j-j.co.za

Each country has it’s own channel list, for example Ghana has BBC and CNN which we don’t have in SA, as well as a different set of Supersport channels.  Go to the DSTV Mobile website and select the country on the opening map, then take a look at the channel list to see what is available in each.

This seems to happen even when the reception is good (it can be 100%) and indicator is green proving that it is picking up signal but no picture or sound is available. After clicking “OK” the Drifta decoder then continually tries to connect but does not manage to do so.

Solution :
1. You have to phone the DSTV call centre to ask them to resend the signal to you and then it should work.

2. You can also sort out the problem without phoning the help desk by logging on to the care website. Look for the error codes “how to” on the right hand side of the page (look for error code E16).

3. In theory you can reset the error code by SMS using : SMS “error code + smartcard number” to 32472 just not sure what smarcard number you would use. If you are having to do resets often ask the call centre for the “smartcard number” of your Drifta, they should be able to sort you out with it.

Content supplemented with information from the DSTV mobile forums : http://forum.dstvmobile.com/

Just give customer care a call. You will need the following information :
1. your ID number
2. the seller’s ID number
3. proof of purchase

Haa haa. Welcome to the club.

Despite their terms of use allowing them to decide who they wish to use the forums and who they wish to exclude, one would think that the forums would be a good way to engage with customers, answer queries, deal with concerns being raised. It seems that DSTV would rather use the forums to spread propaganda messages, excluding those who ask questions they would rather not answer.

In my case

• my ban is indefinite : “Date the ban will be lifted: Never”
• for reasons unknown : “You have been banned for the following reason: No reason was specified.”
• I mailed them to ask them the reason and never received a reply.

If you wish to see what is going on in the forums (and there never seems to be much) just log out of your account and you can read the forums. If they spent a bit more time answering questions honestly, providing customer support and sorting out their promises with respect to service delivery they would have a whole lot more customers. Oh what a pain it is to have to deal with monopolies.

Well, despite what might be advertised to, and expected by us, the customer,  the Cartoon Network and E! channels are not the full channels you see on dstv. They are a “dumbed down” version on a 2 hour repeat cycle of week old stuff. Don’t expect the real thing.

To quote from a DSTV spokesman “Note that E! & CN’s content is customised for the mobile environment and unlike the rest of the channels, content on these 2 channels is not the same as content on “normal” DStv. On mobile, E! & CN’s content is meant to repeat 4-5 different clips within a 2 hour loop and also it’s content that played out last week (one weeks old content). ”

And in response to a question on false advertising around it not being the full channels :

” We will escalate the matter in regards with advertising to Marketing and investigate accordingly. For information on DStv Mobile products and the riveting content available, please visit our website.”

Um ya right. Ok then.

Updated 26/11/2011

The application is compatible with the following BlackBerry devices:

• Bold 9000
• Bold 9700
• Curve 8520
• Curve 8900
• Curve 9300

The application is available at http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/64226?lang=en

Because the BlackBerry application is a public beta, no minimum performance can be guaranteed.

No support is available for OS7 devices or the latest devices, so no luck for the owners of the Torch or the new Bold 9900. If you follow the appworld link from one of these devices (eg 9900) app world just gives an error message saying the software is unavailable for the device.

DStv say they are working on getting support for these devices. Let’s hope this doesn’t take as long to get sorted as the Beta did.

I would have thought not, however, the following is found in the latest version of the Drifta Client software (1.3.1) for Windows :

