| Overview |
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What is DStv on Demand pc ?
DStv on Demand pc is a website offering selected video content from selected DStv channels. The video content is streamed or downloaded from the website and is available to DStv Premium
and DStv Compact subscribers in South Africa. |
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How do I access DStv on Demand pc?
Go to www.dstvondemand.com and you will be presented with the homepage. You will need to register (the first time), thereafter you will need to login before being able to view the video content. |
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How do I register on DStv on Demand pc?
Click on the “Register” tab (top right of home page), then complete the requested information and submit it. |
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How do I login on DStv on Demand pc?
After registering, enter your email address and password on the space provided on the home page. |
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What are the costs involved when viewing video content on DStv on Demand pc?
There is no cost for viewing video content on the DStv on Demand pc website. However, you are responsible for the costs involved with obtaining a broadband internet connection. You are responsible for your bandwidth CAP which will be consumed when downloading video content. Each video displays the file size which is an indication of the amount of bandwidth that will be consumed. |
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I am a DStv subscriber and I am still not able to login successfully to the site, what could the problem be?
The service is currently only available to customers who are subscribed to the Premium
and Compact DStv Bouquet and whose DStv service is active (not disconnected/cancelled). Please click on “Contact Us” at the top of the page for further assistance. |
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What is the DStv Premium and Compact Bouquets?
The DStv Premium bouquet contains all the DStv channels (including M-Net). The DStv Compact bouquet has a sub-set of channels (excluding M-Net). Other Bouquets such as DStv Select and EasyView are smaller subsets of channels. For further information on the DStv Bouquets please go to www.dstv.com |
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When will DStv on Demand tv be launched ?
DStv on Demand is now available on the SD PVR to DStv Premium subscribers. The DStv on Demand offering for the HD PVR is still to be finalised and no launch date has currently been set. |
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| Site Navigation |
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How do I find my favourite program?
The following ways can be selected from the homepage to find videos: “Latest Shows”, “Last Chance”, “Channels”, “Genres”, “Shows A-Z”. There is also a search facility on the homepage where you are able to type in key words relating to a specific program. The search will produce programming with your keywords in the title and/or synopsis.
When selecting “Search”, you are able to type in key words relating to a specific program. The search will produce programming with your keywords in the title and/or synopsis.
When selecting “latest videos” or “most popular videos”, click any video programme under these sections to start viewing. |
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How do I watch my favourite program?
Once a programme has been selected for viewing:
- Click “play video” to stream and view the video content
or
- Click “download” to download the video to your PC (video can be watched later after downloading has completed)
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| Technical |
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How does DStv on Demand pc work?
Video and audio is delivered to your desktop via two methods: streaming or downloading.
- Downloading allows you to view the video at a later stage with out any “buffering” interruptions. Select the download option and save the file to an area on your PC.
- Your streaming quality and download length of time will be determined by the speed of your Internet connection.
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What are the requirements for me to be able to view video content?
For the best video viewing experience, you will need:
- High Speed Internet connection (also known as broadband)
- Windows 2000 or higher
- Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
- Screen size 800x600 or more
- Windows Media Player 11.0 or higher and the latest
Windows Media Player security patch.
- Adobe Flash Player 9.0 or higher
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Can I play the video clips on an Apple Macintosh?
Currently, the version of Microsoft DRM (Digital Rights Management) in use is not supported by the latest Macintosh version of Windows Media Player; therefore you cannot view the video content on a Mac. |
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Do I have the correct video player?
In order to view video files from DStv on Demand pc you will need to make Windows Media Player your default viewer.
Follow these steps:
- Open Windows Media player
- Click on Tools
- Select Options
- Click on the File Types tab (Ensure the “Windows Media Video file” checkbox is ticked)
- Click Apply and OK to ensure the changes are implemented
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What Media Player do I need to use with this service?
Our DRM (Digital Rights Management) license system will only work with Windows Media Player version
11 or higher. Older versions of Windows Media Player do not support our DRM license technology and are therefore incompatible. You can download the latest version of Windows Media Player free of charge from Microsoft. |
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What is Digital Rights Management (DRM)?
Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a technology that allows for the secure management of digital media, such as videos. DRM protects the video content from unauthorized distribution and viewing. |
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Do I have to obtain a DRM license every time I want to watch video content?
Generally, yes. When you first try to play a streaming media link, a DRM license will be distributed to you and stored by Windows Media Player. As long as that license remains on that computer, and it has not expired, you will not need another license to watch that same piece of video content. But each piece of video content (for e.g. each episode of "Egoli") can require its own license. Further, the licenses can expire within hours or days. |
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How do I download?
