DStv 5-2 User Manual

DStv SWITCH
USER GUIDE

Some of the information in this guide can get a little technical; as always, we recommend the use
of a DStv accredited installer for all your installation needs. It’s easy to locate one in your area - just
go to dstv.com.

You’re one step closer to our world of extraordinary entertainment!

This DStv Switch has been specially designed and manufactured for your
DStv Explora and XtraView installations. You’ll need the DStv Switch in
order to connect your DStv Explora to most existing DStv installations.

This User Guide will help you with simple connections to your satellite
dish, your DStv Explora and some XtraView combinations. If your
installation includes other types of multiswitches, cascading (ie. many
connected) multiswitches or long cable runs, please consult
with a DStv accredited installer.

The DStv Switch (5-2) carries a 12-month warranty from the day you
bought it. Terms and Conditions can be found on dstv.com.

INTRODUCTION

• The DStv Switch (5-2) has:

- Four inputs (labelled H/L, V/L, H/H, V/H);

- Four normal multiswitch outputs (labelled 1 to 4); and

- Two Explora outputs (labelled A and B).

• Each multiswitch output (labelled 1 to 4) outputs a signal equivalent to a
normal multiswitch output or a single LNB output.

• The DStv Switch comes with 3 cables. You may need additional cabling,
depending on your set up.

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DStv Switch - User Guide

Your DStv Switch (5-2)

1 2 3 4

Inputs

H/L V/L H/H V/H

A

B

Multiswitch outputs

Explora outputs

DStv Switch (5-2)

• The DStv Switch self-terminates unused ports, which means you don’t have
to cap them.

• When your DStv Switch is connected to a DStv Explora via the Explora
outputs, the “On” LED should be BLUE (this confirms that the switch is
fully powered). Please see troubleshooting tip below if the “On” LED is
RED or not lit. If your DStv Switch is only being used with other decoders
(connected to outputs 1-4) and not with a DStv Explora, the “On” LED will
not be lit.

• Keep in mind - this switch is not a signal booster.

DStv Switch - User Guide

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Troubleshooting Tip

If there is at least one DStv Explora connected to the Explora outputs and the “On” LED is RED or is
not lit, please check that the cables connected to the Explora outputs are: 1) Securely connected (both
to the switch and decoder), 2) are not damaged and 3) That the decoder(s) themselves are switched on
and getting power.
Remember, if there are no decoders connected to the Explora outputs, the “On” LED will not be lit (the
switch will however work with the decoders connected to outputs 1 – 4.)

LNB Requirements

* IS20 is the satellite footprint used for DStv services in Southern Africa. E36 is for East and West

African countries.

** Unicable™, is a standard for single cable distribution of multiple satellite signals. SatCR (Satellite

Cable Router) and CSS (Channel Stacking Switch) both provide Unicable™ solutions.

• If you are in South Africa or Southern Africa (an IS20* installation), your

DStv Switch (5-2) requires input from a twin, quad or quattro LNB. It will
not work if connected to a single feed or UnicableTM LNB**, even if the feed
is split.

• If you’re in Angola or Mozambique (an E36

*

installation), your DStv

Switch (5-2) requires inputs from either a quad or quattro LNB. It will not

work if connected to a twin LNB, single feed or UnicableTM LNB**, even if
the feed is split.

• If you are located anywhere else in Africa (an E36

*

installation), your DStv
Switch (5-2) requires input from a twin, quad or quattro LNB. It will not
work if connected to a single feed or UnicableTM LNB**, even if the feed is
split.

If you are unsure of the LNB used in your installation, which satellite your installation connects to, or if
your installation has several multiswitches, we recommend contacting a DStv accredited installer. You
can find your nearest one at www.dstv.com

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DStv Switch - User Guide

Connecting the Inputs from your Satellite Dish

The following diagrams show you how to connect the inputs from your
satellite dish.

Twin LNB Connection (IS20)

Twin LNB

Any LNB cable can
connect to any of these
two inputs

DStv Switch (5-2)

H/L V/L H/H V/H

Please Note

• If you have a Unicable™ LNB, you can connect your LNB cable directly to the DStv Explora (there is
no need to use this switch).

• If you have a Unicable™ LNB with multiple decoders in your home, please contact your DStv
accredited installer.

• The DStv Switch (5-2) may not be required when connecting the DStv Explora to existing single­cable distribution systems (like those found in apartments or complexes). Please refer to the
installer of the system for confirmation.

DStv Switch - User Guide

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Quad LNB Connection (IS20)

Quad LNB

At least two of the quad LNB cables
have to be connected to the H/L and
V/L inputs. Any LNB cable can go to
the any of the latter inputs.

Optional to
connect the
second two quad
LNB cables.

H/L V/L H/H V/H

Twin LNB Connection (E36)
(All countries other than Angola and Mozambique)

Twin LNB

Any LNB cable can
connect to any of
these two inputs

H/L V/L H/H V/H

DStv Switch (5-2)

DStv Switch (5-2)

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DStv Switch - User Guide

Quad LNB

At least two of the quad LNB cables
have to be connected to the H/L and
V/L inputs.
Any LNB cable can go to the any of the
latter inputs.

