Error Codes
XtraView
PVR Explora
Netflix
Error Codes
No signal can be caused by bad weather or a problem with your satellite dish installation.
If your DStv signal is still missing after the storm has passed, contact us to check your cables and connections and alignment of your dish and LNB.
Service is currently scrambled usually due to your Multichoice account not paid.
Pay your account, and if it is paid phone Multichoice to clear the error, or you can clear the error yourself by dialling *120*68584# and following the prompts on your smartphone display.
Smartcard is not paired with the DStv decoder.
Phone Multichoice to link the smartcard to the decoder, or you can clear the error yourself by dialling *120*68584# and following the prompts on your smartphone display.
Your decoder is in the process of activation.
The decoder has been disconnected for too long.
Validating your subscription status.
Validating your subscription status.
Smartcard is not paired with the DStv decoder.
Heartbeat is not received by the secondary DStv decoder.
An empty bouquet of channels was selected.
A restriction prohibits the user to watch these services.
A broadcasting limitation prevents the user from watching this channel in the wrong country.
The smartcard is faulty or inserted incorrectly.
Remove your smartcard and clean it with a soft dry cloth and reinsert it correctly. If this does not help take your decoder to your nearest Multichoice walk-in centre for resetting or exchange of smartcard.
The smartcard is faulty or inserted incorrectly.
Remove your smartcard and clean it with a soft dry cloth and reinsert it correctly. If this does not help take your decoder to your nearest Multichoice walk-in centre for resetting or exchange of smartcard.
The parental PIN code has been blocked.
Phone Multichoice to reset.
Program map not available.
Contact DSTV Installer to assist resolving your problems.
Cannot read Smartcard. Clean Smartcard with a soft dry cloth and reinsert.
Smartcard has been removed or is inserted incorrectly.
Clean Smartcard with a soft dry cloth and reinsert.
DStv XtraView paired on the wrong home network, contact the MultiChoice call centre.
Channel is Parental Guidance (PG) blocked / no event information or TV guide data available.
Check the PG block restriction levels, check if the TV guide data is available or check if the PIN is blocked.
PVR functionality has not been loaded on your account.
Products in the smartcard have expired and the symptom is a loss of Audio & Video (AV).
Reset your DStv decoder by switching it off and on at the mains.
Channel selected via remote control device does not exist.
Re-enter the channel number, check for the channel number in the DStv TV guide.
Select the channel from the All channels list.
The date code on the smartcard does not match the broadcast date on the channel.
Swop your DStv smartcard at the MultiChoice centre.
Timestamp in the smartcard is not synchronized with the channel playing. Contact MultiChoice call centre to fix smartcard.
If not a smartcard problem call TV + Video Doctor to check signal problem.
Smartcard number not authorized to retrieve and playback content from the DStv decoder’s hard drive.
Smartcard number not authorized to retrieve and playback content from the DStv decoder’s hard drive.
Flash memory is corrupt.
Decoder internal power supply is faulty. Replace your decoder.
Decoder is in standby mode.
Switch the decoder on by pressing the power button on the decoder remote control.
Any error is possible, but no signal is most likely.
Reset your decoder by disconnecting and reconnecting the mains power, and if this does not help.
Contact us to send an accredited installer to check your satellite dish installation
No PVR product added to DStv smartcard.
If the problem persists contact the MultiChoice call centre to send a special command to fix.
XtraView
XtraView is a way to keep the whole family happy.
With XtraView, you can link either two or three decoders together under ONE subscription (and only pay a monthly Access Fee 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.
We recommend that all XtraView installations be done by our accredited installers and suggest that you contact one for more information.
The Access Fee gives you an additional viewing environment without having to pay an extra subscription, and so saves you money.
This additional environment can be through another decoder connected in XtraView or through the recording capacity on your decoder.
