DStv Streama review - October 2022

[Jan]

We tested the DStv Streama — with disappointing results

MyBroadband tested the DStv Streama box and found it delivers what was promised, only a few years late, and at a much higher price than competing devices offering open ecosystems and better user experiences.

As promised, the DStv Streama box lets viewers without smart TVs stream DStv, Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube and Showmax over the Internet.

Links to bigger versions of the GIFs (too big to embed in article or forum post):

https://imgur.com/a/O9wjgwX

https://imgur.com/gHzz8ze

https://imgur.com/OBBFK2g

 

[GMAN03]

Wow. I'm wondering when DStv is going to decide that streaming is only allowed on their device to help combat account sharing. This is how they'll improve their streaming experience, by lowering demand.

 

[Dolby]

Eish DSTV ...

I was hoping that you that DSTV at least performed better on this device than anything else. That, at least, could be slightly justification for buying this box - but even that performance is terrible. Surely DSTV has a product team - what do they say or consider the unique selling point of this box?

 

[backstreetboy]

The Mi Box S still receives the odd update, and all the apps we’ve tried run smoothly, although we would have liked an Ethernet port and optical audio.

Should compare it to the Mi stick 4k. It comes with AV1 support so you don't need ethernet.

 

[sdrawk]

Sluggish performance is a bit of a deal breaker.
Needing a DStv account to use the device at all is very silly.
An unusable USB port is brain-dead in terms of design.
Out-performed by some years-old Chinese device is laughable
No app store at all? Eish

Its hard to recommend such a device, but I guess some will still buy it and struggle with it.
Could probably fix all this with a software update or two, but I wouldn't count on that.

 

[OhYeah84]

Too little, too late. You can buy a cheaper device and still stream all of those products!

 

[Dolby]

You can buy a cheaper device and still stream all of those products!

Maybe the plan is over the next 6 months slowly start removing Showmax and DSTV from Apple / Android TV / Tizen / WebOS etc and force one to buy this hardware.

 

[OhYeah84]

Maybe the plan is over the next 6 months slowly start removing Showmax and DSTV from Apple / Android TV / Tizen / WebOS etc and force one to buy this hardware.

...you can still stream with a browser...you don't need an app.
And if this really is the case, then people should start voting with their wallets.

 

[FiestaST]

Since no one identifiably said it:

It appears to be pretty kark & don't get me to started on the "Streama" naming.

The chance that MC allows you to use the USB port will be super slim as well.

 

[Prof.Merlin]

Should compare it to the Mi stick 4k. It comes with AV1 support so you don't need ethernet.

What does a codec have to do with an ethernet port?

 

[backstreetboy]

What does a codec have to do with an ethernet port?

It's a much more efficient codec and the reason most people muck about with ethernet is to fix poor streaming.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Mi-Box does support optical audio via an adapter in the audio port ...

 

[ThinkCentre]

You can buy this device from DSTV for anyone even without a subscription for an amount of R1299 only!

DStv Streama

Get the DStv Explora Ultra has all the outstanding content with an array of entertainment with applications such as ShowMax and YouTube.

getdstv.dstv.co.za

That is if you are not able to see that a Mi Xiaomi is not only cheaper, but is better.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

You can buy this device from DSTV for anyone even without a subscription for an amount of R1299 only!

DStv Streama

Get the DStv Explora Ultra has all the outstanding content with an array of entertainment with applications such as ShowMax and YouTube.

getdstv.dstv.co.za

Really - I don't want it for free, nor to use as a door stopper.

 

[LazyLion]

F'Eish..palm....

 

[_TrXtR_]

Oh dear
The company age shows. Older people are more patient with slow menu's.

 

[Thestealth]

Really - I don't want it for free, nor to use as a door stopper.

I wouldn't put kak in front of my door if I was you.

 

[LCBXX]

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

I wouldn't put kak in front of my door if I was you.

Exactly why I said, not even for use as a door stop.

 

[ArmatageShanks]

Need an update to this, wonder how many subscribers they have left all in all.