Wireless DSTV mobile on your iPad / iPhone or laptop, using Drifta

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surfs-up

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So, being the gadget guy I am, and the fact that this device only costs R 599, I went and bought a "DRIFTA" from incredible connection this afternoon. There are iOS apps available to allow it to work with your iOS device - iPhone / iPad or touch, and can also work on your laptop with the enclosed software. The subscription is free until March, but if you have a premium DSTV account, then it is included in what you are already paying.

Basically, it is a small device with a rechargeable battery that lasts around 3 hrs when wirelessly streaming DSTV content to your device. You put the Drifta in your shirt pocket, or anywhere that it will pick up a good signal, and then it wirelessly streams A/V to your iOS device. No bandwidth used, just the free wireless.

On looking at their website - I was a bit disappointed at their crap selection of channels - channel O (african music), an African movie channel with local content, e-news (thats okay) and like about 7 supersport channels !!!! Let's hope they can bring better content - discovery, history channel, Crime, series etc. Clearly they are using local content, and supersport channels (which are theirs) to avoid big costs in royalties, if international programs were aired. Hopefully this will change when they get more and more users

I have not used mine yet, it is still on charge. I am also not in one of their signal areas yet - hopefully that will change soon. Has anyone successfully used this product with their iOS device ? any positive or negative feedback ?
 
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I didnt know there was a "drifta" thread - you mean a sub forum ? okay, thanks, well this thread is primarily directed at iOS users, and iPad users in particular - as that is what I am wanting to watch the broadcast on, rather than laptop users of the Drifta
 
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surfs-up said:
No bandwidth used, just the free wireless.
Click to expand...

So there is no data used, but do you have to be connected to wifi? I have wifi at home but not at work. So does this mean I can only use it at home? Or use my data plan at work?
 
It basically converts a digital TV signal to wifi for your iPad. It creates it's own wifi spot. Works anywhere and doesn't consume data. (well, wherever there's reception)
 
Synaesthesia said:
It basically converts a digital TV signal to wifi for your iPad. It creates it's own wifi spot. Works anywhere and doesn't consume data. (well, wherever there's reception)
Click to expand...

Thanks mate.

I see that Makro have the Drifta for R579. Anywhere else got specials?
 
Baigoboy said:
So there is no data used, but do you have to be connected to wifi? I have wifi at home but not at work. So does this mean I can only use it at home? Or use my data plan at work?
Click to expand...

Yes, it does not use the Internet at all. It is broadcast in major cities, then your "drifta" decodes the signal, and wirelessly sends it to your iPad iPhone or touch.

But I am really disappointed in the selected channels. The other African countries where this service is also active - Namibia, Kenya etc have both the BBC and CNN, and we have neither of those. Hopefully they will add better channels in future

Used with an iPad, this seems like a good thing - the iPad is just the right size to watch mobile TV on, small enough to be portable, and big enough to enjoy the experience. Just the channels offered that really suck
 
I read somewhere that the drifta does not work if your iphone is jailbroken. Is this true? Well I heard this is the case with the latest version DSTV app. Can anyone shed some light on this?
 
Khanya said:
Visit the "Drifta" thread. All is there. Mod's can delete or move this.
Click to expand...
I could but since it pertains to iOS devices I'm going to let it stand. :)
 
ZaJules said:
Works fine on my iPhone 4 with iOS 4.1 jailbroken.
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Hi ZaJules. Have you updated the DStv Mobile app on your iPhone yet? I got the drifta and installed the free app to my iPhone and when I try to use it, it says this app doesnt work on jailbroken devices. They updated the app a week ago where before the app launches it checks if the device is jailbroken. Why I am asking is if you have it, would you be able to email or upload the app somewhere so that I can install it to my iPhone as I cant find the older version of the app that works on jailbroken devices. Please can you let me know.

Thanks
 
weelzSA said:
Hi ZaJules. Have you updated the DStv Mobile app on your iPhone yet? I got the drifta and installed the free app to my iPhone and when I try to use it, it says this app doesnt work on jailbroken devices. They updated the app a week ago where before the app launches it checks if the device is jailbroken. Why I am asking is if you have it, would you be able to email or upload the app somewhere so that I can install it to my iPhone as I cant find the older version of the app that works on jailbroken devices. Please can you let me know.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Here is version 1.00 of the app courtesy of adsl3g :

http://www.quickshare.co.za/files/zpd2qcmj/Decoder-1.01.00.ipa.html
 
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Hi Yea I was still using the older app. Why would DSTV be so snarky about Jailbroken Devices?

Maybe scared someone will find a way to decode all the channels for free???
 
ZaJules said:
Hi Yea I was still using the older app. Why would DSTV be so snarky about Jailbroken Devices?

Maybe scared someone will find a way to decode all the channels for free???
Click to expand...

Some MAJOR a s s hole on the DSTV mobile forum was telling everyone how he uses TVOut via cydia to play it on the TV - shortly after that the app was updated with the jailbreak check - I honestly do not see how you could watch that resolution on a TV screen anyway... wouldn't want to..
 
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