New DSTV HD Decoder

Guantanamo said:
So to run an SD+HD PVR will be R625/m? and then I can watch 2 SD 1 HD and record 1 SD and 1 HD channel at a time? And other than the R2000 for the decoder how do I go about setting them up to run concurrently. Sorry for being such a noob on the topic.
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conect a cable from rf out from the new hdpvr to rf in of your sd pvr, turn on tv link on your sd pvr, on you hd pvr under xtraview you have to pick the rf out as comunications port, call multi choice and tell em you want to set up xtaview, tell em the hd pvr is you main and the sd will be the heartbeat, they will explain the rest. its prety easy
and subscription is just under R600 for all this R530+R65
 
Smurfatefrog said:
R529 is premium subs + R65 PVR fee you already pay for the SDPVR, so there will be no increase in subs. The R65 includes PVR functions, HD & Xtraview whether you use all 3 or not
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This doesn't make any sense... my reading of the DSTv site tells me that HD channels are part of the Premium subscription, and that the R65 access charge is for PVR functionality.

So you should be able to get the HD decoder, and not activate the PVR, and still have HD?

2. What do I need to watch HD content?
A Full HD or HD Ready TV (HDMI input must be HDCP compliant)
HD PVR (connected to the TV via a HDMI cable)
HD PVR compliant satellite dish installation (minimum of a twin LNB)
Relevant DStv subscription
Home Theatre System (optional)

12. Will I pay extra to use the PVR functionality on a HD PVR?
A standalone HD PVR in the home attracts your normal bouquet subscription as well as a monthly access fee of R65. Please note that enabling the PVR functionality, does not necessarily give you access to any HD content. The HD channels (and DStv ON DEMAND) are only available to DStv Premium subscribers.

13. What is the R65 access fee for?
The R65 access fee is charged to access multiple channels simultaneously (be this for viewing or recording).
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How come DSTv continues to stonewall on this? PVR is a waste of time. It's only the HD I want.
 
OK, I have fiddled with the Baby Pace all evening and am quite impressed - it is very configurable.

The RF-Out works pretty well, good quality signal. Unfortunately my remote blasters don't work anymore - guess that the frequency range is wrong. But the remote thingy that came with my old Dualview decoder works with the Baby Pace.

But is it my imagination or do I get dropped frames at 1080/50i - picture seems to be jerky sometimes - anybody else find this ??? Software problem ???

Maybe I will have to set it at 720/50p ? - but my plasma looks better at 1080/50i (it upscales to 100Hz) !

I had a twin LNB already, so everything works fine - didn't try it with just a single LNB, and I don't have a splitter here to test it with a single LNB + splitter.
 
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Jola said:
But is it my imagination or do I get dropped frames at 1080/50i - picture seems to be jerky sometimes - anybody else find this ??? Software problem ???

Maybe I will have to set it at 720/50p ? - but my plasma looks better at 1080/50i (it upscales to 100Hz) !
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Any comments about the frame dropping ? Does this happen on the Pappa HD PVR's at high resolution ???

It's not the plasma TV, I can play Blu-ray movies at 1080/60i, and its fine ! So it's the Baby Pace !
 
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Mine is only being installed today so I can't comment until the weekend.
 
Anybody tried getting the daddy pvr from game using the advert from hi fi corp?
 
Hi Guys

Quick question, i have the new baby pvr and and dual LNB so all i need to do is connect it up and should have PVR. my question is about the smartcard, with a new one coming with the PVR. what do i need to do get this one enabled or swapped or whatever i need to do, so that i can use the pvr this evening?

Thanks
 
NicVegas said:
Hi Guys

Quick question, i have the new baby pvr and and dual LNB so all i need to do is connect it up and should have PVR. my question is about the smartcard, with a new one coming with the PVR. what do i need to do get this one enabled or swapped or whatever i need to do, so that i can use the pvr this evening?

Thanks
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Phone the call centre?
 
With this new decoder I need to upgrade my smartcard on my SD-PVR to enable extra-view. Now with the new smartcard I am worried about my existing recordings not working anymore. Is this a risk or will they work with the new smartcard?
 
flashsa said:
With this new decoder I need to upgrade my smartcard on my SD-PVR to enable extra-view. Now with the new smartcard I am worried about my existing recordings not working anymore. Is this a risk or will they work with the new smartcard?
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They will work as long as its done properly, you can do it over the phone, take it to an agency or go to Multichoice, I would advise going direct to Multichoice if you value your recordings
 
Ok, so I got my grubby paws on the new PVR yesterday from Hi-Fi Corp for R1999.

Couple of comments and feedback following the installation and first 12 hours with the unit:

1. It is a lighter and more compact unit than the daddy PVRs
2. I already had a SD PVR setup and wasnt in the mood to setup Xtraview just yet so simply stuck the two cables from my dual lnb into the hd pvr
3. I had to figure out that you must do a manual scan for all networks in advanced/network settings screen as the pvr does not seem to do this automatically at boot up :wtf:
4. A few calls to the call centre was needed to deactivate my SD PVR, add the new Hd to my account, marry the smartcard to the HD and resolved the E16 error
5. Initial impressions are that the SD channels definitely look better
6. I noticed that in the information panel that it seems signal strength and signal quality readings are incorrect. I had 98% signal strength and 80% signal quality :erm:
7. I was/am really disappointed with the quality of the Discovery HD channel as there was clear signs of pixelation and picture dullness.
8. I am using a separately purchased HD PVR remote as I have all my macros stored on it and it seems that the IR receiver on the new pvr is not as sensitive and needs the remote to be pointed directly at it.
9. I am not sure if it is due to issue 8 but there seemed to be some delay/freezing following remote commands but didnt result in runaway commands following on i.e. the commands were not stored and then suddenly caught up.
10. I havent used an HD pvr for a long time but there doesnt seem to be a way to quickly enter the time based recording screen i.e. I had to go via the playlist?
11. I left the pvr on channel 173 last night and this morning when trying to access a recording of Morning Live on 132 while it was in progress I lost audio with only intermittent crackles of audio coming through. I had to return to live tv then change a channel to get the audio back after which I could restart the recording (which was still in progress) and the audio was back. PS. I cant recall if the audio was already off when I switched the tv on and also forgot to mention that the pvr is connected via HDMI. Is this due to the firmware being pre 5 May?

