Change from Direct TV to Dish

[N6CUS]

My brother wants to change back from Direct TV to Dish
problem is some dish channels are on one satilite and some on another
he had this probem sometime ago when he had dish before changing to Direct TV now wants to change back but is worried about the 2 satillites and wonder if possible to add an another LNB so as not to change dish
for different channels. or any other fix known?

His reason is tells me on dish you can turn the service on and off at will
only for his Motorhome use a few days a month and save money, and i guess Direct TV does not offer this option.
any suggestions except mine stay with Direct TV

Thanks
Ron K

[free-to-roam]

We used to use Dish, as you pointed out, the two LNB's were a pain to aim, and, not always able to get a clear path to both of them. Went back to Direct, won't change again. From what I understand from Direct, if the reciever is not plugged in to wall power, or an antenna for a week or so, it looses it's handshake with the satellite. The service is not arbitrairly disconnected. It just "thinks" you have left it without ability to receive normal, almost nightly updates. If it does not receive these updates regurlary, it locks itself out. Not really a problem. call them, they shoot it with a "silver bullet", and all is fine!
Not to mention, Dish programmiong does not even come close to Direct...but, life is about choices!
Make 'em, and enjoy!

[TechWriter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by N6CUS His reason is tells me on dish you can turn the service on and off at will only for his Motorhome use a few days a month and save money, and i guess Direct TV does not offer this option.

That's right, Direct TV does not have pay-as-you-go. Dish does.

Get a Dish Tailgater system (automatic dish + HD receiver): Tailgater - DISH Network

Then sign up for pay-as-you.

BTW, it may have been different in the past, but Dish & Direct programming is pretty much the same.

[RustyJC]

Our RV's DirecTV receiver is carried on our home account as a mirrored receiver at $4.99/month. For that price, it isn't worth worrying about suspending and resuming service on the RV receiver. Of course, YMMV.....

Rusty

[kjburns]

What type of dish does he plan on using?

If he has a roof mounted crank up dish, a second LNB isn't a viable option. If he has a dome (carry-out or roof mounted), most will automatically aim at the three satellites depending on the selected channel. They don't need a second LNB. If he has a dish mounted on a tripod, he can find a Dish 500 or 1000 for minimal cash.

The best (and most expensive) option is a Winegard Trav'ler or Motosat. They have 3 LNBs and are fully automatic. Level the RV, press a button and watch TV.

[raycon9]

Quote:

Originally Posted by free-to-roam We used to use Dish, as you pointed out, the two LNB's were a pain to aim, and, not always able to get a clear path to both of them. Went back to Direct, won't change again. From what I understand from Direct, if the reciever is not plugged in to wall power, or an antenna for a week or so, it looses it's handshake with the satellite. The service is not arbitrairly disconnected. It just "thinks" you have left it without ability to receive normal, almost nightly updates. If it does not receive these updates regurlary, it locks itself out. Not really a problem. call them, they shoot it with a "silver bullet", and all is fine! Not to mention, Dish programmiong does not even come close to Direct...but, life is about choices! Make 'em, and enjoy!

you can also "activate" your reciever in your on line account.
directv.com

[palehorse89]

I put my 2 direct tv recievers to sleep for up to 6 months. $4.99 each during the summer months

[Iron Man]

We have dish and our antenna finds all three satellites fine.

[quadnkev]

The Dish pay as you go is not as your family member believes.
I just went through all that stuff.
You do not need a special receiver to get the service, it is on-off at will but you pay for a complete month of service at a time.
Check my journey to get service here.
Need satellite education

[VestaDave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by raycon9 you can also "activate" your reciever in your on line account. directv.com

I'm puzzled by the comment about Dish vs Direct programming? I've used both and generally both offer the same networks/channels. The real difference to me is ease of use and it's here that Dish trumps Direct. Any satellite antenna can receive HD on Dish, is that also true for Direct? I think not. But then again, I may be have old info. My understanding is that you need additional equipment to get Direct HD in addition to the box.

[ljr]

I use a triple LNB portable. No problem aiming unless there are obstacles. I did spend some money on a decent meter. With it, I take longer setting up the tripod than aiming the dish.

[VestaDave]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljr I use a triple LNB portable. No problem aiming unless there are obstacles. I did spend some money on a decent meter. With it, I take longer setting up the tripod than aiming the dish.

Been there,done that. Got the tailgater; so simple. I really don't miss the triple LNB process.

[vito.a]

Ron, as I understand it, your brothers main concern is can he add another LNB to his current antenna.
Yes, but why would you want to when new antennas are so cheap? A new Dish 1000 with a triple LNB plus built in switch is around $50 on eBay. If you don’t mind signing a contract, Dish will give you a new antenna and receivers as well. The new systems have the LNB’s positioned so that you set the skew and elevation, then just aim it the proper azimuth and you can receive three satellites. The trick here is to insure the mast is level and the rest of the angles are built into the antenna.