direct TV or Dish Network

[IamGadget]

hello;
the motorhome i just purchased does have a satellite dome om the roof. There are 2 providers..Direct TV. and. Dish Network...other than price and package...any reason to pick one over the other? thank you

[JBroadaway]

Here's an opinion. First, match what you have in your house so you can get dual use out of your receivers. Second, I had Dish for years and switched house and motor home to Directv because with Dish you have to move the satellite between 110 and 119 (unless you have one of the new satellites that will do it for you). Third, you will have to find out which satellite system your motor home antenna is set for; there is an adjustment on the antenna that allows you to select whichever system you install. Forth, I have never found a home satellite installer that knew anything about how to program the motor home satellite. Even the people you call for help at Dish or Directv know very little about the problems you may have with the satellite. Once you make the decision about which system you are going to use, check back with this forum with your problems/questions.

[kjburns]

They each have advantages. DirecTV SD is all on one satellite. Dish uses two satellites for SD. Most domes will move as required to pick up the other Dish satellites and the dome should be able to pick up Dish HD on 129. DirecTV HD will require an open face multiple LNB dish. Dish Network has dual tuner receivers that will run two TVs watching different channels. DirecTV has sports packages like the NFL Sunday Ticket that are not available on Dish.

I've had both and the differences are pretty minor. We have a dome, but currently run Dish Network with a tripod mounted dish. The tripod mount comes in handy when it snows...like a couple of days ago. I can just walk outside brush the snow off to get the signal back.

[IamGadget]

thank you for the info..
the motorhome is my home.
the previous owner had direct TV
it is a In motion KVH dome ( or some letters like KVH..i am not there now)

[IamGadget]

thank you...
i have 2 TVs.
confusing... i would like to just use the dome i have and avoid an additional pc of equipment if i can.

[Bill Adams]

If you are full-timing, don't currently have satellite TV service from any provider and you do not have a great need for high-definition TV in your coach then I would recommend that you subscribe to DirecTV.
You are correct about the letters. You have a KVH TracVision of some sort (there are many versions). No dome on the market can receive the HDTV programming from DirecTV so if this is a requirement then you must sign up for Dish Network or plan on replacing your dome with an open face antenna.
We are ready for more questions!

[wa8yxm]

Though KVH domes can be used with DISH.. If you call DirecTV and say "RV" they instantly switch you out to a partner company.... KVH.

Here is the service list

DirecTV (not HD)
Dish Network
Dish Network HD
DirecHDTV (HD)

And a bit on domes.. Domes come in two by two types.. The first split is in-motion/stationary (Why you would buy a stationary dome I don't knwo but you did not so that's a moot question)

Single or Dual (Refers to the number of outputs)

IF your dome is a dual (2 outputs) that means it can run 1,2 or more receivers or one dual-input DVR or more (more in both cases requires switches) you can mix and match straight receivers and DVR's by the way.

If it's a SINGLE then it can only run ONE receiver or one input on the DVR (you very simply do not use the 2nd)

DirecTV (not hd) for RVers it's all on one bird,, the hard part is getting past that transfer to KVH.. You simply tell 'em transfer me to KVH again and I'm calling DISH, I already HAVE an antenna.

DishNetwork.. Uses 2 birds.. If you have a SINGLE receiver, no problem, some domes can change birds under receiver control.. Others you have to manually command the change and re-run check switch.. but you can still do it

DishHDTV,, Uses 3 birds,, above comments re Dish apply

DirecHDTV uses 3 birds and 2 bands.. SD programming works with the dome, HD does not. period.

Dish is currently less expensive

In both cases you will have to contract for Distant Network if you camp more than so far from home (how far varies with direction) as local stations (Network stations) are "Spot Beamed"

What is a spot beam? Think of a spot light.. same thing exactly

The Distant Network stations (NYC/Atlanta or LA) are "Floodlight" beamed (ConUS or Contential United States)

NOTE: Make sure you get an RV account... House accounts generally do not qualify for DNS

DirecTV you get DNS from DirecTV Dishnetwork from All American Direct Communictions LLC

And that's all there is to it.