DSTV Explora set-top-box and Samsung SmartTV universal remote configuration

[BlouMoord]

Has anybody tried to configure the Universal Remote control on the Samsung SmartTV in order to control the DSTV Explora set-top-box (STB) using the Samsung remote?

I have plugged in the IR transmitter that comes with the Samsung TV.

I had no success so far.
I tried both multichoice and dstv as service providers for the set-top box.
Multichoice seem to offer 10 different configurations, and dstv only 3.
You can then further search for the model number, but I could not find Explora at all.

My Samsung is the 50F6400 LED SmartTV.

Hope anybody can help?

 

[plofstof12]

I did get mine to work, on my UA65F8000. Seems to work OK through the IR blaster that comes with the TV, except that (very annoyingly) the back button does not seem to work. Probably encoded the wrong way on samsung's side.

Our smart TV interfaces might be different but after placing the IR blaster in front of the decoder, I simply completed the Samsung STB wizard on the TV. When the TV asked for the model of the STB, there was no Multichoice or Explora or DSTV on the list... But I did a search for DSTV which turned out to be succesful (your TV has to be connected to the internet). After that the TV asks you to try the channel up/down buttons on the TV remote and test whether it works. Each time you select 'no' it will try a different flavour of IR hex codes, mine started working around try number 2 or 3...


Pretty nifty, even the green/blue/red buttons work for box office, catch up and playlist. The guide button brings up the TV guide. Just vey annoying that I couldn't get the Back button to work yet...

Keen to know if anyone else got this right.

 

[BlouMoord]

I did get mine to work, on my UA65F8000. Seems to work OK through the IR blaster that comes with the TV, except that (very annoyingly) the back button does not seem to work. Probably encoded the wrong way on samsung's side.

Our smart TV interfaces might be different but after placing the IR blaster in front of the decoder, I simply completed the Samsung STB wizard on the TV. When the TV asked for the model of the STB, there was no Multichoice or Explora or DSTV on the list... But I did a search for DSTV which turned out to be succesful (your TV has to be connected to the internet). After that the TV asks you to try the channel up/down buttons on the TV remote and test whether it works. Each time you select 'no' it will try a different flavour of IR hex codes, mine started working around try number 2 or 3...


Pretty nifty, even the green/blue/red buttons work for box office, catch up and playlist. The guide button brings up the TV guide. Just vey annoying that I couldn't get the Back button to work yet...

Keen to know if anyone else got this right.

Ai I am so jealous!

Glad you managed. Now you can hopefully help me

Lets just confirm a few things:
1) You are specifically referring to Explora decoder? (just want to make 100% sure)
2) Your Samsung remote, what does it look like? Is it one of those conventional long ones, or is it the small one with a touch pad?
3) How many retry options did the "DSTV" show you? Mine only shows 3, and they all fail.
4) My "Multichoice" options shows 10, and they all fail too.
5) When did you purchase your TV?
6) Did you do a software/firmware upgrade on Samsung TV?

My TV is definitely connected to the wifi, but still does not work.

Would appreciate if you could answer my questions.

Regards,

B

 

[plofstof12]

Ai I am so jealous!

Glad you managed. Now you can hopefully help me

Lets just confirm a few things:
1) You are specifically referring to Explora decoder? (just want to make 100% sure)
2) Your Samsung remote, what does it look like? Is it one of those conventional long ones, or is it the small one with a touch pad?
3) How many retry options did the "DSTV" show you? Mine only shows 3, and they all fail.
4) My "Multichoice" options shows 10, and they all fail too.
5) When did you purchase your TV?
6) Did you do a software/firmware upgrade on Samsung TV?

My TV is definitely connected to the wifi, but still does not work.

Would appreciate if you could answer my questions.

Regards,

B

1. Yup, its definitely the Explora.
2. The small sexy bluetooth one with the touch pad
3. My DSTV setup actually showed 7 options. The Explora started responding on try number 2 or 3.
4. (...I think I tried searching for "Multichoice" but didn't get any matches. Will double check. Definitely searched for "DSTV" so try that)
5. December last year. Model number UA65F8000.
6. ...will have to check later... (the in-laws are watching right now, can't dare to upset that process right now)

Is your TV connected to the internet? Perhaps you can refresh your settings by deleting the STB and re-configuring it, hopefully that could force the TV to re-download new hex codes from Samsung. Could be that the Explora hex codes were only recently added...?

You can even use the touch pad to write digits to change channel numbers.

If you do manage to get this to work, let me know if you also have difficulty with the Back button.

PS I also posted the same info on this thread in the DSTV forums, you will probably get to more explora users in that discussion.

 

[plofstof12]

Got the "back" button to work too. Seems you need to press and hold...
I'm guessing a short press will be sent to the TV instead.

 

[BlouMoord]

Got the "back" button to work too. Seems you need to press and hold...
I'm guessing a short press will be sent to the TV instead.

Yay! Did a Samsung software update last night.
Mine was disabled, so I was behind with 2 versions, so upgraded from 1117 to 1119, and the rest is history!
Also got the 7 retries on DSTV and it worked on the 2nd like you said!

The cool thing now is that with the myTifi app, you can control the SmartTV AND the set top-box from iPhone/iPad over the wifi!

With this I found that the Explora back button is linked to Samsung's exit button, which relates to holding the return button on the "sexy" remote control.

If you buy the bigger conventional Samsung remote, you will find this to work easier.
I myself am not a big fan of the new small remote. Too many menus to open before you can toggle a specific feature.

But hey! I am happy that we now oficially got Explora on board!

 

[plofstof12]

Yay! Did a Samsung software update last night.
If you buy the bigger conventional Samsung remote, you will find this to work easier.
I myself am not a big fan of the new small remote. Too many menus to open before you can toggle a specific feature.

I'm looking for this remote that you mentioned - where can I get it? And is it also bluetooth or is this one an IR remote.

PS I see Samsungs launched a new small bluetooth remote - but I think the annoying swiping will still be part of the game on the new remote

 

[Cedricf]

Got the "back" button to work too. Seems you need to press and hold...
I'm guessing a short press will be sent to the TV instead.

Hi. Would like to know if the original dstv remote would still work as well if the samsung remote is configured as discussed in this thread?

Thanks.

 

[BlouMoord]

Hi. Would like to know if the original dstv remote would still work as well if the samsung remote is configured as discussed in this thread?

Thanks.

Yes, original DSTV remote still works.
Getting the Samsung remote to control DSTV through the Samsung TV is just an extension that allows for better convenience to control both through the same remote.