Direct TV help i do not know proper setup

[IamGadget]

Hello
I hope i can get some advice ...I purchased a used MH and it has a older KVH dome on roof and the old receiver ..they are not HD and told cannot be made to accept HD.
To make my story short as i can..i will leave out all the deceptive Direct TV sales people...I was in Costco and asked the wireless kiosk people if they did Direct TV installs for an RV..I got a big yes ( this is from a company that leases space in Costco...but i feel comfortable because Costco i believe will support me...The Customer) They asked me if i move the RV and of course i said i live in it full time and travel with it...They said they would give me a seeking dish for the roof and a dish on tripod. Sounded great and it also states that on the order/agreement. The installer came out and just put a large Slimline dish on a large tripod and bolted the tripod to the pavement. I looked at it and said to him that i cannot easily adjust this type of setup each time i move ..He replied ...You call and ask for a move service it is free and they will install and readjust it..I said to him i think they do that for Homes not for an rv that might keep moving...I further asked do you do RV's ...the installer said a few if he thinks he can...he really is a residential installer.
He also did not have the "seeking dish" and that is when i concluded they used a residential installer ....I have my phone calls in and waiting to get results...I want them to make good on their agreement.
I have a TV in front of coach and one in bedroom I have a 2 HD receivers. One is also a dvr recorder.
They are comming back..I do not know what they are going to do. I guess i have to junk the KVH older dome.
I might have to purchase a portable dish...and i guess i should get a dish that does HD.. I do not have a clue as to what is the way to go.
I might have confused anyone that reads this....if so ....please write and ask me to clarify....Thank you.....

[RickO]

Hi Gadget... sounds like you got the salesman double talk two step. A few questions:

1) Did they sell you a HD service? It sounds like it with your HD receivers and DVR. If so, the portable dish and "seeking dish" should both be HD. How much did they quote you?

2) If they said they were going to install a HD "seeking dish" on your rig and didn't include an extra charge of $1600/$2500... something is wrong. That's what they cost and DTV won't foot that bill for you.

3) What is the set up that you envision? Do you want HD on both TVs and HD DVR in your living room? Do your TVs support HD?

Portable HD dishes are often very difficult to align properly and you certainly don't want to follow the move process and have DTV send someone out every time you set up camp.

Good luck...

Rick

[IamGadget]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickO Hi Gadget... sounds like you got the salesman double talk two step. A few questions: 1) Did they sell you a HD service? It sounds like it with your HD receivers and DVR. If so, the portable dish and "seeking dish" should both be HD. How much did they quote you? 2) If they said they were going to install a HD "seeking dish" on your rig and didn't include an extra charge of $1600/$2500... something is wrong. That's what they cost and DTV won't foot that bill for you. 3) What is the set up that you envision? Do you want HD on both TVs and HD DVR in your living room? Do your TVs support HD? Portable HD dishes are often very difficult to align properly and you certainly don't want to follow the move process and have DTV send someone out every time you set up camp. Good luck... Rick

Thank you for the reply.
I am aware that a seeking dish is costly...However that is what they said they were going to give me and wrote it on the order.. The large Slimline dish that they put on this bulky tripod is not like the more portable ones that i have seen. it does not even look like it is made to be adjusted my the user ( or maybe i just do not see it ) I need to check to see if there are other types of portable HD dishes for tripods. Of course i want something on the roof so i can watch tv when i am making evening stops or in a place for a short time and the roof mount is not blocked by trees. I do not want to use a dish on tripod unless i have to do it. I have seen portables from winegard and i think it is called V cube but i do not think they are HD
Yes i do have two HD sets. I hope it is worth the difference to have HD instead of standard.
I was told i need tow receivers because i have to sets. He also intalled the recorder in the bedroom ( did not discuss it with me ) he put it there because he said the recorder receiver works on RF remote so i can use it while it is hidden on shelf in closet. The receiver in the LR ( not a recorder) is like line of sight. Well i did not realize that after i record i can only play back on the set in the bedroom...so i do not like that...I will change them around.
They are coming out Tuesday am anyway ( not for the dish problem ) i called them because i came in one night and turned on the set in the front of the coach and the screen said it was too hot and had to wait for it to cool..It said max temp is 140 and i was at 149 and it will not go back on until it cools to 122 or less....they are coming out to check this.
Since i am ignorant about this direct tv setup...it is difficult for me to ask them for specific things. I just want it to work properly. I know he disconnected my box that switches tv1 tv2 aux, antenna etc. but that is another story...thanks again

[Route 66]

DirecTV DVRs do need ventilation and as you found, apparently the receivers do also. I added 2 cooling fans to my electronics cabinet for just that reason.

