New DSTV Installation

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weelzSA

Expert Member
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Hi all,

Im pretty sure by now this has been asked alot so sorry for that :cry:

Basically we are in the process of building a new house and will pretty soon require a DSTV installer to come through and set the new dish and lay cables to the relevant rooms etc.

We got a company to come out but they are charging over R5k just for the installation (phase 1 apparently) and I am pretty sure I can get it done alot cheaper! The house is only being plastered now so there is alot of easy access still for the installers.

Can anyone recommend and reputable company that won't over charge? I am also open to buying the dish and LNB etc myself and paying a company to install if someone can tell me what is all needed?

For example, the company charged me R1250 for a 80cm aluminium dish kit, R599 for Smart LNB Receiver and R599 for SLX Amp Splitter.

We will want to have the Explora in main lounge and then have DSTV in another 3 rooms and all of them be able to access recorded shows etc. I know we will then need the Explora (which I will buy) and then also the normal HD decoder (the new smaller one which I own already) to be able to have the setup required.

Sorry for the long post, just trying to give the full picture :)
 
Why don't you sign up for the 2 year deal from DSTV directly that includes a fixed price for 2 years, Explora and installation with Smart LNB.
 
CPTBoy said:
Why don't you sign up for the 2 year deal from DSTV directly that includes a fixed price for 2 years, Explora and installation with Smart LNB.
Click to expand...

We pay a reduced fee for DSTV so that won't work for me.

Also that installation won't help as we need it to split to many rooms of the house etc and that voucher is only for one TV.

Juts looking for either a trusted company to do it for me and to find out if the prices they quoted are correct or way over priced?
 
Those prices are all pretty reasonable for the antenna, SLNB. the SLX price is a bit high. exactly which one are they quoting you.


You can check on prices for the components by simply going to the Space TV websites and see what they are charging for antennas, SLNBs and SLX active splitters. Also dstv have a recommended price for the SLNB.

As an ex installer, R 5k is a reasonable charge and you should expect and get a good job .... less than that suggests a bunch of chancers at work ....

Your main issues should be to ensure the ducting installed for the LNB cables and RF distribution and or HDMI distribution is large enough. Certainly should be more than 20 mm conduit!

Have you decided whether you want both decoders installed in the same room or in different rooms? This is essential because it impacts on the ducts required from the location of the antenna to the rooms chosen.

Cabling: make sure you are being quoted a decent RG6 cable type, preferably UV protected and not the normal el cheapo stuff.
 
weelzSA said:
Hi all,

Im pretty sure by now this has been asked alot so sorry for that :cry:

Basically we are in the process of building a new house and will pretty soon require a DSTV installer to come through and set the new dish and lay cables to the relevant rooms etc.

We got a company to come out but they are charging over R5k just for the installation (phase 1 apparently) and I am pretty sure I can get it done alot cheaper! The house is only being plastered now so there is alot of easy access still for the installers.

Can anyone recommend and reputable company that won't over charge? I am also open to buying the dish and LNB etc myself and paying a company to install if someone can tell me what is all needed?

For example, the company charged me R1250 for a 80cm aluminium dish kit, R599 for Smart LNB Receiver and R599 for SLX Amp Splitter.

We will want to have the Explora in main lounge and then have DSTV in another 3 rooms and all of them be able to access recorded shows etc. I know we will then need the Explora (which I will buy) and then also the normal HD decoder (the new smaller one which I own already) to be able to have the setup required.

Sorry for the long post, just trying to give. the full picture :)
Click to expand...

sounds like you are being ripped off but you are asking for a lot of insulation to be done. Go to the DSTV website look for Installers and get a few quotes... Remember you don't want to get a "Cowboy" in who is going to do half a job.
 
daniellgr said:
Those prices are all pretty reasonable for the antenna, SLNB. the SLX price is a bit high. exactly which one are they quoting you.


You can check on prices for the components by simply going to the Space TV websites and see what they are charging for antennas, SLNBs and SLX active splitters. Also dstv have a recommended price for the SLNB.

As an ex installer, R 5k is a reasonable charge and you should expect and get a good job .... less than that suggests a bunch of chancers at work ....

Your main issues should be to ensure the ducting installed for the LNB cables and RF distribution and or HDMI distribution is large enough. Certainly should be more than 20 mm conduit!

