DStv Explora - There are no words how much I hate this unit.

[PaulB_]

Hi all.

Just giving my input

This DStv Explora has to be one of the worst devices I have ever owned.

I bought the Explora approx 2 weeks ago at Game, along with a smart LNB.

I put everything in place myself, phoned Multichoice to activate everything, and while I must say the device runs perfectly, and I haven't had any major issues with the performance of the device, and I love the look, and feel, and style of the new remote however that's where my praises stop.

The fact that you can only watch one channel, and record one channel is a serious limitation for me, I have the SD PVR with 2 additional recording slots should I need it, however I shoulnd't have to do this. My Channel line up is a mess, and doesn't show the full channel name as opposed to my HD standalone decoder, now disconnected to make space for the explora. My Audio channel selections are mess, and due to the name changes I cannot for the life of me find the correct channel, ie Jacaranda shows as JAC, House Party - HSpty, and the song info isn't even showing now, as I'm typing this.

If I knew the limitations, I would have rather gone for a secondhand HD PVR. I'm not one for Showmax, and even catchup. I'm old fashioned in the sense that I rather record the show, and watch it later.

Maybe I'm just being overly critical.

I'll leave that up to you guys to decide.

 

[Moosedrool]

What is Dstv?

 

[bmchunu]

My Channel line up is a mess, and doesn't show the full channel name as opposed to my HD standalone decoder

Check that the channels are not filtered .. there's channel filter or groups . .can't remember where it is.

 

[TheMightyQuinn]

If I knew the limitations, I would have rather gone for a secondhand HD PVR.

I knew about the limitations after doing my research...that's why I did NOT buy it.

 

[Drifter]

What is Dstv?

It's from the devil.

 

[Geoff.D]

Hi all.

Just giving my input

This DStv Explora has to be one of the worst devices I have ever owned.

I bought the Explora approx 2 weeks ago at Game, along with a smart LNB.

I put everything in place myself, phoned Multichoice to activate everything, and while I must say the device runs perfectly, and I haven't had any major issues with the performance of the device, and I love the look, and feel, and style of the new remote however that's where my praises stop.

The fact that you can only watch one channel, and record one channel is a serious limitation for me, I have the SD PVR with 2 additional recording slots should I need it, however I shoulnd't have to do this. My Channel line up is a mess, and doesn't show the full channel name as opposed to my HD standalone decoder, now disconnected to make space for the explora. My Audio channel selections are mess, and due to the name changes I cannot for the life of me find the correct channel, ie Jacaranda shows as JAC, House Party - HSpty, and the song info isn't even showing now, as I'm typing this.

If I knew the limitations, I would have rather gone for a secondhand HD PVR. I'm not one for Showmax, and even catchup. I'm old fashioned in the sense that I rather record the show, and watch it later.

Maybe I'm just being overly critical.

I'll leave that up to you guys to decide.

Anyone ( and I am one of them) that has to move from the SD PVR (view 2 record 1, with full record sharing between both viewing environments) is always hugely let down by a move to the new decoders except maybe the HD PVR 4 tuner decoder.

There is just no way that the new decoders can ever make up for the dual view capability that we are used to.

Then for all the other things you have noticed, I cannot comment, as I have not gone that route and currently have the optimum setup in my opinion, which is a SD PVR combined with a HD PVR 4 tuner, under XV. It gives me view 3 and record 3 capability.

BUT to get back to your current situation. These are the things you can do to make it all a little better.

(1) combine the Explora 2 with the HD decoder you have under XV ( this assumes you have the single view HD decoder 4136, labelled either 4U or 4S). It does not cost you anything extra.
(2) Start to learn all about the CU and CU+ services. Those that have, claim it sort of makes up for the loss of recording capability with the older decoders. But it depends on the package you have -- Premium is the only one that gives you full access to everything available.