DStv satellite standards cause confusion

If this means I have to change my decoder, or my decoder becomes MORE flaky, then DSTV need to subsidise this BS...
 
Hope they subsidise us for upgraded hardware or cut our DSTV premiums :D
I should have bought an 80cm dish to replace our old one which got rusted and fell of the roof last September
 
Let's all toi toi for new dishes!!!
 
I've still got the same dish since 1996...hopefully it will do....
 
Don't worry, I'm sure they will somehow charge you, the users, for the upgrade.
Next year's increase will be justified by "necessary satellite technology upgrades" :D
 
ISP cash cow said:
My understanding is that it is just the satellite dish that would need to be changed, if you have one that is smaller than 80cm diameter.
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And to change the dish you need an installer to align the LNB. Looks like a R400 callout fee, plus another few hundred for the dish.
 
phaktza said:
And to change the dish you need an installer to align the LNB. Looks like a R400 callout fee, plus another few hundred for the dish.
Click to expand...

Actually I don't think youwould need an installer to come out and install and align the dish. I am sure that the wholes in on the 60cm and 80cm dishes are in the same place and so I am sure you may be able to just unscrew the actual satellite dish off the bracket and screw the new one back on again. as long as the bracket is in the same place it should not change the signal. But obviously you would need to just mark where the LNB position was on the end.

Anyway my dish is 80cm so no worries for me.
 
ISP cash cow said:
Actually I don't think youwould need an installer to come out and install and align the dish. I am sure that the wholes in on the 60cm and 80cm dishes are in the same place and so I am sure you may be able to just unscrew the actual satellite dish off the bracket and screw the new one back on again. as long as the bracket is in the same place it should not change the signal. But obviously you would need to just mark where the LNB position was on the end.

Anyway my dish is 80cm so no worries for me.
Click to expand...

You would think that works, but often it doesn't. Even if we are capable of doing so, many people will not be so like minded.
 
I have a 60cm dish at home atm...

To get an 80cm dish installed will mean a new bracket etc.. so yes an installer will have to come out to do the realignment...


BUT, I do remember them saying the 80cm dish was a requirement for HD when they started rolling it out, and it turned out not to be when some ppl just tried it with their old dishes anyway.
 
This is definitely happening soon for the HD channels. MC has recommended bigger dishes for HD, from the start. Nothing new...
 
ISP cash cow said:
Actually I don't think youwould need an installer to come out and install and align the dish. I am sure that the wholes in on the 60cm and 80cm dishes are in the same place and so I am sure you may be able to just unscrew the actual satellite dish off the bracket and screw the new one back on again. as long as the bracket is in the same place it should not change the signal. But obviously you would need to just mark where the LNB position was on the end.

Anyway my dish is 80cm so no worries for me.
Click to expand...

lol. No. Even if the holes where in the same place a bigger dish would mean a different focal point which means a different arm.
 
Quantum Theory said:
This is definitely happening soon for the HD channels. MC has recommended bigger dishes for HD, from the start. Nothing new...
Click to expand...

I think the keyword here is "recommended" - The fact that consumers can buy "installation vouchers" clearly stipulating 60cm dishes, from MC offices, although they "recommend" 90cm, is the problem! Why do they sell (and specify) something which is not the required spec?

And what about the person who buys a new PVR from Makro today - Does it stipulate a minimum of 80cm (or recommended 90cm) on the box? I don't think so and that's why the uninformed consumer is satisfied with the 60cm dish his "accredited installer" supplies, only to find out later he must fork out more money to upgrade. When all MC had to do from the start was to specify (not recommend on their forum only!) a minimum dish size and force their "accredited installers" to install the minimum requirement, like Top TV did from the beginning and still does!

:rolleyes:All of a sudden a new suggestion popped into mind "Consumer Protection Act"?

Interesting debate on the DStv Forum here
 
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