What can one do with a 2nd DSTV decoder?

Dolby

Dolby

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Hey ...

I've got an old Pace DVR610 decoder sitting in my cupboard. Is there anything I can do with it, besides throw it away (or paying a 2nd subscription)? ;)

I see there isa LNB in and out ... so I thought maybe I could somehow link it to my current DSTV recorder and have a 'dual view' and watch two channels - but I'm starting to doubt it. Are there free-to-air stations I can pick up with it?

Also, has anyone here ever tried daisychaining a source, and their DSTV decorder successfully? For example, link their DVD player > DSTV > TV - and switch between the sources on the DSTV decoder?
 
Would you not need a dual LNB (thing on the dish that the cable plugs into) and run it straight into the dish ?
 
I dunno! Got absolutley no idea ;)

Just don't want to toss it, cause I thought there was something I could do (no matter how small and lame). Currently the dish plugs into LNB IN. But - I thought mabye I could plug a cable into LNB OUT of the one, and into LNB IN of the other ... *shrug*
 
Not as far as i know , that lnb out is supposed to go into the TV or other device (i think). But what you could do is run anoher sat cable to the dish and if you have a dual lnb on the dish then you could hook up that other decoder and use it but i imagine u would need another card for access to services. The dual lnb is not expensive and can get it at Ellies or some other place.
 
I think you will need not only dual LNB but also second Multichoice card ... I think they have some cheap ones just for the SABC, for like R200 a year or so, so you can watch crisp quality SABC on your second decoder for relatively cheap ... but you still need to upgrade your LNB ...

in regards with switching between sources, it is done with A/V receiver, you plug all your sources into it as well as your speakers and/or TV and then you can watch any source on your TV without changing cables ... it is very convenient
 
Dolby said:
Hey ...

I've got an old Pace DVR610 decoder sitting in my cupboard. Is there anything I can do with it, besides throw it away (or paying a 2nd subscription)? ;)

I see there isa LNB in and out ... so I thought maybe I could somehow link it to my current DSTV recorder and have a 'dual view' and watch two channels - but I'm starting to doubt it. Are there free-to-air stations I can pick up with it?

Also, has anyone here ever tried daisychaining a source, and their DSTV decorder successfully? For example, link their DVD player > DSTV > TV - and switch between the sources on the DSTV decoder?
Click to expand...
If you want to use it to view the free to air channels you'll need to get a smart card for it from mnet - you'll find there that there's no such thing as free. You should also get a dual lnb for your dish.

Mnet may have changed their tune with the release of the dual view decoder - they only charge r50 for the additional viewing capibilities. Best thing is to call them and ask. Do you have a smart card for the pace? It will save you some bucks if you do.
 
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The View anything on the second decoder.You have to get another Smart Card.This means DOUBLE SUBSCRIPTION :D
 
I use the switching on my AV Receiver at present.

However, my TV set has only 1 x RGB SCART input, and I need to plug in both my DVD player and DSTV decorder with an RGB SCART each. What I've just done is the daisychaining I mentioned, and it works 90%!

My DVD player connects to my DSTV via SCART, the the DSTV connects to the TV via SCART. Both are now outputting RGB signals to the TV set, and switching is done via the DSTV remote.
 
swordfish1 said:
in regards with switching between sources, it is done with A/V receiver, you plug all your sources into it as well as your speakers and/or TV and then you can watch any source on your TV without changing cables ... it is very convenient
Click to expand...
You can do it to a point with a decoder too. I have my ps2 hooked up to decoder. All I need to do is hit the green button to switch back and forth. If you've got more than one extra device then an a/v switch would be a better plan.
 
yo dolby...u dont need a dual LNB; if u have one of those newer ones such as dsd 660; 720i or 933; there is a setting in advanced setup on the dsd..."signal loop through" set that as on; but make sure its(signal loop through) off on the second dsd...

u can setup u 2nd dsd for fta channels such as btv; god channels etc...

I think u can get etv descrambled on that pace dsd...just search google for etv rorysharp...
 
Thanks for all the advice! I have a DSD610 I think - I'll check.

Bwana ... what connection did you use for your PS2? Do you have a SCART?

With pressing that green button, the display changes though 'IRD' , 'VCR' ' SAT' and 'TV'. Now that I've linked my DVD player to the VCR SCART, I get the DVD picture when 'VCR' is selected. What is 'TV' for? I dunno what input it's trying to use.

I'm hoping that this makes sense ;)
 
Dolby said:
Thanks for all the advice! I have a DSD610 I think - I'll check.

Bwana ... what connection did you use for your PS2? Do you have a SCART?

With pressing that green button, the display changes though 'IRD' , 'VCR' ' SAT' and 'TV'. Now that I've linked my DVD player to the VCR SCART, I get the DVD picture when 'VCR' is selected. What is 'TV' for? I dunno what input it's trying to use.

I'm hoping that this makes sense ;)
Click to expand...
No, I dont have any use for scart atm - I just plug the ps2 av's into the back of my decoder.

I use the 'TV' as an output to my tv card
 
Without a dual LNB the second decoder will be limited to the channels that have the same polarisation (either horizontal or vertical) as the channel currently being viewed on the primary decoder. That's why you need a dual LNB to take full advantage of dual-view - the two decoders need to be able to change the LNB polarisation independently of each other.
 
Dolby said:
...I've got an old Pace DVR610 decoder sitting in my cupboard. Is there anything I can do with it, besides throw it away...
Click to expand...
donate it to a needy forumite? :D
 
The thing is the old, 1st generation decoders hardly work anymore! THey're extremly slow, freeze often, have no interactive channels - nothing!

Cash Converters told me they don't even accept that model ... how embarressing is it to be turned away by them because your goods are no good? ;)

Multichoice oftered a special where they would swap out 1st generation decoders for the latest for free - but that ended 30 June and I got word of it about a week back - so I missed it.

Btw - do those new little DSTV decoders have SCART plugs?
 
Dolby said:
Is there anything I can do with it, besides throw it away
Click to expand...
hack it, look for mods and chips and stuff, also use it to scan for wild feeds or lost signals
 
Dolby said:
Btw - do those new little DSTV decoders have SCART plugs?
Click to expand...
I have a 710i and it has scarts...but beware of the new 933...they dont have any outputs only RCA's - Video Out and Stereo Audio...

no tuner so u can tune into vcr or old type tv...so just becareful...
 
TheCynick said:
Without a dual LNB the second decoder will be limited to the channels that have the same polarisation (either horizontal or vertical) as the channel currently being viewed on the primary decoder. That's why you need a dual LNB to take full advantage of dual-view - the two decoders need to be able to change the LNB polarisation independently of each other.
Click to expand...
This is correct; but I think if u just want to experiment; rather just try this than forking some R800 for a dual LNB...

As dolby mentioned; these old dsds r kuk like they constantly freeze and u cant get software upgrades...

try
http://www.dvb.lv/
or
http://www.laurals.com/
for flash and bin files to hack the damn thing...
 
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