Have you decided whether you want both decoders installed in the same room or in different rooms? This is essential because it impacts on the ducts required from the location of the antenna to the rooms chosen.

Cabling: make sure you are being quoted a decent RG6 cable type, preferably UV protected and not the normal el cheapo stuff.
Click to expand...

Great will have a look on the Space TV website.

My concern was I saw Ellies selling a 80cm dish for R399 whereas this company was quoting me R1299 for a 80cm aluminium dish (maybe the Ellies wasn't aluminium)? What is the best dish to go for?

They guy told me to install both decoders in the lounge and then run the cabling through the roof to the separate rooms and then use "eyes" to change the channels etc. They told me that way all rooms can access recorded shows without having to go to the main lounge to choose something and then also be able to set recordings from all the rooms.

Will have to find out about the cabling.
 
Rickster said:
DIY is pretty straight forward when it comes to splitting.
Click to expand...

Honestly I could do that (and have years ago) but for this I'd prefer getting someone in to do it and make sure all is perfect and there will not be problems. The problem is in our lounge area (the ceiling is 4.7m) and it gets sealed off completely - only way back in is to break the ceiling open again so need to make sure all is done before we move in. The ceiling to other rooms will be accessible but if I have someone doing the main connection, might as well do it all at once.
 
weelzSA said:
Hi all,

Im pretty sure by now this has been asked alot so sorry for that :cry:

Basically we are in the process of building a new house and will pretty soon require a DSTV installer to come through and set the new dish and lay cables to the relevant rooms etc.

We got a company to come out but they are charging over R5k just for the installation (phase 1 apparently) and I am pretty sure I can get it done alot cheaper! The house is only being plastered now so there is alot of easy access still for the installers.

Can anyone recommend and reputable company that won't over charge? I am also open to buying the dish and LNB etc myself and paying a company to install if someone can tell me what is all needed?

For example, the company charged me R1250 for a 80cm aluminium dish kit, R599 for Smart LNB Receiver and R599 for SLX Amp Splitter.

We will want to have the Explora in main lounge and then have DSTV in another 3 rooms and all of them be able to access recorded shows etc. I know we will then need the Explora (which I will buy) and then also the normal HD decoder (the new smaller one which I own already) to be able to have the setup required.

Sorry for the long post, just trying to give the full picture :)
Click to expand...

Hey friend,

What area are you in?
 
weelzSA said:
Honestly I could do that (and have years ago) but for this I'd prefer getting someone in to do it and make sure all is perfect and there will not be problems. The problem is in our lounge area (the ceiling is 4.7m) and it gets sealed off completely - only way back in is to break the ceiling open again so need to make sure all is done before we move in. The ceiling to other rooms will be accessible but if I have someone doing the main connection, might as well do it all at once.
Click to expand...

There is no such thing as perfect solution with MC! :whistle: They keep changing things and even the SLNB solution currently recommended is liable to change.

So what you need is to ensure the ducting is adequate to change when needed.

(1) The easiest solution is for all the decoders to be installed in the same room, with some or other distribution system from there to the other rooms.
(2) RF distribution is the traditional way, but it is NOT the only way. RF allows for SD quality only on other rooms. So IF you want HDMI and HD in other rooms, you will need to install a HDMI distribution setup of some sort. Go and look at www.hdcabling.co.za for some suggestions.
(3) Placing the second decoder in another room has some benefits regarding quality BUT at the moment it does not then exclude the need for a signal distribution setup.
(4) hence the way to provide you with the flexibility, you need a bigger duct or more then one 20 mm duct, one for the LNB cabling and the other for the signal distribution setup, or, a 25 mm duct in the lounge area.
(5) Try and decide where the antenna will be installed now, before the ducts are installed, as this will have an impact on what you do.
 
weelzSA said:
The house is being built in Parklands North (More Sunningdale) in Cape Town.
Click to expand...

ah shucks! Sorry, can't help you :/ Best bet I've found is to shop around - speak to friends and colleagues and get a few quotes from different guys (that you can verify know what they doing)
 
TheJman said:
ah shucks! Sorry, can't help you :/ Best bet I've found is to shop around - speak to friends and colleagues and get a few quotes from different guys (that you can verify know what they doing)
Click to expand...

Yeah this is what I will end up doing I think.
 
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