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Question of the Day: How do you normally pay for purchases in stores?
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Roman4604
Executive Member
Dont see why not, the physical part is that easy, even a Xtraview setup with decoders next to each other is not hard.
My exact situation was an existing SDPVR running off dual-LNB. Bought a HDPVR2P + multiswitch kit and had extra F cable.
Unplugged the 2 ant cables from SDPVR and plugged into multiswitch inputs. Then use 2 of the inc F cables from A outputs back to SDPVR, other 2 F cables from B outputs to HDPVR2P. Move cable going to amp/splitter feeding other TVs from SDPVR RF OUT [TV1/TV2] to HDPVR RF OUT. Last cable goes from SDPVR RF OUT to HDPVR2P RF IN for heartbeat (& RF signal from SDPVR to other TVs).
Lastly check if both tuners still working properly on SDPVR and ch 100 (unencrypted) is working on HDPVR2P. Then phone MC and they'll talk you through HDPVR & Xtraview activation.
For me installer is only requirement if you need new LNB installed/aligned or arent bothered with the schlep of running new ext cables. My setup has been running without a hitch since day 1.
sand_man
Honorary Master
Mmmm not convinced. Check the Dstv forums. There a plethora of issues with HDTV and most of them are attributed to poor installations.
Bear in mind abzo is under the impression that exchanging one decoder for another is sufficient. No disrespect meant to abzo.
Bear in mind abzo is under the impression that exchanging one decoder for another is sufficient. No disrespect meant to abzo.
Azbubu
Honorary Master
None taken. That really is the impression i was under. Thought the same cables come into the HD pvr as those into the SD pvr. Then Pvr does all the processing and outputs via hdmi.
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Roman4604
Executive Member
Correct, assuming you have a dual-LNB (two cables connecting to SDPVR from dish). A straight swopout of the 2 boxes is that simple, all thats then required is deactivation of SDPVR smartcard & activation of HDPVR one by MC over the phone.
Note in a swopout, you would be dropping from 2 viewing environments (tuners) in SDPVR to 1 on HDPVR2P. Xtraview'ing them gives you 3 seperate viewing environments, which you're probably paying for already.
TonyA
Expert Member
"Note in a swopout, you would be dropping from 2 viewing environments (tuners) in SDPVR to 1 on HDPVR2P. Xtraview'ing them gives you 3 seperate viewing environments, which you're probably paying for already"
Could elaborate a bit more please?
Could elaborate a bit more please?
He means that SDPVR allows you to watch 2 channels at once, whereas the HDPVR 2P allows you to watch only 1.
If you set up Xtraview, you use both the SDPVR and HDPVR and you can then watch 3 channels at once.
Roman4604
Executive Member
Wishful thinking, I've seen no such official announcement, and my conversation with a senior manager in charge of product development has confirmed 1080i is the MC HD broadcast standard.
Makes sense, the overwhelming majority of HDTV broadcasters worldwide use 1080i (which MC source content from), there are very few that still broadcasting in native 720p (e.g. ESPN in US). Also 1080 line resolution is the defacto standard for HDTVs, with the exception of some budget & legacy models. From my experience modern TVs are very adept at de-interlacing a 1080i signal even with fast motion, after all the manufacturers have had a decade to fine tune their hw/algorithms.
From the clarity/fluidity of the locally shot HD content I've watched in native 1080i e.g. (SS HD, local series, Idols etc.) I'd say MC's broadcast infrastructure is optimised to record/broadcast in 1080i. Assume it would be a massive exercise for them to revert to native 720p.
Maybe what they may provide in the future is on-the-fly HD format switching between 1080i & 720p to match source? Guessing possibly something avaliable with the migration from DVB-S to DVB-S2 on the HD channels (QT any comment?).
TonyA
Expert Member
So from what you're saying buying a FHD TV for TV only, no blue ray or PS3 would be a waste of time as HD Ready will allow 1080i?
TonyA
Expert Member
So you can watch 3 and record 2?
No! HDReady does not display 1080i natively. You will have some loss of detail.
Some HDReady displays (with 1024*768) resolution don't even display 720p natively and will downscale. Again, loss of detail.
In both cases some people argue that the loss of detail cannot be made out by the human eye at a normal viewing distance. I disagree with those people.
The only way to ensure that you don't have any loss of detail is to get a FHD TV.
Yes
Roman4604
Executive Member
No the opposite, to experience the full potential of a 1080i signal (1920x1080 res) you need a TV that can natively display a 1920x1080 FHD picture. HD-Ready TVs can accept/display a 1080i/p signal but you're not getting the real deal, rather a scaled down version.
Azbubu
Honorary Master
The tv I bought on Thursday is R400 cheaper at the same store today. Do I have any rights here? Or should I just return it and buy it again?
If you're in Pretoria check out www.metrohomecentre.com. They've got a few specials.
If you're in Pretoria check out www.metrohomecentre.com. They've got a few specials.
PostmanPot
Honorary Master
IIRC Consumer Protection covers you for ±7 days regarding cheaper price...
Azbubu
Honorary Master
I hope so. The salesman I bought it from wasn't there so they said i should come back tomorrow. If they don't refund me the difference then I'll just return it to them and buy it elsewhere. Do you need a reason to return an item? Does it have to be defective etc?
PostmanPot
Honorary Master
No reason needed with CPA - IIRC.
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