0x00114EA8	0x0000006E	https://mo-dev.dstvmobile.com/DStvMobile.UsageMonitoring.Collector.Web.IISHost_Drifta/Drifta.aspx/MetaData?id=
0x00114F18	0x00000071	https://mo-dev.dstvmobile.com/DStvMobile.UsageMonitoring.Collector.Web.IISHost_Drifta/Drifta.aspx/UsageMonitoring
0x00114F90	0x00000064	https://mo-dev.dstvmobile.com/DStvMobile.UsageMonitoring.Drifta.Activator.Web/Manage.aspx/Status?id=
0x00114FF8	0x0000006D	https://mo-qa.dstvmobile.com/DStvMobile.UsageMonitoring.Collector.Web.IISHost_Drifta/Drifta.aspx/MetaData?id=
0x00115068	0x00000070	https://mo-qa.dstvmobile.com/DStvMobile.UsageMonitoring.Collector.Web.IISHost_Drifta/Drifta.aspx/UsageMonitoring
0x001150E0	0x00000063	https://mo-qa.dstvmobile.com/DStvMobile.UsageMonitoring.Drifta.Activator.Web/Manage.aspx/Status?id=
0x00115148	0x0000006E	https://mo-uat.dstvmobile.com/DStvMobile.UsageMonitoring.Collector.Web.IISHost_Drifta/Drifta.aspx/MetaData?id=
0x001151B8	0x00000071	https://mo-uat.dstvmobile.com/DStvMobile.UsageMonitoring.Collector.Web.IISHost_Drifta/Drifta.aspx/UsageMonitoring
0x00115230	0x00000064	https://mo-uat.dstvmobile.com/DStvMobile.UsageMonitoring.Drifta.Activator.Web/Manage.aspx/Status?id=
0x00115298	0x0000006B	https://ums.dstvmobile.com/DStvMobile.UsageMonitoring.Collector.Web.IISHost_Drifta/Drifta.aspx/MetaData?id=
0x00115308	0x0000006E	https://ums.dstvmobile.com/DStvMobile.UsageMonitoring.Collector.Web.IISHost_Drifta/Drifta.aspx/UsageMonitoring
0x00115378	0x00000061	https://ums.dstvmobile.com/DStvMobile.UsageMonitoring.Drifta.Activator.Web/Manage.aspx/Status?id=

This surely seems to indicate that DSTV is indeed monitoring Drifta useage. I haven’t seen anything anywhere which specifically allows this, perhaps its time to review the terms and conditions again. See them here.  I see nothing in there which gives DSTV the right to monitor what I am doing with the software.

I also found that the Windows application created two files in user/AppData/Roaming/DStv/DStv Mobile Decoder/Logs.

• last_time.log
• 2011-07-06, 21:42:19    (The date and time of last useage)
• tmp.gz
• Snagit32/CamRecorder/HyCam2/SSRecorder/VODRecorder/HiNetRecorder/wmrecorder/Easy_WebCam_Recording/VideoCap/debut/Screen Recorder 5/My Screen Recorder/bdcam/H264WebCam/smrecorder/Taksi/WebCam Monitor/SplitCam/WVC/MobiGarda/openvcap/Cam Wizard/procguard/SaypeCap/fraps/Jing/FreeScreenVideo

The tmp.gz seems to contain a list of applications which can record the video stream, and which (maybe) they intend to (or already) check for and block.

Running a network traffic sniffer while decoder.exe starts up shows that a DNS lookup is done for ums.dstvmobile.com and that an HTTPS encrypted session is then established through to the server confirming that there is some level of monitoring going on and that the URLS found in the executable are more than just coincidence.

I mailed Maiyo to ask what this was all about, and after consulting with technical came back to tell me that they have a trial running where they monitor the useage of certain users. The traffic we are seeing above (according to DSTV) arises as the client checks in with the server to see if it is one of the smart cards involved in the trial. While this provides a small amount of comfort, it also confirms that my identifiable details are sent through to DSTV every time I use my Drifta while being connected to the internet. That is cold comfort.

The USB Drifta is a new Drifta that looks rather like a USB 3G Modem or a Memory stick. It is a small dongle like device that plugs directly into your computer USB port and then works pretty much the same as the previous generation Drifta. No wires, no charging, less hassle. Only supports computers though, no mobile devices.

You can take a look at what it looks like and what is delivered here in the unboxing post.

The advertising and documentation around this is a bit confusing.

The deal was that it was free until 31 March 2011. Then, if you were a Compact Subscriber and activated before 31 March 2011, you could have it free until 31 March 2011.

If you are a Premium subscriber you could have one free Drifta Subs until 31 March 2012.

The USB Drifta documentation still says that if you are a Compact subscriber and activate before 31 March 2011 you can have it free until 31 March 2012. I assume this an oversight and just poor editing of text for the website since we have already passed 31 March 2011, and the USB drifta was released to the public after this date. Poor show.

The DStv Mobile website has quite a decent coverage map which shows whether you are likely to have coverage. Check your coverage here.

