Fcuk-it…….

No..no.. Nothing to do with our first Malaysian astronaut..

Of all the things, I chose to start writing my first blog to rant about Astro. (I am running out of ideas even before starting my own blog..)

Astro is the pay per view satellite television network station in Malaysia. Here in Malaysia, being fond of monopolising companies, makes Astro the only satellite television network station in Malaysia. Good news for investors, bad news for ordinary people like you and me.

Since I began to subscribe to Astro about a year ago, I notice that we are always told by Astro to keep our Astro satellite decoder switched on to receive ‘firmware’ upgrades for better service. They don’t even tell us when the upgrade will take place. So my poor decoder switched on for about a year. Mind you Astro can always send a letter to tell us what to do. But they choose to use the airtime that we paid for for their advertisment/announcement.. sish.. tak malu punya Astro .

Anyway, the latest announcement that has been clogging our Astro airtime now is that we are getting a new smartcard where we have to start using it as soon as possible – or else we won’t be getting  quote “enhance system security and support for future new functions that will be available to our customers via the new Smart Cards.”. I have an issue with this.. Yesterday they ask me to leave my decoder (wasted electricity = more $ wasted). Today they ask me to start to poke my decoder with something foreign (risk of electrocution). So what is next ? Make your own video programme and watch it because we are too lazy ? Come on Astro… We already pay you the monthly fees.. You can send your technician to poke the decoder for us. Not that I am lazy or un-knowledgeable to do that. It is a matter of principle. I pay you not only for you to run laughing to the bank. I also expect you to come to us crying to give us a better service..

So, after years of Astro upgrades, what do we get ?

Moderate reception when it rains ? Nope. I still get the infamous “No service available” message when it starts to drizzle outside.

Good selection of channels ? Nope. Only 10% of the channels from Astro’s package are watchable.

Dolby Surround sound reception ? Nope. It is still ye old stereo..

Clearer picture ? Nope. I am using a 50 inch plasma TV. It’s like watching Van Goh’s painting when tuned to Astro. Thank god for DVDs and Divx movies.

HD reception ? What HD ?

So, my conclusion is, there are no worthy upgrades or new functions coming from Astro. Not enough for me to waste my electricity bill or risk my life being electrocuted for though…