General
- Back in 1996, Astro set-top-boxes are manufactured by Nokia, then followed by Philips. Initially Astro B.yond box is manufactured by called Pace or Technicolor. The current Astro set-top-boxes are manufactured by Samsung. The easiest way to identify if it is manufactured by Samsung is where "Dolby Digital" or "Dolby Audio" logo is present at the front panel of the Astro set-top-box.
- The current Astro B.yond uses 65cm black (or dark grey) satellite dish while Njoi uses 60cm silver colour satellite dish.
History of Astro set-top-boxes from 1996 till now
*Pictures and names are for reference use only. The information below may be incomplete and inaccurate.
This is the first set-top-box ever used on Astro back in 1996.
Then, followed by another newer Astro decoder.
DMT 3
This is the DMT3 Astro decoder (also known as Digital Multimedia Terminal or DMT).
This is the final standard definition decoder from Astro before Astro B.yond service launches.
This is the final standard definition decoder from Astro before Astro B.yond service launches.
Astro Max
Before Astro B.yond PVR, Astro were used to offer Digital Video Recording (DVR) service named Astro Max. This is the first and ever Digital Video Recording service provided by Astro. But it was ceased on 2008 due to too many technical issues such as the set-top-box reboots by itself, programme did not began or end its recordings on time and so on. It has 80GB built-in hard disk and you can record only one channel at a time (single tuner). The user are not allowed to tune to other channel in the middle of recording.
DMT 4
On December 2009, Astro B.yond HD is launched.
When it launches, Astro only provides 5 HD channels, which is
Astro SuperSport HD, ESPN HD (now Fox Sports HD), HBO HD, National Geographic Channel HD and History HD.
And the software version of the decoder is v1.0, then v1.2, then 3.0, and eventually v7.0. Now, the new EPG software.
When it launches, Astro only provides 5 HD channels, which is
Astro SuperSport HD, ESPN HD (now Fox Sports HD), HBO HD, National Geographic Channel HD and History HD.
And the software version of the decoder is v1.0, then v1.2, then 3.0, and eventually v7.0. Now, the new EPG software.
Astro B.yond PVR was launch around June 2010.
DMT 5 PVR box
Around 2013, Astro introduces the new Astro B.yond PVR decoder that comes with built-in WiFi to access the VOD in an ease, without require the WiFi dongle by Astro.
This decoder is the first Astro B.yond decoders to provide both digital audio outputs, which is Digital Coaxial and Digital Optical. Unlike the previous DMT 4, as it only provides Digital Coaxial output.
This decoder is the first Astro B.yond decoders to provide both digital audio outputs, which is Digital Coaxial and Digital Optical. Unlike the previous DMT 4, as it only provides Digital Coaxial output.
- The model number of the new generation of PVR that Astro use is Samsung GX-AS730SF, which come with the same capacity of hard disk (500GB) but with a more powerful processor and a built-in WiFi adapter for its OD service.
- There's 4 audio outputs, which is from HDMI audio, Digital Coaxial Audio, Digital Optical Output and the old red & white RCA Audio. Digital Optical Output is the alternative audio output for Coaxial output, which use for connecting to home cinema system for a cinematic sound.
- There's a e-SATA port on the rear panel, which use for connecting external hard disk, for future use.
- The user interface is much more responsive that the previous Astro B.yond decoders.
- This new PVR decoder is slightly bigger and wider than the previous PVR decoder.
- The Smart Card slot is inserted on the right side of the decoder. And the smart card design is in pink colour and it's much more nicer than the previous plain yellow Astro smart card.
- Some parts of the front and rear panel has changed, such as clock/channel display.
- Remote control is in black colour, the "B.yond" button is in pink colour instead of blue colour. And it's feel better when pressing on any buttons on it.
- You can press more buttons easily in the front panel of the decoder itself, instead of pressing on top of your decoder like the previous PVR decoder.
- Now you can use the more popular and easy to find digital audio solution, Optical audio cable, because there's Digital Optical Output at the rear panel of the decoder, on top with Digital Coaxial output. The previous Astro B.yond HD and PVR decoders has Digital Coaxial output only.
- Decoder's front panel has a Dolby Digital logo and it's Dolby certified.
- If you fast forward in SD channels, it gives you even fluid motion of fast forward but it will appears a little lag when you fast forward on HD channels. (This also proves that Samsung manufactured decoder has a better processor/chipset performance)
DMT 5 - HD box
Astro also introduces the new Astro B.yond HD Zapper decoder, which has the brand new stylish design and a much smaller decoder size compare to Astro B.yond DMT 4 decoder.
This decoder only provides Digital Optical output while the previous DMT 4 decoder only provides Digital Coaxial audio output.
This decoder only provides Digital Optical output while the previous DMT 4 decoder only provides Digital Coaxial audio output.
DMT 5 v2 (LATEST PVR box)
Astro B.yond Remote Controls
The first Astro B.yond remote control. It requires 2x AAA batteries, compare with the remote use for legacy Astro boxes, where it requires 3x AAA batteries.
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The second version of Astro B.yond remote control, which is firstly seen on DMT5 decoders. Noticeable differences are the "B.yond button" on most top corner is in pink colour while the previous one is dark blue.
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This is the third and current version of Astro B.yond PVR remote control. The arrangements of the buttons has greatly changed from the previous. However, there's new shortcut buttons in this remote, which are dedicated "My TV", "VOD", and "Search" button. "tv" button in the previous has replaced to "Guide" button.
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