If you are way outside a covered area you probably won’t have much luck. If close to or within an area you are likely to be ok. You can of course always use extended aerials and the like. See the FAQ question on boosting signal.

Yes, you do need a DSTV account to use a Drifta. You don’t have to have a R600/month account, but they need an account so they can bill you the R36/month fees (there is no prepaid option). DSTV can create an account quite easily so this shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

If you are a DStv premium subscriber you will get access to this channel. If you are just a Drifta (R36/month) subscriber you will not get access to it and there is no way to buy access to just this channel without paying the full premium subscription.

Currently :

• iDevices (iPod touch, iPad, iPhone) (Download the “dstv mobile decoder” app from the Apple Appstore)
• Windows based computers (Get the software from www.dstvmobile.com)

Rumoured :

• Android devices (promised support by 1 April)
• Blackberry (promised support by 1 April – now appears delayed to 31 May – Now June sometime? Nope, maybe July)
• Nokia/Symbian (promised support by 1 April)
• Windows mobile / 7 (unclear)

There is no clear feedback or timelines on the above. We are just a few days away from the promised release date and DSTV seem to be hedging their bets and pushing out the dates. The DTSV FAQ lists the above as being “Early 2011″.

All deadlines have been missed, people are ignored on the DSTV forums when asked, misinformed by call centre staff when they ask, and told “We never said that” when reminding DSTV of the April date.

Don’t expect the software to appear on any new devices anytime soon. Seems DSTV bit off more than they could chew with this and aren’t prepared to make it right with their customers whom they misled.

Slight update from a 13th June posting on the mybroadband.co.za forum (link here) : (slightly edited)

• There is an Android client in the works (no timeline yet)
• There is a blackberry client in the works ( no time line yet)
• There is a Nokia S60 version in the works (sooner than the other 2, but will only be ready when the coding is done). This version will utilize the Drifta with wifi support but the CPU needs to be above 700mhz.

The Nokia E71 runs at 381Mhz, the N95 at 330Mhz, the E72 runs at 600Mhz, N97 runs at 434Mhz. So, if the statement above is true, then only Nokia S60 phones released in late 2010/2011 like the N8 and E7 (only 680Mhz) may well work with the Drifta. So don’t hold out much hope then. This also makes me worry about which Blackberry Devices will be compatible with the Drifta. I wish they would just come out and say what is planned. The waiting sucks when after the wait you still probably won’t be able to use the device.

The drifta device sell for around R599, but can be bought on special offers for a little cheaper (R549). There was originally no monthly subscription fee but this is to change from the 1st April 2011. The monthly cost will be +- R36. DSTV premium subscribers will not be charged extra for DSTV mobile for another year (1st April 2012). There is no data cost, the device doesn’t use an internet connection.

The Nokia N8 (streaming service) is listed on the website as being a free application (which it is). So there is no upfront cost. Be aware that as it is a streaming service you will be paying the (high) data costs of your cellular service provider. This can be very very expensive.

For the DVB-H broadcast option (this is what the Drifta uses), just the monthly subscription of R36. No data charges or any other charges. R5 optional extra insurance if you want it. (More info to be added on pricing in other African countries)

For streaming via Vodacom Live! it costs R59/month (or R19/week) and you get to watch up to 3 hours of programming (45m weekly). Anything over that is considered outside of the acceptable useage policy. You do NOT pay for the data using this service, it’s included in your subscription.

The Nokia N8 (streaming service) will cost you a whole lot more depending on useage as it is a streaming service. You will have to pay your per MB  fees to your network cellular provider. Be careful of this, you could rack up high bills quickly.

There are currently 15 channels (Changes 14 July 2011) :

1. Supersport 1
2. Supersport 2
3. Supersport 3
4. Supersport Blitz
5. M-Net Series Mobile **
6. Sony MAX
7. Africa Magic
8. E! Entertainment Mobile **
9. Cartoon Network Mobile (now the full version)
10. Channel O
11. Trace Urban
12. The eNews Channel
13. CNNi
14. Big Brother Amplified
15. Idols Extra

** These are mobile versions of the channel and may not match the content of the full channel on DSTV. Cartoon network was most affected by this, but is now the full channel. See the comments at the bottom of the post.

