Openview HD test signal live on SES 5 satellite

Openview HD started its roadshow in Port Elizabeth to installers about the new satellite DTH Free To Air channels on SES 5 satellite at 5 degrees east, the same satellite TOP TV is broadcasting its pay tv service. The launch is anticipated to be in October 2013 and will be broadcast in DVB-S2 with minimum of 15 channels and 5 of them in High Definition. The set top box will be encrypted with NDS for control access and thus will require activation. The head-end and uplink station is situated at e-tv broadcast center in Cape Town. Some of the channels that will launch will be SABC 1-2-3, etv, e-kasi, e-africa, e-movies and setanta sport to name few. It is anticipated that the retail price value for set top box including installation with an 80cm dish will be R1899.00 once off with no monthly subscription. It is also anticipated that an enabled PVR set top box will be launched in second term of 2014 as access control is still in development.

Sentech launched New Vivid decoder

The new Vivid FTA decoder is currently on sale at major satellite equipment distributors in South Africa and currently retails for R399.00. It features DVB-S2 but not HDMI thus not HD. Product Information reads:
Ideal for Free to Air public Television and Radio Services in Rural Outlying Poor Terrestrial Signal Coverage Areas’s in South Africa.
* For activation, please fill in CAS number and not the STB number.
* Customers ID/proof of residence required for activation
* For sale in South Africa only

Openview HD launching soon

The new Satellite DTH FTA channels to launch soon. Details are sketchy at this moment especially with the launch of the new Vivid decoder that is DVB-S2 complaint on sale at two big satellite equipment distributors in South Afirca. The website only showcase SABC 1, 2, 3 and e-tv and other existing FTA channels will be showcased on their Bouquet. This seems to be the reaction to the pirated Vivid bouquet.