Why no DSTV streaming / VOD options?

[Rouxenator]

I was wondering why don't DSTV give us the option to watch over the internet?

3mbps is enough for 720p HD content and I would gladly pay a month subscription to stream a couple of channels or buy minutes to watch anything I like.

 

[Chevron]

They probably think this country's great broadband penetration level isn't worth the fuss.

 

[Nerfherder]

Who knows....

 

[R13...]

I thought VOD is "coming to a computer near you" soon?

 

[Roman4604]

I was wondering why don't DSTV give us the option to watch over the internet?

There is a limited amount of premium/popular content thats avaliable for streaming/download, but its only for premium (fully price) subscribers ...

http://ondemand.dstv.com and
http://www.supersport.com/video

While there is no full live channel streaming, certain sports events can be streamed live, but again only for premium subscribers ... http://www.supersport.com/live-video

 

[Rouxenator]

Premium ?! no thanks, I'll buy minutes up front and use that to watch what I like when I want it. At most I will pay R100 for a streaming option. Currently I get torrents for free.

 

[Quantum Theory]

Really? 3Mbps is enough for 720p?

 

[Roman4604]

Really? 3Mbps is enough for 720p?

Theortically yes, even 1080p, but dont expect the quality to be good, especially with lots of movement.

Modern codecs like h.264 are variable so you can trade off bw/cpu power vs. quality. Generally the prevailing cpu power avaliable in the (consumer electronics) market is the balancing decider. For instance the new h.265 codec uses 40% less bw to achieve better quality than h.264 (latest profiles) but demands far higher processing power (which is now generally available with advancements since when h.264 was finalised).

 

[Rouxenator]

Yes, I was referring to h.264 with AAC audio. Most 720p episodes you download in MKV/MP4 containers are between 2 and 3.5 mbps

 

[Roman4604]

Most 720p episodes you download in MKV/MP4 containers are between 2 and 3.5 mbps

Yeah, but at that bitrate the quality wont match broacast quality (standards).

 

[Rouxenator]

It certainly looks better than the current MPEG2 junk that DSTV uses. I watched Sundays episode of Top Gear (MKV, 3.3mbps) and it looked brilliant on my 51" TV.

 

[Roman4604]

It certainly looks better than the current MPEG2 junk that DSTV uses.

SD definately (~6Mbps), but not the HD channels (1080i at ~15Mbps).

I watched Sundays episode of Top Gear (MKV, 3.3mbps) and it looked brilliant on my 51" TV.

Top Gear not in HD on DSTV.

 

[Rouxenator]

I downloaded it, I have not had DSTV since 2011.