Installing a StarTimes decoder and antenna yourself is genuinely straightforward once you know the order to do things in. You do not need a technician for a standard setup. This guide walks through the whole process, from mounting the antenna to running your first channel scan, in plain steps you can follow without any special tools.
One thing to get clear before you start, since it causes a lot of confusion: most StarTimes subscribers in Nigeria use the terrestrial antenna, a small aerial that picks up a signal from a local transmission mast. This guide covers that common setup. StarTimes also has a separate satellite dish version, and the key differences are noted near the end so you know which one you have.
What You Get in the StarTimes Kit
When you open the box, lay everything out first so nothing goes missing, since every part has a job. A standard terrestrial kit includes the aerial antenna, the decoder, a coaxial cable, an AV or HDMI cable, the power supply, a smartcard, and mounting hardware. You will also need a pole to mount the antenna on, which is usually bought separately, and waterproof tape for sealing the cable joint.
If your kit came with a dish and a separate LNB instead of a flat aerial, you have the satellite version rather than the terrestrial one, so skip to the satellite section further down.
How to Install the StarTimes Antenna
Step 1: Mount the antenna on the pole
Slide the pole through the mounting hole on the back of the antenna and tighten the fixing screws firmly until the antenna sits solid and does not swing. Any wobble will cause the signal to drift, so make this connection tight from the start.
Step 2: Connect the cable to the antenna
The coaxial cable has a screw-type connector on one end. Screw it firmly onto the connector box on the antenna, which usually faces downward so rain runs off rather than pooling on the joint. Make sure it is hand-tight and secure, since a loose connection here is one of the most common reasons for weak or missing signal after a full install.
Step 3: Waterproof the joint
Wrap the cable connector at the antenna with waterproof tape until the joint is fully covered. This step is easy to skip but matters a great deal outdoors, because moisture getting into the connection will corrode it over time and slowly kill your signal, especially after the rainy season.
Step 4: Secure the cable to the pole
Tie or clip the cable to the pole at intervals as it runs down. This stops the cable’s own weight, and any wind, from tugging on the connection at the antenna and working it loose. Leave a small downward loop before the cable enters your home so rainwater drips off rather than running along the cable to the decoder.
Step 5: Raise the pole high and point the antenna
Mount the pole as high as you can, above the roofline, power lines, and any trees, since obstructions between the antenna and the mast weaken the signal. Point the antenna toward the nearest StarTimes transmission mast. If you do not know where that is, ask a local StarTimes dealer, or simply look at which direction working antennas on nearby homes are facing, since they are usually aimed at the same mast.
How to Connect the StarTimes Decoder to Your TV
Run the other end of the coaxial cable indoors and screw it into the port labelled ANTENNA IN on the back of the decoder, turning it clockwise until firm. This is the correct port for a terrestrial aerial. If your decoder also has a port labelled LNB IN, leave it alone, as that is only for the satellite dish version.
Next, connect the decoder to your TV. For the clearest picture, use an HDMI cable between the decoder’s HDMI port and your TV’s HDMI port. If your TV is older, use the AV cable instead and match the colours: yellow to yellow for video, and red and white for audio. Finally, connect the power supply and switch everything on. StarTimes recommends using a surge protector, which is sound advice, since a single power surge can permanently damage the decoder.
First-Time Setup and Running a Channel Scan
When the decoder powers on for the first time, it walks you through a short setup. It will ask for your language and country, so select English and Nigeria, then confirm. If the screen seems stuck after you choose a language, press the OK button once to confirm the selection rather than pressing it repeatedly, then use the arrow keys to continue, since the setup is usually waiting for you to move to the next step rather than frozen.
After setup, the decoder needs to scan for channels. Running a scan simply means telling the decoder to search the airwaves and build its channel list, and you only need to do it during installation or when channels go missing. Press Menu on the remote, go to Installation, then select Automatic Scan or Auto Search, and press OK. Let it run fully without switching anything off. When it finishes, your available channels appear in the list.
Check Your Signal Before Fixing Everything in Place
Before you tighten the antenna down permanently, confirm the signal is strong. In the decoder menu, find the signal information screen, usually under Installation, which shows signal strength and quality. Aim for a strength reading of at least 60 percent for a stable picture. If it is lower, adjust the antenna direction slightly, pausing after each small movement to let the reading update, until it peaks. Only then tighten everything fully.
The StarTimes Satellite Dish Version
If you have the dish version rather than the flat aerial, the principle is similar but a few things differ. The dish uses an LNB, the small arm at the front, and its cable connects to the LNB IN port on the decoder rather than ANTENNA IN. A satellite install also needs correct frequency and polarization settings entered in the decoder, and the dish is aimed at a satellite position in the sky rather than a ground mast, which makes alignment more precise and fiddly.
For most home users the terrestrial aerial is simpler and perfectly sufficient. The dish version is mainly worth it in areas with no nearby StarTimes mast, and if you are setting one up, it is worth getting the exact frequency settings from a StarTimes dealer for your region.
Activating Your Subscription
Channels will not fully open until your decoder is activated against a paid subscription. You will need your smartcard number, found on the card itself or in the decoder’s General Information menu, along with your payment. Once you have paid, the channels for your package should open within a few minutes.
If you have paid but nothing shows, that is a reactivation issue rather than an installation fault. Our guide on resetting a StarTimes decoder after payment walks through the fix. And if you see an on-screen error code instead of your channels, our guide on fixing common StarTimes errors explains what each one means.
A StarTimes install really comes down to a firm antenna, a well-sealed cable, a high and clear line to the mast, and a proper channel scan. Get those right and the picture will be stable for years with little more than an occasional check of the connections. If you would rather not climb up to mount the pole yourself, any local StarTimes dealer can handle the physical install, but the decoder setup and scan are simple enough to finish yourself afterwards. For official support, package details, and regional contacts, the official StarTimes website is the place to check.
Frenzy valentine is a passionate blogger, developer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and author of myfreshgists.com.
Pls my startime is showing me language settings and I press English it refuse to show again
Please how do i run a scan on startimes and what is the meaning of run a scan. Please i need a perfect explanation on this
You can do that using your remote to scroll to settings