DStv Explora truly comes alive when you connect it to the internet. With CatchUp Plus (exclusive to DStv Premium) and on Showmax, you can catch up on or binge-watch your favorite TV series, blockbuster movies, documentaries and so much more. What’s more, you can even schedule recordings on your decoder when you’re away from home so that you don’t miss a thing.
So then, how do we go about getting connected to the internet? Let’s do a checklist of the requirements you need before you can start enjoying quality entertainment at your fingertips.
DStv Requirements
- A DStv Explora
- An uncapped internet connection
- A minimum 2Mbps is required for downloads and/or remote recording
- For SD viewing, a minimum of 4Mbp is required
- For HD viewing (and the best experience), a minimum of 10Mbps is recommended
Internet Connection via Ethernet
An Ethernet cable provides the most stable internet connection between a Dstv Explora and your internet router. Bonus points if you already have the cables laid and it’s only a matter of adding another device.
It goes without saying that your router should be switched on. You ought to have an active internet connection at this juncture already hooked up. Uncapped/unlimited is recommended. Connection speeds should be in the region of 2Mbps for downloads or remote recording.
For standard definition (SD) or 480P, a minimum of 4Mbps is required where High Definition (HD) requires 10Mbps for the best experience. Please remember that data costs may apply when streaming or downloading content.
Once all’s well, you can now dig up your remote control from beneath the sofa or thereabout and set things up proper:
What to do
- Press the Blue DStv button on your remote
- Go to Settings
- Select System Settings
- Select Connectivity Set-up
- Now plug an Ethernet cable directly into the green Ethernet port on the back of your DStv Explora and then insert the other end into an available Ethernet port on your router.
- The DStv Explora will now automatically run the set-up wizard and test connectivity to the internet
- That’s it
You can always check your connectivity from your decoder. Press the HELP button on your remote, select Tools, then select Connectivity Checker.
Read more:
- Don’t have a decoder and dish on you? Here’s how to watch DStv Now on mobile and web
- DStv Explora 3 vs Explora 2 vs Explora: An indepth comparison
How to connect via a DStv WiFi Connector
If the Ethernet cables just won’t do it for you, the other option is to use DStv’s WiFi Connector (USB3000). This is basically your average WiFi USB adapter. While we haven’t tried other WiFi connectors, different brands ought to work just fine in case you’re having problems with the one DStv provides.
Ensure you also have an active internet connection. As we stated before, an uncapped internet package is advisable. Capped data bundles just won’t cut it. We are going to be streaming and downloading series and movies after all. It’s quite the data hog.
Once you have verified that you’re all set on this front, let’s now turn our attention to our decoder. Please retrieve your remote control and let’s get to work:
What to do
- Press the blue DStv button on your remote
- Go to Settings
- Select System Settings
- Select Connectivity Set-up
- Connect the cable on the docking station to the USB port on the back of your DStv Explora (if your Explora has a USB port on the side, don’t use that one).
- Insert the DStv WiFi Connector into the docking station and place the docking station next to the decoder. (The DStv WiFi Connector can also be connected directly to the USB port on the back of your decoder, however, this may impact signal reception). The LED on the DStv WiFi Connector should now be solid white (confirming that it has power)
- The DStv Explora will now automatically search for WiFi networks and display the available options
- Press OK on the remote to select your WiFi network, then press OK again to connect the DStv Explora to your WiFi network
- If your WiFi network is not found, move the docking station to a position where it is most likely to receive a WiFi signal
- WiFi network still not found? Check that your router is switched on and connected to the internet
- If your WiFi network has a password, enter the password now. You can enter the password using the alphanumeric buttons on the remote control, or by pressing ALT to use the onscreen keyboard
- If your password includes a character that is not on our onscreen keyboard, please change the password on your router
- If you enter the password incorrectly, the screen will show an error message (Incorrect password. Please try again)
- Please delete the entered password and try again
- The DStv Explora will now automatically test connectivity to the internet.
You can always check your connectivity from your decoder. Press the HELP button on your remote, select Tools, then select Connectivity Checker.
On a last note, once you have connected your DStv Explora to the internet, the available DStv Catch Up Plus content is exclusive to DStv Premium customers with an active subscription. Plus, downloading this content may fill up your decoder space. Lastly, data charges may apply for all DStv Catch Up downloads, including failed downloads.