All DStv satellite installations make use of a LNB (low-noise block down converter). The LNB is the receiving “arm” that you see mounted on your satellite dish. It collects radio waves from the dish and converts these into a signal which your decoder can understand. There are many types of LNBs, ranging from a single LNB (used with our single view decoders) to quad LNBs and UniCable LNBs.
The DStv Smart LNB has been specially designed and manufactured for DStv to meet the growing needs of our non-commercial installations. It is not suitable for Multiple Unit Dwellings (like complexes and apartments).
MultiChoice recommends the DStv Smart LNB for all DStv Explora and most XtraView installations (when installed in a Single Unit Dwelling, ie. where customers make use of their own satellite dish).
From a technical viewpoint, the DStv Smart LNB combines the features of a DStv Switch into a single UniCable LNB and offers a single cable solution for distribution of multiple satellite signals.
We launched the DStv Smart LNB with the LMX500 model, and in May 2016, will be replacing this with the LMX501.
Model LMX500 – has 24 user bands, 4 UniCable outputs and 2 Universal outputs.
Model LMX501 – has 30 user bands, 3 UniCable outputs and 1 Universal output.
All our decoders can be installed with a DStv Smart LNB, however some XtraView combos may require use of multi-switches with a Quad LNB. Please chat to your local DStv Accredited Installer for more info.
- The DStv Smart LNB has been specially designed for use in DStv installations where customers make use of their own satellite dishes.
- The DStv Smart LNB has been tested locally with our decoders and other DStv approved equipment used in our installations.
- MultiChoice have a new satellite which allows for high band transmissions. Our DStv Smart LNBs are high band capable, ensuring that your installation is capable of receiving these signals.*
- The DStv Smart LNB allows for a simplified and more cost effective installation.
- Multiple decoders can be connected to the DStv Smart LNB without the need for a multi-switch/ DStv Switch (resulting in a cost saving).
- The cable goes directly from the LNB to the decoder. This allows for a shorter cable run and for decoders to be in different rooms (currently, many are together in the same room as the switch). This allows for more flexible installation solutions (including easier connection between HD decoders and HD TVs via HDMI cables).
- If you use the DStv Smart LNB when installing one decoder, there is no need to change your LNB when upgrading to XtraView.
We recommend that all changes to existing installations, including the replacement of LNBs be done by our DStv Accredited Installers.
* Older decoder models (Dual View Decoder and the SD PVR) are not capable of receiving high band transmissions, even if installed with a DStv Smart LNB.
PVR Explora
The recommended installation is an 80cm satellite dish with a DStv Smart LNB.
If your decoder is linked to multiple TVs, linked to other decoders in XtraView or you live in a complex where you cannot install your own individual dish, we recommend chatting to your nearest DStv Accredited Installer for info.
No. You need to be a Showmax subscriber to use Showmax on your DStv Explora. Access to Showmax on the DStv Explora also requires a DStv subscription and payment of the monthly Access Fee (R100).
Certain features are not supported on the DStv Explora. These include: Watchlist, Recently Watched, Continuous Play, Resume and Downloads.
- You need internet at home. Showmax requires an internet connection of at least 2Mbps. On the DStv Explora, an uncapped connection with at least 10Mbps is recommended for the best experience.
- You need to connect your DStv Explora to the internet .
- You need to subscribe to Showmax.
- You need to be paying a monthly DStv subscription and Access Fee
The DStv Explora has a daily maintenance slot and will download the software when it is next switched on again. The downloading of new software takes approximately 10 minutes.
No. You can, however, control viewing of Showmax content by using Showmax Blocking in the Parental Control menu. When Showmax Blocking is switched “on”, you’ll need to enter the valid PG PIN each time you select to watch something in Showmax.
To setup Showmax Blocking:
- Press the blue DStv button
- Scroll to Settings
- Select Parental Control
- Select Showmax Blocking
- Enter your PG PIN (if you have not set one up, use the default 1234)
- Switch Showmax Blocking “On”
- Press BACK to save your settings
If you have not yet personalized your PG PIN, please do this via the PG settings option on the Parental Control menu. If your PG PIN is blocked, you can set it back to default by clearing the error on your decoder using Self Service.