Overall tho I am much happier than my first experience of the daddy Pace PVR I purchased soon after its launch and would highly recommend this unit. I am seriously missing the tv guide search function from the SD PVR tho!!!
 
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rakabos3 said:
kill me now :wtf:

One is silver, one is black
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maybe he's talking about the baby decoders? they're both black, but imho the pace looks so much better. i don't know how they differ spec wise though, but probably the same.

i also need to get a new smartcard for my sd-pvr for extraview to work. don't think i'll miss my (her) recordings if they should be deleted :twisted:
 
rakabos3 said:
kill me now :wtf:

One is silver, one is black
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Seeing as this has been asked countless times I'll post this for reference:

Pace 4 tuner black
Remote response Slow at times
Unique bugs HDMI audio syncing (fix in the works), runaway trick modes (FF+REW)
RF output Poor
General speed Sluggish at times
Series recording Yes
DSTV on Demand Yes
HDD size 500GB
Viewing channels 1
Recording channels 2
Fan/HDD noise Minimal
HDMI/HDCP issues Yes
LNB requirement 4, 2 is the minimum but wont be able to record


UEC 4 tuner silver
Remote response Good
Unique bugs SS active auto popping up, fix out soon
RF output Good
General speed Good
Series recording Yes
DSTV on Demand Yes
HDD size 500GB
Viewing channels 1
Recording channels 2
Fan/HDD noise Not recommended for bedrooms
HDMI/HDCP issues No
LNB requirement 4, 2 is the minimum but wont be able to record


Pace 2 tuner (P2) "new Baby"
Remote response Excellent
Unique bugs Can't schedule a recording 1 minute before it starts
RF output Fair
General speed Excellent
Series recording No, to be added at a later stage
DSTV on Demand No, to be added at a later stage
HDD size 500GB
Viewing channels 1
Recording channels 1
Fan/HDD noise Minimal
HDMI/HDCP issues Not observed
LNB requirement 2, 1 is the minimum but wont be able to record
 
Smurfatefrog said:
Seeing as this has been asked countless times I'll post this for reference:

Pace 4 tuner black
Remote response Slow at times
Unique bugs HDMI audio syncing (fix in the works), runaway trick modes (FF+REW)
RF output Poor
General speed Sluggish at times
Series recording Yes
DSTV on Demand Yes
HDD size 500GB
Viewing channels 1
Recording channels 2
Fan/HDD noise Minimal
HDMI/HDCP issues Yes
LNB requirement 4, 2 is the minimum but wont be able to record


UEC 4 tuner silver
Remote response Good
Unique bugs SS active auto popping up, fix out soon
RF output Good
General speed Good
Series recording Yes
DSTV on Demand Yes
HDD size 500GB
Viewing channels 1
Recording channels 2
Fan/HDD noise Not recommended for bedrooms
HDMI/HDCP issues No
LNB requirement 4, 2 is the minimum but wont be able to record


Pace 2 tuner (P2) "new Baby"
Remote response Excellent
Unique bugs Can't schedule a recording 1 minute before it starts
RF output Fair
General speed Excellent
Series recording No, to be added at a later stage
DSTV on Demand No, to be added at a later stage
HDD size 500GB
Viewing channels 1
Recording channels 1
Fan/HDD noise Minimal
HDMI/HDCP issues Not observed
LNB requirement 2, 1 is the minimum but wont be able to record
Click to expand...

Sticky this please, very informative
 
Smurfatefrog said:
Seeing as this has been asked countless times I'll post this for reference:

Pace 4 tuner black
Remote response Slow at times
Unique bugs HDMI audio syncing (fix in the works), runaway trick modes (FF+REW)
RF output Poor
General speed Sluggish at times
Series recording Yes
DSTV on Demand Yes
HDD size 500GB
Viewing channels 1
Recording channels 2
Fan/HDD noise Minimal
HDMI/HDCP issues Yes
LNB requirement 4, 2 is the minimum but wont be able to record


UEC 4 tuner silver
Remote response Good
Unique bugs SS active auto popping up, fix out soon
RF output Good
General speed Good
Series recording Yes
DSTV on Demand Yes
HDD size 500GB
Viewing channels 1
Recording channels 2
Fan/HDD noise Not recommended for bedrooms
HDMI/HDCP issues No
LNB requirement 4, 2 is the minimum but wont be able to record


Pace 2 tuner (P2) "new Baby"
Remote response Excellent
Unique bugs Can't schedule a recording 1 minute before it starts
RF output Fair
General speed Excellent
Series recording No, to be added at a later stage
DSTV on Demand No, to be added at a later stage
HDD size 500GB
Viewing channels 1
Recording channels 1
Fan/HDD noise Minimal
HDMI/HDCP issues Not observed
LNB requirement 2, 1 is the minimum but wont be able to record
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, much better than rakabos3 useless comment.
 
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