Dear DStv - technical faults thread

[Captain Beer]

Hi has any one had error 403 when trying to watch showmax on decoder? The account is up to date. Shomax can be watched on pc and apple box no problem.

I had the same issue recently, signing out and back in sorted it out

 

[craigcul]

I had the same issue recently, signing out and back in sorted it out

Thanks I will try that.

 

[Shadow07]

My TV has now got the horrible message of DSTV app is no longer supported It finally arrived by me.

 

[PierreN]

Morning Folks - have a weird one. Had a brand new Explora Ultra installed yesterday and was working perfectly last night. When we switched it on this morning it was stuck on this screen:


Rebooting the decoder eventually just gets you stuck on this screen again. Anybody have any idea how to resolve this? Can't find anything on the forum here or online...

 

[Brian_G]

Anybody have any idea how to resolve this? Can't find anything on the forum here or online...

If you can find the front panel re-format instructions for this model it may help, but will delete all recorded content.
@Nemesys may have it.

Else you'll have to take it in. A main branch is better than an agency.

 

[Rickster]

Got a Xplora 3B last weekend, damn thig is soooo much faster than the 2A.

Regarding the menus and browsing.

 

[Nemesys]

If you can find the front panel re-format instructions for this model it may help, but will delete all recorded content.
@Nemesys may have it.

Else you'll have to take it in. A main branch is better than an agency.

Front Panel Formatting HDD Explora 3A

1) Remove the power cable

2) Hold down the P+ button on the front panel of the decoder (do not release the button).

3) While P+ is pressed down – Insert the power cable (Power Up decoder).

4) Release the P+ button only when the word “CODE” appears on the top right side of the TV screen. 5) Quickly press the following sequence of buttons P- P+ P- P+

6) The TV screen will display “CODE: 0101” on the top right side of the TV screen.

7) The decoder will start formatting the HDD.

8) After the HDD formatting process is complete, the decoder will reboot on its’ own and revert to the last watched channel

This also applicable to the 2A

 

[Luke7777]

@Nemesys - Will that also apply to the Ultra, since the poster has that model ?

 

[Nemesys]

@Nemesys - Will that also apply to the Ultra, since the poster has that model ?

I think it would. In any case it would not hurt trying when the need arises.

 

[NR7]

Morning Folks - have a weird one. Had a brand new Explora Ultra installed yesterday and was working perfectly last night. When we switched it on this morning it was stuck on this screen:
View attachment 1424273

Rebooting the decoder eventually just gets you stuck on this screen again. Anybody have any idea how to resolve this? Can't find anything on the forum here or online...

When my Explora Ultra had to update for the first time, it took over 45 minutes. Usually the installers cancel the update and it runs the first night you have the decoder.

I insisted the installers did it while they were there. They were not happy that I made them wait until it was done lol.

 

[Nemesys]

Just a few notes on load shedding and a PVR.

I try to do minimal recordings of programs and rather watch it on catchup if available. The time the HDD got corrupted on both my Explora's was when a recording overlapped with the load shedding and power was interrupted during the recording. It also got corrupted when there was an unscheduled interruption while we were watching a recording.
When possible, unplug the decoder before the scheduled time slot and wait for at least 10 minutes after the power has been restored before you plug it back in.

 

[Brian_G]

Just a few notes on load shedding and a PVR.

I try to do minimal recordings of programs and rather watch it on catchup if available. The time the HDD got corrupted on both my Explora's was when a recording overlapped with the load shedding and power was interrupted during the recording. It also got corrupted when there was an unscheduled interruption while we were watching a recording.
When possible, unplug the decoder before the scheduled time slot and wait for at least 10 minutes after the power has been restored before you plug it back in.

The HDD is almost always busy anyway. But agree, for some reason watching / recording HDD content during failure periods does seem to make things worse.

 

[ZSK]

@Nemesys does this work for the explorer 1 as well?

Thanks

 

[Nemesys]

@Nemesys does this work for the explorer 1 as well?

Thanks

I believe it would. I have not used it on the Explora 1. Please note the on the Explora 1 and 2A " code" and " code: 101" will be displayed on the front panel and not on the tv screen.

 

[Brian_G]

Nearly right
@ZSK - changes for the Explora 1;

1) Remove the power cable

Don't power down, instead press and hold the f/p (front panel) Standby button until decoder reboots.
Then immediately do step 2.

2) Hold down the P+ button on the front panel of the decoder (do not release the button).

3) While P+ is pressed down – Insert the power cable (Power Up decoder).

Not applicable.

4) Release the P+ button only when the word “CODE” appears on the top right side of the TV screen. 5) Quickly press the following sequence of buttons P- P+ P- P+

6A) The TV screen will display “CODE: 0101” on the top right side of the TV screen.

6B) Now you may see "dlst" or similar on the f/p. If so, press P+ to confirm.

7) The decoder will start formatting the HDD.

8) After the HDD formatting process is complete, the decoder will reboot on its’ own and revert to the last watched channel

BTW, can't confirm the "0101" code for this f/p function but sounds very familiar.

 

[Brian_G]

It's also possible that a power-down type entering into programing mode on the Explora 1 would work as well, just not documented that way.

 

[ZSK]

Thanks @Nemesys

 

[Luke7777]

I'm thinking of replacing my 2As. Any reason (apart from 4K) to get the Ultra rather than the 3B ? I currently don't have a 4K tv, and when I do, I'd probably stream directly from media boxes. Don't see DSTV going 4K soon. Takealot current have the 3B for 899 and the Ultra for 1699

 

[Brian_G]

Don't see DSTV going 4K soon.

They've got FIFA world cup top matches in 4K at the moment, but agree a major move in that direction is unlikely - the population mostly isn't at that level.

I wouldn't give up the 2A. MC's tech seems to have got worse through the years, so keeping my Explora 1's as long as possible.

The Ultra is also considered a joke in some circles.

 

[Luke7777]

They've got FIFA world cup top matches in 4K at the moment, but agree a major move in that direction is unlikely - the population mostly isn't at that level.

I wouldn't give up the 2A. MC's tech seems to have got worse through the years, so keeping my Explora 1's as long as possible.

The Ultra is also considered a joke in some circles.

The 4K matches are only on the streaming side (DSTV Now) .. and I don't care too much about soccer anyway I still like my 2As, just getting playback issues every now and then on recordings or pausing live TV. Getting equipment replaced is also becoming a bit of an issue.