DStv Xtraview Setup

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feo

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My current setup at the moment is very simple. I have a DStv HDPVR in my lounge, this one to be exact:

949863391a669e81c8093745261889539694be7f.jpg

I have a 2x4 multiswitch with 2 cables coming in from the LNB on the dish and then 4 out to the PVR decoder.

I want to add another TV at the back of the house which must be able to watch a DStv channel independently from the main PVR in the lounge.

Couple of quick questions just to clear everything in my head:

1. Xtraview is what I'm looking for, correct? It'll give me 2 separate viewing environments for a small additional monthly cost.

2. What decoder would be best to get as a secondary decoder? (HD is critical) ... DStv Explora? Maybe buy an Explora, make it the new primary decoder and move the old HDPVR to secondary?

3. In terms of wiring, I understand that with Xtraview, instead of having all 4 outgoing cables from the multiswitch into the PVR, I'll now have 2 going into the primary and the other 2 into the secondary?

4. Still on wiring, where does the "heartbeat" cable connect? What type of cable is it? Same normal white coax that's used in the rest of the setup? Which ports exactly on the back of each decoder will it connect to? (pics would be helpful)

5. With this configuration, will I end up with a watch-1-record-1 setup on both environments?

Thanks in advance.

(Go Quantum Theory!!! :D)
 
Last edited:
1.
If you all ready have PVR functions, no extra costs

2.
Seems you can almost use any decoder:
http://selfservice.dstv.com/self-service/services/xtraview/xtraview-capable-decoders/

3.
You have a 4 tuner PVR
You will need a six splitter (4 goes to current pvr, 2 goes to new pvr) (not sure how a Explora works)

4.
Heartbeat is a normal RF "white" cable run between the decoders. Normally from rf in to rf out.

5.
No, watch 2 and record 3 (depends on decoders used).


I do have the Extraview Manual if you want it. Not at a PC at the moment but if you PM me, I will mail it to you.
 
See answers below to your questions. I have the exact same hdpvr. Hope it helps. Check the dstv website and forums. There is a lot of information to help you out. If you unsure get an installer to install. I installed my own as I have done my own installations all the time.

feo said:
My current setup at the moment is very simple. I have a DStv HDPVR in my lounge, this one to be exact:

View attachment 115564

I have a 2x4 multiswitch with 2 cables coming in from the LNB on the dish and then 4 out to the PVR decoder.

I want to add another TV at the back of the house which must be able to watch a DStv channel independently from the main PVR in the lounge.

Couple of quick questions just to clear everything in my head:

1. Xtraview is what I'm looking for, correct? It'll give me 2 separate viewing environments for a small additional monthly cost. yes. Extra view is what you need. I think the extra amount is about 60 rand per month, excluding the new hardware

2. What decoder would be best to get as a secondary decoder? (HD is critical) ... DStv Explora? Maybe buy an Explora, make it the new primary decoder and move the old HDPVR to secondary?this is entirely up to you. There are several combos you can use. If you wanting hd on both TVs then the secondary decoder will have to be hd, bearing in mind that if you go the hd route on both then you need to cable to the second room to accommodate hd

3. In terms of wiring, I understand that with Xtraview, instead of having all 4 outgoing cables from the multiswitch into the PVR, I'll now have 2 going into the primary and the other 2 into the secondary?no the cables will stay the same in the primary decoder, which is the hd pvr you currently use. You will need to change the multiswitch depending on what you choose as the secondary decoder. I use a single view decoder and have a 6 output multiswitch

4. Still on wiring, where does the "heartbeat" cable connect? What type of cable is it? Same normal white coax that's used in the rest of the setup? Which ports exactly on the back of each decoder will it connect to? (pics would be helpful) the heartbeat cable can connect either to the rf in or rf out ports, which you can change in the extra view setup

5. With this configuration, will I end up with a watch-1-record-1 setup on both environments?no. The primary environment will remain the same and secondary will be dependent on what xtraview decoder you choose to go with. I have mine setup where I can watch either decoder on either tv by using rf out to broadcast to my secondary tv. With this setup you need to have both decoders in the primary room and I use remote extenders. You can separate them and still use that setup but will require running several cables between rooms. It also means both feeds are analogue to my secondary tv, which for me is fine as I don't need hd on the secondary tv.



