This is a guide to control two dstv decoders connected via Xtraview with a single dstv tv link. Installation time ( about 10-20 minutes)
First some Q&A:
Q1- What is a dstv link and what benefits does it have over blasters?
A1- DSTV tv link is a device that connects to the RF out port via a coaxial cable. A coaxial cable is the same type of cable that is used to send the heartbeat from the primary decoder to the secondary decoder or the same cable as the aerial cable you plug into the tv. The tvlink allows you to control your dstv decoder using your dstv remote in another room just like a blaster, the difference is that the tvlink will only affect the dstv and not relay signals from your television remote. Thus if you have two samsung televisions (in different rooms) then your samsung remote will be able to switch on or off both tvs (something very annoying) if you have a blaster, but will not if you use dstv tvlink. The tvlink is also much cheaper and can be purchased from Checkers House and Home for R 130.00. Please do not buy the generic tvlinks as they are more expensive than the original dstv link and are not all compatible with the dstv Explora decoder.
Q2- Can I control both decoders from a single dstv tvlink?
A2- Yes, but you will need two 2-way signal splitters. Why you my ask, because the tvlink is powered by and communicates via the RF out port of the decoder, it needs to be connected to both decoders. A 2-way signal splitter/combiner will allow you to combine the coaxial cables coming out of the RF out ports from the primary and secondary decoders. You need a second splitter as you need to split the signal from the RF out port of the primary decoder to the secondary decoder as it requires a Heartbeat for Xtraview to work. So in summary you will need to split the signal from your primary decoder's RF out port into two signals, connect one signal to the RF in of the secondary decoder and the other to the signal combiner.
Q3- How does signal splitter/combiner work and how much is it.
I purchased my splitter/combiners from Checkers for R50 each. The splitters are 2-way, meaning you can combine two cables into one cable or split one signal into two. The splitters I purchased are the Ellies brand with passthrough capabilities. There is a diagram available inside the package that shows how to connect RF connectors to a coaxial cable.
My setup:
Primary Decoder: Explora
Secondary Decoder: 4 tuner HD PVR
Configuration:
1 coaxial cable to go from RF out port of primary decoder into the input terminal of the 2-way splitter.
2 coaxial cables connected to the two output ports of the 2-way splitter. Connect one cable to the RF in on the secondary decoder, and the other to the output terminal of the second 2-way splitter
Connect another coaxial cable to the RF out of the secondary decoder to the remaining output terminal of the second 2-way splitter. Attach your aerial/coaxial cable that goes to the other room's television to the input terminal on the second 2-way splitter.
Connect your tv-link to the coaxial cable in the second room. The red light should switch on. Note: the DSTV tvlink comes with an F-connector the coaxial plug converter. The input to the tvlink as a female coaxial plug.
Make sure to turn on tvlink settings on both decoders. This can be done in the settings menu.
Cost
Dstv tvlink: R130
Coaxial 2-way splitters: R50 x 2=R100
Cables+ Connectors = R 70 max
Total = R 300
Remote blaster is at least R310 and the response is much slower.
I have not been endorsed by any company or person. You can purchase coaxial cable from Game, their coaxial plugs though are very expensive compared to Checkers. You can get F connector to coaxial plug cables as well. I bought cables with F connectors installed from spacetv.
Aside Note: Spacetv has the best HDMI splitter I have used (labgear/spacetv brand). The HDMI splitter I bought from Makro was not very good. I bought 3 HDMI splitters from HDcabling, all of them broke (somehow) after 3 months of use even with hdmi lightning protectors. So I recommend Spacetv's awesome HDMI splitter.
First some Q&A:
Q1- What is a dstv link and what benefits does it have over blasters?
A1- DSTV tv link is a device that connects to the RF out port via a coaxial cable. A coaxial cable is the same type of cable that is used to send the heartbeat from the primary decoder to the secondary decoder or the same cable as the aerial cable you plug into the tv. The tvlink allows you to control your dstv decoder using your dstv remote in another room just like a blaster, the difference is that the tvlink will only affect the dstv and not relay signals from your television remote. Thus if you have two samsung televisions (in different rooms) then your samsung remote will be able to switch on or off both tvs (something very annoying) if you have a blaster, but will not if you use dstv tvlink. The tvlink is also much cheaper and can be purchased from Checkers House and Home for R 130.00. Please do not buy the generic tvlinks as they are more expensive than the original dstv link and are not all compatible with the dstv Explora decoder.
Q2- Can I control both decoders from a single dstv tvlink?
A2- Yes, but you will need two 2-way signal splitters. Why you my ask, because the tvlink is powered by and communicates via the RF out port of the decoder, it needs to be connected to both decoders. A 2-way signal splitter/combiner will allow you to combine the coaxial cables coming out of the RF out ports from the primary and secondary decoders. You need a second splitter as you need to split the signal from the RF out port of the primary decoder to the secondary decoder as it requires a Heartbeat for Xtraview to work. So in summary you will need to split the signal from your primary decoder's RF out port into two signals, connect one signal to the RF in of the secondary decoder and the other to the signal combiner.
Q3- How does signal splitter/combiner work and how much is it.
I purchased my splitter/combiners from Checkers for R50 each. The splitters are 2-way, meaning you can combine two cables into one cable or split one signal into two. The splitters I purchased are the Ellies brand with passthrough capabilities. There is a diagram available inside the package that shows how to connect RF connectors to a coaxial cable.
My setup:
Primary Decoder: Explora
Secondary Decoder: 4 tuner HD PVR
Configuration:
1 coaxial cable to go from RF out port of primary decoder into the input terminal of the 2-way splitter.
2 coaxial cables connected to the two output ports of the 2-way splitter. Connect one cable to the RF in on the secondary decoder, and the other to the output terminal of the second 2-way splitter
Connect another coaxial cable to the RF out of the secondary decoder to the remaining output terminal of the second 2-way splitter. Attach your aerial/coaxial cable that goes to the other room's television to the input terminal on the second 2-way splitter.
Connect your tv-link to the coaxial cable in the second room. The red light should switch on. Note: the DSTV tvlink comes with an F-connector the coaxial plug converter. The input to the tvlink as a female coaxial plug.
Make sure to turn on tvlink settings on both decoders. This can be done in the settings menu.
Cost
Dstv tvlink: R130
Coaxial 2-way splitters: R50 x 2=R100
Cables+ Connectors = R 70 max
Total = R 300
Remote blaster is at least R310 and the response is much slower.
I have not been endorsed by any company or person. You can purchase coaxial cable from Game, their coaxial plugs though are very expensive compared to Checkers. You can get F connector to coaxial plug cables as well. I bought cables with F connectors installed from spacetv.
Aside Note: Spacetv has the best HDMI splitter I have used (labgear/spacetv brand). The HDMI splitter I bought from Makro was not very good. I bought 3 HDMI splitters from HDcabling, all of them broke (somehow) after 3 months of use even with hdmi lightning protectors. So I recommend Spacetv's awesome HDMI splitter.