The option to download Showmax content for viewing later is not supported on the DStv Explora.
Showmax works differently to DStv Catch Up. When you stream a programme on DStv Catch Up, it is saved to the hard drive of the DStv Explora and is available for you to watch again at a later stage.
When you stream a programme on Showmax, it does not save to the hard drive of the DStv Explora.
Anyone who has connected their DStv Explora to the internet (and switched connected services “on”) is able to browse Showmax content – you’ll see Showmax content when going to the Showmax screen, the “Just Added” screen which is displayed each time the blue DStv button is pressed, and in search results. This does not require a subscription to Showmax. That is only required when you want to watch Showmax content.
Yes, your DStv Explora can be added to another one or two decoders in XtraView. Please chat to your local DStv Accredited Installer for more information on available decoder combinations and any changes that may be required to your installation.
Please note, there is a second monthly Access Fee required when linking three decoders in XtraView.
Netflix
Any residential DStv customer with an active DStv subscription, Access Fee and DStv Explora Ultra.
The only way to add Netflix to your DStv account is to sign up for Netflix on your DStv Explora Ultra. Press the APPS button, select Netflix and follow the sign up process. Payment will automatically be added to your DStv account using your existing payment method.
Yes, Netflix can be enjoyed on any supported device.
Yes, as the only way to add Netflix to your DStv account is by signing up to Netflix on your DStv Explora Ultra.
You can add one Netflix membership per DStv subscription which includes a DStv Explora Ultra. Example :
If you have one Explora Ultra on your account, you can add one Netflix membership to your DStv account.
If have two Explora Ultra’s linked in XtraView on your account, you can add one Netflix membership to your DStv account.
If you have two Explora Ultra’s on your account but they are not linked in XtraView (one is yours, one is your mom’s), you can add two Netflix memberships to your DStv account.
If you already have Netflix, then there’s no need to sign up again to stream Netflix on your Explora Ultra. Simply open the Netflix and select “Sign In” and enter your existing username and password to get started.
If you have had a Netflix membership previously and don’t have it active right now, then you can restart your membership on the DStv Explora Ultra by opening Netflix, selecting “Join now” (re-using your existing login and password), and adding it to your DStv account.
No. If you already have a Netflix account, just open the Netflix and sign in to start streaming.
Yes. Payment for Netflix will however be due monthly.
No. Your existing payment method will be used.
Yes. Netflix terms and conditions relating to number of devices and concurrent viewing will apply.
If your DStv subscription is inactive (whether due to non-payment or because you disconnected it), your Netflix will automatically be disconnected on your next Netflix renewal date. If you want to continue using Netflix, you will need to go to Netflix to restart your membership.
You will need to change your method of payment via Netflix (go to netflix.com/account)
You need to go to Netflix to cancel it (go to netflix.com/account)
As your DStv subscription on the DStv Explora Ultra would first need to be cancelled, your Netflix will automatically be disconnected on your next Netflix renewal date. If you want to continue using Netflix, you will need to go to Netflix, select another payment method and restart your membership.
It will depend on your Netflix renewal date, but when you request disconnection of your DStv subscription, your Netflix will by default be disconnected on your next Netflix renewal date.
No, Netflix subscriptions are only available for a full month. No pro-rata payments or partial subscriptions are allowed.
You will need to sign up again through Netflix on the DStv Explora Ultra (using your existing Netflix login and password).
Yes, you can make payment using a Netflix voucher at Netflix.com.
These dates can be different. Netflix do not cater for pro-rata payments, so the date that you sign up to Netflix automatically becomes your Netflix renewal date. You will however only be making one payment to us (with that payment date being your DStv payment date).
Netflix are responsible for technical support on their product. If you have any issues with Netflix, please visit netflix.com/help.
If your payment is via DStv, you can contact us. If payment is via Netflix, you will need to contact Netflix.