- 71 Kallenbach Drive, Linksfield
- info@remtechdestvinstallers.co.za
- +27 78 583 1745
The short answer
Signal quality matters more than strength. DStv’s own HD PVR manual says the decoder should work correctly when signal quality is over 70%, and that strength readings are not exact and differ between units. Explora tuners often show lower figures than older decoders, so read every tuner and ask an installer to measure with a proper meter.
Signal strength is how much signal reaches the decoder. Signal quality is how clean that signal is. A strong but noisy signal can still break up, while a moderate but clean one works fine. That is why installers look at quality first.
DStv’s HD PVR manual notes that the strength reading on the decoder is not exact and varies from unit to unit, and that the decoder should work correctly as long as quality is over 70%. That is a minimum for working, not a target for a good installation.
Forum reports from installers and owners say an Explora can show lower readings than older decoders on the same dish, and that each tuner shows its own figures. Don’t panic about one low number. Check each tuner, several channels, and the weather. Then compare with a meter reading.
| Clue | Likely cause |
|---|---|
| Low on every tuner and every TV | Dish alignment, LNB or the main cable |
| Low on one TV only | That TV’s cable run or connector |
| Low only in wet weather | Rain fade, or a weak connector. See does rain affect DStv? |
| Dropped after a storm or roof work | The dish may have shifted |
A satellite meter shows live signal while the dish is adjusted, to a precision a decoder menu can’t match. It is also how a good installer proves the job is done. Our dish angle guide explains the geometry behind alignment.
DStv’s HD PVR manual says over 70% is enough for the decoder to work. Installers usually aim comfortably higher.
Readings are not exact and differ between decoders and tuners. Compare tuners on the same decoder and use a meter for a firm answer.
Yes. Heavy rain and cloud lower them temporarily.
You can check cables and connectors from the ground. Dish adjustments need a meter and safe roof access.
© 2026 Created with Royintech Designs
Remtech Installers · REM TECHNICIAN (PTY) LTD
Company registration no. 2024/633074/07
sitemap_index.xml
