XtraView lets you watch DSTV on more than one television in the same home,
using one subscription rather than two. It is one of the things we are asked
about most in Hout Bay, and it is also one of the most misunderstood.
What you actually get
You link two decoders to one account. Both can be used at the same time, but
they are not fully independent: what each decoder can watch depends on your
package and on how the two are linked. It is a real saving over two separate
subscriptions, but it is not two complete services for the price of one.
The cabling is the part people forget
Linking decoders needs a physical cable between them, or a properly configured
multiswitch feeding both. This is the part that turns a simple job into a longer
one. Running a discreet cable between two rooms in a face brick home is very
different to running one in an open plan new build.
When we quote XtraView we look at the route first. Sometimes it is a short run
through a ceiling. Sometimes it means going outside, along a wall and back in,
which takes longer and needs weatherproofing at both entry points.
Things worth knowing before you commit
- Both decoders need to be compatible. Older models cannot always be linked.
- The account holder’s details are used for the link, not the installer’s.
- If one decoder is disconnected for a long period, the link may need resetting.
- A dish feeding two decoders may need a different LNB to the one you have.
Our honest view
XtraView is good value if you genuinely watch in two rooms. If the second TV
is used occasionally, a streaming option may suit you better and cost less. We
will tell you that rather than sell you the bigger job.
If you want a straight answer on whether it suits your home, call
072 237 6363 and describe your setup.