Multichoice -DSTV

rob faux
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Multichoice -DSTV

9 years 2 months ago

Amazing how their technology seems to have gone backwards............had to replace my very old and tired PVR decoder (the one that had 2 channels/bouquets) with an Explora ....................3x the size but with only one channel! :blink:
Most electronic devices we use tend to get smaller and more compact,but do a lot more,
but in order to replicate what I had ,I suddenly need 3 decoders instead of 2 and pay double the subscription fee.
If you look at the size of the Explora you would think it should be able to provide as many bouquets as you could require, and let us pay per bouquet,with a form of sliding discount.
I'm not a fundi on this technology stuff but I am told by my installer that Multichoice tends to buy the overseas "failed" stuff cheap and that's why our decoder system is so impractical .........................anybody know enough to comment......just interested cos it seems a bit crazy!

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KingOfPain
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Re: Multichoice -DSTV

9 years 2 months ago

#606851

Mine just failed on me, anybody out can help or had similar issue where my decoder comes on as I can see the lights from the top but no power on the front display.

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TheBluntPunt
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Re: Multichoice -DSTV

9 years 2 months ago - 9 years 2 months ago

#606867

^phone the multichoice support line, they are pretty helpful , mostly.

my PVR is still going from like 2009 (hold up you lekker ding!). gave me some warning signs a few weeks ago tho, some error bout the hard drive when i wanted to watch some of my pvr'd episodes. but i switched it on and off at the wall and has been working since touch wood.

Last edit: 9 years 2 months ago by TheBluntPunt.

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Over the Air
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Re: Multichoice -DSTV

9 years 2 months ago - 9 years 2 months ago

#606873

I have an ancient PVR I'm not sure of the exact date that I acquired it but would guess a very early 2000's model. This was a godsend with the wife and 2 kids wanting to watch anything but racing, so the 2nd channel was extensively utilised. Over the last year or two two things have started deteriorating on a regular basis - channels on the 2nd channel "disappear" and only reappear when the system is booted, and more and more frequently, sometimes as many as 3 -4 times a week, the system reboots itself automatically. Invariably these reboots happen at a crucial stage in whatever you are viewing and takes 2 -3 minutes to complete the process and you are thus severely inconvenienced.

Things reached boiling point last year when a system reboot occurred right at the death of a rugby game where I had a sizeable wager running, and things were hanging in the balance with my bet. Upon phoning DSTV to voice my utter exasperation, I was unceremoniously told that the PVR was no longer receiving "technical support" from DSTV and that it was strongly recommended that I replace the unit with 2 explorers ASAP. All support for PVR was due to cease imminently. Now 2 explorers will equate to roughly 2 x the amount that DSTV currently costs me with little to no benefit, and to me is clearly an attempt to increase revenue by DSTV.

Last edit: 9 years 2 months ago by Over the Air.

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LSU
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Re: Multichoice -DSTV

9 years 2 months ago

#606876

It has to be unlawful that their changing technology makes no provision for existing contractual arrangements and that this is not adequately covered with a reduced rate to those inconvenienced by the change.

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longshot
Senior Member
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Re: Multichoice -DSTV

9 years 2 months ago

#606879

if its not under warrant or contract then forget any help. All u get is the device must be replaced. Monopoly & think they can do as they please

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rob faux
Topic Author
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Re: Multichoice -DSTV

9 years 2 months ago

#606882

Over the Air wrote: I have an ancient PVR I'm not sure of the exact date that I acquired it but would guess a very early 2000's model. This was a godsend with the wife and 2 kids wanting to watch anything but racing, so the 2nd channel was extensively utilised. Over the last year or two two things have started deteriorating on a regular basis - channels on the 2nd channel "disappear" and only reappear when the system is booted, and more and more frequently, sometimes as many as 3 -4 times a week, the system reboots itself automatically. Invariably these reboots happen at a crucial stage in whatever you are viewing and takes 2 -3 minutes to complete the process and you are thus severely inconvenienced.

Things reached boiling point last year when a system reboot occurred right at the death of a rugby game where I had a sizeable wager running, and things were hanging in the balance
with my bet. Upon phoning DSTV to voice my utter exasperation, I was unceremoniously told that the PVR was no longer receiving "technical support" from DSTV and that it was strongly recommended that I replace the unit with 2 explorers ASAP. All support for PVR was due to cease imminently. Now 2 explorers will equate to roughly 2 x the amount that DSTV currently costs me with little to no benefit, and to me is clearly an attempt to increase revenue by DSTV.

My experience exactly!!!!

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Mac
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Re: Multichoice -DSTV

9 years 2 months ago

#606886

M'Choice told me that I can buy the small decoder as a 2nd channel / TV at no extra subscription. (Apologies if covered in the threads above)

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LSU
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Re: Multichoice -DSTV

9 years 2 months ago

#606888

The second decoder paired to the first has been a long time option and for most people the change does not represent a huge problem.

In my case we have 3 users which could each view independent channels with the old dual PVR plus one other.

Now it requires 3 decoders and two subscriptions rather than 2 decoders (3 channels) and 1 subscription.

A bloody rip off of endless proportions given that this could be catered for.

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Muhtiman
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Re: Multichoice -DSTV

9 years 2 months ago

#606978

......one would get the feeling that Multichoice is deliberately sabotaging the older HD dual recording devices by with holding possible/probable software to keep them going.....I have just returned from a trip and my wife says my same decoder has again packed up.....did not have the time and energy to give it a service.....so I disconnected it let it cool down and then gave it a good shake....all sorts of dust, debris and bits of muck fell out of the vents.....reconnected it....and it's working fine again.....it would seem that all the crap that falls through the vents is affecting the cooling and when the unit gets very warm it starts with various problems.....the next time it plays up....I may get an IT fundi to install a fan or one could connect an USB powered external mini fan to the "NEVER" used USB port on the decoder.....

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Muhtiman
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Re: Multichoice -DSTV

9 years 2 months ago

#607069

.....the problem with the eventual upgrade but down scale to get the new Dora Explora that they do not mention in all their ads and promotions about the extra costs of installing a "smart" LNB because the Explora does not use a dual or quad LNB used on the dual HD recording PVR systems.....fortunately the new LNB don't cost an arm and leg only R500 however an installer will rip you off in having the LNB installed... the upside of this new LNB is that it can also be fed dual and quad connections making it easier to have your older decoder connect to it in tandem with the explora making the extraview (ability for viewing separate channels) on 2nd TV possible as having 2 Dora's is expensive and not necessary as one could use a simple non HD decoder or 2nd hand one to keep costs down....