Astro B.yond PVR: Just Some Thoughts

Here are the things that slightly puzzled me:

1. Subtitles

HD channels do not have subtitles. At first I thought it was a function that I had to enable myself specifically for the HD Channels but as I clicked about, theres none available.

And this happens all across the HD channels that I've got access to. The presence or lack of subtitles is noticeable with AXN. AXN in standard definition will have subtitles. 

AXN HD would screen the same show with sharper pictures, more vibrant colors but without the subtitles. And thats great for people who don't need the subtitles but if I'm watching something with a person who is hearing impaired, we'll still have to go back to standard definition so they can follow the story. The channels  that don't have a standard definition equivalent, they would miss out on. 

Also applicable to people who aren't fluent in English, the educational programs on NatGeo HD or History HD where a lot of technical jargon is used, subtitles might help them. It would be great if it could be a function that can be enabled and disabled whenever.

2. Rain Fade

I majored in Communications Engineering where Radio and Satellite Electromagnetic Comms was a subject. So I understand Rain Fade with all its physical scattering properties and signal attenuation calculations.

Rain Fade happens, you just have to accept it. 

During these times Astro would display a message as pictured. A nice touch compared to the tiny yellow box/dot of before.

Your viewing and recording services would be interrupted. You're still able to view whatever shows you've prerecorded/saved and those can be watched in the meantime. If you were recording something unfortunately it would only be partially recorded. But if you've got it on 'series link' the next time the show plays, the PVR would re-record it.

Theres a couple instances though where it rains and only a few channels are interrupted. At first we all thought this was better because we sacrifice a few channels to be able to watch others. Until we notice that the "Temporarily Unavailable" channels were unavailable for a lot more than temporarily normal. It usually comes back after probably 12hours or so without having to call any technicians. 

I'm not sure how Astro has designed its system. Perhaps all the channels affected (in my case CH711, 712, 702) are all on the same carrier? I don't know. An explanation would be nice.

Overall I'm quite satisfied with the service, as are the other occupants of the house.

How has Astro B.yond PVR Changed My Life?

I spend an average of 10hours a day being a design engineer. The creativity requirement of my job is the most fun but the most exhausting.

In order to be relevant in the workplace, I have to keep up with trends and scientific discoveries and constantly keep an open mind so that I can be inspired by anything and everything. Astro is a great source of information and most times as I'm watching a show I get struck by an idea and have to hurriedly write it down somewhere lest it goes forgotten, never to be thought of again. And then of course we all need to make time for a social life.

It's not always easy and often times we wish life would hand us a remote control (batteries included please) that lets you Pause to reflect and put things in perspective, Rewind to re-experience, Fast Forward to skip the messy/boring and Record so you won't ever forget and miss out. And really, just Play.

The Astro B.yond PVR comes pretty close to perfection.

I'd like to thank Astro and Nuffnang for giving me the experience. For everyone else who wants to experience it, do check Astro Services out, they have more than just B.yond.


(: Nuri.Ramli

Astro B.yond PVR: Oh I Loike It

Things I Liked:

1. The Ability to Record Simultaneously

Prime time is prime for a reason. Its the time when the TV audience is expected to be the greatest, generally between the hours of 8pm and 11pm. Most of my favorite shows are shown between those times, often at the same time slot. And the repeat / encore is scheduled past midnight or the weekend ):

Now you've always had to choose which one to watch first but if you're home you can watch one live and record the other. No problem.

The greatness of the Dual Tuner comes in for say when you're out for dinner and you come back and both shows are over. Because the PVR can record simultaneously, you can have both your shows ready to be viewed. You don't have to wait and figure out when the repeat is going to be. Which brings me to Thing I Like No. 2

2. The Program Guide That Shows the Future

7 Days into the future to be exact.

3. The Look

The on screen navigation and info is all very sleek looking and clean. Info is well organized and the use of symbols means being able to put a lot of information onto a screen without clutter.

Also when viewing the main TV guide or planner, you still have the channel you're watching in a smaller screen. Pretty cool.

The only thing was I expected the program banners to do the same thing. Currently is just flashes a static Astro logo. As if we'd forget we're watching Astro? Just thought it would be cool if that spot could also display a somewhat picture-in-picture function. Perhaps there are other plans.

Anyway the other thing I've wanted is when they show the teasers or trailers to upcoming shows to have one button that while the trailer is playing to click 'remind me of this'. Without having to remember when the show premieres and at what time and to have to wait for the week to go to the tv guide and scroll around … perhaps I'm just too lazy.

That's just the highlights of what I've experienced. In my next post I'll note the other side.

(: Parrot


Next: Astro B.yond PVR: Closing Words

Astro B.yond PVR: What Does It Do?

