DStv Explora 2

[weelzSA]

Hopefully this is in the right place but here goes.

We currently have at home the following setup:

DStv Explora 2 (main decoder)
DStv Explora 2 (secondary decoder in bedroom - this shares channel to daughters room)
DStv HD decoder (this is in my mother in-laws bedroom and shares with other daughters room)

The cables from satellite dish where run while we were still building our house as the roof in main lounge area is tall and has no access to the inside anymore (which is why we had to run the cable before sealing up the roof).

Now the issue is the past couple weeks the main Explora has been acting up asking to format HDD etc which I would do and then all worked again. But since Thursday after formatting and resetting decoder to default settings the decoder keeps rebooting and never gets back to the searching for channel screen - starts with display on decoder showing DL and then loAd and just stays in that cycle.

Issue is because that is the main decoder no other TV in the house works either.

I was thinking to just replace all decoders with the new model 3 but that is where the issue starts as from what I have been told the new decoders only connect with one cable from satellite where as my current decoders use 3 and we can't run thru the roof as it is sealed off.

Is my only option now to look for a new Explora 2 and then do I need to call DStv and get them to marry the sim card to the decoder (is that possible) or is there something else I need to do?

Any advice would be great before I have to call in technicians who charge min R500 call out fee.

 

[Geoff.D]

Stay away from the Explora 3A. It is no way near the quality and flexibility of the Explora 2A and it predecessor, the Explora 1.
Either way, each decoder MUST have its own cable connection to the LNB regardless---- the story that ALL decoders share one cable connection to the LNB is BS.

The 3-decoder combination requires an SLNB -- the two models that are suitable are the LMX 500 and the LMX 501. DO NOT replace the SLNB with an LMX 502 as it only supports two decoders.

The Explora 3A does NOT support RF distribution at all, whereas the 2A and the 1 do --- these are the last PVR models available from MC that allow RF distribution to other viewing environments. How are you distributing a signal to the other rooms?

It is very likely that the problem could be that the Primary 2A is faulty, BUT it could also be that because you have reset the decoder to defaults that it now clashes with the network settings on the other two decoders.

What are the network settings on each of the decoders? The UBs and associated frequencies have to be different --- The Explora 2A and the HD decoders cannot share UBs and frequencies with other decoders anymore.

Hence this is the additional info needed to help you further.
Exact make and model number of the LNB.
Which ports on the LNB are in use? --There is a chance that the LNB also could be faulty.

The network settings for all three decoders and the LNB mode for each.

The bad news is that the Explora 2A is no longer available new only the 3A, which means that some of your distribution to other rooms may also now be at risk.