The Asianet HD set top box that I purchased in Sept 2013 for Rs 4000/- has only 9 HD channels.
- NHK, 2. MoviesNow, 3. Mtunes, 4. HD Trace, 5. UTV, 6. Star Sports HD1(Cricket), 7. Star Sports HD2, 8. History TV and 9. Ten HD.
3, 4 & 5 are uninteresting channels.The resolution of the video(picture clarity) of the non HD channels that is being received in the new HD set top box is 15 to 20% less than that I was previously receiving with the non HD set top box. Also there is no Discovery HD World and National Geographic HD.
The service personnel who came to install the HD set top box told me that Asianet is introducing 10 more HD channels by next month.
But they have added only 2 channels, Star Sports HD1 and HD2 till Dec 3rd, 2013. When I tried to call the person who installed the set top box I always get the message that the phone no: is temporarily disconnected.
When I called Asianet in all the available phone no:s to know when they are giving the additional HD channels no one has an answer. One person replied that it might take sometime.
Some collected my mobile no: and told me that they will call back to answer my question, but no one ever called me back. I tried this a few times and got fed up. I am disappointed.
I also experienced video jitter of the picture sometimes and the HD set top box got switched off by itself 2 or 3 times. The set top box sometimes becomes irresponsive to the commands from the remote.
In my opinion it is better to ask for a demo of the new Asianet HD set top box at your home and purchase the same only if you are satisfied with the number and quality of the new HD channels and also the clarity of the picture of the non HD channels.
One may wait for the purchase until Asianet adds more HD channels especially Discovery HD World, National Geographic HD, Sony HD and Star plus HD that other Satelite TV DTH service providers are giving at almost the same per annum subscription fee.