After introducing its brand new interface, Astro’s Beta Programme is now inviting users to try out their new 4K UHD Box and Astro Cloud recording. This is open to active Astro customers residing in landed properties in the Klang Valley with a single subscription. IPTV and NJOI customers are not eligible for this beta programme.
To participate, you are required to own a 4K UHD TV and have a minimum connection of 10Mbps which is required for the Astro Ultra set-top-box. The 10Mbps requirement is quite low considering Netflix recommends a steady 25Mbps connection to enjoy Ultra HD streaming.
[UPDATE 19/08/2019 12:00PM]: According to Astro, its 4K UHD service still uses satellite to receive content. Hence, it has a lower requirement for minimum internet connection speed and the beta is not applicable to existing IPTV customers.
By participating in the program, Astro will permanently replace your existing Astro decoder and you can continue to use the box after the beta period at no extra cost to your existing subscription plan. According to the FAQ, your previous contract period and associated penalties will be nullified, and you will also lose all entitlements including bill rebates, discounts and channel free previews.
Do note that your existing PVR will be replaced by the 4K UHD Box and this also means that you will lose all recordings. As part of the beta program, Astro is also providing 1 year worth of 1,500 hours of content storage. According to Astro’s beta site, the cloud storage allows you to record unlimited shows simultaneously, and you can store and access your recordings at any time.
In terms of 4K UHD content, it is currently available for selected sports content on Astro UHD Channel 845. Unfortunately, the 4K UHD channel will not be available for recording. When Astro announced its 4K UHD broadcast service last year through selected F&B outlets, it was only available for selected Premier League matches and Formula One racing events.
This beta release will be open from 6th August 2019 until September 2019. If you’re interested, you can sign up for Astro’s Beta V1.2 programme here.
