DSTV

[Ketek400]

Do you use the same decoder as back home? What about the sim card? Also heard or saw on the site they are closing down on it? What do you pay per month for this service?

Thanks in advance!

[mutt]

DSTV demanded to know my exact "African" street address and phone number before they would accept my renewal, when i couldnt provide it, they cut me off and kept the funds!!! The guy stated that they are in the process of cutting off any subscribers located outside Africa.

Ketek400, if you can subscribe from SA, it will work in Dubai....

Mutt

[Ketek400]

Thanks Mutt!!

[Fox3snapshot]

DSTV was removed from the Abu Dhabi sports bar and pub scene a while back. So now I enjoy a Fosters and the F1 in Arabic if you want to head out to the local pub :hmm:

My provider in S.A has advised us here that they will not be renewing after Jan next year as they are getting pressure on them from the local (i.e. Middle Eastern governments) on their legal coverage areas. That will be thanks to Haji Husein Ali Reiza and all the crooks providing orbit/showtime etc.

The end is truley nigh......:(

I am convinced they are running interference on my DSTV bandwidth here already...they have the technology :ooh:

[Jezinho]

The story is that DSTV is no longer issuing C Band cards in South Africa after January 2007. They had previously allowed this so that viewers in SA could receive the Portugese bouquet. As this is now available on Ku band, they are stopping the issue of C band cards. You therefore need to either go to a northern African country (e.g. Nigeria, Sudan, Eritrea!) to get a card or else find a supplier that has already done this. I'm based in Bahrain and one or two of the suppliers here tell me that they have cards that will last past January. Here's hoping as I don't think I could survive the Middle East without DSTV!

Good luck.

[Ketek400]

If I understand you correctly, you can use the same decoder, but only need the K band card which slots in the front?

[Stratosphere6000]

Hi guys,

Does anyone know who to contact in Bahrain (ie company/agency) to find out about getting connected to DSTV?

Thanks

[shanja]

Did you ever find out where to get DSTV in Bahrain?
I am about to get satellite TV and would really like to get DSTV.

[radioexcel]

Hi guys, the SA decoder can be used. DSTV still available here in Abu Dhabi using C Band card. There is a company here where you subscribe via the UK. Will try and find the Tel no and address and post it here. If it will be running after January 2008 I don't know....these guys says it would. Apparently DSTV will change the mapping in January so that UAE does not pick up any signal?? Don't know if it is true.

Will keep you posted

RE

[radioexcel]

Hi Guys,

The company is: WAFA TECHNICAL SYSTEMS SERVICES, Tel. 02 6334211.
If you can get a C-band card it is about 400 dhs.
Subscription is about 1900/- for 6 months.
You can also contact a friend of mine who is dealing with these guys. Apparently it is a problem in getting the C-band cards but he syas he may be able to organise it. Name is Louwrence - Sel 0504130029 and email [email protected]. Please phone before 10pm.

Hope you get sorted out.

RE

[Fox3snapshot]

:p I got it :p I got it :p I got it :p I got...did I tell you I got it!!! :8

I am still going through an well gripped up S.A. company.

I am a new man, couldn't make the North American F1 GP's so it was a life and death thing that my renewal went through, and it was no problemo!!

Missing the odd channel but no squiggles at the bottom of the sceen and b*ms and t*ts and stuff on National Geographic channel :E

[BlueSkye]

Tri-Nations, US Open, Le Mans, US Grand Prix, Superbikes. All on the channel of champions on one weekend. Without barbed wire underneath. Gotta love it.

:p:D:p:D

[GAGing in Bahrain]

Folks, Here are the coverage areas for DSTV Ku and C band. As you can clearly see, Ku coverage is only for Southern Africa. While the C band feed will still be active it will be regulated by SMARTCARD address (local) checking. This will be very hard to get around other than using a card located in Eastern or Northern Africa.
http://www.satcodx.info/INT/INT007SA.jpg
http://www.satcodx.info/INT/INT010CV.jpg

[ddd]

Clampdown on 'Dream Boxes'
By MOHAMMED AL A'ALI
MANAMA
MANAMA: Bahrain is clamping down on the illegal programming of popular "Dream Box" satellite receivers, it was announced yesterday.
However, the sale of the receivers has not been outlawed, Information Ministry publications director Jamal Dawood told the GDN.
He said some satellite shops were programming the receivers so people could watch subscription channels for free through the Internet.
"Selling the receiver is not banned by law, but its illegal usage is," he said.
"Shops found programming it will face legal action immediately.
"A month ago we distributed a circular to all satellite shops to stop (illegally) programming those receivers."
Sources said many shops have stopped stocking the Dream Box after receiving the circular over fears that they would be prosecuted.

