Open View PVR

DSTV HD (HellknowswhatDefinition) or real HD? Do BetaMax tapes support HD?
SABC 1, 2 and 3 are HD now. E-TV is HD too and has been for a few years.

SABC and E-TV broadcast in 1080i.

This is what I get from the standard terrestrial (aerial) setup - i.e no decoder;

IMG_20180729_102021.jpg

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That is correct. Terrestrial DTT has been HD for a while now. When we left PTA, SABC 2 via DStv was not yet HD, only SABC 1 and 3 was.

I suspected that many with the original OVHD decoders, and those bought from Game will not be able to get PVR facilities to work. The Ellies NA9200 is guaranteed to work after the software upgrade.
 
Had mine for two weeks now, works well, but you cannot record SABC channels the articcle in News24 recently was wrong in this regard.
I had to purchase a new decoder as my old one did not have PVR function.
Cost R366.85, PVR memory stick 32 GB R198.99.
I got a "special" direct from supplier deal, so you may pay a few rand more in the retail stores.
According to the technical fundis, a normal usb stick will not work. If you have a PVR compatible decoder already, there is also a software update that must be done.
Thanks for this. What would make these PVR USB sticks unique?
 
SABC 1, 2 and 3 are HD now. E-TV is HD too and has been for a few years.

SABC and E-TV broadcast in 1080i.
1080i is technically not HD.

1080i video plays back at 60 frames per second, but that's a bit deceptive, because it's actually broadcast at 30 frames per second. The TV then displays those frames twice, in a way—the first pass is 1,920-by-540 for the even scan line field, and the second pass is 1,920-by-540 for the odd scan line field. The process by which this occurs is called interlacing.
 
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Thanks for this. What would make these PVR USB sticks unique?

Sorry can't comment on this, did not ask the tech guy when they were setting up for me. He did pre-install some software on the usb stick before the decoder would recognise it.

On the discussions regarding SABC HD etc. if you try to record TV1, 2 or 3, you get a message "channel blocked" There is a very noticeable difference in image quality on all channels with the new decoder.
 
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"Noticeable difference" meaning better I hope?

Does anyone know why you can't record SABC 1-3 on this? On DSTV pvr you can.
 
HD is, at least, 1,920x1,080
1080i is only 1,920x540 at any given time.

In what world is 1,920x540 the same as 1,920x1,080? 100m² is the same as 200m²?

You're confusing fields with frames.

Both 1080p and 1080i have 1080 horizontal lines of vertical resolution ie. 1920×1080 pixels.

A field contains half of the lines of the frame, either even lines or odd lines at 50 fields per second. When displayed as 25fps, both fields make up the full vertical resolution image.

You're simply discarding an entire field if you say 1080i is only 1920x540 at any given time, which is technically not correct.

The full vertical resolution is merely split between alternating fields per second, and not displayed as a whole frame at double the temporal resolution. No information is lost.

There is however, noticeable motion artifacting when converting an interlaced image into a progressive still, as the fields will be spatially out of sync, but there are still 1080 lines in a made up of two fields - each field containing independent data.
 
Sorry can't comment on this, did not ask the tech guy when they were setting up for me. He did pre-install some software on the usb stick before the decoder would recognise it.

On the discussions regarding SABC HD etc. if you try to record TV1, 2 or 3, you get a message "channel blocked" There is a very noticeable difference in image quality on all channels with the new decoder.

Which decoder do you have? And, could you let us know which of the channels provided by OVHD are recordable please? Is it only the SABC channels that are blocked?
 
The other aspect is to check what modulation scheme is being used, what the symbol rates and FEC settings are for the transponders used by OVHD.
 
Which decoder do you have? And, could you let us know which of the channels provided by OVHD are recordable please? Is it only the SABC channels that are blocked?

Decoder is the NA9200. Have not personally checked on all the channels, have recorded off about three of them. Supplier advised that all of the OVHD channels are recordable except for the SABC channels which as per my earlier comment are "blocked"
 
any techies get their hands on that dongle and figure out what software or config files are on there?
 
Tonight, saw a promotional advert on e-tv. It states that OPENPVR is currently only available to those with the NA9200 decoders, that the DSD 1465 is next on the list and then the other older models will undergo software upgrades progressively.
Confirmed on my sisters decoder this evening that SABC channels 1,2,3 are all in HD. Not absolutely sure, but some channels are being BC in 1080p.
The advert mentions that recording is available on selected channels only without stating which.
 
Has anyone had problems with recording times? A number of times, I have set the record function to record a 1hr long program, and only 30mins has been recorded. There is no function that allows setting of start or stop times, the system relies on the times listed on the program guide.
 
Tonight, saw a promotional advert on e-tv. It states that OPENPVR is currently only available to those with the NA9200 decoders, that the DSD 1465 is next on the list and then the other older models will undergo software upgrades progressively.
Confirmed on my sisters decoder this evening that SABC channels 1,2,3 are all in HD. Not absolutely sure, but some channels are being BC in 1080p.
The advert mentions that recording is available on selected channels only without stating which.

Pressing the Info button on your remote will show you the broadcast quality. SABC 1,2,3 show 576p on my decoders.

Where can I check the decoder model no.?
 
Pressing the Info button on your remote will show you the broadcast quality. SABC 1,2,3 show 576p on my decoders.

Where can I check the decoder model no.?

There should be an option somewhere that provides technical information about the decoder. All the detail is to be found there incl. The software version.
 
Hi all. I am looking for some advice please. I want to install OVHD to 2 TVs in separate rooms. I have been told that it will be cheaper to buy 2 OVHD decoders for each room which is not a problem as they are cheap enough. I will need to have a dish installed as well as none is currently installed. The installer I spoke to said I needed to install a smart lnb for around R550 whereas the guys at Ellies said I could just get a dual lnb for R199 (if I am not going to expand further) or I could even get a quad lnb for R380. Would there be any advantage to getting a smart lnb vs a dual lnb. They did say they will install a dual lnb if I wanted that. Just not sure which is the best route to go. Total noob with these things.
 
Hi all. I am looking for some advice please. I want to install OVHD to 2 TVs in separate rooms. I have been told that it will be cheaper to buy 2 OVHD decoders for each room which is not a problem as they are cheap enough. I will need to have a dish installed as well as none is currently installed. The installer I spoke to said I needed to install a smart lnb for around R550 whereas the guys at Ellies said I could just get a dual lnb for R199 (if I am not going to expand further) or I could even get a quad lnb for R380. Would there be any advantage to getting a smart lnb vs a dual lnb. They did say they will install a dual lnb if I wanted that. Just not sure which is the best route to go. Total noob with these things.

You don't need a Smart LNB, that's a dstv requirement for new decoders. Dual LNB is all you'll need if you don't plan to add any additional decoders in the future.
 
You don't need a Smart LNB, that's a dstv requirement for new decoders. Dual LNB is all you'll need if you don't plan to add any additional decoders in the future.
Thank you for your input. I will let them know to go with the dual lnb then.
 
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