DStv Explora Ultra 4k?

Are there any reviews for the Ultra decoder?
Showing interface, apps etc.
 
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For TV content use 50p instead of 60p - makes output jitter free as this matches PAL refresh rate is 50 Hertz. Frame rate is 25 frames per second.

The jitter is especially noticeable on news channels that have a ticker ribbon or when there is panning (eg football)

For youtube you better off with with 60p as a lot of content is 30p recorded.
Better still use SmartTube Beta that can adjust the signal to match the contents refresh rate.
See - https://github.com/yuliskov/SmartTube
 
grovvy909 said:
Hi, I have been looking for a solution to my DSTV Explora Ultra problem and came across this thread while doing a Google search.

I used to be able to project from the Explora Ultra to my Epson 3700 Home Cinema FHD 1080p projector (via HDMI) and everything worked perfectly until about 2 days ago. The HDMI output on the Explora Ultra is set to 1080p (which is supported by the projector) but I'm getting "No Signal" on the projector. I have also tried 720p but still getting "No Signal."

I have connected the same Epson 3700 to my Dell Laptop and an older Explora 3A (both set to output 1080p) and they both work with the projector. So looks like the problem is with the Explora Ultra.

Has anything changed with Explora Ultra updates recently?

Any thoughts and solutions will be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
Probably related to HDCP changes or a cable issue.
Test with a new 1m HDMI cable.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-bandwidth_Digital_Content_Protection
You may need a firmware update for the Epson.
 
system32 said:
View attachment 1654110
TIP:
For TV content use 50p instead of 60p - makes output jitter free as this matches PAL refresh rate is 50 Hertz. Frame rate is 25 frames per second.

The jitter is especially noticeable on news channels that have a ticker ribbon or when there is panning (eg football)

For youtube you better off with with 60p as a lot of content is 30p recorded.
Better still use SmartTube Beta that can adjust the signal to match the contents refresh rate.
See - https://github.com/yuliskov/SmartTube
Click to expand...
system32 said:
Probably related to HDCP changes or a cable issue.
Test with a new 1m HDMI cable.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-bandwidth_Digital_Content_Protection
You may need a firmware update for the Epson.
Click to expand...
Thank you @system32 for your response and advice. I will try the 50p instead of 60p and report back. Is DSTV broadcast in 50p?

Both my Dell Laptop and the older Explora 3A are set to output 1080p 60Hz and the projector has no problem detecting the signal and they both work fine connected via HDMI. I just thought 60Hz is better since it is a higher!

The latest Epson firmware is installed v1.06 - 23/09/23.
 
grovvy909 said:
Thank you @system32 for your response and advice. I will try the 50p instead of 60p and report back. Is DSTV broadcast in 50p?

Both my Dell Laptop and the older Explora 3A are set to output 1080p 60Hz and the projector has no problem detecting the signal and they both work fine connected via HDMI. I just thought 60Hz is better since it is a higher!

The latest Epson firmware is installed v1.06 - 23/09/23.
Click to expand...
The 50/60 Hz should not affect the ability to display the image.
If you select a refresh rate that is not supported, then no image, but most devices support 50/60.

HDCP (anti-piracy) is what stops the image being displayed if it detects non-compliance, eg. if you using a splitter or recorder or capture card or non-certified cable. DSTV may have released an update that makes the HDCP more strict. I used to have a HDMI switch box that stopped working when DSTV updated the firmware.

AFAIK, all DSTV channels are 50Hz which matches with the 50p
Matching the Hz to a multiple will make the image have less jitter.
Jitter is particularly noticeable on news channels that have a ticker on the bottom.
The ticker jumps when there is a mismatch.

This may not be noticeable on all TV/Projectors especially if you have some of the smoothing options enabled.
 
Still no picture on projector even when HDMI output is set to 1080p 50hz on the Explora Ultra.

