Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > THE OWNER'S CORNER FORUMS > Newmar Owner's Forum
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 04-10-2016, 07:41 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Sharoncbrn's Avatar
 
Newmar Owners Club
Texas Boomers Club
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 10
Help with Winegard In Motion Set Up

Hello friends,
We just picked up are new Ventana LE Friday, we took a short rode trip today. Loved it! We are trying to set up our DTV satellite tonight and can not get a signal. A few questions, the only cable in the electronic compartment was a red one, I connected it into the DTV box and an HDMI cable from DTV box to HDMI input box. Also I am using an HD box box even though we will not be able to get HD with DTV, does that make an difference?
Sharoncbrn is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 04-10-2016, 08:20 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
VP Chianese's Avatar
 
Thor Owners Club
Newmar Owners Club
Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: FL
Posts: 1,286
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharoncbrn View Post
Hello friends,
We just picked up are new Ventana LE Friday, we took a short rode trip today. Loved it! We are trying to set up our DTV satellite tonight and can not get a signal. A few questions, the only cable in the electronic compartment was a red one, I connected it into the DTV box and an HDMI cable from DTV box to HDMI input box. Also I am using an HD box box even though we will not be able to get HD with DTV, does that make an difference?
You can not use the HD box with your Antenna system. Call the Antenna company and they will tell you the DTV box you need by model number. It is a non SWM unit. Then be prepared to argue with DTV for at least four to five different calls to get the correct one. No HD and no recording.

I'm getting an HD DTV Antenna installed at Newmar this May for this exact reason.
__________________
Vinny, Sandy, JD (10.01.13 - 06.20.20) and our present Portuguese Water Dog "Viking"
2016 Dutch Star 4018 Newmar #605899
VP Chianese is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-11-2016, 11:14 AM   #3
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 39
The only way to get HD channels using ANY dome antenna is by subscribing to Dish. The satellites it uses can be received by a dome antenna. The satellites used by DirecTV for HD channels can NOT be received by a dome antenna, mainly because they can't penetrate the dome, and also because they use radio bands that need a larger antenna.

That might seem like bad news, but if you are a part-time motorhome user, Dish is the best choice because it offers RV service (notice their ads in RV magazines), meaning you can turn the service on/off as desired. And Dish allows changing your service address to view the local channels wherever you happen to be. I turn my Dish service on/off several times a year via a phone call, and change my service address whenever I move to a different area. This is not possible with DirecTV.

A Dish receiver model 211 is available from many sources including Camping World, typically around $100 one-time purchase, no ongoing fees. The newer 211z is small, but I prefer the prior 211k because it includes an Over The Air (OTA) receiver which I connect to my coach's TV antenna for even more channels. (An OTA adapter can be added to 211z but that pushes the total price well above 211k.) Via the Dish receiver I get both satellite and OTA channels, which usually is many more than the local channels provided by satellite (any satellite). And I can record shows from both antennas by adding a USB hard drive to the 211 receiver, turning it into a DVR. I can record any mix of satellite and OTA channels, even both at once.

In satellite terms, local channels are the major networks, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PBS in major cities. (There are usually many more local channels available via OTA.) The satellite services provide local channels within specific local areas by sending smallish signal beams, so when your motorhome moves, your local channels must be changed or lost. I'm based in California when at my location I either watch Los Angeles or San Diego local channels. But on my last trip to Florida I had Dish give me local channels for Tallahasee when I was in Pensacola, and switched to Orlando when I was there, etc etc. I switched at least a dozen other times as I traveled 14 states. In Arizona I can pick Tucson if I'm near there, but usually I choose Phoenix because that beam covers the entire state, don't have to change as I move around. When desired, I have Dish change my service location/local channels via a call, web site visit, or chat via my phone, simple, free.

I used to have DirecTV, back when my rigs did not have huge, amazing HD TVs, and back when DirecTV was flexible and helpful. But a few years ago they tightened up, only allowing service suspension twice a year, which gets expensive if the motorhome is used sporadically; I hate to be paying for satellite TV while my rig is parked and unoccupied. Also, DirecTV usually does not allow changing of local channels meaning when you are not in your official service location you don't get any local channels at all. DirecTV's solution is to subscribe at extra charge to national network channels. but they are not provided in HD. I don't want to watch fuzzy SD channels on my motorhome's enormous HD TVs. And rumors swirl that AT&T, new owner of DirecTV, doesn't care about or even want RV customers because we are not candidates for all the bundled services they want to sell. We'll see...

If you prefer DirecTV and want HD, you must add an exposed satellite antenna on the roof, typically Winegard Trav'ler, which is service-specific. Unlike a dome antenna which works with both services (by flipping a switch under the dome), you must purchase the Trav'ler model that matches the service you want to receive. A DirecTV Trav'ler can never receive Dish signals and vice versa.

The good news is that an open Trav'ler type of antenna, being quite a bit larger than the antenna inside a dome, has less dropout from thick clouds and a few tree branches. BUT, there's no in-motion because an exposed antenna must be stowed while driving, and sometimes during strong winds. Also, a Trav'ler is pricey. Well worth considering, but only after you decide whether to use Dish for its part-time RV-friendly service, or DirecTV for whatever it does better (if anything) so you buy the appropriate Trav'ler. There are small differences in offered channels, packages, and prices, if that matters.

What's so special about an in-motion dome? It always keeps itself aimed at the satellites, its rotating/tilting motors buzzing constantly. This can be distracting inside the motorhome, and obviously leads to wear-and-tear. But it can be useful too. Sometimes passengers (behind the cockpit area) watch live TV while rolling down the highway. My use has been to record shows while driving, to watch later. Except for dropouts while in underpasses, tunnels, among large trees, it actually works! It's amazing to view in HD a show recorded while driving through mountains far from major cities. (HD because I subscribe to Dish.)

PS: Dish can be annoying to deal with, apparently due to inconsistent employee training. I always ask for an Account Specialist, their term for a more senior customer service agent, because they know what an RV account is. The lesser CSAs tend to argue, misunderstand, and sometimes do it wrong. The biggest issue is changing service location/local channels, simply because it seems they must do multiple steps but sometimes don't. I always remind them: Be sure to actually change my local channels, and please push an update to my receiver.

Long answer to short question, and more could be said, but hope this helps.
travelhawk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-11-2016, 11:32 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,459
For out RV's Travelhawk is spot on unless you have really deep pockets, like in the $17K range with space for a 24" diameter dome from TracVision which is used in the marine world. They have a model which will do HD from DirecTV but impractical in our application.

Lack of HD is why I changed to DISH. Only one reason that I can think of to stay with DTV and they have the sole ownership of the NFL presentation. So if you want to see ALL of the NFL games on any given Sunday DISH can't deliver.
__________________
Gary 2021 NH Majestic
Ram 5500 with Bodywerks bed
Box Elder, SD and the road
ghaynes754 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Winegard in-motion vs KVH in-motion Rd1 Newmar Owner's Forum 5 03-31-2016 08:33 PM
Help connecting Directv Reciever to Winegard In Motion CRay_Tuscany Thor Industries Owner's Forum 11 03-07-2014 01:33 PM
Remove Winegard crank up and replace with Winegard In Motion Zoafan Technology: Internet, TV, Satellite, Cell Phones, etc. 2 01-22-2013 02:34 PM
MH battery set up...: Anyone plug this set up in? fkloster Class A Motorhome Discussions 6 04-30-2010 08:58 AM
Winegard RT-1200 In Motion RoadTrip Steve N Sal Technology: Internet, TV, Satellite, Cell Phones, etc. 0 04-02-2009 04:15 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.