At a glance
| DStv | Ellies | |
|---|---|---|
| About | MultiChoice's satellite platform and by far the most-installed decoder range in South Africa — from the entry HD decoder up to Explora Ultra. | The default South African brand for dishes, brackets, cable, connectors and satellite accessories — stocked in every hardware store in the country. |
| Origin | South Africa | South Africa |
| Popular lines | Explora Ultra, Explora 3, HD Decoder (DSD 1131), DStv Streama, Smart LNB | 60cm / 80cm / 90cm satellite dishes, Wall and pole mount brackets, RG6 and RG11 coaxial cable, F-connectors, splitters and multiswitches, Signal amplifiers |
Where DStv wins
- The widest channel line-up available locally
- Explora Ultra adds streaming apps alongside satellite
- Smart LNB support means Extra View on one cable
- Hardware and smart cards are available countrywide
Where Ellies wins
- Nationwide spares availability, which matters for warranty work
- Full range from 60cm to 1.8m dishes
- Galvanised brackets that survive coastal air better than imports
- Sensible price-to-quality ratio on cable and connectors
Which should you choose?
Honestly: it depends on your property, how many rooms you need and your budget — the right answer for a single-lounge household is different from a four-room home or a guesthouse. We install both DStv and Ellies, so the recommendation you get from us is based on what fits, not what's on the shelf.