[burnerli]

Hello Folks,

i have such a dreambox 7025 and its so nice ;-) smile

Another question.. i want to look DSTV here in germany and if i look right i have to receice via Intelsat 10 ? I am already linked to a Astra Satellite here. is it also possible to via it there ? i found nothing about frequenzy on the dstv homepage :-(

[GAGing in Bahrain]

Try the Lyngsat website for transponder freqs.

[puff m'call]

It's all quite easy really, get down to Carrefour and buy a HUMAX Ace 11 box, find a guy from SA and buy a card from him, you'll find one somewhere!
Call Erroll in SA pay the fee.
Find a local Sat installer to set it up and you're on your way.
If you ask Erroll the question the answer is no, it's not getting cut off in the ME.
Happy viewing. :ok:

[mutt]

If you ask Erroll the question the answer is no, it's not getting cut off in the ME

But they will cut you off if they realize that you are in the ME, they did it to me a year ago following 3 years of subscription. They asked me to prove my location wasnt in the ME, then cut me off. Had to resubscribe in Sudan !

Mutt

[sirwa69]

I have a Dreambox here in Bahrain, got DSTV, Orbit, Showtime, Art etc etc etc Oh, and 35 channels of unadulterated porn :}:} (more interested in the F1 myself)

Got to love it, just hope it lasts :}

On On

[puff m'call]

Mutt, Eroll's the guy that connects you, he's not going to cut you off. He work for DSTV.

Unless I'm wrong if you use him you won't be cut off.

Cheers, Puff.

[Dixons Cider]

Puff meister

I want to use Eroll - how do I contact him?

The route I've been using for the last 5 years has dried up, from the SA end apparently, and as dreambox is not an option, I'd like to give Eroll a go.

The world cup starts soon, and the F1 is getting bloody interesting..

PM me might be a good idea, please?

[Dr Know]

Dix and all others

I know the man in person. PM me and all will be sorted!

Regards
The Dr.:)

PS will meet with the big E in a few days so get going

[GAGing in Bahrain]

Sirwa69, is your Dreambox working today:confused:? For that matter is anyone's in Bahrain:eek:??? Word around town is that those guys who got busted earlier this week (see link) were the "tippy-top" of the Dreambox "Pyramid Scheme" here in Bahrain!

http://alwasatnews.com/newspager_pages/ViewDetails.aspx?news_id=63493&news_type=LOC&writer_code=
http://mahmood.tv/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/studiotechnicians1.jpg

These guys had the know-how and thousands of $$$ worth of gear (see pic) to get the keys, run the card-share servers, distribution equipment, etc.. Everyone else (Dreambox Distributors) just sold on this service as their own. Now that the bottom fell out John Q. Public is left with a non-working Dreambox.:ugh:

[airbus__driver]

I will be moving to AUH soon and was hoping someone could point me in the right direction as to where I get a Dreambox.

a_d

[Dixons Cider]

Dr Know

For some reason I cant PM you - can you bang one off to me and I'll reply?
Cheers :ok: :ok:

[ddd]

In today's GDN:

Satellite pirates caught in raid

A BAHRAINI owner of a satellite equipment shop and three of his Asian employees are being held in custody for illegally distributing satellite channels.

"The Information Ministry had reported to police about illegal activities at the defendant's shop," Public Prosecutor Amal Abul said yesterday.

"The police raided the shop and found out that the Bahraini man had rented an apartment close to the shop where he would download information on free access to satellite channels through the Internet and sell it to his customers.

"They seized several computers and satellite equipment that were used in the process.

"The three employees were also said to have helped in the operation."

The shop's owner denied the charges against him, while two of the Asian men testified against him, said Mrs Abul.

