Direct TV & HD

[gator67]

I just got a call from Direct TV and they told me my HD receiver is not compatible with the new HD they are going to be transmitting. They offered to change out my receiver for free. I currently have the LG LSS-3200A receiver. I don't receive HD channels on satellite now.

Also, the LG receiver takes input from the satellite, cable and antenna and processes them all together. The Direct TV HD receivers only take satellite input so it would appear that there would have to be some switches and wiring added to handle the new setup.

If I am not now getting HD via Direct TV, do I really need to upgrade the receiver? Direct TV is pushing it saying that if I have a problem, they can better address it. I say, it would appear I am creating more problems by having to rewire the system.

Anyone else facing this dilemma, and, do I really need to change receivers?

[gator67]

I just got a call from Direct TV and they told me my HD receiver is not compatible with the new HD they are going to be transmitting. They offered to change out my receiver for free. I currently have the LG LSS-3200A receiver. I don't receive HD channels on satellite now.

Also, the LG receiver takes input from the satellite, cable and antenna and processes them all together. The Direct TV HD receivers only take satellite input so it would appear that there would have to be some switches and wiring added to handle the new setup.

If I am not now getting HD via Direct TV, do I really need to upgrade the receiver? Direct TV is pushing it saying that if I have a problem, they can better address it. I say, it would appear I am creating more problems by having to rewire the system.

Anyone else facing this dilemma, and, do I really need to change receivers?

[Jim A]

If I understand it correctly, it also depends on your satellite dish. If you have a domed dish, like the Kingdome, it is not compatible with the new satellites for the Direct TV HD. Nobody makes a domed dish that is compatible with the new satellites. That's more of the issue than the receiver

As of right now, if you don't care about HD, you can keep the receiver you have.

[Bill Adams]

If you don't have any intentions of getting (paying for) the DTV HDTV programming then there is no need at all to update your receiver. You should be good to go until your current receiver drops dead, DTV makes some major programming changes or you choose to update to HD.

[Rick Coleman]

My LG SS-3200A went belly up and I tried replacing it with a replacement Direct TV receiver. Be advised, if you have the Aquos TV monitor that WRV provided me with that system, that none of the current replacements I could find have the same number of outputs to operate all the equipment for that combination. I ended up having to find an identical used LG unit on eBay. LG told me it would cost $100+++ and 2 months to repair the unit.

You may end up creating a can of worms and have to replace the entire system at great expense.

If my receiver tanks again I will probably replace the entire system and make sure the new TV is a one-piece unit, not like my current 2-piece system. Not looking forward to that! Might be time to go back to reading a good book.

[Wayne R]

Rick I have the 2 piece Aquos and I have replaced my DTV DVR unit and have no issues with conections. I just ran an HDMI to the Aqous contol box and an audio cables to the DVD player /amp

[RustyJC]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by gator67:
I just got a call from Direct TV and they told me my HD receiver is not compatible with the new HD they are going to be transmitting. They offered to change out my receiver for free. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Having just gone through this with the changeout of 2 each H10 receivers at the stick house to the H20 receivers and new 3-head dish, I found out after the fact that the "free" changeout results in the following:

1. The replacement receivers are leased at $4.99/month each. There's no option to purchase them.

2. The changeout locks one in to a 2 year commitment to DirecTV.

Rusty

[Rick Coleman]

Wayne- I don't have a unit with DVR. My recollection is the H10 and H20 units didn't have enough inputs or outputs to work with my system. That's why I chased down a used LG unit. I guess every unit is a little different.

[Wil Rathke]

I apparently had the same call from DirecTV as gator67. I have the King-Dome model 9702 on my coach and just called King Controls and asked if this antenna will receive DirecTV HD channels and was told that it would NOT but that they are working on it - whatever that means. It seems that the DirecTV HD channels are downlinked on satellites that the antenna cannot receive. So, I see no need to upgrade my RCA DTC210 in my rig even if I decide to subscribe to HD service at home.

[Bill Adams]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I have the King-Dome model 9702 on my coach and just called King Controls and asked if this antenna will receive DirecTV HD channels and was told that it would NOT but that they are working on it - whatever that means. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
King Dome is not doing anything to make your 9702 work with the DirecTV HD programming. King Dome is working on a new design for their domes that will accommodate a multiple LNB configuration for the reception of both KU and KA band signals. Your 9702 will NEVER be able to receive the DTV HDTV programming. It will work with Dish Network as they currently broadcast everything on the KU band. You may need a software update and you would have to change your hardware and service over to Dish Network. Additionally, not all Dish Network hardware will work properly with the King Dome (especially the DVR versions) so you may be able to get HD but you may not be able to do it the way you would like.

[Rick Coleman]

Is Direct TV going to continue broadcasting the existing non-HD signal ALSO, allowing the continued use of our existing equipment, or will they broadcast ONLY in HD, thereby making our current equipment useless?

[Bill Adams]

Rick,
As far as anyone can see, DirecTV is going to continue to broadcast their Nationwide SDTV programming from the 101 satellite for quite some time. I can't tell you that it will last forever, but I don't see any end in sight at this point.

[Old Rv'er]

I believe they are trying to get more money from you. I don't see the need for HD programming as of yet. But I am in the minority, as I don't watch a lot of sports. It should be noted, the dish will have to support the HD programming, and I belive there are 5 LNB's on the HD Direct TV dish. Stay with what you have unless you need to upgrade because of the digital switch next year, or are really into HD programming.

It will entail lots of wiring changes in the front compartments of the coach. I am assuming you are talented enought to make those changes. I would not want to tackle them unless I was certain, I knew exactly what I was doing. I have messed with this kind of stuff all my life. It's not the job in and of itself, it's the size of the job involved, and it could take the most part of a day. If you are confortable doing this stuff, make a plan prior to starting of what is in there now (digital pictures-worth a fortune) and then draw up what you are going to switch it to, so you don't forget a step.