DStv EasyView versus Openview — channel, decoder, and pricing showdown

Openview’s new OV512 decoder is an attractive offering at R799, considering users don’t have to pay any fees once they’ve bought it.

In comparison, DStv’s HD Single View decoder costs the same. However, customers must pay a monthly subscription to access the service, with the cheapest package being EasyView, which costs R29 per month.

DStv also offers the decoder with dish and installation for R999. Openview doesn’t provide installation. However, its FAQ page notes that customers can buy a decoder and installation voucher from Checkers Hyper.

We were unable to locate this bundle on the Checkers website.

After years of teasing the new hardware, Openview launched the OV512 decoder in early July 2024.

eMedia retail executive Mmatshipi Matebane said the “new, sleek, and stylish” decoder continued the trend of cutting-edge technology for which Openview is known.

It includes new features like a built-in Wi-Fi receiver and a “+MORE” button on the remote, allowing users to access on-demand “premium content” in HD quality.

It also supports pausing, rewinding, and fast-forwarding on-demand content. Hands-on testing of the decoder revealed a maximum resolution of 1080p.

In comparison, DStv’s HD Single View decoder offers a maximum resolution of 1080i, which is noticeably inferior to 1080p.

The decoder offers features like HD menus and interactive apps like SuperSport, News24, and Weather.

However, it doesn’t give customers access to on-demand content or the ability to pause, rewind, and fast-forward.

Regarding content offerings, DStv’s EasyView package currently gives subscribers access to 33 live TV channels and around 95 radio channels.

Openview HD customers can choose from 20 live channels and around 28 radio channels.

However, that doesn’t tell the whole story, as 12 of DStv EasyView’s 33 channels are freely available, including SABC 1, SABC 2, SABC 3, Soweto TV, Tshwane TV, and E-tv.

The entry-level DStv package lacks channels in the Movies & Entertainment and Documentaries & Lifestyle categories compared to Openview. It offers four Movies & Entertainment channels and one Documentaries & Lifestyle channel.

Openview offers seven channels in the Movies & Entertainment category and two in the Documentaries & Lifestyle segment.

Regarding sports, DStv EasyView customers only get access to SuperSport Blitz, which is effectively a news and updates channel for SuperSport’s content.

Openview customers can only watch SABC Sport, which broadcasts live football, cricket, and other sports.

EasyView customers get access to a broader range of News & Commerce channels, including SABC News, Newzroom Afrika, Al Jazeera, and CNBC, while Openview customers can only catch up on news on the France 24 channel.

Each package offers one foreign channel. EasyView has CCTV4, a Chinese free-to-air channel offering a range of content, including documentaries, music, news, drama series, sports and children’s shows.

Openview offers Zee One, a general entertainment channel based in Germany, offering a variety of Bollywood productions.

A comparison of Openview’s and DStv EasyView’s pricing and content is provided in the table below.