MultiChoice unveils DStv PVR “on steroids”

·31 Jul 2013

MultiChoice has unveiled its next-generation DStv PVR decoder, the DStv Explora – a 2 TB decoder locally assembled by Vektronix in South Africa.

The new DStv Explora will be available in retail stores from 15 August and is priced at R2,499.

It features a 2 terabyte hard drive, which will allow subscribers to record up to 220 hours of high definition television.

It will also allow the broadcaster to offer a larger content selection in its Catch Up service.

“We constantly find ourselves dealing with the reality that South Africa lags behind the rest of the world in fixed broadband penetration,” said Collins Khumalo, CEO of Multichoice South Africa.

“In the absence of affordable high-speed broadband access for most South Africans, delivering our content via satellite remains the most reliable way to ensure that our customers have the best viewing experience, without buffering or waiting for downloads.”

Main features:

2 terabyte hard drive
HD user interface
record up to 220 hours of HD content
series stacking (2 episodes of selected series on demand – to be expanded to 4)
catch up service expanded to 30 movies on demand
DStv Box Office expanded to 20 new releases
Future Internet capabilities

The new decoders entered into mass production in July, assembled by Pace in partnership with MultiChoice using local privately-owned electronics manufacturer, Vektronix.

Pace creates technologies, software, hardware and services for the broadcast and broadband industries, and has been a DStv partner since 1995.

“We are pleased that Pace is manufacturing the DStv Explora in South Africa. This will contribute positively to skills development, local economic development and job creation in the manufacturing, logistics and sales sectors of our economy,” said CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, Collins Khumalo.