There are only 2 roof top automatic dishes for DirecTV HD;
MotoSAT HD-SL5 or
Winegard SK3005

Ground use requires the DirecTV Slimline, which you have.

[IamGadget]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66 DirecTV DVRs do need ventilation and as you found, apparently the receivers do also. I added 2 cooling fans to my electronics cabinet for just that reason. There are only 2 roof top automatic dishes for DirecTV HD; MotoSAT HD-SL5 or Winegard SK3005 Ground use requires the DirecTV Slimline, which you have.

thank you....i will check out the two roof tops you mentioned..
did you put two fans in one cabinet? what kind of fans?
I have a 2004 newmar dutch star...one receiver is in the cabinet over the drivers seat ( when i purchased the coach...used...the previous owner had it in the cabinet behind the passenger seat ( i guess this installer did not want to mess with all the wires there and no room...) if he was a rv installer he probably would have removed the old RCA receiver and put this one it its place. The one in the bedroom ( is where he put the recorder..and i want to switch them..since i found out when i record i can only play back in the bedroom ) in the closet.
thank you for the information....appreciated....allen
Also the Slimline does not collapse..I think there is a company that makes parts for it so that it can collapse quickly for setup and take down..

[LindaH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IamGadget Thank you for the reply. I have seen portables from winegard and i think it is called V cube but i do not think they are HD

The VuQube is not from Winegard, but Winegard does make a portable dome antenna called the Carryout.

However, NO DOME, will be able to receive DirecTV's HD programming, so you DO NOT want a dome if you are at all interested in HD (unless you go with Dish Network, and a dome with multiple satellites that you have to "see" presents its own problems).

[Route 66]

I have the MotoSAT HD-SL5 and I only had to use my ground mount twice.

I just unbolt the LNB arm.

[Route 66]

I used the Antec 120mm SmartCool Fan Unit Double Ball Bearing (Variable Speed)

[RickO]

When you ask the installers to move your DVR from the bedroom to the living room make sure that they have two coax feeds going to it from the dish... in fact, check the DVR in the bedroom now to make sure it has two coax feeds going to it. If there's only one, you're only getting half of the capabilities of your DVR and their installation is not complete.

We needed to remove the glass inserts in our cabinet doors and replace them with screen mesh to help keep the receiver cool. It seems to work well without fans so far.

Good luck...

Rick

[IamGadget]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickO When you ask the installers to move your DVR from the bedroom to the living room make sure that they have two coax feeds going to it from the dish... in fact, check the DVR in the bedroom now to make sure it has two coax feeds going to it. If there's only one, you're only getting half of the capabilities of your DVR and their installation is not complete. We needed to remove the glass inserts in our cabinet doors and replace them with screen mesh to help keep the receiver cool. It seems to work well without fans so far. Good luck... Rick

thank you...i just looked and only one cable going to the back of the dvr receiver. I will point that out when they show up tuesday. thanks

[IamGadget]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66 I used the Antec 120mm SmartCool Fan Unit Double Ball Bearing (Variable Speed) Attachment 8897Attachment 8898

it looks like they are exhaust fans...are they? thanks, allen

[IamGadget]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66 I have the MotoSAT HD-SL5 and I only had to use my ground mount twice. I just unbolt the LNB arm.

thanks again....so the MotoSAT is on the roof...and i see a black plate bolted to a piece of wood when you want to use it on the ground. Is the black plate part of what is on the roof? i guess you unplug the cable and leave it hang in the weather... and then use a different cable from the motorhome to the dish....
If the black plate is part of what is on the roof....is there any weather protection need to avoid leaks?
I guess you can tell i do not have a clue as to what the install looks like...
i did copy your info re the fans....thanks

[IamGadget]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66 DirecTV DVRs do need ventilation and as you found, apparently the receivers do also. I added 2 cooling fans to my electronics cabinet for just that reason. There are only 2 roof top automatic dishes for DirecTV HD; MotoSAT HD-SL5 or Winegard SK3005 Ground use requires the DirecTV Slimline, which you have.

if i get a motosat or winegard then i do not need a second dish...i would just disconnect as you did. Correct? if so that saves lots of storage space too.

[IamGadget]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaH The VuQube is not from Winegard, but Winegard does make a portable dome antenna called the Carryout. However, NO DOME, will be able to receive DirecTV's HD programming, so you DO NOT want a dome if you are at all interested in HD (unless you go with Dish Network, and a dome with multiple satellites that you have to "see" presents its own problems).

thanks... i know they are two different companies...i was wondering if someone made something like that for HD.
I do believe that the newer KVH does make domes for HD....but i hear that the roof top dish gets better reception due to the larger dish area....
thank you...appreciate it.