DStv streaming vs satellite price comparison

[Jan]

Good news for DStv users ditching the dish

MultiChoice recently announced changes in pricing for most of its DStv products, effective from 1 April 2025.

However, its DStv Stream packages are retaining their current fees, making them even more attractive to those willing to shift away from a satellite-and-dish product to streaming-only.

 

[NarrowBandFtw]

 

[HartsockZA]

Still too expensive for ads

 

[cavedog]

Still too expensive for ads

Extra ads on top of what is addec to the feed. Also does the extra stream include dstv stream because I don't think it works.

 

[KleinBoontjie]

, making them even more attractive

 

[Binary_Bark]

The table below compares the pricing of DStv’s satellite and streaming-only packages, effective from 1 April 2025.

Package	DStv satellite	DStv Stream month-to-month	DStv Stream 12-month contract	Savings over satellite option (month-to-month or contract)
Premium	R979	R799	R699	18% to 40%
Compact Plus	R659	R549	Not available	17%
Compact	R479	R349	R299	25% to 38%
Family	R339	R299	Not available	24%
Access	R150	R99	Not available	34%

That's Still a NO from me.

 

[system32]

Been using the MI Box 4 in the garden cottage.
Every few days, the Mi Box 4 disconnects and I have to login again which is somewhat annoying.
Not sure if this is DSTV security gone wrong.

Is the DSTV Streama a better device than the MI Box 4?
Does the DSTV Streama also disconnect every few days (security)?

Mi Box 4 - 2GB RAM, 8GB Storage, AM Logic 4 Core 1.5Ghz/64Bit
I checked the specs of the Xiaomi 4K TV Box S 2nd Gen and besides the name, the specs that matter seems the same (2GB RAM, 8GB Storage, 4 Core).
I only have 1080p TV so don't need 4k (AFAIK DSTV is 720p).

Any recommendations for a TV Box that has 4GB RAM (or more), 32GB storage (or more).
Thanks in advance.

 

[HartsockZA]

Extra ads on top of what is addec to the feed. Also does the extra stream include dstv stream because I don't think it works.

Their Streaming servers just suck,

 

[Hemi300c]

FFS we get enough WithOutInsurance adds here I don't need to pay for them as well.

 

[Totempole]

Is the DSTV Streama a better device than the MI Box 4?

 

[Smiggles]

Been using the MI Box 4 in the garden cottage.
Every few days, the Mi Box 4 disconnects and I have to login again which is somewhat annoying.
Not sure if this is DSTV security gone wrong.

Is the DSTV Streama a better device than the MI Box 4?
Does the DSTV Streama also disconnect every few days (security)?

Mi Box 4 - 2GB RAM, 8GB Storage, AM Logic 4 Core 1.5Ghz/64Bit
I checked the specs of the Xiaomi 4K TV Box S 2nd Gen and besides the name, the specs that matter seems the same (2GB RAM, 8GB Storage, 4 Core).
I only have 1080p TV so don't need 4k (AFAIK DSTV is 720p).

Any recommendations for a TV Box that has 4GB RAM (or more), 32GB storage (or more).
Thanks in advance.

Apple TV 4k

 

[Brian_G]

Really strange that DStv is putting so much effort into trying to make streaming choices work and "attractive", yet still can't get the basics right re buffering / maintaining video quality / market level quality (4K)

Must be a management issue, ne?

 

[system32]

Apple TV 4k

Thanks, I've just checked the specs:

Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)

4GB RAM​

64/128GB Storage​

CPU - A15 - 5 core 3.23GHz​

GPU - A15 - 5 core bionic​

NPU - A15 - 16-core​

HDMI 2.1 with eARC​

USB-C​

WiFi 6​

GbE on 128GB model​

4k HDR10​

Now that's what I expect from a streaming box.

Even the price is reasonable - based on the fact it should last 5+ years and be snappy to use.

• Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen 64GB Wi-Fi - R2,999
• Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet - R3,599

Android seems to be a race to the bottom - least RAM, least Storage - this makes the Android device obsolete in a year.

 

[dualmeister]

 

[Ernabr]

Week 24 - 28 March 2025:
DStv: 1
Eskom: 1
Univ Pretoria: 0 1
Big/threat/scam/etc: 2 4

 

[cavedog]

Their Streaming servers just suck,

I think the streaming quality and reliability has really improved though don't have an issue with that.

I have an issue with the app being so slow and clunky and their all "NEW" ad insertion technology to force more ads down your throat when you stream so you not only get the ads incorporated into the feeds that everyone sees you also get ads pushed via the app above the streams.

 

[ISP cash cow]

I have tried DSTV stream a couple of times and all the time it just buffers and watching Football on it is a no go as you can't tell the difference between the grass and the ball.

All my other streaming apps work like a bomb so it must be DSTV stream being crap

 

[KleinBoontjie]

Thanks, I've just checked the specs:

Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)

4GB RAM​

64/128GB Storage​

CPU - A15 - 5 core 3.23GHz​

GPU - A15 - 5 core bionic​

NPU - A15 - 16-core​

HDMI 2.1 with eARC​

USB-C​

WiFi 6​

GbE on 128GB model​

4k HDR10​

Now that's what I expect from a streaming box.

Even the price is reasonable - based on the fact it should last 5+ years and be snappy to use.

• Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen 64GB Wi-Fi - R2,999
• Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen 128GB Wi-Fi + Ethernet - R3,599

Android seems to be a race to the bottom - least RAM, least Storage - this makes the Android device obsolete in a year.

What? My Mi box 3 from 2017 and Mi box S from 2018 is still working fine. Even my Chromecast from 2020 is working like new.

 

[Lupus]

Really strange that DStv is putting so much effort into trying to make streaming choices work and "attractive", yet still can't get the basics right re buffering / maintaining video quality / market level quality (4K)

Must be a management issue, ne?

The only ones they could make 4k is their own content, as what most streaming services does.
Cause it's not like Netflix or even Prime have everything as 4k

 

[Speedster]

Apple TV 4k

If you're going big you might as well go all the way and get an Nvidea Shield