You only need to be online and logged in to the DStv on Demand pc site to download a video file as well as the first time you watch the file. You do not need to be online for future viewing of the same file on the same P.C. because you will already have a license for it (unless the license expires). |
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Can I copy video content to another machine and play it?
You will not be able to copy video content to another PC. The DRM license for downloaded content is valid only for your PC and not for distribution. |
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Can I burn a DVD or CD of the download?
You will not be able to burn a DVD or CD-ROM of the video. The DRM license for downloaded content is valid only for your PC and not for distribution via DVD or CD-ROM. |
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What are the features of our player?
Our player is embedded in the website and this allows you to view separately while continuing to browse the site. The player allows you to choose the screen size that most suits you. |
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Can I view videos using Firefox?
Currently DStv on Demand pc does not support Firefox. You may be able to view videos using Firefox, however we are unable to guarantee this as the site is built for Internet Explorer 6 and higher. |
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| Troubleshooting |
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I’m unable to login / register to DStv on Demand pc, why is this?
We offer online support via e-mail. If you are experiencing technical problems contact us by clicking on "Contact Us". |
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I can’t play the video clips, what do I do now?
You may not have the latest Windows Media Player installed. The best experience will be with version 9 or higher of the Windows Media Player. Download the player: [Version 11] |
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I am unable to play any of the video clips when outside of South Africa, why is this?
DStv on Demand pc is restricted to DStv subscribers living in South Africa only. This is due to the rights of the video content offered. |
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I have Windows Media Player 11 as well as the latest Security Patch, but still can’t play content due to a “DRM License Acquisition” error…
Users can run into problems with DRM license acquisition for several different reasons. We have outlined the most common problems below along with suggested steps for you to take:
- Internet Congestion:
Unavoidable variations in Internet traffic between your location and our servers, or unexpectedly heavy use of our servers, can cause your computer to give up trying to get a DRM license before our server is able to deliver one. This is often the case when you've been able to obtain a DRM license recently for other content of ours on the same computer. The best solution in this case is to wait and try to access our content again later.
- Slow Internet Connectivity:
Slower Internet connections can cause your computer to give up trying to get a DRM license before our server is able to deliver one. You can test the speed of your Internet connection for free at: http://bandwidthplace.com/speedtest
- Cookies and Temporary Internet Files:
It's possible that the cookies on your system or some of the temporary files are causing a conflict with Windows Media Player and its DRM licenses. To clear your cookies and temporary files: - Open Internet Explorer - Click on Tools > Internet Options - On the "General" tab, click "Clear Cookies" and then "Delete Files". - Close all Internet Explorer windows and then open it again and login to your account.
- Firewalls and Proxy Servers:
Firewalls and proxy servers have been known to impede the DRM license delivery process. If you have a firewall running (Zone Alarm, Black Ice, Windows XP firewall, etc.) we suggest that you completely disable it while accessing our content. If you are connecting from an office or other location with a system administrator, you should contact that person for information about disabling them. If you are running the Windows XP SP2 Firewall, you can disable it by: - Clicking on Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Security Center - Select "Off" to temporarily disable the firewall
- AOL:
In order to successfully view our content, AOL users should not use AOL's integrated web browser which is a non-standard version of Internet Explorer. Instead, please minimize the AOL program and launch the stand-alone version of Internet Explorer on your desktop or under the Start button.
- Pop-Up Blockers:
We highly recommend temporarily or permanently disabling pop-up blockers from this site, as these pop-up blockers can interfere with the delivery of DRM licenses, playing content and the overall user experience.
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I get an ‘ERROR 500’ message
From time to time Internet network congestion results in a time out between your Internet Service Provider environment and the Content Distribution Network end point closest to you. In most cases just trying to view the content again will clear the error. If you get this error often please contact our support desk by clicking on “Contact Us” at the top of the page, so we can check the network service level to your area. |
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How do I disable the XP Firewall?
The firewall may be preventing the Media Player to show the clips. Please try disabling this firewall or lowering the security settings and try again. Go to control panel. Open network connections. Right click on local area connection. Select properties. Select the advanced tab. Uncheck the XP firewall. Click OK and try again. |
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I have tried all these suggestions, and still cannot get it to work…
Please contact our support team via the "Contact Us" link located at the top of all DStv on Demand pc web pages |
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| Contact / Support |
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What technical support can I find?
We offer online support via e-mail. If you are experiencing technical problems contact us by clicking on the "Contact Us" link at the top of all pages.
We also have online live chat support, rather than email. Please note our live chat support staff is available weekdays from 8am to 5pm. |
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