"He said that he was not aware of the illegal business that was running in his shop," she said.

"He claimed that his employees were carrying out the operation behind his back."

However, the Asian men claimed that the owner has been downloading information on getting free access to satellite channels through the Internet and selling it to his customers.

It was also found out that the three Asian men were staying in the country with expired visas.

All four are being held for further investigation.

[email protected]

[burnerli]

Hello folks,

is DSTV using also Nagra to encode their channels ?

Do i need really need a simcard from DSTV? How could they verify the card or are u sending back informations to DSTV ?

When i look on the graphic, here in Europe i have to move my satellite dish to Intelsat ?

regards

[sirwa69]

Gaging
My Dreambox has stopped working :mad::mad:

However I have been given another contact who I am assured is still able to provide. I am in Kuwait at the moment and will get back to Bahrain on Thursday. If this guy works out I will PM you his contact.

On On

[bamboosnake]

Please I am based in asia and need to renew my DSTV C band card. Its registered in swaziland.
Any inf or cotacts would be appreciated .
thanks

[sandy hills]

Bamboosnake,
Have sent you a PM

[repapips]

Sirwa & GAGing,

Any news on the dreambox? Have you contacted the guy you said will fix yours? Can you pm me his number please?
Thanks

[Jumbo Wambo]

Any Contacts for dreambox in Abu Dhabi, UAE?PM me please...

[Dr Know]

Bamboosnake

Check your PM.
Regards
The Dr:O

[danny10]

Howdy, we are in Afghanistan and currently have 7 DSTV cards, is it possible to tell where our cards are registered by the numbers on them? I want to look at other options to renew the subsritions as they come due.

[SAT 2000]

You can contact Joris at [email protected]
He renews and sell DSTV cards. Special priced cards for Rugby WC :)

[helen-damnation]

English premiership football mostly gone and now 'special cards' for the rugby!

Don't think I will be renewing so who wants to buy a card? :ugh::mad:

[Jumbo Wambo]

Still no news on this dreambox in Abu Dhabi, UAE? PM if you cant make it public.

[TimS]

'Special cards" for the rugby :confused::(:(

Can you tell me any more - this is disaster upon disaster, was only discussing this last night in my local bar and said if the rugby goes as well I want to go home !

[SAT 2000]

Q. DSTV cards, is it possible to tell where our cards are registered

A.To see where your card is registered, in your receiver/decoder, goto Menu, CA Status and see a 3 letter code after the card number.

regards,
Joris

[mutt]

UAE provider is offering DSTV "card for life".... has anyone tried this?

If so, pls send me a PM....

Thanks


Mutt

[atiuta]

WTF! :rolleyes:

All these PM's bouncing around, cause me a little concern about the longivity of our alternative sources.

Guys, get a grip on it! There are countless other ways to source this information without plastering it all over a freely available and anonymous (as in who are you sending it to) website.

We've killed the gossip on other products, how about this one as well?

Look out foot, there's a bullet coming....

[McGreaser]

This has been covered before but found no solid contacts. I would like to have DSTV in Dubai if it's still available. ........heard some mumbo jumbo about the signal being switched off or it being illegal.

Any help would be appreciated. :O

[Gulfstreamaviator]

I assume this is the African service, as the info I can find suggests.

The footprint might just cover UAE.

Thus when you know the satellite, and orbital position, get a local installer to try to receive the signal, then he should be able to supply a unlocked box, (usually need internet connection).

problem solved, I hope

glf

[what_goes_up]

McG

Check your PM! :ok:

[ab33t]

I will check but I think its still available

[STD]

MR G - Check your PM

[Desert Dawg]

DSTV is alive and well here in the Middle East....... :ok:

PM for details.....:)

[mutt]

Best sat system in the ME....... well worth seeking out the supplier..

Mutt

[Dessert Aviator]

:sad:Just heard from my contact in Cape Town DSTV plan to close down the 'C' band service in May/June.

[Gulfstreamaviator]

Last two hours fine, but some drop out on hotel service.

No idea as to dish size.

Watching Mnet Series.

Waiting for West Wing.

glf

[spark1989]

How do i get you my PE for dstv info ?

