What to Expect During a DStv Installation

Updated January 2026 by DSTV Installer Centurion

If you’ve never had a DStv system installed before — or it’s been years since your last installation — you might be wondering what the process actually involves. Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough of what happens when our technician arrives at your Centurion home.

Before the Installation

When you call us, we’ll ask a few questions about your property and what you need. This helps us arrive prepared with the right equipment. We’ll give you a quote over the phone and schedule a convenient time. For same-day service, call before 2pm.

Tip: Before our technician arrives, decide where you want your TV positioned and have your decoder and smartcard ready (if you’ve purchased them separately). If you’re getting an Explora installed, know your WiFi password.

Site Assessment (10-15 minutes)

Our technician starts by assessing your property to determine the optimal satellite dish position. The dish needs a clear line of sight to the IS-20 satellite, which is roughly north from Centurion at an elevation of about 55 degrees. Your technician will consider roof type and structure (for mounting security), line of sight (no trees, buildings, or other obstructions), cable run distance (shorter is better for signal quality), and aesthetic impact (we try to position dishes discreetly).

We’ll show you where we plan to mount the dish and run the cable before we start drilling. If you have preferences about placement, this is the time to discuss them.

Dish Mounting (20-30 minutes)

We mount the dish bracket securely to your wall or roof using appropriate fixings for your wall type. The dish is then attached to the bracket and roughly aimed in the satellite’s direction. We use galvanised or stainless steel hardware that won’t rust over time — cheap zinc-plated bolts corrode within a year or two on the Highveld.

Cable Installation (20-40 minutes)

We run RG6 coaxial cable from the LNB on the dish to your decoder location. The cable route depends on your property — it might go through the roof space, along external walls in cable trunking, or through the wall directly. We use waterproof cable glands where the cable enters the building, and compression-type F-connectors at both ends for reliable, weatherproof connections.

Signal Alignment (10-15 minutes)

This is the critical step. Using a professional satellite signal meter (not the decoder’s built-in signal screen, which is too slow for accurate peaking), we fine-tune the dish position for maximum signal strength. We adjust azimuth (left-right), elevation (up-down), and skew (rotation) until we achieve peak signal on the key transponders. A properly peaked dish gives you the maximum signal margin, which means reliable reception even during bad weather.

Connection and Testing (15-20 minutes)

We connect the coaxial cable to your decoder, connect the decoder to your TV (via HDMI for HD quality), and power everything up. We verify signal quality, scan for all channels, and check that everything is working correctly. For Explora installations, we also connect to your WiFi and verify streaming app access.

Handover

Before we leave, we’ll walk you through your new setup — how to use the remote, how to navigate channels, and for Explora users, how to record and use the streaming features. We’ll also give you our direct number for any future support.

The whole process typically takes 1-2 hours for a standard installation. Extra View and multi-room setups take longer.