I am considering a Winegard Automatic Satelliite dish (dome version) I am told they are HD ready. Right now I do not have a high definitionTV or HD direct tv box, both are the standard types that have been around for a while however I may upgrade in the future.
My question is will the HD ready automatic seeking dish be compatible with my old equipment and what would I have to do or know when I upgrade?
Motor City Swagman 2000 Bounder 36S
Ford V-10, Banks Power Pack w/ TC,
BrakeBuddy,Davis Tru Trac,Safe T Plus,Aventa II & Xplorer Sport Trac
Anything you do with a DOME antenna will severely limit your HD capabilities. DirectTV is moving/has moved the majority their HD channels to the Ka band, and Dish would be too if their new satellite had reached orbit. At this time no dome antenna from any manufacturer (for use on an RV) can receive the Ka band transmissions. I think it is unlikely that technology will progress fast enough for the domes the be Ka ready in the next year, if ever.
If you really want HD, ( and I do ), then the Winegard Trav'ler is the way to go. My suggestion would be the Winegard SK-3005 and DirectTV.
If you were looking for "in-motion" TV from a dome, then get an HD/DVR and record a bunch of your favorite shows ( or your kids, or grandkids shows....) before you leave and play them back from the DVR for mobile entertainment.
Me, the DW, 2 dogs and more.
1998 Overland Larado, 41', one slide, 325 Cummins, '02 Jeep Liberty with SMI-Air Force 1.....
There are basically 4 types of antennas you can use for satellite
"In-Motion" Domes
"Stationary" Domes
"Automatic" Dish type
Manual Dish Type.
All domes, ALL of them, can see ONE satellite at a time. And as far as I know all domes on the market are Ku band only I will explain this later
In-Motion domes remaine "live" and can track the bird as you drive, Very nice if you wish to record for later viewing. Stationary domes only work when parked, and thus offer no advantage over a dish save wind resistance
Automatic Dishes can see 1,2,3, 5 (No limit in theory) birds and can be found in both Ku and Dual (Ku/Ka) band, you can even get a "C" band dish if you wish (BIG UGLY DISH) but please don't ask me where You can see a good selection of Automatic Dishes at http://www.motosat.com roughly in the middle of the page.
Manual dishes, like automatic, come in 1,2,3,5 (up to 8 I've seen advertised) and must be pointed by the armstrong power pointer (If your arm is strong....)
In the US there are two satellite providers, DirecTV and Dish Network
Direc STANDARD service, for most costomers uses one bird, located at 101degrees West. All the above antennas work great with one caravat I'll close with
DishNetwork Standard uses two birds one at 110, one at 119, Since a dome can see only one at a time when you change channels, Say from Halmark (on 110) to BBCA (on 119) the dome has to re-point.. Many domes can do this automatically, HOWEVER, if you have two people watching two different channels, or use a DVR to record 2 different channels THEY BOTH HAVE TO BE ON THE SAME BIRD.
DishNetwork HDTV adds a 3rd bird. (129) all the above applies
DirecTV adds 4 birds for their HDTV, 110, and 119, and a pair of Ka band birds eitehr side of 101.
NO dome can pick up Ka band at this time. (Though I hear rumors one is forthcoming)
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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