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Question of the Day: What is your non-negotiable item, device, or app for international travel?
70% Digital TV set-top-box subsidization
- Thread starter rpm
- Start date
ThatOtherGuy
Well-Known Member
grim
Expert Member
R700 is way too much, i bought a dual analog/digital tv tuner for my pc for R950
RoganDawes
Expert Member
Agreed. I got a triple (DVB-S, DVB-T, analogue) tuner card for my PC for less than R1000. Granted, that doesn't include the CI/CA interfaces which add SIGNIFICANTLY to the cost of such cards.
I did a LOT of googling when I got this card, and found that there are "soft cams" which can be used to extract keys from a live smart card via a smart card reader, and do the decryption in software. I never took it anywhere, though, since I don't have a DSTV decoder.
Just one of those toys that end up not getting used
Gambit
Expert Member
Agreed. I got a triple (DVB-S, DVB-T, analogue) tuner card for my PC for less than R1000. Granted, that doesn't include the CI/CA interfaces which add SIGNIFICANTLY to the cost of such cards.
I did a LOT of googling when I got this card, and found that there are "soft cams" which can be used to extract keys from a live smart card via a smart card reader, and do the decryption in software. I never took it anywhere, though, since I don't have a DSTV decoder.
Just one of those toys that end up not getting used
The tuner card is just a tuner (for R1000). Your computer cpu/gpu is used to decode the digital stream and display it. The set top box has a lot more parts than just a its tuner. It has to decode as well as output the video. It also needs a cpu to drive the interactive stuff like the epg and must have a conditional access module and a remote.
RoganDawes
Expert Member
Yes, granted it needs a lot more to make a real STB-equivalent.
But think of the economies of scale, and the benefits of closer integration, and I find it difficult to believe that a regular STB has to cost anything like the figures that we are seeing bandied about.
That said, I suspect that foreign DVB-T receivers will be able to receive pictures perfectly, but will just not be able to handle the program guide, as suggested by another poster in this thread.
Well, economies of scale IF we could benefit by using the same devices that are also used elsewhere, like the UK, and all the other countries that are already using DVB-T. Which thanks to our government incompetence, and the cronyism and kickbacks, is not going to happen.
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Mercurious
Well-Known Member
I wonder if you'll need a paid up TV license to get a discount. I am also interested in whether you will no longer have to pay the TV license if you don't but the stb and the analog signal is switched off.
RoganDawes
Expert Member
I wonder what proportion of "poor households" have paid their TV licenses . . . I estimate close to 0%.
But yes, it wouldn't surprise me to find that as a requirement, even to buy a decoder at all, never mind to get a discount on one.
Kosmik
Honorary Master
Actually I can't quite picture the government cutting the poor off. You'll find the same problem will still exist as the propaganda must flow.
How are people to know how good you are if you don't tell them.
How are people to know how good you are if you don't tell them.
If you already have a DSTV decoder and Easyview (Sabc etc) in digital why would anyone in go for this.......I don't see the "terminally disadvantaged" spending anything extra on a little box to give them TV.
Just another item to add to the affirmative shopping list........
Just another item to add to the affirmative shopping list........
DreamKing
Honorary Master
once again.
pls scrap tv licence
then you can do whatever you want to do
pls scrap tv licence
then you can do whatever you want to do
grim
Expert Member
The high end tv tuner cards have built-in processors to decode/encode the video stream.
Kosmik
Honorary Master
It's rumoured that the SABC channels will be removed from DSTV to prevent people from just purchasing the DSTV decoder.... if a person really cares about those channels.
RoganDawes
Expert Member
Absolutely. If you already have a dish and DSTV, there is no reason to get another STB. Otherwise, if you don't have DSTV, then in a few years, you'll get nothing. Works for some people.
To be honest, I think MultiChoice is being stupid by investing in a DVB-T system when they already have DVB-S decoders out in the market place. If I were them, I'd just make a bouquet that only has MNET, and maybe a few extra channels, and market that at the same rate that people are currently paying for analogue service.
They have coverage and existing infrastructure, existing experience with the technology, why dilute that by adding DVB-T to the mix? Does it buy them anything? Other than keeping their terrestrial broadcasting license, not much that I can see.
It is not to much
just think no more pirate viewers thus more license income better programming
... lest hope
just think no more pirate viewers thus more license income better programming
... lest hopeSackboy
Executive Member
Good point. The technology is very mature in the UK and would have been cheaper to import.
Although that is true, but do the 'Masses' need MPEG4 HD facility? I have a suspicion that SABC are going to roll out the conditional Access and tie a smartcard subscription to a TV license.
Gambit
Expert Member
They haven't commited to terrestrial HD channels yet. It's unlikely the first set top boxes will support HD as this will push the price up big time.
Mpeg 4 uses a lot less bandwidth than Mpeg2 and therefore allows South Africa to cram a lot more channels in allotted wireless spectrum. (so theoretically we should be able to have a lot more channels than freeview in the UK). Mpeg 4 needs much more powerful decoder and years ago when freeview was launched mpeg4 decoding set top boxes were not feasable at a price that would attract early adopters.
DStv use mpeg4 for their hd channel but i bet they would like to switch to mpeg4 for all their channels as they would save a fortune on satellite bandwidth but obviously they would then need to replace all their non hdpvr subscribers decoders. So i think it would be foolish not to look to the future when rolling out a new technology even if it is a little more expensive.
BravoFox
Well-Known Member
WTF? That means only R80 per household to subsidize R490 (Based on 70% of R700)