Astro V'S True Visions Satelite

[samuijimmy]

Anyone here on Samui, using Astro (from Malaysia) rather than True Visions?

If yes, how do you find reception? Would it be a good True Move:???

If good it seems like a good deal, (for long term residents) more channels more HD, but may loose BMX music channels.

I just posted a post of cost comparisons here....>

Cost compare Astro / True

Anyone have experience ? Good Input appreciated!

[bluechipit]

Isn't using Astro here illegal?

I was enjoying some pad-see-uew-guy last night in my local Thai place and could hear the World Cup with English commentary in the background... That's weird I thought as it's only supposed to be broadcast in Thai language here... On further inspection they had Astro and the picture quality was perfect (on a 32" widescreen TV) - Looks good to me!

I hear on the jungle drums it's around 20K baht to have it fitted and for a one year subscription.

Matt.

[gotlost]

When the police find out you have it and are watching World Cup in English you will be paying that 10,000 baht fine per set to RS.

[samuijimmy]

When the police find out you have it and are watching World Cup in English you will be paying that 10,000 baht fine per set to RS.

Well, the police won't catch me watching the WC.....there is nothing more boring to me, than watching any sports on TV... period! Having to watch the highlights on BBC is more than enough, thank you!!!!

But legality was one reason for asking, (Matt, thanks) But also freedom of choice & cost of programing... which is why I posted in the link, to the other forum on TV Cost compare Astro / True.

It's obviously available here, as I can get it set up within a day, should I choose too!

I just wanted to get feed back on reception.... (Reading some other posts, on TV, the reception is not good in some parts of Thailand, in the north I think).... so just wondering what it is like here...

[bluechipit]

I find TV sucks in general. I like to watch a bit of football (the big games) or match of the day. Most TV programs suck. Soaps especially. Even good films these days are far and few between....

[Forkinhades]

Anyone here on Samui, using Astro (from Malaysia) rather than True Visions?

If yes, how do you find reception? Would it be a good True Move:???

If good it seems like a good deal, (for long term residents) more channels more HD, but may loose BMX music channels.

I just posted a post of cost comparisons here....>

Cost compare Astro / True

Anyone have experience ? Good Input appreciated!

could not find the comparisons

[gotlost]

From what I have seen Astro is spot on and is far better than True Vision. The problem is its reception goes only to Bangkok and not much further north. It is operating in Thailand on the gray area (illegal). True Vision has the soul rights to broadcast The World Cup in HD and RS has the rights to broadcast the World Cup in Thailand. So the question is are you willing to gamble 14,000 to 40,000 baht for a system that may or may not be around tomorrow. I have seen these companies come and seen them go. It would not surprise me if FIFA puts some serious heat on and gets Astro closed down in Thailand.

[samuijimmy]

Anyone here on Samui, using Astro (from Malaysia) rather than True Visions?

If yes, how do you find reception? Would it be a good True Move:???

If good it seems like a good deal, (for long term residents) more channels more HD, but may loose BMX music channels.

I just posted a post of cost comparisons here....>

Cost compare Astro / True

Anyone have experience ? Good Input appreciated!

could not find the comparisons

Sorry, I cannot get it to post the direct link, to what I wrote, so you need to scroll down & find my Teddy.!!! at the moment the most recent post. last page which I have linked! Have another coffee & take a boo!

[Forkinhades]

^ well they better do it quick then

These astro channels are being broadcast on all the local TV networks! (Pattaya anyway)

[bluechipit]

Personally I'd go for True Vision HD it looks great. Shame the programming sucks...

[brzy]

Any HD package tbh look nice with a sony lx900

[WorldTraveler]

I am in Phuket. I looked into Astro a few months ago. Since True UBC has the exclusive sattelite rights for Thailand, you cannot get Astro direct from the company. It was offered to me by a reseller but they wanted twice as much as UBC costs plus I had to buy an Astro receiver and pay for a year up front with no guarantees that my service could not be shutdown at any time. Really not worth the risk. Several of the Astro channels are broadcast on the local cable companies in Phuket. As you are probably aware True now has HD service available but with only two channels (HBO and Sports) to start. I have the service. The picture quality is super. For the world cup, on HD, the picture is great but there is no commentary so all you hear are those lousy horns if you keep the volume on. True is supposed to more HD channels later this year.