Optional to
connect the
second two
quad LNB
cables.

H/L V/L H/H V/H

DStv Switch (5-2)

Quad LNB Connection (E36)
(All countries other than Angola and Mozambique)

3 Cable Quad LNB Connection (E36)
(Angola and Mozambique only)

Quad LNB

Any LNB cable can
connect to any of
these 3 inputs

H/L V/L H/H V/H

DStv Switch (5-2)

DStv Switch - User Guide

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Quattro LNB Connection

Quattro LNB

Use quattro
LNB output
labels to match
DStv Switch (5-2)
input labels.

H/L V/L H/H V/H

H/L

V/L

H/H

V/H

DStv Switch (5-2)

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DStv Switch - User Guide

Connecting the DStv Switch (5-2) to one DStv Explora

Once the switch has been connected to the satellite dish, use the
supplied cable and connect output A or B on the switch to the input
labelled UNICABLE™ IN on the back of your DStv Explora.

1 2 3 4

DStv Explora

H/L V/L H/H V/H

A

B

Connecting the Switch to your Decoder(s)

The DStv Switch (5-2) has two Explora outputs (labelled A and B) and four
normal multiswitch outputs (labelled 1 to 4).

• The Explora outputs can only be connected to a DStv Explora, they aren’t
designed to connect to other decoder models.

• The four normal multiswitch outputs can be connected to up to four single
view decoders, one 4 Tuner HD PVR, or a mix of DStv decoders (other
than the DStv Explora). Again, remember that the DStv Explora cannot be
connected to these particular outputs.

These diagrams exclude the connections between decoders that are required for XtraView. For
information on XtraView installations, including connections and settings, please contact a DStv
accredited installer.

DStv Switch - User Guide

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Connecting the DStv Switch (5-2) to two DStv
Exploras

• Once the switch has been connected to the satellite dish, use the supplied
cable and connect output A to the input labelled UNICABLE™ IN on the
back of the first DStv Explora. Then connect output B to the input labelled
UNICABLE™ IN on the back of the second DStv Explora.

• Then check and change the Home Network Settings as below :

H/L V/L H/H V/H

1 2 3 4

A

B

DStv Explora

1

DStv Explora

2

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DStv Switch - User Guide

DStv Explora 1

Home Network Settings

(No change – retain defaults)

Tuner 1 Frequency 0

Tuner 2 Frequency 1

Tuner 3 Frequency 2

Tuner 1 Index 1210

Tuner 2 Index 1420

Tuner 3 Index 1680

DStv Explora 2

Home Network Settings

Tuner 1 Frequency 3

Tuner 2 Frequency 4

Tuner 3 Frequency 2

Tuner 1 Index 1892

Tuner 2 Index 2040

Tuner 3 Index 1680

Connecting the DStv Switch (5-2) to one
DStv Explora and one to four Single View Decoders

• Once the switch has been connected to the satellite dish,
use the supplied cable and connect output A or B on the

switch to the input labelled UNICABLE™ IN on the back of

your DStv Explora.

• Then connect the outputs labelled 1 to 4 on the switch to the
satellite inputs on the back of the Single View Decoder(s).

Use any
one of the
outputs.

H/L V/L H/H V/H

1 2 3 4

A

B

Single View Decoder(s)

DStv Explora

DStv Switch - User Guide

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Connecting the DStv Switch (5-2) to one DStv Explora
and one 2 Tuner Decoder

• Once the switch has been connected to the satellite dish,
use the supplied cable and connect output A or B on the
switch to the input labelled UNICABLE™ IN on the back of
your DStv Explora.

• Then connect any two outputs (labelled 1 to 4) on
the switch to the satellite inputs on the back of the 2 Tuner
Decoder (like a Dual View, SD PVR, HD PVR 2P or HD PVR 2U).

2 Tuner Decoder

H/L V/L H/H V/H

1 2 3 4

A

B

Use a
combination of
any two outputs.

Decoder Models:

2P, 2U, SD PVR &

Dual View

DStv Explora

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DStv Switch - User Guide

Connecting the DStv Switch (5-2) to one DStv Explora
and one 4 Tuner HD PVR

• Once the switch has been connected to the satellite dish,
use the supplied cable and connect output A or B on the

switch to the input labelled UNICABLE™ IN on the back of

your DStv Explora.

• Then connect the outputs labelled 1 to 4 on the switch to the
satellite inputs on the back of the 4 Tuner HD PVR.

DStv Explora

H/L V/L H/H V/H

1 2 3 4

A

B

4 Tuner HD PVR

Information correct at time of going to print. For updated information, go to dstv.com (the “DStv website”).
In the event of conflict between this information and the information on the DStv website, the information on the DStv website will prevail.

e&oe (November 2014, V1.9)

DStv Switch - User Guide

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