Questions we get asked
Straight answers about DSTV, cameras, gates, aircons and electrical. If yours isn’t here, WhatsApp us a photo and ask.
DSTV installation and decoders
Doing it yourself, what a Smart LNB is and what happens to the old dish.
Can I install DSTV myself?
You can, but most people regret it on the roof. The hard part is not the decoder, it is aiming the dish at the satellite and fixing it so wind cannot move it. A dish that is a fraction off gives pixelation and lost channels. If you only need a decoder connected to a working dish, ask us on the phone first. For a new dish, see DSTV installation.
What is a Smart LNB?
The LNB is the small receiver on the arm in front of your dish. A Smart LNB is the newer type that lets more than one decoder share the same dish and cable. You need one for an Explora Ultra and for many Extraview setups. If your dish has an older LNB, swapping it is often cheaper than replacing the whole dish. A photo of the LNB helps us tell you.
Do you remove old dishes?
Yes. When we put in a new dish we can take the old one down and take it away, so you are not left with a rusted dish on the wall. If the old dish is still sound we may reuse the bracket or the cable, and we tell you what is worth keeping. Say so when you call, so we bring the right tools. More on satellite dish installation.
DSTV signal problems
Partial signal loss, load shedding and working out whether it is the dish or the decoder.
Why does my Explora say "no signal" only on some channels?
Usually the dish is slightly out of line, or the LNB or cable is ageing. Different channels sit on different parts of the satellite signal, so a weak dish loses some channels first and keeps others. Try restarting the decoder, then check that nothing has grown in front of the dish. If it keeps happening, book a check on DSTV repairs and signal fixing.
Will my DSTV work during load shedding?
Only if the decoder and TV have power. The dish itself needs no electricity, because the decoder feeds it. A small inverter or UPS can keep a decoder and TV running through an outage. Plug in a surge protector as well, because the power often comes back with a spike. Ask about backup power if you want this set up properly.
How can I tell if the problem is the dish or the decoder?
If the decoder shows a signal error on every channel, the dish, LNB or cable is the likely cause. If the picture is fine but the decoder freezes, restarts or will not respond to the remote, the decoder is more likely. A second TV or decoder on the same cable also helps narrow it down. Tell us what you see at DSTV repairs.
Extraview, OpenView and TV mounting
Second rooms, free-to-air TV and mounting a TV on the wall.
Can I watch DSTV in a bedroom as well as the lounge?
Yes. The two usual ways are Extraview, which links a second decoder to your existing subscription, or a second decoder with its own subscription. We run a cable between the rooms and set both decoders up so they work together. It is best done while the dish is being installed or checked. Read about Extraview installation or call us.
Do I need a new TV for OpenView?
Usually not. OpenView works through a decoder that plugs into your TV. Newer TVs connect with an HDMI cable. Older TVs may need a different lead, so tell us the make and model, or send a photo of the back of the TV. We set up the dish, decoder and channels so you do not need to scan anything yourself. See OpenView installation.
Can you mount my TV and set up DSTV in the same visit?
Yes, and it saves a second trip. We mount the TV, tidy the cables, connect your decoder and soundbar, and check the signal before we leave. If the cables must go inside the wall or you want the decoder somewhere else, mention it when you book so we plan the job. More on TV mounting.
CCTV
Evidence, internet outages and what a system actually needs.
Can CCTV footage be used as evidence?
Clear footage can help when you report a crime to the SAPS or an insurer, because it shows what happened and when. Whether it is accepted is for them to decide. What matters most is a correct date and time on the recorder, good camera positions and footage you can export when asked. We set those up when we install. See CCTV installation.
Will my CCTV still record if the internet goes down?
Yes. The recorder stores footage on its own hard drive, so recording carries on without internet. You will not be able to watch live on your phone until the internet is back, and footage you have not yet looked at stays on the recorder. Power is the other thing to plan for, so ask us about a small battery backup at CCTV installation.
How many cameras does my home need?
It depends on your property, not a fixed number. We start with the entrances: the front door, the driveway or gate, and any side or back access. Then we add cameras where blind spots remain. A photo or short video of the outside of your property helps us suggest a layout on the phone, before we visit. Call or WhatsApp 081 232 2249.
