dstv self install, indoors, high flat in toti

Easter Bunny

Easter Bunny

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hi guys,

just thought i'd find out for sure about this dstv thing. we got a dstv decoder with the tv my inlaws bought us, but when i connected it to the cable in our flat, there was no signal. i then found out i need to phone ellies, but then they told me they want R350 to connect us to the dish, R75 per month to be connected and we must sign a contract.

we were going to get easyview for R20 per month, because after storms the normal antenna we share in the flats usually goes funny. we're allowed to put in our own dish, but it has to be inside the flat (stupid rules). the first tv guy we asked, told us it's a callout to see if we've got signal (R350), then we still need to install the dish.

i've now thought that we should get a full installation instead, and then sell the decoder we get, but after phoning ellies for a price on dishes, i'm now not sure if i want to go ahead with it. she asked me if the window was going to be opened. i didn't know that the window would make such a big difference. we're on the 24th floor, so the wind will be hectic most of the time. if the dish was to be mounted against the wall and pointed out the window, it would pooint the same direction as everyone else's (along the coastline north).

we don't have that much money to spend on attempting to get a dstv installation. would a closed window affect it a lot? i'd have to draw a picture to show the angles and things.

thanks for the help. ;)
 
okay basically, you want to put the dish indoors, as far as i know this wont work (even through glass :(
so your best option would be to get a buny aeriel and stick to goverment tv, or get a dstv drifta decoder (free till march then R36 bucks a month, )
or bite the bulit and pay your comunist complex the r75 bucks to use the crap comunal dish
 
isie said:
okay basically, you want to put the dish indoors, as far as i know this wont work (even through glass :(
so your best option would be to get a buny aeriel and stick to goverment tv, or get a dstv drifta decoder (free till march then R36 bucks a month, )
or bite the bulit and pay your comunist complex the r75 bucks to use the crap comunal dish
Click to expand...

Good idea!

Post a 'wanted' request for a dish on freecycle to test signal.
 
i heard about that drifter thing. how effective is it? for a Christmas present to me, we were going to go full package for december so i can watch some ashes cricket.

thanks guys. i'll see if i can read up on the drifter a bit.
 
yes, i saw i can watch on a pc, which is fine, because i have mine connected to my tv (combination of having no dvd player and being newlyweds who don't having a second table for a pc). low resolution (as suspected), but i suppose it's better than nothing.

it's tough browsing for info on my phone, because for some reason vodacrap thinks i shouldn't have hsdpa all the time, so i set it to "2g networks only", otherwise my signal disappears completely (is our flat lined with lead?). technology hates me. :(
 
I installed a 60cm dish inside a room pointing out the through the glass, didn't work so great, signal quality was around 60%.
 
If they want R75pm, then its probably a system where they have a few decoders each set to a channel and then you get the channels they have the decoders set too + sabc, e. So you just plug your TV straight into the wall socket, pay your R75pm, they connect you and then you tune in your tv. Like the system hotels use. Your cable just needs to be plugged in on the distribution side, Ellies doesn't need to come out to do it.

Or there is a socket which just gives you access to a communal dish, and you use your own decoder, but then they would have a once off access fee, if any.

I'd say speak to somebody from your body corporate or the complex supervisor and get the real story, nobody's going to pay R70pm on top of dstv fees.
 
DanH said:
If they want R75pm, then its probably a system where they have a few decoders each set to a channel and then you get the channels they have the decoders set too + sabc, e. So you just plug your TV straight into the wall socket, pay your R75pm, they connect you and then you tune in your tv. Like the system hotels use. Your cable just needs to be plugged in on the distribution side, Ellies doesn't need to come out to do it.

Or there is a socket which just gives you access to a communal dish, and you use your own decoder, but then they would have a once off access fee, if any.

I'd say speak to somebody from your body corporate or the complex supervisor and get the real story, nobody's going to pay R70pm on top of dstv fees.
Click to expand...

It is R70pm on top of DStv. That is how the Ellies "rental" systems work. Crazy, I know. They disconnect your flat from the communal system, if you don't pay.
 
Wow, robbery. Suppose that's what happens when not everybody wants to put in a once-off R200 to get the whole building kitted out with a dish system. Now Ellie's does it and charges R75 a month for life.

Sounds like Telkom tactics, we're the only service so pay to plug in your wire, pay for the service, pay for access to the service then buy your own equipment.
 
ya it sucks
was like that at my old flat, wanted to get the R20 package but elsat were ridiculous with their stupid cable and dish rental system
so i followed the cable coming into my flat and saw it was cut on the outside just after my balcony
seem they were too lazy to disconnect it at the roof, so i just a coupla connectors and its worked perfectly
dont have that problem at the new place im staying tho
 
DanH said:
Wow, robbery. Suppose that's what happens when not everybody wants to put in a once-off R200 to get the whole building kitted out with a dish system. Now Ellie's does it and charges R75 a month for life.

Sounds like Telkom tactics, we're the only service so pay to plug in your wire, pay for the service, pay for access to the service then buy your own equipment.
Click to expand...

It's not quite as cheap as R200 Dan... It can be anything from about R800 - R1500ex VAT per unit. Depending on size and layout.
 
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