DSTV advice · Durbanville

One Subscription, Two TVs: How XtraView Works

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 Durbanville, 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.