MultiChoice Kenya has marked another innovation milestone with the launch of its next-generation PVR decoder – the DStv Explora. This move will allow viewers to gain more control and personalise their DStv viewing experience.
The Explora introduces additional new features and offers more recording space, providing DStv subscribers with a world of extraordinary entertainment.
Viewers can save up to 220 hours of personal recorded content, view one programme while recording the other and record lots more series, movies and sports. You can also search for your favorite programmes and find out when next they will air again without surfing the TV guide. There is also the option to pause live TV for up to 2 hours, retain buffering when changing channels, conduct word searches and even personalize individual user themes.
“It is another innovation which bears testament to our continued investment in technology to ensure DStv delivers the best television experience in Africa. The Explora forms part of the continent’s fast technology developments and ensures that our subscribers get the best viewer experience. The absence of high speed broadband access for most of Africa means delivering content via our satellites remains the most reliable way to ensure our subscribers get the best television, without buffering or waiting for downloads from the internet,†said Stephen Isaboke, Regional Director, MultiChoice East Africa.
The Explora PVR will also be the first to offer the new DStv Catch Up service. DStv Catch Up is the new name for what was originally branded as DStv On Demand. It is a free, value-added service available to DStv Premium subscribers. DStv Catch Up enables subscribers to catch up on a selection of their favourite TV series, movies and sporting highlights online for up to 7 days after their first broadcast on DStv.
The DStv Catch Up service has been significantly expanded on the Explora, and now offers three times more video-on-demand programming to DStv subscribers. It now includes up to 30 movies on demand. The content selection will be expanded to other categories such as documentaries and kids’ content in the future.
MultiChoice has also expanded the number of series available and now also introduces series stacking (i.e. making two episodes of selected series available on demand), which will later be expanded to 4 episodes.
DStv Explora is packaged with a brand new, stylish HD user interface, which makes finding favourite shows or movies on Catch Up so much easier. Content is displayed using HD poster-art – just like an Internet VOD service. The Explora additionally has powerful search features that help subscribers find programmes quicker and easier as it searches across the eight-day TV Guide, Catch Up, and their own recordings (playlist).
Explora’s remote control further enhances the experience with dedicated shortcut buttons to DStv Central, Catch Up, Playlist, Search, Live TV and other viewing options.
The Explora will cost approximately Shs. 37,000/= fully installed.