Ditching DSTV for Open HD? (Guesthouse Envirnoment)

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Mr.M6

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Hi Folks,

So I need some advice for our establishment. Currently we are paying R1925 for a mere 6 DSTV Decoders in 6 Rooms (R320 per decoder to broadcast one channel pffft).
With covid and all we no longer can afford.

My question is simple, is Open HD an answer assuming I can simply purchase 6 x Open HD Decoders and have a installer use the same dish and existing cabling for the Open HD setup? So my costs would only be say six decoders R599 x 6 = R3594 once off correct?


I'd rather give our guests 100mbps fibre down and open HD than DSTV an ADSL
Any other alternatives you guys can recommend?
 
Hi. You can have dstv stream online and have different packages on the mibox . Alternatively have the basic dstv subscription x 3 cos you can shar2 across 2 devices and 2 netflix subs premium for 4 devices and basic for 2 devices. Dstv access will cost 30x3=90 and Netflix 169 4 devices +120 for 2 devices works out R400 per month. All you need is the mibox which sets you up R7200 upfront
 
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If you have smart LNB you could run 2 instances of Extraview, 3 decoders paired together. Assuming it's available to businesses.

OP last I heard Openview is plug and play with existing DSTV setup
 
Just go the Openview route.
Leave the fibre for elite guests.
 
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I found that not enough guests had yet managed to wean themselves off their DStv dependency syndrome so that presented a problem.
 
I’ve been to a few Airbnb’s where they have wifi and a smart tv / android tv with a Netflix account, no satellite/terrestrial antenna connected. It worked out well.

I’d pick a place with wifi over a place with dstv. It also means I can book thurs, fri, sat and do work from home Friday, instead of booking just fri, sat.

Openview is a waste of time.
 
DanH said:
I’ve been to a few Airbnb’s where they have wifi and a smart tv / android tv with a Netflix account, no satellite/terrestrial antenna connected. It worked out well.

I’d pick a place with wifi over a place with dstv. It also means I can book thurs, fri, sat and do work from home Friday, instead of booking just fri, sat.

Openview is a waste of time.
Click to expand...

Thank you DanH. Problem we have encountered is not everyone is Netflix literate. It would be fantastic if everyone could catch on. We still deal with "I've pressed no.5 on the remote but there is no picture" creating a even bigger schlep for us.

You'd be surprised to know how many guests don't know how to switch between AV/ and the TV button.
 
When I helped run a self catering accommodation 15 years ago in Gordons Bay we only offered guests SABC and ETV on the braaigrid aerial. Not a single person ever complained, they were all out and about exploring the winelands and the beaches all day that when they got back home all they did was go shower and go and pomp and pass out.

I honestly do not know why people will travel across the country to go sit in another lounge and watch tv. It boggles my mind.
 
Instead of openview, check if digital terrestrial TV would work for you. If your TVs are dvb-2 enabled, all you need is an aerial and maybe a few rf amplifiers.

Signal quality is very good and there is a big overlap of channels between openview and dtv.
 
Pineapple Smurf said:
When I helped run a self catering accommodation 15 years ago in Gordons Bay we only offered guests SABC and ETV on the braaigrid aerial. Not a single person ever complained, they were all out and about exploring the winelands and the beaches all day that when they got back home all they did was go shower and go and pomp and pass out.

I honestly do not know why people will travel across the country to go sit in another lounge and watch tv. It boggles my mind.
Click to expand...

Boggles our mind too. I understand where you are coming from. We based in the "platteland" so it seems that's all guests want to do given we have a large pool and enclosed lapa with built in braai they still ask where is the tv channels?? Now I truly understand why Multichoice is in business. Not to mention there are 100s of historical places too visit.
 
You should investigate the DTT situation if all you want to do is offer basic TV access.
6 x OVHD decoders will require an LNB change to an October universal LNB. this will ensure no interference between guests choices.
Anything related to DSTV business services requires a discussion between you and DSTV to find an optimal solution that does not involve a decoder per room.
The streaming idea has many options available and again a discussion with DSTV business is the way to go.
 
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