When will DSTV decoders have HDMI ports?
You're most likely not going to see the new DSTV decoders with HDMI & component output till the end of 2008 or sometime in 2009. That said, DSTV did promise season pass functionality for the current PVR by June 2006 so ...
I'm not talking specifically about PVR or DualView decoders as I wouldn't pay extra for those features, but stand alone DSTV decoders with the HDMI port?
It'll be quite some time before DSTV launch a single view (non PVR) decoder with HDMI/component output or HDTV support, those features will be reserved for their premium decoders (i.e. the next PVR).
Dual view functionality has been thrown out the window, the current dual view decoders have already been discontinued and it's inclusion in the current PVR is blamed for many of the major issues with enhancing the PVR's software. To achieve dual/multi view functionality on DSTV's next PVR, you'll require extra decoders (possibly scaled down versions) for each extra viewing environment (i.e. one per zone/room).
The reason I ask is because hear often about the new DTSV HD which is coming next year (or so) ... but there's no decoder with these ports as yet.
I've always understood it that the hardware ports appear on items sooner than one can use the technology - so surely it should be very soon? :/ Even if they don't broadcast hi def while we have these port, it would awesome to use for convience of one cable.
Correct, there would be little point in DSTV using up valuable transponder space to broadcast a HDTV signal that nobody can receive. Due to the fact that DSTV (as well as all new entrants) will be broadcasting their HDTV signal in MPEG4 format, none of the existing decoders will be able to make use of the signal as the decoders only support MPEG2. This limitation extends to many 3rd party decoders as well, including the likes of Dreambox, Topfield, Manhatten, etc. Until recently MPEG4 has been limited to proprietary decoders (e.g. Sky HD box, DirecTV's H20) but this is starting to change, Topfield's TF7700HSCI and Dreambox's still unreleased DM-8000 will provide MPEG4 support.
Something else worth noting is that DSTV have stated that their primary focus on HDTV will be for the broadcasting of sports events. This is rather unfortunate but given that this requires DSTV to upgrade to HD-capable outside broadcast equipment, we may just get lucky and see those existing HDTV produced shows like Lost, Prison Break, Scrubs, etc on our screens a little sooner.
I'm looking forward to the day where I can take ONE cable from source to amp and ONE cable from amp to monitor. At maximum I'd only have 4 or 5 cables into my amp and it would look so much better behind there
Come 3 years I may have DVD HD ... DSTV HD ... DVD HD HDD ... all displayed on my LCD in HD ... whoohoo!
Many of the newer amps, those around the R5000 mark and up, will upscale your input source (no matter whether it's composite, s-video or component) and output it via either the component or hdmi connector thus requiring only one cable to your monitor.
The only problem with the above is that most amps that have hdmi and/or component connectors don't have scart connectors. Assuming you have a DSTV decoder with the higher quality RGB scart connector (e.g. single view 720i, dual view or PVR decoder), you're left connecting your DSTV decoder to your amp via a scart -> s-video connector. This is at least better quality than that offered by the current single view decoders which only offer composite connectors.
To make full use of the DSTV decoders RGB scart connector, you could get a scart -> component converter (e.g.
Kramer FC-4,
Atlona AT-SCART-COMP) but bear in mind that these devices may result in lip-sync issues as they will add a minor delay to the video feed but not the audio feed (it may however be an unnoticeable delay).
Another option for achieving the scart -> component conversion is to get a
UK TiVo. Unlike the US TiVo which feature composite and s-video connectors, the UK TiVo has scart connectors for both input and output. By means of a simple software
hack the UK TiVo is able to convert the inputted RGB signal and output a component signal. Given that the TiVo is handling the audio as well, there shouldn't be any lip-sync issues
If you want a satellite decoder with HDMI output, then you can go buy an after-market one. DSTV --DOES-- work on any Irdeto compliant CI hardware.
Although this is an option, there are a couple of problems going this route. Firstly the cost of decoders with component output tends to be a bit high, added to that the cost of an Irdeto CAM and it starts getting expensive. Next issue is that most of the current decoders won't be able to output the MPEG4 HDTV broadcasts when they eventually do arrive. Then there is the ever present
issue of not being able to display the DSTV EPG (TV guide) as it's in a proprietary format. I'm not aware of any 3rd party satellite decoders that are able to display the DSTV EPG without having it downloaded from the web, converted into the relevant format and then uploaded to the decoder. Although the above issues are relevant, this is still one of the better options as far as getting high quality picture output.
If you're happy to spend the amount of money required to go the above route, you may also want to consider the option of setting up a dedicated HTPC with a DVB-S card (see the "
HDTV Tv Cards" thread for more on this option).
Bad news.. since the field trialists will most probably find bugs that need to be sorted out so I do not see us getting it before March 08...