DStv Explora 3 - New decoder to replace the Explora 2

system32 said:
The old explorer is a dog in terms of speed.
Hope this one is faster and smoother.
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It is Explora, not Explorer to start with.
And no, doubt if it is any faster than the older decoders. BTW what do you mean about "speed" anyway.
 
avr-rulez said:
loud noise blocker (LNB) unit
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werny said:
LOL, what else can you expect from MyBB these days? The quicker they can push out articles the better, no matter whether the content is 100% correct.
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Like many others, I noticed that, too. I posted it, but quickly changed my mind and deleted the post, reckoning it's better to send the OP a PM alerting him to the error than to engage in public scoffing. My $0.02.
 
So, let's see what else they made worse, considering the fact that 2 was a downgrade from 1.
So the new one has 110 hours, 2 had 110, 1 had 220.
"the front panel where the channel number would normally be displayed. "
That must have been an expensive addition, it was actually useful...

That launch must have been quiet in order to hide the fact that they're cutting out features without actually improving the product.
@dstv how about employing an actual useful compression algorithm to your showmax/catch up? I can download 1080p videos at lower file size than your SD 480p stuff.

EDIT:
1549306649040.png
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/broadcasting/180836-dstv-explora-2-decoder-launched.html
Huh? I am sure there were comments there as well, remember writing one.

EDIT2:
Geoff.D said:
The undocumented (yet) "improvements" are:

(1) More access to userbands and frequencies required for installing 3 such devices in one installation.
(2) Easier installation of decoders using MCs XV facilities, basically simplifying the cabling required
(3) Use of HEVC (DVB-S2X, H.265) coding which will allow for UHD reception ( if that ever happens over SA).
(4) Changes to the way in which data is stored on the HDD -- allowing MC to cut the size of the HDD installed in the decoders -- yes a good question whether this is an improvement or not.
(5) A new universal remote

So if the above grabs you, go and get the new decoder, if not, stick with the existing Explora.
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From Geoff's old post, so does Dstv support streaming H.265 over WiFi/internet? Doubt it.
 
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Ai tog, this decoder has been available since Black Friday and its only noticed now..... The most important thing missing is not the display, but the fact that there is no RF output anymore. Which means you can't run normal TV cabling straight out of it to extra tv points anymore without additional add on equipment.
 
Here is a much more meaningful comparison for all of you to chew on.

Explora 2A has 2 USB ports.
Explora 3A has one USB port.

Explora 2A has a front panel display which displays the channel number your viewing
Explora 3A does not have a front panel display, however, it has LED lights which indicate if the decoder is on or off.

Explora 2A has the normal size smartcard
Explora 3A has a mini smart card

Explora 2A has a fan.
Explora 3A doesn't have a fan however as with all our decoders good ventilation is always recommended.

Explora 2A has RF ports for distribution of the RF signal.
Explora 2A transmits and receives the heartbeat signal through the Unicable port and RF ports

Explora 3A has no RF ports for distribution of the heartbeat and RF signal.
Explora 3A transmits and receives the heartbeat signal through the Unicable port

Explora 2A supports relay commands through the RF ports.
Explora 3A supports relay commands through the Unicable port.

All Explora’s are compatible with A5, A6 and A7 remote controls.
Both Explora 2A and Explora 3A have recording space of up to 110 hours.
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The real departure is that it is the first PVR decoder released by MC that cannot distribute RF directly, which for some is just unacceptable. It requires an external RF remodulator to truly be a replacement for the earlier models.

The 3A is less power hungry than the previous decoders.
The LMX 502Z LNB ( Low Noise Block downconverter) does NOT have any universal ports on it and MC have been very secretive about its "hidden" capabilities. Generally, you require a special FSM to set it up, hence why they harp on the use of an installer. There is however a way to get it to default to a Universal LNB for line up with an older FSM. It has only two ports and can only support two decoders in what is now called "UniView" (UV).

Further, the 3A decoder may also require an external diplexer IF it is purchased as a replacement in an existing "XtraView" (XV) installation.

It was also the first decoder to introduce the so-called "Installation Wizard" for initial setup, that comes with its own set of issues. The older Explora models and the 4- and 5-series HD decoders also now have this rather clumsy "Installation Wizard" installed.

While the 3A supports "relay commands" through the Unicable port, neither the SLNB models nor the 24-1Z switch allows the relay of remote commands for tvLINKS. Therefore, IF you want to replace an existing decoder in an existing installation, where remote control of the decoders is used, you have to "extract/insert" the relayed commands via an external diplexer, or change to remote blasters. In the end, an installation becomes far more "messy" with all these external bits and pieces and PSUs and cable clutter than the older decoders.

All in all, at the end of the day, a retrogressive move downwards in quality and reliability, despite the claims otherwise.
 
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I thought DSTV went bang and closed years ago. DSTV subscribers don't have a clue what they are missing! How many years before they catchup with the rest of us and save a small fortune every month?
 
ZuluKing said:
I thought DSTV went bang and closed years ago. DSTV subscribers don't have a clue what they are missing! How many years before they catchup with the rest of us and save a small fortune every month?
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You're pretty out of touch, eh. There are hundreds of thousands of us, all freely and voluntarily paying our subscription fees. :p

What are we missing?
 
The older PVR which by the looks of it cost more to manufacturer than this one was selling for R899, they probably making a slight profit on these new ones
 
Geoff.D said:
Here is a much more meaningful comparison for all of you to chew on.



The real departure is that it is the first PVR decoder released by MC that cannot distribute RF directly, which for some is just unacceptable. It requires an external RF remodulator to truly be a replacement for the earlier models.

The 3A is less power hungry than the previous decoders.
The LMX 502Z LNB ( Low Noise Block downconverter) does NOT have any universal ports on it and MC have been very secretive about its "hidden" capabilities. Generally, you require a special FSM to set it up, hence why they harp on the use of an installer. There is however a way to get it to default to a Universal LNB for line up with an older FSM. It has only two ports and can only support two decoders in what is now called "UniView" (UV).

Further, the 3A decoder may also require an external diplexer IF it is purchased as a replacement in an existing "XtraView" (XV) installation.

It was also the first decoder to introduce the so-called "Installation Wizard" for initial setup, that comes with its own set of issues. The older Explora models and the 4- and 5-series HD decoders also now have this rather clumsy "Installation Wizard" installed.

All in all, at the end of the day, a retrogressive move downwards in quality and reliability, despite the claims otherwise.
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Thanks for this.
 
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Geoff.D said:
It is Explora, not Explorer to start with.
And no, doubt if it is any faster than the older decoders. BTW what do you mean about "speed" anyway.
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Thanks for the correction.
I find that navigating Catchup to be slow.
Searching for a show by name takes ages.
Fast-forward is more of a jump-forward and not smooth.
 
system32 said:
Thanks for the correction.
I find that navigating Catchup to be slow.
Searching for a show by name takes ages.
Fast-forward is more of a jump-forward and not smooth.
Click to expand...

No different methinks. There an equal number of complaints about the 3A as with the older models.
 
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