I am attaching some photos:
1. Explora Ultra set to output 1080p 50Hz (taken from my LG TV)
2. No signal showing on Epson projector
3. Epson projector showing picture when connected to Dell laptop (works on both 1080p 50 and 60Hz)
4. My HDMI cable which is HDCP compatible

I have read about the Explora Ultra upscaling everything to 2160 with HDR on all output settings. Is this true? Even if it is upscaling everything, why is there a picture on my LG FHD TV 1080p and not on my Epson 3700 1080p projector?
 

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grovvy909 said:
Still no picture on projector even when HDMI output is set to 1080p 50hz on the Explora Ultra.

I am attaching some photos:
1. Explora Ultra set to output 1080p 50Hz (taken from my LG TV)
2. No signal showing on Epson projector
3. Epson projector showing picture when connected to Dell laptop (works on both 1080p 50 and 60Hz)
4. My HDMI cable which is HDCP compatible

I have read about the Explora Ultra upscaling everything to 2160 with HDR on all output settings. Is this true? Even if it is upscaling everything, why is there a picture on my LG FHD TV 1080p and not on my Epson 3700 1080p projector?
Click to expand...

Not an expert on this, so take it from whence it comes, but in my early journey with the Explora Ultra, to bypass the forced HDR and upscaling to 2160p which was messing with my OLED screen, I put an old HDMI splitter between the decoder and the TV, which somehow got rid of the always-on HDR and 2160p upscaling. That may be a solution for you. The trick is to find a 1080p splitter and not a 4K/UHD one.
 
sybawoods said:
Not an expert on this, so take it from whence it comes, but in my early journey with the Explora Ultra, to bypass the forced HDR and upscaling to 2160p which was messing with my OLED screen, I put an old HDMI splitter between the decoder and the TV, which somehow got rid of the always-on HDR and 2160p upscaling. That may be a solution for you. The trick is to find a 1080p splitter and not a 4K/UHD one.
Click to expand...
Thank you @sybawoods I will try your suggestion and report back :thumbsup:
 
THE "OLD" HDMI SPLITTER "TRICK" WORKED!!!!!

I found an "old" HDMI splitter in a shop that still had SCART cables! Connected my Explora Ultra to the input and Epson 3700 projector to the output and after a few seconds of flashing lights on the splitter, there was a picture on the wall!

THANK YOU SO MUCH @sybawoods for your advice! Absolute genius!!!
 

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grovvy909 said:
THE "OLD" HDMI SPLITTER "TRICK" WORKED!!!!!

I found an "old" HDMI splitter in a shop that still had SCART cables! Connected my Explora Ultra to the input and Epson 3700 projector to the output and after a few seconds of flashing lights on the splitter, there was a picture on the wall!

THANK YOU SO MUCH @sybawoods for your advice! Absolute genius!!!
Click to expand...
Cool! Gonna screen-shot "genius" and just go with that :) . Glad it worked out.
 
Busy watching the SA20 final on the satellite 4K test channel 217. Hope they start doing this regularly and for more local stuff like the Springboks.
 
For those with Samsung TV's - I acquired a Samsung OLED recently and experienced the same always-on forced HDR even with SDR content from the Ultra. I was able to disable it by disabling "input signal plus" in the Samsung connection settings. According to Samsung, input signal plus is intended to "expand the 'range' for the selected HDMI port". Disabling it disabled the forced HDR from the Ultra.
 
Still no change with input signal disabled on selected hdmi port. The only setting that disables the forced hdr is when picture mode is set to Filmmaker mode which is ok for watching movies.
 
Apologies if this has been answered but the last time I posted on this topic was in 2020 when I bought my CX and got an explora 4k. IIRC, it was permanently sending an HDR signal to the tv. So see content looked kak and I was worried about burn in.

I tried contacting them about it but, as usual their support sucked donkey balls so I swapped it out for a normal decoder.

Has this issue been resolved?
 
QuiXilver ZA said:
Apologies if this has been answered but the last time I posted on this topic was in 2020 when I bought my CX and got an explora 4k. IIRC, it was permanently sending an HDR signal to the tv. So see content looked kak and I was worried about burn in.

I tried contacting them about it but, as usual their support sucked donkey balls so I swapped it out for a normal decoder.

Has this issue been resolved?
Click to expand...
Nope
 
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