Thanks in advance.

(Go Quantum Theory!!! :D)
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I might add that with the suggested set up a quad LNB to be used on both PVRs' for better reception and HD image quality.
 
Last edited:
McGuywer said:
1.
If you all ready have PVR functions, no extra costs

2.
Seems you can almost use any decoder:
http://selfservice.dstv.com/self-service/services/xtraview/xtraview-capable-decoders/

3.
You have a 4 tuner PVR
You will need a six splitter (4 goes to current pvr, 2 goes to new pvr) (not sure how a Explora works)

4.
Heartbeat is a normal RF "white" cable run between the decoders. Normally from rf in to rf out.

5.
No, watch 2 and record 3 (depends on decoders used).


I do have the Extraview Manual if you want it. Not at a PC at the moment but if you PM me, I will mail it to you.
Click to expand...

1. You sure? Your answer conflicts with the one by durbandave below.

2. OK, I will have a look through that list.

3. Do I really need all 4 cables though? What exactly does each cable give me?

4. Again, is it exactly the same type of cable as the other 4 that goes into the HDPVR.

5. I think Q2 is linked to this, will see what I decide on a second decoder.

durbandave said:
See answers below to your questions. I have the exact same hdpvr. Hope it helps. Check the dstv website and forums. There is a lot of information to help you out. If you unsure get an installer to install. I installed my own as I have done my own installations all the time.
Click to expand...

2. Not sure what you mean by "if you go the hd route on both then you need to cable to the second room to accommodate hd"...please elaborate?

4. Does the length of the heartbeat cable matter? I'll be using the decoders in different rooms on either end of the house.

JohannesPaulsen said:
I might add that with the suggested set up a quad LNB to be used on both PVRs' for better reception and HD image quality.
Click to expand...

Quad LNB will have 4 cables going into the multiswitch?
 
Wow, info overload.

I think I need installation 3A or 3B. I will type up my questions and post it in the next post.
 
feo said:
1. You sure? Your answer conflicts with the one by durbandave below.

2. OK, I will have a look through that list.

3. Do I really need all 4 cables though? What exactly does each cable give me?

4. Again, is it exactly the same type of cable as the other 4 that goes into the HDPVR.

5. I think Q2 is linked to this, will see what I decide on a second decoder.



2. Not sure what you mean by "if you go the hd route on both then you need to cable to the second room to accommodate hd"...please elaborate?

4. Does the length of the heartbeat cable matter? I'll be using the decoders in different rooms on either end of the house.



Quad LNB will have 4 cables going into the multiswitch?
Click to expand...

If you require hd your decoder needs 4 cables on the old hdpvr like you currently have. If you put the newer hd decoder in the second room you need a minimum 2 cables run for the hd decoder plus another cable for the heartbeat cable. So all in all 3 cables at a minimum between the rooms. Not sure how many lnb inputs the explora uses but pretty sure it is more than 2.

I don't think there is a limit in the length of the heartbeat cable. Running it between rooms should be fine
 
durbandave said:
If you require hd your decoder needs 4 cables on the old hdpvr like you currently have. If you put the newer hd decoder in the second room you need a minimum 2 cables run for the hd decoder plus another cable for the heartbeat cable. So all in all 3 cables at a minimum between the rooms. Not sure how many lnb inputs the explora uses but pretty sure it is more than 2.

I don't think there is a limit in the length of the heartbeat cable. Running it between rooms should be fine
Click to expand...

OK, so to minimize the number of cables running all over the place, I could sell the current (old) HDPVR and then just buy 2 Exploras, right? (each one will need 2 cables into it + the heartbeat).

Or am I misunderstanding? I read somewhere that only the old HDPVR needed 4 cables, the newer one (and the Explora too?) take 2 instead of 4.
 
That is correct if the explora takes 2 inputs. You would still require 3 cables between rooms though 2 for lnb and 1 for heartbeat cable. But you will then be fine with a 4 way multiswitch.
 
