What is Extra View?
DStv Extra View is a way to keep the whole family happy. To put it in simple terms, let’s assume that you have family members who like to watch different TV channels at the same time. This can cause family members to squabble over the remote control, with an extra view you can link either two or three decoders so you and your family can watch different programs on separate decoders at the same time.
How much does it cost?
You can link either two or three decoders together under ONE subscription and only pay a Monthly Access Fee R100 for the other decoders. When linking two decoders, you will pay your normal monthly subscription plus ONE Access Fee. If one of the decoders is a PVR, you are already paying an Access Fee, so don’t need to pay any more – this means that monthly viewing on your second decoder is FREE! When linking three decoders, you will pay your normal monthly subscription plus TWO Access Fees.
How much does it cost to install an extra view?
The cost of installing a DStv extra view varies with the complexity of the DStv set up. On average it costs R350 if you have all the required accessories. However, the type and number of decoders determine the price. In some cases, you may need to use splitters if you have a mixture of old and new decoder models in your extra view setup. As a result, this may increase the cost of your extra view installation.
The latest decoder models require less cabling than old decoders since they do not use the communication cable. In this situation, the communication between the extra view decoders goes through the smart LNB. So, if you have the latest decoders, the prices tend to be cheaper.
How does extra view work?
Extra view works by linking one or two secondary decoders to a primary decoder. This enables the decoders to share a single subscription. But, you can only link a maximum of two secondary decoders to a primary decoder.
The primary decoder sends a heartbeat signal to the secondary decoder every 90 seconds through a communication cable or a smart LNB.
If you are living in a building that uses a single dish or a communal system then you might not have access to the smart LNB. In such a case, you can use a DStv smart switch to link your decoders.
If the secondary decoder does not receive the heartbeat signal it displays an E143 error message. But what exactly is a primary and secondary decoder?
Primary and Secondary Decoders
The primary decoder is the main decoder that has the subscription. Likewise, the secondary decoder is the decoder that shares a subscription with a primary decoder.
So, secondary decoders in an extra view setup can watch the same TV programming that is available to the primary decoder. For example, if a primary decoder has a premium DStv subscription then the secondary decoders will also have access to the DStv premium subscription.
How to install the DStv Extra view?
In order to successfully install your extra view, you need to know basic DStv set up connections. If you are techy then you will find it easy to do the job without any hassles.
Otherwise, leave us a message on our contact form and we will send you a reliable DStv installer to help you with the setup.
What type of decoders can you use for Xtraview?
You can use all the new and old decoder models from Multichoice for extra view connections. That is all Explora, HD, and SD decoders. However, for the triple view set up, you cannot use HD PVR and SD decoders.
As a general rule of thumb, if you want to connect three decoders in an extra view set up then one of the decoders needs to be an Explora. However, there are instances where I have seen three HD decoders connected in an extra view installation.
What type of LNB can you use for Extra view?
If you have the latest decoders (Explora 1, 2, or 3 and HD decoders 5s or 6s) then you can either use a smart LNB or a smart switch for your extra view set up. But, for old decoder models, use a universal twin LNB or a DStv smart switch. Also, make sure that you are using an 80cm dish for the best signal reception.
How do you connect DStv extra view cables?
DStv extra view installation diagram
The picture above shows the DStv extra view connection diagram for a smart LNB. Each decoder needs to receive good DStv signal strength and quality for extra view set up to work.
First, connect the coaxial cable of each decoder to the smart LNB. If you have recent or newer decoder models then use the uni-cable ports on the smart LNB. Otherwise, if you have old decoder models then you can use the universal port. Remember Explora decoders use the uni-cable ports. HD decoders can use both uni-cable and universal ports.
The Heartbeat Connection
Once you connect all the decoders to the LNB, proceed to link the decoders using a heartbeat or communication cable. The primary decoder uses a heartbeat cable to send a heartbeat signal every 2 – 3 minutes to a secondary decoder to confirm the connection. If there is no heartbeat signal then the secondary decoder will display the E143 error.
If you are using a smart LNB then you don’t need to connect a heartbeat cable between the decoders. Here is why: all new decoders can send and receive the heartbeat through the DStv smart LNB or smart switch. This set up is known as Uniview installation. So, don’t freak out when you see decoders that do not have an RF-out port at the back.
If you are using a universal twin LNB then you will need to connect a communication cable from the RF port of the primary decoder to the RF ports of the secondary decoders. If you want to link 3 decoders and additional TV points then you can use a triple view splitter.
Remember the primary decoder should always be on at all times for the extra view to work. Otherwise, the secondary decoders will display an error message that says “waiting for communication from the primary decoder“.
How do I activate DStv extra view?
Make sure that everything is working correctly before you begin the process of activating your DStv extra view. First, check if all the decoders are playing channel 100. Then check if the primary decoder is sending a heartbeat signal to the secondary decoders after every 2 – 3 minutes. Likewise, the secondary decoders must be receiving the heartbeat signal coming from the primary decoder. Otherwise, the secondary decoders will display the error E143 which means there is no communication between the decoders.
You can easily check the extra view status of a decoder by doing the following steps:
Press the “Help” button
Go to “General Information“
Then go to “Extra View“
If everything is working fine then call Multichoice on 011 289 2244 (South Africa only) to activate your DStv extra view. Otherwise, call the nearest DStv agent in your area on 073 487 3497 to activate your extra view.
If you need technical help in setting up your extra view then contact our accredited installers.
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