DStv Decoder issue

Smokey888 said:
Have a look at the settings on the DSTV decoder. By default, it reboots at 4am every morning and then defaults to channel 100.
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It should default to whatever channel it was on ... on the video side in any case, not sure about radio
 
The streaming thing can work, but what do I use? I want something that'll be easy to use, not confuse her. The idea is for her to just switch on the TV, and off when she's done.
 
Turns out that if you skip the update on the decoder every morning at 4, it loses the channels and then it won't work, so forcing that won't work (according to the installers).
 
Toxxyc said:
The streaming thing can work, but what do I use? I want something that'll be easy to use, not confuse her. The idea is for her to just switch on the TV, and off when she's done.
Click to expand...
All modern flat-screen TV sets have HDMI-CEC functionality, as do all streaming boxes (Apple, Nvidia or Android). Set both devices HDMI-CEC menu option settings to ON / AUTO as appropriate.

All you then need to do is use the power button on the streaming box remote to power it on, and it will also also power up the TV set and switch the input option to HDMI.

Then you set the Pretoria FM app as the FIRST option on the streaming box's home screen - all you have to do then is press the OK button on the streaming box remote & it will load the app - then you can use the streaming box remote to adjust the TV set volume directly, as it is now linked via HDMI-CEC.

When you then want to turn off the streaming box & TV set, all you do is press the power button on the streaming box remote, and it will then also power down the TV set as well.
 
I had a near identical problem for years with some relatives, also trying to use Radio Pretoria via satellite.
My solution won't work here though, it relied on an older model decoder that worked differently.

Problem is for ages these newer decoders reset to the "My DStv Channels" Channel Group after any reboot, so using a user-defined group doesn't help, and it seems it won't remember a radio station choice as the default.

B-1 said:
The best I can think of is a universal remote that can handle a startup macro or maybe a wifi linked IR remote that you could control over the internet.
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^^ This may be the best choice.

But @Toxxyc , surely there's a maid or nurse around that can be taught the simplest procedure you can come up with to reset daily?
Clearly drawn instructions on paper included...

Another small possibility - my one relative used to phone the radio station and complain, maybe they can offer you suggestions directly?
 
You could try and use a smart speaker with an LTE connection vs the Dstv solution which does require visual input
(and sometimes android boxes do have unpredictable pop ups such as a software update which could prevent her from getting to the app)

Use a Google home mini and setup tune in radio or it’s possible radio Pretoria has an app to allow playback via smart speakers

All she would have to say is “Hey Google play Pretoria FM” and it would stream non stop until he says “hey google stop “

Set something similar for my late grandfather in his 70s who never even had a smartphone or any modern technology but got used to it rather fast and even learnt how to use Spotify on his new phone and cast to the Google home

If she has someone there at her aid , then it’s rather simple for anyone to get to know

Hope this helps
 
Brian_G said:
But @Toxxyc , surely there's a maid or nurse around that can be taught the simplest procedure you can come up with to reset daily?
Clearly drawn instructions on paper included...
Click to expand...
This is what I've now done. Instructions, 4 steps, printed and laminated and left on the decoder. If she needs it, just press the button and ask for help. It takes 30 seconds. Let's see how it goes.
 
No. The decoder sometimes still loses signal, and sometimes it just drops audio. I can see the channel and it is playing, but no sound is coming from the TV. Changing channels fixes this. I can honestly see with 100% certainty why people are dropping DStv. It's inconvenient and a nuisance to work with, day in and day out.

The other day they cut me off because my account wasn't paid, but I was 3 months ahead on payments. The guy on the other end of the line couldn't explain why I was cut off.
 
Nyamundhe05@ said:
Did you get a solution?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately not. Still reboots at 4am at least once a week. I had a look at the firmware update settings, and saw you can change the time if I recall correctly, but not switch it off.
 
Toxxyc said:
No. The decoder sometimes still loses signal, and sometimes it just drops audio. I can see the channel and it is playing, but no sound is coming from the TV. Changing channels fixes this. I can honestly see with 100% certainty why people are dropping DStv. It's inconvenient and a nuisance to work with, day in and day out.

The other day they cut me off because my account wasn't paid, but I was 3 months ahead on payments. The guy on the other end of the line couldn't explain why I was cut off.
Click to expand...
That bug has been in the firmware for many years. They hire contractors only and treat them like shyte so nobody digs deeper or has the required skill to find that bug. MonoChoice doesn't care.

The solution you need is a small microcontroller transmitting periodic infra-red remote control codes to the unit to make it revert back to whatever desired setting
 
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