Thinking of swapping your old HD decoder for an Explora so you can pause, rewind and record? The DStv Explora price is only one part of the bill. You'll also pay for a Smart LNB, the installation and a monthly Access Fee, so it helps to see the full picture before you buy.
Quick answer: At the time of writing, the DStv Explora price during DStv's early 2026 promotion was R1,499. Add a Smart LNB from around R399 to R499 and an Explora install from around R1,500 to R2,400, then budget for the R125 monthly Access Fee on top of your package. Ask our team for a current quote.
Below we break down each cost, then walk through the setup steps for a typical Yzerfontein home. We'll also cover what to do with your old decoder, because it can still earn its keep. For a wider look at standard jobs, see our installation cost guide.
The full DStv Explora cost, line by line
Here's what a normal upgrade from an HD decoder adds up to. Figures come from DStv's own pricing and our installation ranges, and they can change, so treat them as a guide.
| Item | Typical cost at the time of writing | Once-off or monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Explora decoder (model 3B) | R1,499 on DStv's early 2026 promotion, was R2,299 | Once-off |
| Smart LNB | From around R399 to R499 | Once-off |
| Explora installation with Smart LNB | From around R1,500 to R2,400 | Once-off |
| Access Fee | R125 | Monthly |
| Your DStv package | From R150 for Starter to R979 for Premium | Monthly |
Prices in stores move from week to week, so compare on the day you buy. Also check whether the box price includes a Smart LNB, as many deals don't.
The village is a long way from the big shops, so many locals pick up the box on a trip to Atlantis or Langebaan. Keep the slip and the box, just in case the decoder turns out to be faulty.
What the DStv Explora price doesn't include
The box on the shelf is just the decoder. To make it work, the dish needs a Smart LNB, because the Explora uses more than one tuner and the Smart LNB feeds them all through one cable.
You'll also need the dish checked and often realigned. A dish that has been fine for an HD decoder can still be slightly off, and the Explora is less forgiving. Our dish alignment service sorts that out at the same visit.
Why two quotes can look different
No two roofs are the same. A single-storey cottage near the harbour with a short cable run is a quick job, while a double-storey on the hill with the TV at the far end of the house takes longer and needs more cable.
Old, rusted brackets also add to the cost, because we replace them rather than bolt a new LNB onto a weak arm. That's why we look first and quote second.
The monthly Access Fee
The Explora is a PVR decoder, which means it records. To use it fully, DStv charges an Access Fee of R125 per month at the time of writing, on top of your package. Check the latest fees on the DStv packages page or in the MyDStv app.
Explora or Explora Ultra?
The Explora Ultra listed at R2,999 on the same promotion and adds 4K support, built-in WiFi and streaming apps. If you're torn, our post comparing Explora and Explora Ultra lays out the differences.
Is the DStv Explora decoder price worth it for your home?
For many homes here, yes. Homes in Yzerfontein often stand empty midweek, and owners come back to a stack of recorded shows rather than repeats. Retirees like setting a series to record and watching it at their own pace.
If you only watch the news and the odd match live, a plain HD decoder may still be enough. We explain that choice in our article on Explora versus the HD decoder.
Need a hand in Yzerfontein?
Tell us what you need or what your screen shows. We give you a clear price before we drive out.
Setup steps: upgrading to an Explora
Once you've decided, the upgrade follows a clear order. Here's how we usually run it.
- Check your account. Make sure your subscription is paid up so the new decoder can be switched on without delays.
- Buy the decoder. Compare a few stores and note if a Smart LNB is in the box.
- Book the install. We fit the Smart LNB, check the cable from the dish and realign the dish on a meter.
- Connect and set up. We plug in the Explora, run its installation setup and check signal on each tuner.
- Link it to your account. The new decoder is added to your subscription through DStv's self-service channels.
- Test a recording. We set a short recording with you so you know how it works before we leave.
Most upgrades are done in one visit. Our Explora installation page explains the job in more detail.
Safety first: Fitting a Smart LNB means working on the dish arm, often on a roof in strong wind. Please don't try it from a ladder yourself. Leave roof work and LNB wiring to a trained technician.
Keep your old decoder with XtraView
Don't throw out the old HD decoder. You can link it to the Explora with XtraView, so a second room watches a different channel on the same subscription.
Because the Explora already pays the Access Fee, the second linked decoder costs nothing extra each month, according to DStv's XtraView rules. We handle the linking and cabling with our XtraView setup.
Coastal conditions and the upgrade
The wind off the sea here is fierce, and salt and sea mist get into every fitting. A Smart LNB is a bigger investment than a basic LNB, so we seal its connectors properly. Our post on why coastal installs differ explains what we do differently near the sea.
- Weatherproofed connectors at the dish and wall plate
- A firm bracket fixed into solid brickwork
- Cable clipped neatly so the wind can't whip it loose
- A signal reading with margin to ride out a rainy spell
We also travel to Darling, Grotto Bay, Jacobsbaai and Ganzekraal, where longer cable runs on bigger plots can add to the job. If you let your home in season, our notes on DStv for holiday rentals cover guest-friendly setups.
Budget tips for your DStv Explora price
A few simple choices keep the total down without cutting corners.
- Buy during a promotion, but check what's in the box
- Do the Smart LNB and dish check in one visit to save a second callout
- Reuse your old decoder in XtraView instead of buying a second new one
- Ask for the full quote, including cable and brackets, before work starts
Ready to upgrade? Get a quote
We're the DStv installers in Yzerfontein who'll give you a clear quote before we drive out. We test the signal and recordings with you before we leave, and tidy every cable run.
WhatsApp or call us on 079 754 5527, or send your details through our contact page. Tell us which decoder you have now, and we'll take it from there.
Talk to our Yzerfontein team
We work across Yzerfontein, Darling, Grotto Bay, Jacobsbaai, Atlantis and nearby. Call or WhatsApp us and we will tell you the practical next step.
DStv Explora price: FAQs
What is the DStv Explora price right now?
During DStv's early 2026 promotion, the Explora sold for R1,499, down from R2,299. Prices have moved since and stores run their own specials, so compare on the day. Remember the box price usually excludes the Smart LNB and installation.
How much is DStv Explora per month?
You pay your normal package fee plus an Access Fee of R125 per month at the time of writing. Packages start from R150 for Starter and go up to R979 for Premium. Check dstv.com or the MyDStv app for current fees.
Does the DStv Explora price include installation?
Usually not. Most decoders are sold as the box only, and an Explora install with a Smart LNB budgets from around R1,500 to R2,400 at the time of writing. Ask our team for a current quote for your home.
Can I keep my old decoder after upgrading to an Explora?
Yes. You can link your old HD decoder to the Explora with XtraView so two rooms watch different channels. Because the Explora already carries the Access Fee, the second decoder doesn't add a monthly charge.
Do you install Explora decoders in Yzerfontein and Darling?
Yes. We upgrade homes to the Explora in Yzerfontein, Darling, Grotto Bay, Jacobsbaai and nearby. We fit the Smart LNB, align the dish and set up the decoder in one visit, and we quote first.