[Desert Dawg]

@ Desert Aviator

Can you ask your contact for more info to elaborate? I have a direct line to a friend (a director) in Mnet, but I don't know if he'll tell me anything (if it's going ahead it'll be sensitive info for the moment)

Closing C Band is a big issue, because all of Africa (excluding S. Africa) runs on C Band....

If Mnet have made an agreement with satellite operators to shift to Ku Band, then it's entirely possible they will close C Band. But this undertaking costs tens of millions of dollars to achieve (and I don't believe Mnet have that funding to hand right now...)

@Gulfstreamaviator

The dish size for Mnet here is min. 1.8 meter dia.

[spark1989]

My card has been disconnected as I was in there DTH
-direct to home data base for 6 years.
Jhb told me that all C band cards will be off on 31/5/10
C band cards registed in a C band country will work
untill then. I do not know if the signal will still be on
PAS7/10.

[McGreaser]

That means from end of May DSTV will no longer be available on the C-band.......or is it another rumour ? Anybody got anything official or it's all heresay ? Coz am really tired of Showtime :ugh:

[bighaji]

Gone ...official , just renewed my card , cut off 31st of May ....anyone know where they are going ? will all the SAFA's in the Gulf surely alternative . Remember the C band signal is for most of Africa too.....I heard they may be switching Satellite providers ...or is it the OSN monopoly flexing ?

[halas]

Ku band will still be available, is this correct?

halas

[kimoki]

Is anyone else having trouble getting the HKG Rugby 7s on channel 201? All I get is a blank screen. And yesterday 206 was the same and it was broadcasting day 2 of the 7s????

[Desert Dawg]

@Spark189,

If you were in their DTH database, as a South African based customer (with a registered South African address) then yes, the card will be discontinued as of 31 May 2010.

@Bighaji

OSN has nothing to do with this. I have inside knowledge which I cannot reveal. But OSN cannot interfere with the Mnet footprint directly. It may be that OSN has requested Mnet to change to Ku Band (to negate the large footprint that C Band has over Ku Band and thus eliminate the footprint 'bleed' into the Middle East) but Mnet can/may/will refuse due to financial constraints in changing to Ku Band.

@ Halas

Ku Band (at this time) is the main broadcast platform for South Africa and Zimbabwe. All Zimbabwe customers will have to change their old C Band cards to Ku Band eventually. This was started many years ago (2000 if I recall correctly) but it was never really enforced due to the Ku footprint not reaching the northern areas of Zimbabwe. But, due to transponder re-positioning, the Ku footprint has been improved considerably and thus Mnet are now changing all Zimbabwe subscribers to Ku Band.

I re-iterate to all: changing from C Band for the rest of Africa will take millions of US dollars and will not be done overnight. If Mnet are indeed changing to Ku Band, then there will be shed-loads of chatter on all Mnet based chat forums about this impending change - long before it actually happens.

DSTV are still broadcasting to Africa on PAS7/10 and the footprint still reaches the Middle East.

Sun activity (when the sun, PAS 7 satellite and your dish are all aligned for a few minutes in the mornings) will affect your signal.

[B. Bonga]

Thanx for insight Dawg, but you assuming that the change from C-band will not happen overnight so we can go ahead to get DSTV till it does ? :cool:Don't want to set up for DSTV then sometime in the not-so-distant future smack in the middle of Isidingo omnibus get switched off:}

Nway from what l understand eventually the footprint for PAS 7/10 for the Mid East will be cut off. Or am l assuming too:hmm:

[Desert Dawg]

@Bonga

If Mnet are thinking of changing to KU Band, they will advertise extensively on C Band (Mnet Africa) that "...an impending move to Ku Band will happen on 'x' date... so please can all subscribers go to their nearest Mnet office and change out their smart cards before 'x' date...."

Has anyone seen this advertised yet on Mnet Africa? I bet the answer is a resounding No.... SO - go ahead and get setup if you want.

Get the picture? (no pun intended!)

Edit: Just been sniffing about the internet and I found out that PAS7/10 has been renamed IntelSat 7 (IS 7) and IntelSat 10 (IS 10) respectively. The satellite provider does provide Ku Band services which can be seen here FlySat Intelsat 7/10 (IS-7/10) @ 68.5° East (http://www.flysat.com/is68-beam.php) and here (with a better view) http://www.intelsat.com/flash/coverage-maps/sat_foot.html?sat=IS-10%20at%2068.5%BA%20E&display=map&spot=3 so it is possible that Mnet may move to Ku Band at some point.

