DSTV HD worth it?

xrapidx

xrapidx

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Who here has DSTV in HD? I want to know if its worth the effort - I currently have a dual view decoder running through Windows Media Center - I've been running this for a good 4-5 years - and will miss it if I move to HD - this is the reason I haven't moved yet...

So, if you have it, is it worth it? How many HD channels are there, whats the quality like,etc.

Not interested in hearing about the crappy DSTV HD PVR though - I know its problematic.

I know there's a planned release of a UEC decoder sometime early this year - this is my intended purchase
 
I have one, got it in august when they were first launched for the olympics.

There is only one HD channel, and it looks flippen amazing is all I can say, and because you are connecting through an hdmi cable all the other channels also look a lot better than a normal SD decoder.

You can keep your old decoder and then just activate xtraview, then you can connect 3 different tv's, each being able to watch independantly ( as the HD decoder is not dualview, but can record on two different channels at the same time)

So far I am happy, not really costing me anything more, and I get the HD channel with.

But as you mentioned, the software can be menace some days, especially the EPG
 
I have it. Honestly not worth it. I bought a 46" LCD over December and thought getting the HD PVR would 'complete' the package.

To answer your q's:
There's only ONE HD channel. It plays selected shows and sports with wildlife in between...and usually cuts off at around 10pm.
The picture quality is ***ken brilliant though, especially on the nature stuff...thats when the HD channel is on though.
When they install the HD PVR they upgrade your connection i.e. the signal quality and strength has to be at 100% or damn near close to it. So your other channels will be clearer that normal...but they're in SD so it's just normal TV but on a fancy screen.

There are issues, as you've said already, with the decoder itself. Guess thats what we get for being early birds. We're the guinea pigs.
 
Yeh - thats why I'm waiting for the UEC decoder...

Thought there was more than one channel - I'll wait for more to be added then. . . Media Center is more important than one channel :p
 
Gothan said:
You can keep your old decoder and then just activate xtraview, then you can connect 3 different tv's, each being able to watch independantly ( as the HD decoder is not dualview, but can record on two different channels at the same time)
Click to expand...
The OP has a dualview decoder , so this does not apply. He will have to purchase additional hardware for dualview/xtraview capability. Your scenario makes use of the SD PVR as 2nd decoder I think
 
while walking past the TV yesterday i saw part of a ad that said something about Mnet movies 1 and widescreen. Is this also a new feature? If so only to HD PVR or to normal subscribers aswell.
 
Luke7777 said:
The OP has a dualview decoder , so this does not apply. He will have to purchase additional hardware for dualview/xtraview capability. Your scenario makes use of the SD PVR as 2nd decoder I think
Click to expand...

Won't he be able to use the HD decoder and the dualview in xtraview? It should still work, meaning one tv on hd, one on tv1 of the dualview and one on tv2 of the dual view ?
 
Gothan said:
Won't he be able to use the HD decoder and the dualview in xtraview? It should still work, meaning one tv on hd, one on tv1 of the dualview and one on tv2 of the dual view ?
Click to expand...
Unless he purchases another full DSTV bouquet, no. That would be 2 seperate installations then. Xtraview can only be used between HD/SD/1110
 
lucky for me I gave my dual view to my parents a couple of years ago and got the sd pvr, that is why getting the HD was cool for me, it does not really cost anything more (except the new decoder), and it can only get better
 
Luke7777 said:
Been there, have a dualview sitting in storage :(
Click to expand...

Advertise it for R1000 on the media center forums - they're quite sought after... because the SD-PVR and Media center combination is pointless, and difficult to get working.
 
xrapidx : the brand of decoder you get is actually irrelevant... the problem with the HDPVR is the software the Multichoice put on it, which will be the same for the Pace and UEC decoders.

I've seen the Pace decoder running in other countries and its bloody brilliant, smooth, responsive etc...

I'd say atm, HD is not worth it, and I have it... but right now I'm finding myself watching less and less tv since I'm so busy lately.
 
Luke7777 said:
Unless he purchases another full DSTV bouquet, no. That would be 2 seperate installations then. Xtraview can only be used between HD/SD/1110
Click to expand...

this saddens me. It would be great if I could tack on the HD PVR to my existing SDPVR setup.

xrapidx said:
Advertise it for R1000 on the media center forums - they're quite sought after... because the SD-PVR and Media center combination is pointless, and difficult to get working.
Click to expand...

so there still isn't a way to control the SDPVR with the MCE remotes?
 
milomak said:
so there still isn't a way to control the SDPVR with the MCE remotes?
Click to expand...

Nah - there is, but is there really a point in buying a PVR and using MCE? Rather try save money by getting a dual view :)
 
xrapidx said:
Nah - there is, but is there really a point in buying a PVR and using MCE? Rather try save money by getting a dual view :)
Click to expand...


Commercial Auto skip for one :)

Can you point me to a thread that shows how it can be done?
 
xrapidx said:
You can do that on media center :)
Click to expand...

Don't be difficult man :mad: :p

Yeah I want to go whole the hog and have the HTPC take care of everything. Presently I would have to set the PVR to change channels manually when I want the HTPC to record.
 
milomak said:
Don't be difficult man :mad: :p

Yeah I want to go whole the hog and have the HTPC take care of everything. Presently I would have to set the PVR to change channels manually when I want the HTPC to record.
Click to expand...

LOL - I meant the ad skipping... I was still trying to find info on the PVR setup - there was a post on techies, but its down (there is a post on mceguide.co.za somewhere, but I'm not going there :p).

You install a hotfix, which adds Multichoice to the list of set-top box brands - you then select two remotes - Its virtually the same as the dual view - quite simple. I wrote everything down at home, because I struggled like hell with the dual view, and no one would help. I'll post it tonight when I get home.
 
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