OK I've quickly gone through the pdf that McGuywer linked to.

So I'm think I need 2 x HDPVRs (to get HD in both rooms).

My only 2 options then are to have the decoders in the same room (3B) or to have them in their own respective viewing rooms (3A).

So under the section INSTALLATION 3A: HD PVR + HD PVR IN SEPARATE ROOMS, its kinda contradictory:

"Each room has access to the best possible picture and sound quality"

vs.

"Content from the PVR “in the other room” is only available in RF quality."

What does that mean? Will I get HD in both rooms or not?

Another question, if I choose to have both decoders in the same room, then how exactly do I change channels and things on the secondary decoder? I doubt this is even an option for me because the PDF says:

"HDTV services can only be viewed in standard resolution and terrestrial signal quality (RF quality video and mono audio) in the bedroom."

So no HD on secondary decoder if I go for options 3B?
 
feo said:
OK I've quickly gone through the pdf that McGuywer linked to.

So I'm think I need 2 x HDPVRs (to get HD in both rooms).

My only 2 options then are to have the decoders in the same room (3B) or to have them in their own respective viewing rooms (3A).

So under the section INSTALLATION 3A: HD PVR + HD PVR IN SEPARATE ROOMS, its kinda contradictory:

"Each room has access to the best possible picture and sound quality"

vs.

"Content from the PVR “in the other room” is only available in RF quality."

What does that mean? Will I get HD in both rooms or not?

Another question, if I choose to have both decoders in the same room, then how exactly do I change channels and things on the secondary decoder? I doubt this is even an option for me because the PDF says:

"HDTV services can only be viewed in standard resolution and terrestrial signal quality (RF quality video and mono audio) in the bedroom."

So no HD on secondary decoder if I go for options 3B?
Click to expand...

HD will be available in both rooms if decoders are installed in each room. I would recommend this option as it gives better picture quality and you will have record functionality and pvr functions on both.

You can install both decoders in one room but this is only recommended where the secondary is a normal non hd decoder as you have to use the analogue rf out to transmit to the second tv. To change channels you can use a remote extender.

I would go with the separate hd option though. Go for 3 A
 
durbandave said:
HD will be available in both rooms if decoders are installed in each room. I would recommend this option as it gives better picture quality and you will have record functionality and pvr functions on both.

You can install both decoders in one room but this is only recommended where the secondary is a normal non hd decoder as you have to use the analogue rf out to transmit to the second tv. To change channels you can use a remote extender.

I would go with the separate hd option though. Go for 3 A
Click to expand...

OK and if I end up getting 2 x Exploras (and selling my current 4 tuner HDPVR), would each of the Exploras need it's own switch?

I'm talking about this one:

Multiswitch_for_DSTV_Explora_Decoder_Twin_to SATCR (2).jpg

How exactly would the cables be run from dish to switch(es?) and then from switch to Exploras?
 
I am not sure but I doubt it. I am sure that it would work off the same switch. Just make sure when you go buy the explora.

Cables would run from dual lnb on dish to the inputs on the switch. Then cable from switch to the decoders.
 
The current version of the Explora switch can be used with just 1 Explora
There is a new version coming out which can be used for 2 Exploras
 
Smurfatefrog said:
The current version of the Explora switch can be used with just 1 Explora
There is a new version coming out which can be used for 2 Exploras
Click to expand...

When will the new one be coming out?

So this implies that if I have 2 Exploras then BOTH the switches that are included will need to be used in the setup?
 
Bump

Another question, what dish size is needed for Xtraview (HD in both rooms)?

Also, the switch that comes with the Xplora, how does that fit in to the whole Xtraview setup?
 
feo said:
Bump

Another question, what dish size is needed for Xtraview (HD in both rooms)?

Also, the switch that comes with the Xplora, how does that fit in to the whole Xtraview setup?
Click to expand...
A 60cm will work, but rather get an 80 or 90cm

Twin LNB cables go into the switch
1 cable out of switch to the Explora
The switch has 4 other outputs, these can go to other decoders
 
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