ghamblen wrote: You are exactly correct Bumpy. Direct does require 5 LNBs for some setups. The OP did not state if HD is one of the viewing requirements. If it is then 5 LNBs may be a problem if they have a dome antenna. I am not aware of any reasonably priced domes that can handle 5 LNBs. If they have one of the expensive Motosat type antennas or carry a ground based setup then HD viewing could be possible. If HD viewing is not a requirement then either Dish or Direct will work. I have used both with equal success with a dome antenna. I'm not trying to pick a fight here, just help the OP make a decision. If the OP is using a dome and HD is a requirement then I would wait a little while until the dome manufacturers come up with a solution for Direct's HD setup, if they haven't already. If HD is not a requirement then it would be a personal choice.
Winegard is coming out with a 5 LNB direcTV popup dish for RV use in December. Camping World will be carrying them. Also, see here.
didn't see any prices there. I still think if I was doing it, I would just get that new remote jobby that CW is selling for about $800. has 50 ft. cord. just set "box" where it can see sky, automatic leveling, remote control to select sat. yep, I think you have to move it to change sats. but then not restricted to the one on the roof.
bumpy
IMHO I believe much of this decision must center around the type of dish you are going to use. (crank-up stationary, stationary dome, in-motion dome). Also what receiver will be used? Single tuner vs dual tuner, DVR? HD certainly becomes an issue as well. I have run the gamut with all of the above. Currently, I have a Dish Network 622 VIP DVR. I subscribe to HD. I also have a King Dome in-motion dish. This is not a very acceptable combination. I'll explain. But first, how I got to this combination.
I started with a crank-up Winegard manual acquisition dish. Worked fine until the gearing mechanism failed and was virtually useless in windy conditions. I then went to a King Dome stationary dome. That worked reasonably well until I changed my two TV monitors to flat screen HD units. This required the new HD receiver. With that, King Dome told me I had to change to their in-motion in order to receive HD as HD is on two birds (61.5 and 119). I also need 110 from time to time. We need 61.5 in order to receive our local networks when out of range of the local spot beam. (currently in Phoenix and watching Boston locals on 61.5). Of course, King Dome had nothing which could upgrade to the in-motion system. A new one, I believe was about $2,300.00. They did offer a refurbished unit for $1,300.00. So we went that route. Wow, was I excited about in-motion, albeit illegal for the driver to view TV in all but 2 states (I believe) it's nice to listen through the surround sound and/or to record while on the road.
Next.......
At the time of the in-motion purchase, King Dome had nothing which would automatically change birds. And of course, with that, there was no way to get the entire program guide at once. Back to "TV Guide" mag. Shortly after this, they release software which would change from 110 to 119 but not 61.5. (keeping in mind my networks were all on 61.5). So that software change didn't offer me much of an advantage.
Next......
Hurray!!! New software which would switch back and fourth between all three. They shipped the box they developed in order for me to download the new software into my receiver. (had to pay a $500.00 deposit which was returned upon my sending the box back to them. This was to be a great day! (doesn't take much to humor me). Started the "check switch" procedure. Over TWO HOURS attempting to get a good read on all three birds. (and of course this was on the weekend - King Dome closed).
Next......
Spoke with King Dome on Monday. My contact there informed me that their new software doesn't respond to dual tuner DVR receivers! Keep in mind, from the beginning they were apprised of the receiver I was using. I could now set it up to revert back to the 110/119 setup but not 61.5. When asked if they had anything on the radar screen in the way of new software, the answer was "no". They were currently working on "Direct" issues. I continued with the check switch procedure and finally was able to get a good read on 61.5 and 119 (but not 110). This was OK - Certainly better than 110/119 - at least I had the networks and most HD.
This is not perfect - King Dome said I was fortunate to have been able to do that. It is very erratic. This morning for example I woke to find an "el fault" - (it tried to change to record something during the night and could not lock in on the other bird.) I was 20 minutes getting it back on track.
My HO??? I Suggested to King Dome they need to spend a lot more time and dollars on R & D. Given this fiasco over a one year period, in combination with his comment about playing catch-up with Direct issues, it would appear they are quick to release "the newest" before adequate testing is completed. He didn't deny that suggestion.
We all pay a LOT of money for our satellite reception and much is the same with cellular phone service, I think it's time the feds get on board to force better service and to put a heavy control on charges.
As an aside....with the majority of cell users with only cell service (no land line) and with the cell being the only means to request emergency services it should, at the VERY LEAST, be available in every major market and on every interstate highway without fail. Do you have "On-Star"? This is actually Verizon Wireless service. No signal, no emergency service from On-Star. I've tested it against my Verizon Wireless phone and the service (signal-wise) is virtually identical.
PHEW......obviously, I had nothing to do this morning!
As Always..HAPPY MOTORING!
Geoff & Fran
Golden Pup "Molson"
Golden "Summit" - left us wonderful memories 2/11/08
02 Allegro Bay 36 RUFN-IT (SD)
100K mi. as of 10/08
02 Ford Escape IGO-TOO (SD)
FMCA 312363
Escapees
FULL TIME
Never thought it would happen!
Just hooked up Directv after purchasing a D300-12 receiver. It would show a couple of signals, but would not connect.
It took 4 calls to Directv to get to customer support, and I was forwarded 5 times (yep, 6th person I talked to on that call).
Catch 22 – you have to have a signal to set up an account. You have to have an account to talk to customer support.
After spending a couple of hours talking my way into customer support, it took 15 seconds for them to decide I had a bad LNB on the brand new antenna.
Then sales tried to slide me into accepting “free” receivers and antenna. To get the “free” stuff I would have to agree to an 18 month term. Sales did not mention that detail until I asked. Then and only then was I forwarded to the proper place to get account set up and activated.
Now I am working on the sales promotion. The $20 per month discount is $10 plus rebate. When I went to the rebate site, I was told I was not eligible. 5 calls later I am forwarded to a “specialist” who promises the fix to the account will be made in 7 to 10 business days.
Not sure dealing with them is worth it.
I did discover that getting local channels is fairly easy by calling and having the installation address, including zip code. The local channels were available almost instantly.
travlers wrote: Go with Direct. We had Dish and after so many problems took everything and threw it in the dumpster. Got Direct and no problems. Service is better, easy to set up especially in wooded areas. If traveling can still get both west coast and east coast feed if you want. We have both which makes it nice. With dish local service traveling is out from what I understand or very limited. As stated before, we too have seen folks works for hours with Dish and still walk away empty handed.
C
That is odd, I regularly find the opposite to be true. With Dish I can set up the tripod, mount the dish, peek at my hand held compass, aim and be up and running in five minutes. I have NEVER been unable to quickly find a signal even in the trees although I may need to slightly move the tripod to line up with a hole through the cover
We have had both. DISH sucks. I have yet to get it to work right.I have heard it all. Check switch. Switch 42. Called KVH. Called DISH. Downloaded instructions. Never had a problem with DIRECT.
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