When I selected a channel that was missing on the remote, the channel showed up on the TV screen with the blue/yellow info bands on the bottom and no broadcast ie blank screen for the rest. Interesting - the channel number on the decoder did not move to that channel number but stayed on the channel number that was previously successfully broadcast. Very confusing but a good case study.
I' not sure that MC is playing open cards with us all. According to the local agent, our equipment - dish, LNB set-up, cabling and decoders
are being outdated by the new technology. Evidently MC is specifying minimum 800mm dishes and no switches for their new technology.
OK I spent R 900 for a new "smart LNB" - make: DSTV model LMX501.
Local agent convinced me that the future proof DSTV requirement is not to have a switch as the future signal pattern will not work with the switch.
Also when I disassembled the whole lot, one of the in-coming switch terminals was loose. I suspect that that was the root cause.
Now the two cables from the new LNB go directly into the two decoders; PVR and extraview - no switch and 4 fewer cables.
The signals are perfect - signal quality says 100% - and the image on the SONY TV screen is pristine/very sharp.
I do not know if I did the right thing but now my wife is SUPER HAPPY! So that is all that counts.
(1) Yes MC has been on the SLNB bandwagon for more than a year already. The latest version LMX501, replaces the first generation of SLNBs, as these have been shown to develop a serious fault after a few months of service.
(2) Yes correct, the minimum antenna size is 80 cm for Explora installations.
(3) The claim is this solution is future proof, but having heard this with 2 different options in the last 2 years, we will have to wait and see.
(4) The previous Explora switch also went through 2 iterations. The 5-1 switch was unable to handle the connection of 2 Explora decoders, and was fairly quickly replaced with the 5-2 switch.
(5) The agent is not completely accurate with what he is claiming. MC NEVER approved of the use of 60 cm diameter antennas, the recommendation was always that a minimum of a 90 cm antenna is required to ensure 99.5% availability measured over a year. It is the component supplier industry that imported the smaller antenna and flooded the market with them. Secondly, the cabling used was sub-standard, and when MC started moving towards DVB-S2, as well as SATCR technology, the poor cabling started becoming an issue. Thirdly, The idea of using MS's is still used by MC as it is the ONLY way to provide downward compatibility in existing MUD installations at the moment. Yes World wide, there has been a move towards SATCR technology for DTH reception. What we do not know is when MC will decide to no longer provide for the connection of their decoders Universal LNBs and hence will then mean everyone will have to switch over to SATCR/Unicable LNBs.
(6) The decoders ---- well, the last really good decoder MC released was the SD PVR. It was locally manufactured by a reputable supplier UEC. The latest Explora design, while providing many more features and services is becoming the same as smart phones, not designed to last much over the warranty period. the Explora is assembled in East London, ( you can't say it is locally manufactured), is no where near the quality levels we became used to with UEC designed and manufactured products. There are a number of issues with Exploras that have been traced back to poor testing and final commissioning at the "factory".
(7) The LMX500 SLNB provided for 4 Unicable ports and 2 legacy ports. This SLNB allowed for the connection of older single view decoders, as well as the 2 tuner and 4 tuner HDPVRs and the SD PVR. The newer LMX501, now only has 3 Unicable ports and 1 legacy port!
It is thus no longer possible to connect a SD PVR to the new SLNB. This move means it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep 4 tuner HD PVRs going, as MC has NOT updated the sw to allow these decoders to easily be connected to the SLNB ports. Only the HD PVR 2P has had a sw update that facilitates installation of this decoder with an Explora. While not impossible to connect a 4 tuner decoder to the new SLNB, it requires one to make adjustments to the default settings on the Explora.
BTW, You were ripped off with the R 900 price for the SLNB as the recommended MC price is about R 500 If you are in PTA East, then yes the local MC agent has a reputation for squeezing blood out of all its customers and should be avoided at all costs.
