Sattelite installation for normal (non-PVR) decoder

[FarligOpptreden]

Hi guys

Without this turning into an "I hate DSTV so ****" and "it's a waste of money, internet series FTW" thread, what could I expect to pay for ONLY a dish installation? I already have a decoder and smartcard and whatever else is necessary.

Reason is, we froze our DSTV sub a year or so ago and now I'm looking at getting it active again... Curry-cup season is on and we just moved into a new home. I wanna get a few braais going and watch the rugby.

So, how much for only a dish installation and who would you recommend. I'm in the Midrand area.

 

[davemc]

Local newspaper classifieds is your friend.

 

[FarligOpptreden]

Local newspaper classifieds is your friend.

Thanks for that, but I'm looking for a bit of a benchmark price for a satellite-only installation. I just thought people on here might've done the same thing before...

 

[hoegh]

probably in the region of about R800 (incl the dish and lnb) I reckon, it is possible to do it your self as its not rocket science, pop over to the dstv forums to get some advice

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

Have a look at this thread. http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=48431 It might give you an idea where to start. I moved my dish a few months ago without too many hassles - just noted which direction the neighbours' dish was pointed and followed suite.

 

[FarligOpptreden]

Thanks guys... Maybe I'll even try the DIY thing. Any other useful resources to read up on before I attempt it?

 

[ajax]

Thanks guys... Maybe I'll even try the DIY thing. Any other useful resources to read up on before I attempt it?

I've seen detailed DIY steps on the dstv forum, do a quick search there.

Important things are the dish angles and LNB orientation angle. I did a DIY using a tv and decoder on the roof giving directly the signal strength while I was very slowly changing the angles.

 

[AveshR]

it is possible to do a DIY, but the signal quality is what you should be looking at and not the strength... you just need to know the look angles for the dish... or follow a neighbours look angle and you should be okay... if you looking at a local service guy, about R700 or R800 should be a good price to pay for a 60cm dish...

 

[FarligOpptreden]

Thanks people - I'll phone around for local guys and compare their prices to the cost of a new dish as well, seeing as we had to leave our previous dish due to it "being a fixture"... Stupid hidden clauses in property sales!

 

[ColinR]

Dish shouldn't cost more than R400. Is easy as pie to install if you know how to use a drill and don't mind climbing to the tops of ladders.

Use a neighbours dish as a reference point, and watch the (rotational) angle of the LNB, this makes a big difference.

 

[FarligOpptreden]

Well, come to think of it, the previous owners of the house we stay in now left the mounting brackets and wiring for the dish... So it might actually be worth it to just screw in the dish and adjust the signal strength. Where's the best place to buy a dish though? And is there any difference as to which dish I buy?

Another thing: Won't it be worth buying and installing the dual-LNB if we decide to upgrade to HD / PVR in the future? Is there a significant difference in the installation procedure?

 

[ajax]

Where's the best place to buy a dish though? And is there any difference as to which dish I buy?

I buy all my stuff in CT at Space Television in Brackenfell. They manufacture the equipment right there and prices last time I checked was much cheaper than ordinary retail. They have a branch in Newcentre, Joburg too, but maybe the guys in Gauteng have better suggestions.

You get metal dishes, galvanised ones, etc. If you don't intend staying for decades where you are, just get a standard metal dish. A 90cm dish is preferable (over a 60cm one) to minimize rain fading although they are a bit more difficult to turn to the right angle for the best signal.

Another thing: Won't it be worth buying and installing the dual-LNB if we decide to upgrade to HD / PVR in the future? Is there a significant difference in the installation procedure?

Dual LNB is a bit more expensive but won't be enough for HD. For that you need a quad, I think. But rather ask about options when buying the stuff.

 

[hoegh]

Dual LNB is a bit more expensive but won't be enough for HD. For that you need a quad, I think. But rather ask about options when buying the stuff.

you can actually do it, you get a dual lnb with a six way splitter and bang you can do HD.