Comparing Openview to DStv EasyView

[Daniel Puchert]

DStv EasyView versus Openview — channel, decoder, and pricing showdown

Openview's new OV512 decoder is an attractive offering at R799, considering users don't have to pay any fees once they've bought it.

In comparison, DStv's HD Single View decoder costs the same. However, customers must pay a monthly subscription to access the service, with the cheapest package being EasyView, which costs R29 per month.

 

[Insidus]

DStv EasyView versus Openview — channel, decoder, and pricing showdown

Openview's new OV512 decoder is an attractive offering at R799, considering users don't have to pay any fees once they've bought it.

In comparison, DStv's HD Single View decoder costs the same. However, customers must pay a monthly subscription to access the service, with the cheapest package being EasyView, which costs R29 per month.

A lot of errors here Easyview has Cinemagic and Magic Showcase aren't those entertainment channels. People's Planet is no longer on DStv so unless we're looking at the wildlife shows on Real Time there's nothing there not even PBS Kids is on this list.

 

[ectoplasm]

Wow another monochoice vomit . A lot of those DStv channels is either free somewhere else, and those that isn't isn't worth that much.

 

[Insidus]

Wow another monochoice vomit . A lot of those DStv channels is either free somewhere else, and those that isn't isn't worth that much.

Depends on the viewer, I spend 30 minutes watching news with the rest on News24 or TVWithThinus and as for the package I'd give Real Time and BBC UKTV a thumbs up again my preference I know how old the content is but most people using those packages don't care as long as they don't pay more for them.

 

[SubtleBeast]

continued the trend of cutting-edge technology for which Openview is known.

 

[joshuatree]

OPENVIEW all the way.

The only reason to keep a DStv decoder somewhere in a cupboard would be to "upgrade" for certain sporting events maybe, but definitely not worth paying for DStv Access monthly.

2 years of DStv Access and you have paid an OpenView decoder.


Edit : meant EASYVIEW, not Access.

 

[Brian_G]

EasyView is only useful for those who watch very little TV, IMO. Has its uses though.
We used to think of Openview as less, not anymore.

The cheapie answer is the DStv Access package, it really does have quite a bit - a few more older movie channels (includes the 2 eMovies channels), and LaLiga football, worldwide horseracing and SuperSport Variety 4 which has a surprising variety... just not live of course.
There's also a car channel, E! Hollywood channel, and quite a bit of reality & soaps TV. Most of the news and enough of the kids' channels too.

But as @joshuatree says, it adds up if that's not useful enough. Currently R139 pm, it's been increased the most for a while so should stay within R10 of that next April I would think.

 

[Brian_G]

Don't forget the extra OTT sport channels with streaming, even EasyView gets SuperSport Play (apparently also available free if registered). Not sure what Access gets (and they keep changing / messing up the lists) but I know even the Compact package gets all 9 of them.
But note that usually only 1 or 2 of them are in use.

 

[joshuatree]

EasyView is only useful for those who watch very little TV, IMO. Has its uses though.
We used to think of Openview as less, not anymore.

The cheapie answer is the DStv Access package, it really does have quite a bit - a few more older movie channels (includes the 2 eMovies channels), and LaLiga football, worldwide horseracing and SuperSport Variety 4 which has a surprising variety... just not live of course.
There's also a car channel, E! Hollywood channel, and quite a bit of reality & soaps TV. Most of the news and enough of the kids' channels too.

But as @joshuatree says, it adds up if that's not useful enough. Currently R139 pm, it's been increased the most for a while so should stay within R10 of that next April I would think.

Meant EASYVIEW in my post, not ACCESS.

Edited.

But yeah ACCESS is probably a hard sell as well. Maybe even Family too, haven't looked at bouquets in years.

I remember Select 1/2 that had KykNet or KykNet& Kie/ Via or something Afrikaans and they cancelled that, and think the same happened to Family eventually after having certain Afrikaans channels.

Select was " cancelled " after being able to still be on it, but no new subscribers allowed at first.

Edit: " Select " actually had KyKNet.

Select was something through Vodacom but you could just get it from MultiChoice probably, memory not serving me well.

But yeah, they discontinued that.

 

[RedViking]

Noah lost his ark. See they found part of it. Lol

 

[SubtleBeast]

Meant EASYVIEW in my post, not ACCESS.