[bluechipit]

Any HD package tbh look nice with a sony lx900

Well depends on the compression and if it's really 1080p... not 1080i... I watched the avatar blueray the other day on a nice hd tv - it looked amazing....

[samuijimmy]

Here is what I put, in the other forum on TVisa, yesterday.... I copied it here to make it easier!

I appreciate the input, so far.... especially about it being a "grey area".... I would hate to (p) kiss that money down the drain.... to pay for doing it requires three years, but as posted, by some, there are no guarantees .....

Comparing costs True visions V's Astro (Malaysia)

I spent the afternoon, researching costs, packages between True & Astro services... (Astro can be received & is available on Samui, I am not clear if 100% legal or not! I am told it is.... ???)

I had three price quotes, for the same services, to connect Astro) Ranging from 27,680 bt to 32,000 bt. For the year. (All quotes on packages included all the sports channels, which I not the slightest bit interested in! )

I'd be interested to know how others have found their quotes, are these within the "ballpark"?

Now, I'll try to get this right!

ASTRO: --- There is an initial set up "fee" which is roughly say about 18,000 baht...HD box etc. Depending on which "contractor" does the work. I had a Thai techie friend, make the calls, & he's probably going to make a commission, but that's ok, he's saved me thousands of baht on various things.

3 packages, is 12,200 baht per year. (Which works out much cheaper****, (see below) than Trues Gold package plus extra channels not on True Visions, (4 package 14,200 bt) The big difference comes next year, when you only pay the package fee, of which package you choose.

You gain a number of channels too, but loose from what I understand the DMX music channels, which I enjoy. (too lazy to change CD's! )

From what understand too, . Dolby Surround, from what I gather is only available on the HD services, on either the True or Astro Services. Can anyone clarify that.... ?

That is one of the main reasons for me wanting to switch to HD, since TV wired through the stereo system.... but if just a few channels it's not worth it (yet)

With True vision, because I brought my receiver box, initially, I have to pay 5000 baht, for a new HD box & pay 290 bt a month for HD (two channels, so far, 5 with Astro) ....

I cannot transfer the 2 months I paid last year (paid 12 months get 13th month free, due in August). That annoyed me! ( May be I'll wait to August!... if at all)

The fee for the year, will now be, with HD 27,680 bt for True visions. Gold package. (Per year, with the one month free for advance payment)

If working this out over say three years, Astro works out to being roughly 18,000**** baht per year. Nearly a 10,000 baht saving a year.... I think I have my math more or less right!

As far as current True Vision reception goes, I have never had any complaints, always good, except during very heavy rain.... makes me wonder if those with reception problems need the satellite adjusted, slightly or trees blocking the signal?

Well I hope that is clearer than mud! & might help a few people!

Further feed back appreciated!

[cernlife]

I don't really see the point in getting a Malaysian dish just to get English commentary.

I live on Phangan and have watched every game so far with ENGLISH commentary.

Its not that difficult to set up if you have a internet connection and a set of speakers attached to the computer. Just mute the TV and turn on BBC Five Live radio and listen to their commentary. Obviously a UK proxy server must be used to trick the BBC into thinking the computer is in the UK but that is fairly simple to set up.

Wha-La... World Cup in English!

Well I'm enjoying it anyway. Just watching on normal Thai TV with English!

[imola]

I don't really see the point in getting a Malaysian dish just to get English commentary.

I live on Phangan and have watched every game so far with ENGLISH commentary.

Its not that difficult to set up if you have a internet connection and a set of speakers attached to the computer. Just mute the TV and turn on BBC Five Live radio and listen to their commentary. Obviously a UK proxy server must be used to trick the BBC into thinking the computer is in the UK but that is fairly simple to set up.

Wha-La... World Cup in English!

Well I'm enjoying it anyway. Just watching on normal Thai TV with English!

neither do i, samui cable fortunately still shows all games on astro in english , for the sum of 450 bht per month, as opposed to 16k++ for a malaysian stro box set up for the exact same programme during wc,

granted those with the malay box will get epl for theit 1 yr subscription, however most would have gotten that with their ubc pack anyway,

basically astro malay pack for wc aint worth 16k, but when buying it no one knew samui cable would still show games, so thumbs up to those that bought it for their customers,

and those with only cable , you lucky ba^%%**s

[samuijimmy]

Thanks for the responses here:

Get lost's response was the only one so far that really gave an answer to what I was really looking for. Still waiting to actually see!