But as I said above, there will be a media campaign by Mnet long before the change to Ku Band....

[ExiledScot]

Not sure about the actual switch off date, but when I tried to renew my subscription today the local provider in Abu Dhabi wouldn't take my money. I have been a subscriber in Abu Dhabi for almost 10 years through the same local agent, but he showed me an email today saying that the service to the M.E. was being discontinued. :sad:
Anybody finds a way around this, I would be glad to know.
Thanks.

[Desert Dawg]

Hmmmmm....

If the email that ExiledScot refers to is genuine, then it appears that MCA (Multichoice Africa) are looking at switching to Ku Band. The reason for the switch is that Ku Band has a tighter footprint within Africa and less 'bleed' into the Middle East - effectively cutting off illegal subscribers....

If anyone can post up details of any adverts that MCA will run on switching to Ku Band for Africa.... let us know please?

Currently, there is a working hack for MCA using a Dreambox and a card share but this is based on C Band transmissions. If MCA switch to Ku Band, then the signal will no longer reach the ME, so setting up a dish and a Dreambox etc. is void.

The only other option then, is to find someone who can stream MCA over the internet (in my experience IP TV is crappy at the best of times).....

[BlueSkye]

Definitely gone. Received this e-mail from Space TV today:

Please note that MultiChoice will be terminating all services on the C Band satellite on 31 May 2010. This satellite will be replaced by a new W7
satellite service, which only covers the countries where we have a license
to broadcast. Depending on where you reside, you might have the option to
change over to W7. However, you will be required to purchase a new smart
card and decoder.
Our subscription cost is at R650 per month and your smart card xxxxxxxxx
is due to expire 05.05.2010. You can renew the card for a further 1mth only.
Payment can be made via credit card and I would then need your credit card
details, expiry date and the last three digits at the back of the card.
Please confirm.

Regards
Melody

[global707]

Just renewed mine for a month only with my company in SA. They said defo 31 May cut off
:{

[Desert Dawg]

I believe DSTV is switching to Ku Band and releasing their lease on C band transponders from Intelsat i.e. switching off C band...

Oh well....!

[Capetonian]

Wouldn't the answer be a 'sling box'?

[helen-damnation]

Orbit/Showtime doen't show ANY Formula 1. If you have a sat dish getting Nilesat, Abu Dhabi sports channel show it as do, I thing, Bahrain but obviously with Arabic commentary.
If you get Hotbird, I imagine there are several European channels with it.
Some SA and British rugby, but didn't have any of the 6 Nations :eek:

If you get anything good, PLEASE let us know :ugh:

H-D

[Capetonian]

Don't know much about slingbox, I looked it up onthe internet and it's not that clear. I understand that the way it works is that you have your satellite receiver in location 'A' and feed the signal through the 'slingbox' over the internet so that you can receive it in location 'B'.

In this case, location 'A' would be ZA where you can legally receive DSTV and are subscribed to it, and location 'B' .... I'll leave that to your imagination!

I hope someone with a bit more knowledge can inform you better than I.

[Sharkykzn]

Hi CT, setting up a slingbox in SA will require a good upload bandwidth of at least 1Mb with a static IP to feed a stream to destination B. As we know currently bandwidth is costly in SA, and mostly promises a download speed, rather than a stable upload speed. In the UK etc, where I know peers who run this system, there is no problem, as both the service and costs are favourable. :ugh:

[kotakota]

6 Nations WAS available on Jazeera Sports Channel +3 with BBC commentators .
I watch Formula 1 on Abu Dhabi Sports 2 , turn the sound down , and tune BBC Radio 5 extra to the laptop for BBC commentary. Or watch it on BBC 1 player via my VPN .

