTRO B.yond will also introduce Digital Video Recording (DVR), Video on Demand (VOD) and IPTV connectivity in phases over the next 24 months.

“ASTRO B.yond is our promise to be at the forefront of innovation and to delight our customers with services that go beyond their expectation. Only by doing this will ASTRO stay as their number 1 choice in entertainment. It is our promise to our loyal customers that the best is yet to come!”

As ASTRO B.yond is a major shift in technology, it calls for total revamp in capabilities, hardware and installation.

In addition to our delivery infrastructure, to experience ASTRO B.yond, customers who wish to experience ASTRO B.yond and access to the HD services have a choice to sign up at an additional service fee of RM20 per month and a commitment of 12 months.

As part of the new B.yond service, customers will get the new B.yond box, new smart card, new outdoor unit dish, HD Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable and new remote control. New set-up installation fee will be waived in exchange for the existing box.

On HD content, ASTRO will show three key genres that are recognized as HD content drivers globally - sports, movies and documentaries. ASTRO will start with four HD channels - ASTRO Supersport HD, HBO HD, National Geographic Channel HD and HISTORY HD on 18 December 2009, followed by ESPN HD in January 2010. Sports fans will also be thrilled to know that they can soon watch FIFA World Cup 2010 in HD. ASTRO plans to roll out more HD channels, including local content, in 2010. The access to enjoy the HD channels corresponds to the customer’s current package subscription.

This means those who opt for the B.Yond package can watch Lionel Messi's scoring in South Africa or Jay Menon all on HD...high definition, eh, not Haresh Deol...

1 comment:

Unknown said...

..it is beyond this old man, too..but, more important for residents in Bachok, is it storm and heavy shower proof?..existing reception tends to be interrupted with a lil bit of rain..