Edited.

But yeah ACCESS is probably a hard sell as well. Maybe even Family too, haven't looked at bouquets in years.

I remember Select 1/2 that had KykNet or KykNet& Kie/ Via or something Afrikaans and they cancelled that, and think the same happened to Family eventually after having certain Afrikaans channels.

Select was " cancelled " after being able to still be on it, but no new subscribers allowed at first.

Yeah... enjoyed the Select package..erm...selection.
Family and then Access didn't appeal that much to me, so I got Openview instead.

Haven't missed DSTV that much since I weaned myself off sport (kind of lost interest). COVID just kind of cemented it.

 

[Brian_G]

Meant EASYVIEW in my post, not ACCESS.

Edited.

But yeah ACCESS is probably a hard sell as well. Maybe even Family too, haven't looked at bouquets in years.

I remember Select 1/2 that had KykNet or KykNet& Kie/ Via or something Afrikaans and they cancelled that, and think the same happened to Family eventually after having certain Afrikaans channels.

Select was " cancelled " after being able to still be on it, but no new subscribers allowed at first.

I think they eventually canned the Select packages completely. Strange, they were very popular.

The only old other-type that still exists AFAIK is terrestrial M-Net (still including CSN sports variety) - also can't join it new though, not for many years. Still a bit different from proper M-Net as some programs are replaced with Afrikaans items.
(I've got that too, but never mind why )


DStv Family package doesn't offer more of what most here would want, Compact is great though if you don't mind less sport.

 

[joshuatree]

Yeah... enjoyed the Select package..erm...selection.
Family and then Access didn't appeal that much to me, so I got Openview instead.

Haven't missed DSTV that much since I weaned myself off sport (kind of lost interest). COVID just kind of cemented it.

I pretty much went the same route, only ever had Select, Family, and then with the girlfriend a bit of Premium which she had, but weaned her off it to Family.

Went OpenView.

Used one of the 2 allocated streams from Parents' Premium. Brother uses the one allowed stream now.

Now onto IPTV.

Have a good day DStv.

 

[joshuatree]

I think they eventually canned the Select packages completely. Strange, they were very popular.

The only old other-type that still exists AFAIK is terrestrial M-Net (still including CSN sports variety) - also can't join it new though, not for many years. Still a bit different from proper M-Net as some programs are replaced with Afrikaans items.
(I've got that too, but never mind why )


DStv Family package doesn't offer more of what most here would want, Compact is great though if you don't mind less sport.

Can't believe they are still running terrestrial M-Net with CSN ( used to show Rugby etc) , but didn't they make that ridiculously expensive to other options?

Just to kick one out and just pay for the full monty regarding sport?

For most the M-Net terrestrial wasn't worth it anymore?

And if the decoder packs up you are finished anyway, right?

 

[Brian_G]

Can't believe they are still running terrestrial M-Net with CSN ( used to show Rugby etc) , but didn't they make that ridiculously expensive to other options?

Just to kick one out and just pay for the full monty regarding sport?

For most the M-Net terrestrial wasn't worth it anymore?

Yeah, it is (or was) expensive compared to DStv given the little on offer. But still better by far if CSN offers enough of the wanted sport for someone, and Afrikaans soapies to boot.

It's been long enough that I don't think they'll cancel it.


BTW, fairly sure that Family used to be a lot more good content and they changed that.

 

[joshuatree]

I pretty much went the same route, only ever had Select, Family, and then with the girlfriend a bit of Premium which she had, but weaned her off it to Family.

Went OpenView.

Used one of the 2 allocated streams from Parents' Premium. Brother uses the one allowed stream now.

Now onto IPTV.

Have a good day DStv.

O yeah: had a DStv Drifta for like R30 per month or something, laptop connected to TV - you watch ALL the sport.

A " Moe " created a software plugin to make the screen fullscreen because DStv limited screen size.

Lekker DStv, always trying to be in control and being petty.

Edit: think Drifta ended at R49, end of life.

 

[Brian_G]

And if the decoder packs up you are finished anyway, right?

No, you just can't interrupt the service. How they did change it a few years ago is now it's digital only, so all decoders were replaced.
Some get it directly from the satellite.