[Easy Ryder]

I've got a slingbox, and as Sharkykzn says you need an upload of at least 1mbps to get a good picture and sound. Anything less then 500kbps and the picture becomes 'blocky'. Thats for a standard def image - for HD you will need probably a 7mbps+ upload. You can watch the stream on your laptop/PC and if you can hook it up to your tv and watch on there. Or you can also purchase a 'sling catcher' which you can permanently hook up to your tv direct. Has a remote etc

The only thing i'll contradict with Sharkyksn is that you don't need a static IP, or i never did anyway...

If your slingbox is in the UK and suitably close to an exchange use o2 or Be Braoadband as your isp, both offer 2.5mbps upload speeds :ok:

Oh and if you have an iPhone and purchase the slingbox app you can watch on there as well over a 3G network (and the quality is more than adequate)

[Bahraingeneric]

Anyone have anymore news?

Does the KU band footprint cover the ME?

Anybody tried looking for covereage.

No luck in Bahrain!!!

[mutt]

SatBeams - Satellite Coverage Maps - Sat Footprint Eutelsat W4 / Eutelsat W7 (http://www.satbeams.com/footprints?beam=6143)

The west coast of Saudi might get it, but not the other side of the Gulf.

Mutt

[Dixons Cider]

Actually got a message on screen last night - If you are still on C band signal lost on 31 May. Need to change to W7 or E7 Satts.
Not that I didnt believe it, but seems it really is happening.

Mutt
That shows the Eurasia beam squarley on us, or is DSTV only on the Sub Saharan and Sth Africa beam? Its the same Sattelite?

[mutt]

I'm also seeking a solution, this chart shows the MultiChoice is only on the Sub Sahara and Africa beams.

MultiChoice Africa on Eutelsat W7 at 36.0°E - LyngSat (http://www.lyngsat.com/packages/mcafrica36.html)

Mutt

[jumbo1]

Guys, it's going. I got cut off on 20th when my subs ran out. have had to subscribe to showtime - not a bad package - I watched the 2 Super 14 semi's last week and they do televise it all - no 7's though!!!!!

[wunwinghi]

jumbo1......i beg to differ on your comment of "no 7's though".......Showsports showed the IRB London 7's last week and this weekend they're showing the IRB Edinburgh 7's.........

[jumbo1]

Wun
Quite right - I see it's on today as well. CANCEL LAST!
Happy viewing
J

[Desert Dawg]

@ Mutt

You are right.... The Ku beam appears to hit the SW corner of Saudi only.

@ Dixons Cider

MNET will only buy transponder space on the two transponders that cover south Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. They will not broadcast on the Eurasia transponder. This is how they will limit the signal to those countries that have MNET broadcast licence's

@ Capetonian

Yes - the Slingbox will only be 'workable' if the upload speed is in excess of 1Mb/s and provided the guy providing the 'service' is happy to set his decoder on the channel of your choice. Not a workable solution in my opinion.

What could be workable however, is if a friend in South Africa (or any MNET covered country) were to record the sports you wanted (ripping from their PVR/DVR) and then uploading these files to an ftp server. You could download the .avi file and watch it on your TV using the Western Digital WD Live multimedia box. Messy - but workable.

But live MNET as we used to know it here in the ME is sadly now part of history....

[halas]

A mate in the TV business in Media City told me that since OSN have lost the Premier League rights next season, expect to see an improved selection of other sports. NRL is a classic example.

halas

[MAK128]

I heard that Orbit Showtime has RUGBY UNION ITERNATIONALS Throughout the month as well as the RUGBY LEAGUE STATE OF ORIGIN (Wed 16th June) . Hey they are also giving out FOC AJS sports cards .. with high package subscription. I dont know what the conditions are... but hey if my dream box or Mnet is not going to work ... I will go with them BIG time :ok:

[sirwa69]

Still getting the French Open on Supersports yesterday, though it was all supposed to stop on May 31st?

[sheikmyarse]

This thread says it all on how you spend your time in Dubai for most of the year....watching TIVO!!

[ddd]

Can anybody plse confirm, no more DSTV (Supersport) in the Middle East? Not even with the Dreambox? Has the C- band transmitter been switched off?

[mutt]

C band was shut off end of May. Ku beam doesn't cover ME with the sub sahara beam.

Mutt

[Ejector]

Same problem in Asia, the DWTV C Band covered 1/4 of the world and was enjoyed by many, they were pressured to change to KU band. I tis finished.