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Mobile DSTV Is Every Sport Fan’s Dream
INTRO
The DSTV Drifta is every sport fan’s dream gadget and probably every boss’s nightmare. This small, compact and nifty gadget, which isn’t much bigger than the average smart phone, is a mobile TV decoder that receives DVB-H signal and converts it into Wi-Fi signal for Wi-Fi enabled viewing devices.
“Say what?”, I hear most of you ask. Well, let me put it in plain English for most of us normal okes who don’t always understand all the technical terms. Simply put, this means no more wondering whether Ricky Ponting is punishing the Protea’s bowling attack while you’re at work or whether he is already back in the pavilion, sulking and listening to his favourite sheep mating tunes (which is exactly where we prefer him). No sir, from now on if you want to know the score you just have to glance over to your laptop, PC, tablet or smartphone (compatible devices listed further below) and you’ll know exactly what’s going on. The Drifta makes mobile TV a reality provided you are in an area that has coverage and have a compatible device.
CHANNELS
The channels available with the Drifta makes it very clear that sports fans are the target market for the DSTV Drifta – and we are certainly not complaining. Remember how things use to be? Stuck at work on a Friday morning while the Sharks are playing the Crusaders? Ja, we know it sucks. Enter DSTV and the Drifta! Barring a few minor hic-ups this device is pretty much what any sports fan has been wishing for and you can now have access to any of the following channels:
*Supersport Blitz
*Supersport 1
*Supersport 2
*Supersport 3
*Cartoon Network
*The eNews Channel
*Trace TV
*Channel O
*Africa Magic
COVERAGE
For the Drifta to work it must be within DVB-H coverage and judging from the coverage map, DSTV’s DVB-H network is definitely a step in the right direction. All the major centres in South Africa are well covered. Just beware this does not mean you can receive reception anywhere in SA. The “safe” coverage areas include:
*Johannesburg
*Pretoria
*Soweto
*Polokwane
*Mbombela
*Rustenburg
*Durban
*Port Elizabeth
*Cape Town
*Bloemfontein
Setting up coverage for the first time was an absolute breeze. It reminded me of that add on TV where you get more than you bargained for. I couldn’t believe how easy we got signal was. Especially since we are from what Mr.Gareth Cliff calls the “Armpit of SA”, ie Port Elizabeth. HOWEVER, there have been reports that receiving that first signal can be a bit of a pain. I suppose it depends on your geographaical position. The signal strength and coverage may vary for various reasons such as topography, building structures and other factors beyond DSTV’s control. Once setup though it’s definitely worth the effort if you’re a die-hard sports fan.
COMPATIBLE DEVICES
PCs including laptops and notebooks
– System Requirements
– Operating System: Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7
– Processor: 32 Bit or 64 Bit
– Minimum Memory: 512MB
– Minimum Disk Space: 100 MB
– USB Port
iPhone – iOS 4.0 and higher iOS
iPod Touch – iOS 4.0 and higher iOS
iPad – iOS 3.2 and higher iOS
WHERE TO BUY
* Online from Kalahari through this link
* Multi-Choice branches, agencies and select retail outlets.
GETTING STARTED:
Ok, so Kalahari delivers your mobile DSTV gadget to your front door (home or office) – what now? You’ll need to do the following basic setup before you can watch any big games:
BATTERY:
First you’ll have to charge the battery which is the same as charging your cell phone.
REGISTER:
Next, registering your Drifta – I was pleasantly surprised when this literally did not take longer than 5 minutes (I’m a current DSTV subsriber). I was honestly expecting to be on hold for at least 5 minutes. Anyways, so while the battery charges you phone the DSTV call centre and register your device. Don’t worry if you’re not a current DSTV subscriber, there is no need to be. If however you are a subscriber make sure you have your subscription number or ID number ready as this will make things considerably easier.
SIGNAL:
Once registration is done you should be able to receive signal. Again here I was also suprized to receive signal within 2-3 minutes after switching the device on. However, as mentioned earlier you might struggle initially to get signal, but once you have signal it’s a breeze to connect and you can be watching sports within 2-3 minutes of switching your laptop on every day. Some guys have struggled for up to 3 days to get that initial signal, but hey we say no pain, no gain and there certainly is a lot to gain. So stop being a sissy and just get through the initial setup without whining too much. After that it’s pretty much smooth sailing and you’ll be able to watch just about any sport you want too right there in your office.
SOFTWARE:
NB – FIRST INSTALL THE SOFTWARE SUPPLIED ON YOUR PC BEFORE CONNECTING TO THE DEVICE. The software is easier to install than finding Matfield in a line out if his opposite number is Danny DeVito. The software also gives you the choice between two screen sizes – small and smaller. The larger of the views is about 1/4 screen on your laptop. Not great, but a lot better than nothing.
That’s it, now your software is installed and you have your signal. You’re ready to catch up on any game anytime you want to. If you were unlucky and struggled a few days to get that signal, don’t stress about it. Once it’s done it should be smooth sailing. Luckily a test match is 5 days long and hopefully you will still catch Andre Nel whispering in Mr.Ponting’s ear, “Yo momma is so ugly the mailman mistook her for a Dingo” – now that’s what we call good TV!
PRO’S
- Easy & Quick Installation – Never left the office once to setup. Ordered the Drifta from Kalahari, Registered via phone and installed the software. Total time to install and receive signal after battery was charged: Maximum 10 minutes.
- Keeping an eye on the game right there at work while working on that big project…..Priceless!
CONS
- Some people have complained about connectivity the first time. Maybe they were on the outskirts of one of the major centres, I don’t know. So if that first signal is a bit of a pain to get, just grunt your teeth and get through it man. Do you think a game against the All Blacks at the House of Pain is easy? (Providing of course you are in a area that receices signal).
- Bigger screen would have been nice.
CONCLUSION
The device is relatively easy to setup, not very expensive at all and monthly fees are less than a Kentucky Man Meal! Although heavily focused on sports channels, there are also channels that other members of the family might enjoy. The technology is relatively new and DSTV certainly has a bit more work to do here, but this is a huge step in the right direction. Most importantly though the Rugby World Cup is around the corner and being in NZ most games will be in the morning while you are stuck at work, so get yours now before they sell out. I’d rather watch it on a 1/4 screen than not watching at all.
Our final comment: Thank you DSTV – sorrrrrry for you Boss!
Happy viewing from all the Sport Fans @ Mobile DSTV Gadgets!
Go Amabokke!
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