Where to buy a new DSTV dual-view decoder?

[ColinR]

I wonder why more neighbours don't run dual view?

 

[Gunny]

I got myself a good secondhand one from bidorbuy and installed it yesterday evening - works very well, although I must still activate the 2nd channel with Multichoice - price was R1100 with everything included - decoder, 2x remotes, TV link, signal splitter and A/V cable - looks brand new. If it craps out, I'll pop it to Multichoice and they can swap out...

I also replaced my single LNB with an HD-ready twin LNB for this decoder and adjusted the signal using a satelite finder tool I purchased - I managed to get it setup with a higher signal strength and quality than the original installer did - theirs gave me 72% signal and 93% quality -- after tweaking with the satelite finder tool, I've now got 83% signal and 100% quality! ...and they call themselves professionals!?

Those little sat finder tools dont show you the whole picture as a proper sat meter will. The installer will find the best over all setting between 9 readings. Did you check both horizontal and vertical feeds (i.e. put the meter on each leg of the LNB.)

 

[howardb]

Those little sat finder tools dont show you the whole picture as a proper sat meter will. The installer will find the best over all setting between 9 readings. Did you check both horizontal and vertical feeds (i.e. put the meter on each leg of the LNB.)

I checked both legs - 1st leg stable at 83% and 2nd leg is stable at 78% signal, with quality at 100% on both. I'm not sure what equipment the installer used, but if I'm getting higher values from the sat finder tool and a bit of tweaking, and there are no signal artifacts or signal breaks, then I'm happy... on the previous settings/LNB, if we got a slight thin cloud over our place, the signal dropped from 72% to around 48% and the quality from 93% to around 86% (fluctuating) - during storms it went off completely as soon as the cloyd built up...

 

[TivoZA]

No way of achieving the dual-view effect with 2 standard decoders but only one smart card hey?

If you can wait until next month (after the launch of the HD PVR) then you should be able to do exactly that.

The HD PVR, SD PVR and the single view 1110(+2) decoders will all support a feature called XtraView (previously referred to as Multiview or add2). This functionality will allow users to have a second decoder (possibly more) in their household but at a reduced monthly cost (~R50 per extra decoder). To ensure the secondary decoders are within the same household, the secondary decoders need to be connected to the primary decoder via coaxial cable.

Since you are only wanting the dual view functionality, you could achieve this with two 1110(+2) decoders costing R399 each.

One of the reason DSTV are making this functionality available is the fact that the current SD PVR will be the last decoder with built in functionality to provide 2 different viewing outputs. A benefit of the new system is you can have the secondary decoder in the same room as the secondary TV thus allowing for a quality connection via the RCA connectors instead of the RF feed typically used for the remote location installs. Another benefit of having the decoder in the same room as the TV is that you won't require a remote blaster, the TV link system did however do a good job and it looks like it may continue to be included which is useful should you have both decoders in the same room.

 

[Biggie]

Hmm, that does indeed suck.

No way of achieving the dual-view effect with 2 standard decoders but only one smart card hey?

Yes you can...it's now called multiview.

You need to purchase 2 DSD1110(+2) decoders that will be linked together with only the R55 added to your sub.Just make sure if they indeed activate that service yet...i think it'll happen with the activation of the pvr one.You also need a twin lnb.

EDIT:Tivo beat me

 

[hj2k_x]

If you can wait until next month (after the launch of the HD PVR) then you should be able to do exactly that.

The HD PVR, SD PVR and the single view 1110(+2) decoders will all support a feature called XtraView (previously referred to as Multiview or add2). This functionality will allow users to have a second decoder (possibly more) in their household but at a reduced monthly cost (~R50 per extra decoder). To ensure the secondary decoders are within the same household, the secondary decoders need to be connected to the primary decoder via coaxial cable.

Since you are only wanting the dual view functionality, you could achieve this with two 1110(+2) decoders costing R399 each.

One of the reason DSTV are making this functionality available is the fact that the current SD PVR will be the last decoder with built in functionality to provide 2 different viewing outputs. A benefit of the new system is you can have the secondary decoder in the same room as the secondary TV thus allowing for a quality connection via the RCA connectors instead of the RF feed typically used for the remote location installs. Another benefit of having the decoder in the same room as the TV is that you won't require a remote blaster, the TV link system did however do a good job and it looks like it may continue to be included which is useful should you have both decoders in the same room.

That is good news indeed Sounds like exactly what I am looking to do.

 

[hj2k_x]

Yes you can...it's now called multiview.

You need to purchase 2 DSD1110(+2) decoders that will be linked together with only the R55 added to your sub.Just make sure if they indeed activate that service yet...i think it'll happen with the activation of the pvr one.You also need a twin lnb.

EDIT:Tivo beat me

A twin LNB is what exactly? Does it cost money?

 

[Renze]

I see that you only pay R55/month extra for dualview so I am thinking of getting a dual-view decoder and trying it out...

Where can one get these nowadays and for how much?

I have had a look at DSTV's website but it seems an unhelpful as ever...

@HenryJ: Hey bro, I have a dual view decoder still in the box here at home if you are interested. Was in use for only 2months. Pristine condition of decoder. Includes 2x remotes, Power cable, AV Cable, Infra-red extender and smart card.

Let me know if you may be interested.

Renze