DStv Extra View setup installation guide is a cost-effective solution that allows two DStv decoders to be linked together on a single subscription cost using a single dish. DStv Extra View increases the number of TVs which can view different channels simultaneously in a household without having to pay an additional subscription fee.
You are here because you have a question on how to perform DStv Extra View setup installations. In this article, I explain the idea of DStv Extra View setup installations in detail, decoders you can use for Extra View, and problems expected in DStv extra view setup installations.
What Is DStv Extra View Setup?
DSTV Extra View setup simply can be described as a convenient way of watching different DSTV channels on different TVs/decoders with a single subscription. Instead of having multiple DStv decoders with different subscriptions for each, the decoders can be linked under a single DStv subscription with independent channel views under a single dish.
For a better understanding of DStv extra view, having family members who may prefer to watch different TV programs at the same time, extra view solves the problem by allowing each family member (with the number of decoders connected) to watch different channels simultaneously at the same time without a problem.
DStv Extra View Benefits
DStv Extra View allows two decoders to be linked together without having to pay two full subscriptions. You can get up to three different channels (depending on the allowed decoder combination) on three different TV at the same time. This option gives you two different channels (such as SuperSport & Cartoon Network) in two different rooms.
How Does DStv Extra View Work?
DSTV extra view work by connecting one or two “Secondary Decoders” to a “Primary Decoder” to enable the decoders to share a single DSTV subscription to increase the number of TV channels that can be viewed simultaneously. Only a maximum of two secondary decoders can be connected to a primary decoder.
The primary decoder is responsible for sending a signal called “Heartbeat Signal” to the secondary decoder every 90secs through a smart LNB or a coaxial communication cable.
An error message can be displayed If the secondary decoder is not receiving the heartbeat signal from the primary decoder. What exactly is primary and secondary decoder?
What Are Primary and Secondary Decoders?
The “Primary Decoder” can be referred to as the Main Decoder where the subscription is installed. The “Secondary Decoder” can be referred to as the “Extended Decoder” that shares the subscription with the primary decoder.
So, the secondary decoders in a DStv extra view settings that has full access to the subscription available to the primary decoder i.e if the primary decoder has a premium subscription package, the secondary decoders will also have full access to the DStv premium package.
DStv Extra View Setup Installation Guide
To successfully install DStv Xtraview settings, a basic DStv installation wizard is required. 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. We are a reliable DStv installer in Lagos.
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.
DStv Extra View Setup Installation With HD Decoder And A Smart LNB?
This is a DStv extra view connection using HD Decoder with a smart LNB. For the XtraView setup to work, the Primary and Secondary decoders need a good signal quality is required.
The coaxial cable of both Primary and Secondary decoders should be connected to the smart LNB on the dish installed with good signal quality. Newer decoder models use the Uni-Cable port on the smart LNB while older decoder models use the Universal port.
NOTE: Using a smart LNB, a Heartbeat cable is not needed. When a Twin LNB is used, a diplexer and heartbeat cable is needed
NOTE: Using a Smart LNB, a heartbeat cable between the Primary and Secondary decoders is not needed. This is because all new decoders have the ability to send and receive heartbeat communication through the DStv smart LNB or smart switch. This DStv XtraView setup is known as Uniview installation. So when a decoder does not have an RF-out port, a Smart LNB or Smart Switch will do the job.
How To Connect DSTV Primary And Secondary Decoders
Once the HD Primary and Secondary decoders are connected to the twin LNB, proceed to link the decoders using a heartbeat cable. The heartbeat cable is used to send a heartbeat signal every 90secs to the Secondary decoder to confirm the connection. If there is no heartbeat signal, the secondary decoder will display the E143.
The diagram above shows the DStv XtraView setup installation using a universal twin LNB with a communication cable (Heartbeat) from the Primary to the Secondary decoders. The communication cable will allow the heartbeat signal to be sent from the primary and received by the secondary decoder. If 3 decoders are required to be linked, a triple view splitter device will be needed.
NOTE: The Primary decoder needs to be switched on for the XtraView to work. Else, the “waiting for communication from the primary decoder“ error will be displayed on the secondary decoders.
How To Check Extra View Status On The Primary And Secondary Decoder
The following easy steps will show how to check XtraView status if communication occurs between the Primary and Secondary decoders:
- Press the “Help” button on the remote control
- Scroll to “General Information“
- Then go to “Extra View“
If communication occurs, call Multichoice Africa, Nigeria on +234 908 236 8533 to activate your DStv extra view.
If you need technical help in setting up your extra view in Lagos, contact our accredited installers.
DSTV Extra View E143 Error Message: “Waiting For Communication From Primary Decoder”
E143 error “waiting for communication from Primary Decoder” means the secondary decoder is not receiving a heartbeat signal from the primary. This can happen with a faulty connection of the communication (Heartbeat) cable. Or incorrect decoder settings or the primary decoder is NOT switched ON. To fix the Extra View E143 error, make sure the primary decoder is switched ON. Also, the heartbeat cable is attached correctly on both decoders on the RF ports or the diplexer.
