HD DStv

[duma]

Sorry peeps, I'm too lazy to search the forum checking if this has been discussed and how many times, so I'm just gon gooi.

Is HD DStv worth it?

I mean the cost of a new decoder+new LNB+new cables is not worth the less than 5 channels on HD at the moment.

What y'all think?

Should I or should I not?

[...]

One of the best things I did.

[Andrew]

I know there are considerable problems with the voice/image sync, which needs to be taken into consideration. All nice having an HD image, but if everyone's lips are moving and the sound is off...it's not fun. I read on MyBB forums that the new HD PVRs have a lip sync function, but a lot of the time this won't work because the problem is the other way around.

As in: "the setting is there to delay the audio should the audio be ahead of the video. the current lip-sync issue relates to the audio being delayed already hence the setting will not help."

[windshear]

The bottom line is, if you dont have an HDTV, then you are wasting your money.

[gifs]

The improvement in picture is definately worth it, but the decoders have their issues and the lip-sync is an issue as well which can hopefully be sorted with a firmware update in future.

I am on my 4th HDPVR since August 2008.

The first one died just before the 1 year warranty expired.

I had to swap out the next two with hard drive failures at a cost of R350 each time.

Perhaps the new cheaper HDPVR (watch 1, record 1) is better?

[Ian]

There is a lot of functionality missing with the HDPVR's at the moment so whatever you do KEEP your existing decoder and avail yourself of the extraview option so both decoders are available.
.
That said, I've had the HD 2P new decoder for nearly 2 months now and it's been a pleasure to watch. Lip Sync doesnt appear to be a problem and watching the HD channels, especially the sport is a pleasure always providing you have a HD TV You actually, or I have, become a "HD snob" and give the HD channels extra weight when deciding what to watch.

If you've got R2k for the decoder and dont forget the installation cost, which vary greatly dependant on decoder and what you have installed already, lying around not doing anything I suggest you go for it the HD picture is great

Cheers Ian

[BigWoodenSpoon]

Only what ? 3,....4 HD channels ? I'll stick with my SD PVR for now thx  no extraview needed

[...]

I will be absolutely honest, I have not had lip syncing issues except on recorded stuff and then normally a stop and re-start and all is well.
Yip would love more channels, once you have seen the picture quality there is almost no desire to watch normal broadcast.
I will say that some of the standard channels also look better than on my SD PVR.
We record most stuff on HD and then watch it at our convenience, beware however, those Desperate Housewives do look super old on the HD channel.
Kids don't lie, my 6 year old boy reckons he loves watching Bear Grylls because he can see what's happening 

[naughty]

the sync problems are mainly if you use HDMI for audio - if you use the HDMI for video and connect a coaxial SP/DIF for audio then the problem is reduced - and whenever it occurs all you need to do is switch the decoder off and then back on and again its reduced

i actually enjoy the HD channels - especially for sport - being an avid football fan i loved the world cup in HD and now they are apparently going to introduce a 24 hour premier league channel in HD - thats absolutely great for me

i still see more positives than negatives in the HD channel so far and with the extraview its absolutely terrific for me to be able to watch three and record three in conjunction with the old PVR

yes there have been minor glitches with the decoder ie buttons that dont respond when pressed or that work after a huge delay - then the thing updates randomly while you are watching depending on the times when you are watching and that lipsync problem but the thing is that i really still enjoy having it around  

Ian - whats the reduced functionality - because i actually think that it has most of the required functionality - there isnt a single thing that the old decoder had that i needed which i couldnt find on my HD decoder but i have the older Pace (watch one record two) version instead of the newer UEC (watch one record one) version

in regards to HDTV - its perfectly okay to have a "HD ready" TV ie 720p capable cos the broadcasts are only going to be 720p for the foreseeable future - i cant imagine 1080p becoming the standard considering that even overseas they dont have very many 1080p broadcasts and the biggest resolution they use is 1080i and arguably 720p is supposed to be better than that

i really think you should go for it if TV viewing is important to you - and if those channels have something of interest to you - as ive said for example that upcoming football channel which is going to be launched is going to be my "raison de etre" for that HD decoder and i wish that multichoice allow a multiview situation instead of extraview whereby you could really have up to four of these HD decoders daisy chained but they are limiting it to two currently - the hardware is capable of doing it but i think its because of the number of simultaneous connections that are needed being the reason to restrict it ie most people use a "two to six" or a "two to eight" LNB converter to make their extraview work - and once you go above eight you will begin to lose quality in playback but i would love to have three satellite dishes with three HD decoders but all linked via a "heandshake" or "heartbeat" cable (whatever its called) and then you can watch HD in each room and pay an additional R55 (or whatever its increased to since) per month per additional decoder - even two HD decoders and one SD decoder will be good enough for me since my brother still has a CRT TV in his room    ....... multichoice have said they are looking into the possibility since the hardware allows it but they are restricting it (maybe mainly cos of the amount of cash they lose out on)

[Ian]

I will say that some of the standard channels also look better than on my SD PVR.

Agree Analogos, forgot to mention that the HD decoders upscale the SD channels and it does show :-)

[...]

the sync problems are mainly if you use HDMI for audio - if you use the HDMI for video and connect a coaxial SP/DIF for audio then the problem is reduced - and whenever it occurs all you need to do is switch the decoder off and then back on and again its reduced 

I am using one cable with no issues.

Agree Analogos, forgot to mention that the HD decoders upscale the SD channels and it does show :-)

It definitely shows.

[Ian]

Ian - whats the reduced functionality - because i actually think that it has most of the required functionality - there isnt a single thing that the old decoder had that i needed which i couldnt find on my HD decoder but i have the older Pace (watch one record two) version instead of the newer UEC (watch one record one) version

The list of missing functionality is dependant on which HD decoder you have, and is in fact quite big, series record, search functionality, subtitles, DMX titles think they call it DMX DJ, DoD, the list goes on and on look on the Dstv forums for which functionality is missing from which decoder model and if DStv's past performance on rolling out this sort of thing is any gauge on when the new decoders will be sorted you'd probably be buying a new decoder before the old one is complete :-(

[Crafty]

Currently I do not think it is worth it, unless you will spend all your time on the HD channels.
Personally I am thinking of letting dstv go for a while, and focus on some of my unwatched box sets of series.

[Andrew]

Currently I do not think it is worth it, unless you will spend all your time on the HD channels.
Personally I am thinking of letting dstv go for a while, and focus on some of my unwatched box sets of series.

Must admit I prefer watching a series that way - if a series starts on TV and I like it, chances are 100% that at some point I will forget to tune in and watch, so I go off to my local video store and hire the box set to watch instead.

[Crafty]

Mostly the problem with that is you have to define bed time :-)
While watching farscape for the first time, after season 3 things got a bit intense in the story line. Every now and then I will find my self at 3AM, saying things like ok.. just one more...