DStv Streama review - October 2022

[Mnozana]

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.

Wow that is possible hey. They can do that

 

[Mnozana]

Sorry I'll let this one go

 

[Antono]

So what they have basically done is to wrap their crap in a different wrapper, still crap inside. Would have loved to hear what the actual streaming experience is like. When I use to stream DSTV it was the worse, I could stream other services without a problem yet dstv would be buffering, lagging, and pixelating over the same connection.

 

[MikeV1]

Any thoughts on the launch of the DSTV Streama and the fact that when I cast from my phone (Android) to a Google Chrome Cast it keeps bombing after a minute or so? Showmax, YouTube, Netflix all cast without issues so it can't be the fibre. DSTV 'upgraded' the app on Android to 'encourage' the Streama box?

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Any thoughts on the launch of the DSTV Streama and the fact that when I cast from my phone (Android) to a Google Chrome Cast it keeps bombing after a minute or so? Showmax, YouTube, Netflix all cast without issues so it can't be the fibre. DSTV 'upgraded' the app on Android to 'encourage' the Streama box?

Would not put it past them ...

 

[MikeV1]

Any thoughts on the launch of the DSTV Streama and the fact that when I cast from my phone (Android) to a Google Chrome Cast it keeps bombing after a minute or so? Showmax, YouTube, Netflix all cast without issues so it can't be the fibre. DSTV 'upgraded' the app on Android to 'encourage' the Streama box?

Oh, forgot to mention....works fine on my phone...only when I cast is it an issue. But casting on same phone to same Chrome Cast on above mentioned apps works fine.

 

[NoelSmith]

May as well buy an Andoid Media TV box instead of this. DSTV is now pulling at straws to keep clients.

 

[Decarin]

May as well buy an Andoid Media TV box instead of this. DSTV is now pulling at straws to keep clients.

The Streama sounds like a skoro-skoro version of that for a bigger price and less functionality, leading me to think that its probably locally made.

 

[Thobee]

This doesn't sound promising for DStv. I would be interested to see how streaming DStv channels is like on this set top box. I'm going to assume it's more like the sluggish DStv Now than it is to the traditionally installed satellite TV. In that case, I'd rather stick with my current Explora because DStv Now is awful. DStv needs to step into the streaming future and fast, or they will be left behind 10+ years down the line.

 

[joshuatree]

Streama R499 available everywhere.

Can one " unlock " this box by adding a PlayStore in some or other way? It has Android TV as operating system?

DStv pushes Over-The -Air updates to it right?

At one stage they added Britbox.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Streama R499 available everywhere.

Can one " unlock " this box by adding a PlayStore in some or other way? It has Android TV as operating system?

DStv pushes Over-The -Air updates to it right?

At one stage they added Britbox.

A waste of money - do not bother

 

[Brian_G]

Streama R499 available everywhere.

Can one " unlock " this box by adding a PlayStore in some or other way? It has Android TV as operating system?

DStv pushes Over-The -Air updates to it right?

At one stage they added Britbox.

Short answer - no.

 

[FiestaST]

2022, Not really a simpler time.

 

[joshuatree]

If you are only into subscription services.

And if DStv is not that vigilant on that Home Base IP Address thing with the newly reinstated second concurrent stream.

 

[Smiggles]

No thanks rather save your R320.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

If you are only into subscription services.

And if DStv is not that vigilant on that Home Base IP Address thing with the newly reinstated second concurrent stream.

Pass ...

 

[akasselman]

Happy with my purchase!
I have been curious, but apprehensive of purchasing the DSTV Streama device, having found very little reviews on the internet about it, apart from the main review posted by MyBroadband in 2022 in which a user interface speed issue was highlighted.

I bought it at a special of R599 from Takealot, including 12 months Showmax subscription, but I actually wanted it for streaming DSTV to replace the laptop I use on my (non-smart) TV - on the laptop, Windows 10 will stop being supported in October and I was looking for something smarter.

I am pleasantly surprised - the device is a no-frills little black box, offering both Wifi and Ethernet connection allowing me to use fast cable connection via 200Mbps fibre. The remote feels solid and operates accurately and is extremely intuitive / easy to use.

User Interface
My main concern was with the user interface speed of navigating between the menu items and content panels, because this was raised as a specific concern in the MyBroadband review of 2022.

I am happy to report that DSTV/Multichoice seems to have improved the software because I did not notice any major delay between button-click and movement on screen. That issue seems to have been adequately addressed.

Other apps
Navigating Netflix, Showmax, Youtube and Disney+ is very intuitive as well and quite easy with the apps and remote.
My daughter is just unhappy that there is no Disney+ dedicated button, to get to Disney you have to navigate to Apps on the menu on the left.

Keyboard
One other very useful thing I discovered is that I could actually connect an external keyboard to the device via the USB port, which is a major bonus, because it makes it a lot easier to setup your accounts when signing in to DSTV, Netflix and Showmax, as well as being a lifesaver when you are on a search input box - type something on the keyboard rather than taking a long time with the on-screen keyboard.

Overall, I am very happy with my purchase, especially at that price and I do recommend the device, it is able to transform an older TV into a smart media centre and does it effectively. I'm looking forward to watching many hours of DSTV and other streaming services on my new device!

I hope this review helps someone.

 

[joshuatree]

Showmax 12 Months for R599.

And you get a device to watch it on if your TV is dumb.