As of 1st April 2011 there were 13 channels (Up from the original 10 at launch)

1. Africa Magic
2. Channel O
3. Trace TV
4. The eNews Channel
5. SuperSport Blitz
6. SuperSport 1
7. SuperSport 2
8. SuperSport 3
9. SuperSport 6 (temp for world cup)
10. Cartoon Network
11. CNNi
12. E!Entertainment
13. Sony Max

Just be careful though, the Cartoon Network and E! channels are not the full channels you see on dstv. They are a “dumbed down” version on a 2 hour repeat cycle of week old stuff. Don’t expect the real thing.

To quote from a DSTV spokesman “Note that E! & CN’s content is customised for the mobile environment and unlike the rest of the channels, content on these 2 channels is not the same as content on “normal” DStv. On mobile, E! & CN’s content is meant to repeat 4-5 different clips within a 2 hour loop and also it’s content that played out last week (one weeks old content). ”

And in response to a question on false advertising around it not being the full channels :

” We will escalate the matter in regards with advertising to Marketing and investigate accordingly. For information on DStv Mobile products and the riveting content available, please visit our website.”

Um ya right. Ok then.

And just to prove that DStv does listen, the Cartoon Network being broadcast has been upgraded to the full version. No more complaints from the kids 😉

This seems to be quite a contentious issue. Some people like the selection, others don’t.

The channel selection is aimed at people on the move. 5 (half) of the current channels are sports channels, great for those who don’t want to miss the game when they are on the move. In the DSTV forums it is claimed the channel selection is based on “wide market research”. The forum members think it has more to do with DSTV wanting to keep the costs low for the licensing of the channels, hence no decent movie or entertainment channels. To be honest, the quality (low resolution) doesn’t really justify watching a movie on this. I would however like an additional news channel, though etv news is quite decent.

With effect from 1st April a few changes are in store. Supersport 6 is dropped (was always only temporary for the world cup) and CNNi, E!Entertainment and Sony Max are added. This does give more balance to the lineup.

There are nine channels on the DStv Mobile bouquet and a maximum of six can be accommodated on the eTV bouquet. This is due to how the frequency was allocated by ICASA. Therefore the DStv Mobile bouquet cannot have more than 9 channels at any one time.  (from answer on the DSTV mobile forum).

As of 14 July 2011 there are a total of 15 channels available on Drifta, including the eNews channel. It therefore looks as though eTV have made a deal with DStv whereby DStv are using the channels allocated to eTV. This would suggest the number can’t grow beyond the current 15.

Yes there is a delay. Watching on a dstv decoder on SS2 and comparing the broadcast timing to the Drifta I have found a delay of +- 13 seconds. The delay may vary per channel.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-Hhttp://www.dvb-h.org/http://www.dvb-h.org/technology.htm

When you click the button it synchronises to the next channel. Can take anywhere from 5-10 seconds depending on signal strength etc. Normally takes around 6 seconds.

The native resolution of the transmission is 320×240, and is limited to this by the bandwidth available in the DVB-H spectrum. The specification of DVB-H was agreed back in 2002, when cell phones had tiny tiny screens so don’t be surprised at the poor resolution, it was considered quite high back then.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-H

Technically the resolution of the transmission is limited to 320×240. DSTV have chosen to artificially restrict the size of the picture on-screen to double this resolution. It gives you a picture that takes up about a quarter of the size of a normal laptop screen. There is an unofficial patch to work around this. (See How do I make the picture larger).

While the application allows a zoomed in view, it just doubles the pixels. There is no full screen mode available. You can use the windows magnifier to zoom in further but it looks terrible. Better just to watch in the smaller window and enjoy it for what it is – a mobile service.

Don’t expect an upgrade in the resolution any time soon, it seems this is not technically possible (limited by the DVB-H spectrum). If the broadcast standard changes and the devices can be updated then perhaps one day this could be improved. Don’t count on it.

Inside areas marked as having signal this normally isn’t a problem. In low signal areas there are things you can do to improve your signal. See “How can I improve my signal?”

If you have moved location a lot, sometimes a channel scan will sort this out. The decoder keeps the details of the channels and tries to use those when connecting. I have noticed that when travelling between Durban and Capetown I always need to do a channel scan in the next city. Only takes 3 minutes then you are back online.