Gate motors
Remote range and choosing between sliding and swing motors.
My gate remote only works when I am right at the gate. Why?
Usually the remote battery is flat, so replace that first. If new batteries do not help, the receiver aerial on the motor may be loose, covered or badly placed, or the motor may be picking up interference. A remote that works closer than before is a warning sign to act on, not wait on. We check it on gate motor repairs.
Should I choose a sliding or a swing gate motor?
The gate decides, not us. A sliding gate needs a straight run beside the opening for the gate to roll back into. A swing gate needs room to swing open, and a flat, solid surface. We look at the gate, posts and ground, then recommend the motor that suits. A photo of the gate is a good start. See gate motor installation.
Aircon
Load shedding and what you can look after yourself.
Can I run my aircon on an inverter during load shedding?
Possibly, but not on every inverter. An aircon draws a lot of power when it starts, and a small inverter or battery will trip or run flat quickly. We check your unit and what your backup can carry before promising anything. Tell us the aircon size and your inverter details when you call. See aircon installation and electrical services.
What can I clean on my aircon myself?
The filters behind the front panel. Switch the unit off, lift the panel, slide the filters out, wash them in lukewarm water, let them dry fully and put them back. Do not spray water into the unit or open the outdoor part. Anything beyond the filters, such as leaks, smells or weak cooling, is a job for our aircon servicing and repairs.
Electrical and COCs
Emergencies, flickering lights and what a certificate is.
What does an electrical COC actually cover?
A Certificate of Compliance records that the wiring in a property was inspected against the national wiring standard, SANS 10142. It is asked for when you sell a house, and sometimes by insurers. It covers the fixed installation, such as the DB board, circuits, plugs and earthing, not your appliances. Read COC certificates, then call to arrange an inspection.
How do I know if it is an electrical emergency?
Treat a burning smell, sparks, a hot or melted plug, a buzzing DB board or any exposed live wire as an emergency. Switch off at the main switch if you can do so safely, keep people and pets away and call us. A breaker that trips once after a storm is less urgent. See electrician for the faults we handle.
Why do my lights flicker when the geyser or kettle comes on?
Often a heavy appliance is pulling more than a loose or overloaded circuit can supply. It can also be a loose connection at the DB board or a problem with the supply to your house. Do not ignore it, because loose connections can heat up. Note which appliance sets it off, then book a fault-finding visit with our electrician.
Booking, areas and payment
How to book, what to have ready, how payment works and where we work.
How do I book a job?
Call or WhatsApp 081 232 2249. Tell us what you need, your suburb or town and, if you can, send a photo of the dish, gate, DB board or wall. We give you the likely cost and the earliest slot, and same-day callouts are often possible. Jobs start from R450.
Do I need to be home for the installation?
It helps if someone is home at the start, to show us where things go, and at the end, to check the work. For repairs outside, such as a dish on the roof, we can often work while you are out, if we agree access first. Tell us when you book. See DSTV installation for the usual steps.
How do I pay?
We confirm payment options when you book, so you know before we arrive. Ask when you call or WhatsApp 081 232 2249, and we tell you what we accept and when payment is due. We also confirm what the job should cost before we start, so there are no surprises when we finish. For large or multi-day jobs, we agree the terms upfront.
Do you charge for travel to Hermanus or Struisbaai?
Travel to farther towns is discussed upfront, before we set off. How much it adds depends on where you are and how many jobs we can group in the area. Tell us the address when you call, and we confirm the full cost in advance. See DSTV in Hermanus or DSTV in Struisbaai.
Which areas do you cover?
We work across Cape Town and the northern suburbs, the Southern Suburbs, the Winelands and Helderberg, the Overberg and the West Coast. If your town is not on our areas page, call or WhatsApp 081 232 2249 and ask. We tell you straight away whether we can get to you.
Tell us what’s wrong. We’ll tell you what it costs.
Call or WhatsApp with your area and the problem, or send a photo of the dish. You get a clear price before we start, and a technician who arrives with the parts.
Mon to Sat, 07:00 to 17:00. Emergency callouts 24/7