HD DSTV

[Sabre]

Guys,

I can really recommend this, just comparing the olympic coverage of normal supersport channels to the HD one, there is a massive quality difference!! Only issue is that all the features of the HD decoder from monochoice hasn't been fully implemented yet

[stoke]

I watched it on SABC2 on my crappy CRT TV, was enjoyable, cost me my usual undodgable TV license fee's.

[Noodle]

Hey Sabre, can you give more detail on it for us please?
Did you need a new dish. How much did they charge to run the 3rd cable to the dish.

What channels are available :D

[Sabre]

K here is the lowdown

Connections and dish:
- I'm re-using my 60cm dish, apparently the 90cm one only reduces the chances of u losing signal in rain
- need dual LNB on the dish side, if u have dual view or existing PVR you should already have this
- HD PVR nees 4 LNB inputs (not 3), so you will need a 2 to 4 splitter, 2 to more if you still intend using your old PVR (can then watch 3 channels while recording a few as well)


Outputs:
Video:
- 1 x HDMI out
- 1 x composite out (really wasted on HD)
- 1 x component out (YPrPb)
- 1 x Scart out
Audio:
- 1 x S/PDIF digital audio out (for dolby digital 5.1)
- 1 x coaxial out (for dolby digital 5.1)
- 1 x analogue left and right ( 2 connects)
Other (not used at present)
- 1 x ethernet
- 1 x eSATA
- 1 x USB

General comments:
- There is only one HD channel available for HD at present
- I'm connected using the HDMI cable and I believe it upscales the normal DSTV channels, there is a marked improvement in them, but still no-where near the HD channel
- Comparing the same feed from Supersprt channels and the HD channel (170), there is a huge difference, sound is transmitted in 5.1 and picture is 16:9 native
- The 5.1 sound made quite a difference in the cycling race so you could hear the ambient noises
- Can watch 1 channel while recording 2 others, the 4th channel is used for electronic guide
- The display info is alot better, but is still not fully developed, I think this was rushed to get the receivers out for the olympics
- Only R55pm more than standard DSTV bouquet
- After the olympics, monochoice will broadcast movies and series in HD and 5.1 audio for a while on the one channel, still no news when this will be increased.
- You can connec the HD receiver to a older PVR and view 3 channels, for the same monthly price
- The quality of the final HD broadcasts DSTV make depends alot on the level of compression they use, but if it is the same as the current olympic broadcast it will be fantastic
- You're welcome to pop by to see for yourself

Costing:
- HD PVR is on introductory special for R2499, will probably go up a little for a while afterward
- Installation costs for: dual LNB on dish, 2-4 splitter, cabling and labour was R2050 (will be alot cheaper if u do it yourself)

Hope this helps

[Askari]

I wont be bothering with HDDSTV until either all the channels worth watching (all 5 or 6 of them) are in HD or until they turn off the analogue signal.

Completely unexciting if you ask me.