Yes, I realize a "grey area" despite what was told by those selling the system here... Now you (Getlost) say you were quoted, 40,000 baht, that is much higher than what I was quoted for initial set up... (first year 27,680 low quote, including first year package) then 12,200 baht per year, there after.... that's why it needs 3 years to pay off.... the initial investment... to actually be much cheaper (with no guarantees! on box or getting the signal, although I would doubt they would move the satellite! )

I was just curious of experiences, if anyone using... the Astro System.

As I said, the World Cup, is not a reason, to want to get HD, Very boring watching a ball being kicked around! .... in HD or normal TV for that matter! Having to watch or play football at school, turned me off for life! :D

I think come September, when new TV season starts, True Visions will probably start more HD services, ... I suppose that will depend on how many HD boxes they sell?

I'll wait anyway, until end of August to decide on HD when present year's contract is finished... I'd hate to lost my "free month"

From what I have read, this matter of 1080 i & 1080 p makes no difference???

Matt you are obviously more up up on techie stuff, like that, how does one know whether the Telly is either one,(perhaps I need to read the manual? ) and where/what is the difference... I have, new Toshiba with 3 HDMI slots

I agree there is a lot of rubbish on TV, but still some good programing!

I do have to say the picture quality from computer to TV is excellent through the HDMI cable.

No complaint about True's picture quality either.

[crusty]

Isn't using Astro here illegal?

I was enjoying some pad-see-uew-guy last night in my local Thai place and could hear the World Cup with English commentary in the background... That's weird I thought as it's only supposed to be broadcast in Thai language here... On further inspection they had Astro and the picture quality was perfect (on a 32" widescreen TV) - Looks good to me!

I hear on the jungle drums it's around 20K baht to have it fitted and for a one year subscription.

Matt.

:)Well last night Samui Cable began using Astro (channel 52 on my set) and the WWorld Cup was all in English ! Hats off to Samui Cable and 1/4 the price of True Vision !

[bluechipit]

Matt you are obviously more up up on techie stuff, like that, how does one know whether the Telly is either one,(perhaps I need to read the manual? ) and where/what is the difference... I have, new Toshiba with 3 HDMI slots

It's not something you can set - it depends on how True broadcasts the signal. I know in the USA a lot of the HDTV stuff is 1080i.

US HDTV, 480i, 480p, 1080i

Matt.

[starcandle]

value for money Astro is cheaper, the picture quality is as good if not better than it's rival here in Thailand and I'm on samui getting a perfect picture. somthing I have noticed is that

when we have occasional bad weather you are liable to loose the signal on Astro quicker than ubc, however in saying that I have both HD and normal Astro and you get stronger signal on your HD channels

as you say your not into the world cup I would recomend Astro so much so that I have also now had it fitted at home(as well as my work place) , the english programmes are much better and there are more, I'm from

the granada TV area of the UK and on Astro you get all the old programmes on granada TV channel.

the only thing I have noticed as a difference is last year Astro only showed 2 Premier league football match's simultaneously where Truevisions showed just about all of them, other than that Astro works for Me and its cheaper, especially if you renew your subscription next year yourself, rather than using the fitting agent to renew.

[samuijimmy]

value for money Astro is cheaper, the picture quality is as good if not better than it's rival here in Thailand and I'm on samui getting a perfect picture. somthing I have noticed is that

when we have occasional bad weather you are liable to loose the signal on Astro quicker than ubc, however in saying that I have both HD and normal Astro and you get stronger signal on your HD channels

as you say your not into the world cup I would recomend Astro so much so that I have also now had it fitted at home(as well as my work place) , the english programmes are much better and there are more, I'm from

the granada TV area of the UK and on Astro you get all the old programmes on granada TV channel.

the only thing I have noticed as a difference is last year Astro only showed 2 Premier league football match's simultaneously where Truevisions showed just about all of them, other than that Astro works for Me and its cheaper, especially if you renew your subscription next year yourself, rather than using the fitting agent to renew.

Ah! Now this is getting somewhere! Thanks Starfinder!~

How do the prices I mentioned above compare to what your initial set up was, & the yearly package fee ? & which of the Astro packages are you using... ? Did you get the box purchased and or installed by a local supplier?

