DSTV HD PVR Review

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DSTV HD PVR

High-definition (HD) television has finally arrived in SA. MultiChoice launched M-Net HD, a general-purpose entertainment channel broadcasting in much higher clarity than any of its existing DStv channels. But to see the new channel, you’ll need to upgrade your decoder, which will set you back R2 500. Do you really need it?
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Apparently, if the writer of the article is to be believed, they are improving the viewing quality of the **** TV, even on older (presumably analogue) TVs -- as the contrast was drawn between those and LCD or Plasma TVs.

The only way that this can be, is if the HD channel isn't as heavily compressed as everything else sent out by OneChoice. Maybe they are actually giving sufficient bandwith to the channel so the 720p signal ends up looking much better once it reaches the decoder, to such a degree that the internal scaler can make 720p downconverted to analogue look better than the "native" (analogue TV sized) heavily compressed digital signal on the normal (non HD) channels...

Or the writer could just have no clue - that is also possible.
 
Quality wise the M-Net HD channel looks like other 720p content I view from my PC. Maybe this will change when they roll out the other channels. If you are use to watch your shows in SD, then this will blow you away.
 
Smeagol668 said:
Apparently, if the writer of the article is to be believed, they are improving the viewing quality of the **** TV, even on older (presumably analogue) TVs -- as the contrast was drawn between those and LCD or Plasma TVs.

The only way that this can be, is if the HD channel isn't as heavily compressed as everything else sent out by OneChoice. Maybe they are actually giving sufficient bandwith to the channel so the 720p signal ends up looking much better once it reaches the decoder, to such a degree that the internal scaler can make 720p downconverted to analogue look better than the "native" (analogue TV sized) heavily compressed digital signal on the normal (non HD) channels...

Or the writer could just have no clue - that is also possible.
Click to expand...

Bear in mind the HD channel is encoded in MPEG 4 where the SD channels are MPEG2
 
I am looking in getting DSTV HD PVR but had never seen how the HD PVR is. does anybody have got advice for me into changing my mind in going the HD road?
 
If you have an HD tv it's really worth it. Even on an HD ready TV it looks amazing. I seldom go back to the normal channels.
 
Ok cool, I have got a 42" HD TV. so I am planning on getting DSTV HD
 
So how does the on demand work? I have heard of the on demand with dstv premium users and mweb uncapped account then you stream or download your content. but what if you do not have got a adsl account?
 
Your decoder has a section with some DSTV on demand on it...

on the HDPVR 1 its under guide. Not sure for the HDPVR 2 or single view HD PVR...
 
Haha what is the difference between HD PVR - HD PVR 1 & HD PVR 2?
 
I'm also looking into the HD route, Going to have to do the Cable splitter thingy as I'm running of my complex DSTV dish. Much excitement :)
 
In order to have an HDPVR, you may have to replace the LNB to accommodate the number of tuners you have on the model of HDPVR you select.
In other words if you have the single view HDPVR or a Watch one Record 2 channels / Dual View/Xtraview set up...consult you approved Multichoice installer for the option you wish to get.
 
argh, its really cool.
pausing, playback, record, fast forward
and the HD, worth every cent
Damn increase though now, sigh.
 
Pity DSTV only transmits in 1366x768 and not full 1920x1080. Although to be fair, there isn't too much in it when watching from a 42" screen.
The first set of PVR HD receivers are the pits. Run very hot and will often switch back to channel 100 when surfing or will take forever to respond to input from the remote (as the author says).
If you're in the market for one then just make sure it's the new gen unit.
 
Landmark Computers said:
The first set of PVR HD receivers are the pits. Run very hot and will often switch back to channel 100 when surfing or will take forever to respond to input from the remote (as the author says).
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+1, horrendous piece of hardware/software!! I'm constantly frustrated operating mine. I also have one of the lower specced but newer HD PVR 2P's and the difference in terms of performance is chalk and cheese...
 
Adrenalin said:
I want to watch 2 channels in HD :( on different TV's, obviously.......
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Requires 2 HD PVR's afaik.. You can record 2 channels and watch 1 but no longer do they make PVR's with 2 TV outputs... SD PVR was the last afaik..
 
Do they broadcast the Formula1 in HD ? Only thing being watched in our house is Binnelanders, Grays, all the kids channels, Carte Blanche, BBC & CNN and of course Formula1. Would it still be worth while upgrading to HD ?
 
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