The main thing about the astro PVR is the 4 buttons: 

Record | Rewind | Pause | Play 

Record:

The Hard Disk Drive has a capacity of 500GB

That's 100 hours of content in HD

Equivalent to 290 hours in standard definition

That is more TV time than I can imagine

Nonetheless I've used up a substantial amount

Usually record shows when I know im going to be out

But even when I'm in, face shows get recorded anyway

So that I can watch them again any time of the day

Its also useful when you want to watch 2 things at once

The dual tuner makes sure everyone gets what they want

Record a show while watching another live

Or watch a prerecorded show while recording 2 at a time

Things get easier when its a running series

Future episodes can be booked to record as it screens

Theres no need to remember every week to record the show

Clever little astro PVR would already know

Rewind:

The rewind function is self explanatory

You can rewind as you like at varying speeds

4x, 8x, 16x and 30

Then press the play button and it would play appropriately

Use it when you get distracted and missed a part

You can go back to a relevant point and restart

Or perhaps to replay a scene you're fond of

Or to write down the shows recipe for cake fondant

Pause:

Take a break, press the button

Play:

To get the show moving

Theres another button to fast forward

At the same speeds as rewind

But this can only be used on recorded shows

Or if you've paused and Astro managed to buffer in time

Overall Astro delivers what it promises to do

The 4 buttons can change lives for busy people like me and you

For just RM 20 on top of your existing subscription

A pretty good deal that can bring greater satisfaction

For more information on what the "Controller of Digital Time" can do, visit the Astro website. The link HERE will take you to a diagram of the PVR remote control where you can rollover and discover the functions - at your own time of course.

In my next post I'll go through what I like, what raises some eyebrows and perhaps some suggestions. We'll see how it goes.

Aaand *stop*


(: Parrot


Next: Astro B.yond PVR: Oh I Loike It


Note: Would be nice if while watching a recorded program there would be a little indicator somewhere to show that the show being watched is not live.

Astro B.yond PVR: What Is It?

Astro B.yond PVR is a personal video recorder

That lets you record any show and watch them whenever

Record, rewind, pause and play

It's TV your time, your way

All it is is a B.yond decoder box

With a new black dish that totally rocks

The installers will connect it all with the HDMI cable

Insert the smart card, and its ready to be remote controllable

Theres also a set of controllers on the decoder box

Just in case the remote ever gets lost

That's pretty much it in terms of hardware

And then of course the user manuals for care

Which oddly enough only came in one language

But thats ok because theres illustrations and image

Speaking of image, the HD channels are really clear

There are 12 available HD channels to see and hear

Of course it depends on what subscription package you're on

But definitely try and get the NatGeo HD one

The images are clear and crisp, just like advertised

You would really not want to avert your eyes

Also a bonus, the commercials tend to be shorter

And I know this because I use the PVR as a timer

I've been testing it out, its easy to use

A friendly user interface that wont confuse

Buttons are labeled and the operations made clear

Haven't had any problems with it over here

If you would like to know more, do head over to the Astro Website: HERE  

I love that there's an interactive presentation whereby curious-potential PVR owners can play with the buttons and learn about the product.


Also in my next post I'll go through the 4 main functions and my experience with them.

(: Parrot


Next: Astro B.yond PVR: What Does It Do?

What Started It All

Since many have asked to see it, this is the submission to the 'Change Your Life With Astro PVR' Contest that got me through to Phase II.

A s someone who spends a lot of time online
S urfing, blogging, youtubing and such
T ough to not also download movies sometimes
R ealizing that one can pause, replay and rewind
O nly .. downloading illegally is a crime :(

B ut what’s a girl to do when she comes home
E veryones there, parked infront of the tv like lil lawn gnomes
Y elling for the remote, the controller of channels
O nly dad is at the other tv, fiddling with the aerials
N ow what can this Astro B.yond PVR bring?
D efinitely less fighting, high definition, more smiling

P lans no longer need to revolve around TV schedules
V iewing fave shows in a full house, no longer a struggle
R ecording, rewinding, replaying …
                                 sounds like a delightful sin!



(: Parrot

Next: Astro B.yond PVR: What Is It?

Parrot Product Review Preview

This has been long overdue: A prelude, for Astro contest Phase II.

Rewind Jan 5th 2011

Slow day at the office, no site walk, no project deadline

Parrot needed something to stimulate her mind

Puzzles? Challenges? That's what she needs

So to the interwebs she proceeds

Lands on a page for a Nuffnang / Astro contest

Read the rules, glimpsed at the prizes, parrot's impressed

With nothing to lose and time to spare

Parrot typed away and submitted, then and there

Fast Forward Jan 19 2011

A site visit day, walking through buildings

When a Nuffnang rep called to tell of parrot's winnings

A B.yond PVR and an entry to the next phase

A chance for 3D/2N Sabah getaway

Excited about the win

Lil gnomes in my house excited more than anything

We'll see just what this B.yond can do

On this here nest Parrot will post the review

Pause. 

     Present Day. 

               Today.

It's been weeks since I got the unit installed and 2 weeks since I got the instruction to begin writing my thoughts on it. In the name of 'product review' I've been so engrossed and focused that I've slowly been morphing into an earth apple. Pomme de terre. Potato. Paresseux.

In true couch potato fashion, I only move when commercials come on. Now that I PVR my shows, that's become optional.And I like it. I'll tell you what else I like, in the next Astro related posts.

I've decided to break the review down into:

1. Who, What, Why, How 

2. Promises, Expectations and Reality 

3. Appreciation and Disapproval

4. The Conclusion  I'll think of a nicer title when this comes.

For now, you can follow me on twitter, I'll have Astro related posts there as well. And randomness - that is, when I'm not mesmerized by Nat Geo HD. It's the only break-filler / commercial I watch.

Seriously, watch.

(: nuri.ramli


Next: The Entry That Started It All