Are the HD, programs (or others) broadcast in stereo? That is my biggest blight with UBC, all Mono, I have no problem with picture quality, in general on regular service... but only the HD channels are broadcast in Stereo...

And in getting all the "old Brit programs" are you saying they are running things like "Are you being served" as they do on PBS in the USof A..... run so many years now the tapes are almost worn out! So is Mrs Slocum's pussy! I am not really sure if that is from Granada, it's been over 40 years since I left the UK.

Also to Imola & Crusty, re Samui Cable, suppose I should run down to their office & see what other channels, they run,,, The out let boxes are set up in the complex I live in, (not my house). Strange though the Farang & Thai Neighbours all use UBC & not the Samui cable.

[starcandle]

The Astro package can be purchased here on Samui at Kraitong, they are based close to Chaweng on the ringroad,their office can easily be identified by all the sat dish's outside, to find them, heading from tesco at chaweng towards lamai you'll find em before the new caltex petrol station on your left.

basic equipment installed is 9,990 thb add 4000 for HD box, packages are varied so the easiest thing to do is call in and get a sheet with all the listings and prices. you will be required to pay a year up front.

[gotlost]

Just remember guys there will come a day when ASTRO is cut off in Thailand for it is a pirated system. That day may be tomorrow or it may be in two years.

[samuijimmy]

The Astro package can be purchased here on Samui at Kraitong, they are based close to Chaweng on the ringroad,their office can easily be identified by all the sat dish's outside, to find them, heading from tesco at chaweng towards lamai you'll find em before the new caltex petrol station on your left.

basic equipment installed is 9,990 thb add 4000 for HD box, packages are varied so the easiest thing to do is call in and get a sheet with all the listings and prices. you will be required to pay a year up front.

This all started as a mission to just see what else is available, I understand Astro is not really "legal" I do like to keep my head above the law! Thanks for you input Got Lost! I think they would have to physically move the satellite to prevent, the single reaching into LOS... I see reading other post on the topic, it fades north of BKK.....

Thanks Starcandle, I have the sheet, not sure if same outlet, ( it came from somewhere in that area, you mentioned picked up by a Thai friend) but the numbers are inline... + - pretty much the same... certainly a good amount of change to fork out!

True does give the 13th month free by paying in advance. I have two more months on last years payment.. Just clears up bills & forgetting to pay and getting cut off & being charged a reconnection fee!

I do the same with CATCDMA, although they don't give a discount!

Providing you could get 3 years out of it. It would have huge savings, over True... & a whole bunch more program choices, out of UK & Oz!

Perhaps time to start contacting True & asking for better choices!

There is no intention here to encourage people to do something illegal....

[thaicbr]

Just remember guys there will come a day when ASTRO is cut off in Thailand for it is a pirated system. That day may be tomorrow or it may be in two years.

And how would they do this? Satalites have no borders .... thats the point.

[garyh]

Just remember guys there will come a day when ASTRO is cut off in Thailand for it is a pirated system. That day may be tomorrow or it may be in two years.

And how would they do this? Satalites have no borders .... thats the point.

Astro is openly promoted in Thailand and it is not pirated. Astro

[BigC]

I find TV sucks in general. I like to watch a bit of football (the big games) or match of the day. Most TV programs suck. Soaps especially. Even good films these days are far and few between....

agree about 90 per cent of the telly i watch is alll rubish apart from sports. the rest is just filled spaces with junk in the middle. better off buying a dvd.

[smokie36]

I find TV sucks in general. I like to watch a bit of football (the big games) or match of the day. Most TV programs suck. Soaps especially. Even good films these days are far and few between....

agree about 90 per cent of the telly i watch is alll rubish apart from sports. the rest is just filled spaces with junk in the middle. better off buying a dvd.

I watch cable non stop....never turn it off......my GF assures me its the best way to learn the language......only another 20 years or so and I'll have learnt how to argue with her and win!

[surayu]

Just remember guys there will come a day when ASTRO is cut off in Thailand for it is a pirated system. That day may be tomorrow or it may be in two years.

The Ip_Star satellite(internet connections) has been declared an "illegal" satellite, it cost you between 3k and 5k per month and it's still being sold officially by TOT

[hasher69]

the main problem I have with TRUE is the irritating censureship.

when smoking or drinking etc, let alone nud_e scenes, it spoils the film!!

does Astro do the same??