Digital TV may affect DStv picture quality
MultiChoice has warned DStv subscribers in the Cape Town area that the switch-on of digital TV signals from today (15 May 2012) may cause their picture quality to deteriorate.
This is due to Sentech switching on transmitters around South Africa in preparation for the launch of digital terrestrial television (DTT), MultiChoice said.
Only subscribers who use the RF output on their decoder to connect to their TV, or an outdoor TV antenna connected to their decoder’s RF in may be affected.
“Subscribers who use the RCA cable will not be affected,” MultiChoice said in its email to subscribers.
MultiChoice explained that this is because some installers may have used Channel 50 for the decoder to send its signal over its RF output to the television.
The Channel 50 frequency was previously available, but will now be used by Sentech to broadcast the DTT signal in Cape Town, MultiChoice said.
“At present, we are not aware of any other areas that will be affected,” MultiChoice said when asked whether subscribers outside Cape Town might see the same interference.
If you’re seeing a blue screen, snowy picture, buzzing sound or a Flashing 4 (E04), MultiChoice said that you will need to retune your decoder. You can either do this yourself or contact MultiChoice on 021 508 2260 for assistance.
“We are committed to assisting our customers during this time,” MultiChoice said. “There is an installer team on standby to visit subscribers who experience interference and need assistance with the retuning.”
DStv HD PVR 2P decoder
Single View Decoder retuning instructions
MultiChoice provided the following instructions to retune Single View Decoders:
- Press Menu on DStv Remote Control. The decoder menu should display on the TV screen.
- Press 1 on the DStv Remote Control to select Information Central
- Press 4 on the DStv Remote Control. UHF test patterns will display on the TV Screen. The front panel on the decoder should display Channel 50. If not, please press the left or right arrow key on the decoder remote until UHF channel 48 or 52 displays on the front panel of the decoder. Please note: During this process Audio and Video will be lost. DO NOT press OK on the decoder remote yet.
- Tune the TV till UHF test pattern displays on the TV screen. Store the settings on the TV.
- Now press OK on the DStv Remote Control to store the new output frequency 48 or 52 on the decoder.
Dual View and PVR decoder retuning instructions
The steps to retune Dual View or PVR decoders are as follows:
- From normal viewing environment on TV1 Press Menu on DStv Remote Control. The decoder Menu should display on the TV screen
- Scroll to Advanced Options on the DStv Remote Control and press OK.
- Press 4 on the DStv Remote Control for TV Installations
- Enter pin 99495. Press 2 for TV Installations. UHF test patterns will display on the TV screen. The front panel of the decoder should display Channel 50; now please press the left or right arrow key on the decoder remote until UHF Channel 48 or 52 displays on the front panel of the decoder. Please note: During this process Audio and Video will be lost on TV2. DO NOT press OK on the decoder remote yet.
- Tune TV2 till UHF test patterns display on the TV screen. Store the settings on the TV.
- Now press OK on the decoder remote to store the new output frequency 48 or 52 on the decoder.
For Dual View: To tune TV1 on the UHF channel for the second TV environment follow the same procedure above, except in Step 4 for TV1 installations. For TV1 UHF test patterns (Black screen with two white bars) will display instead of rainbow colours that displays for TV2.
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