DirectTV : Kingdome : TIVO : Tucson & Some Other Markets

[Ceratto's Grotto]

FYI:

We have a KingDome 2 LNB unit, DirectTV and a TIVO unit.

While in Tucson (out of the Seattle area), we had problems getting the TIVO to work when trying to record / watch Local Network TV, (meaning Tucson's NBC, ABC, CBS), at the same time as the other DirectTV channels.

As it turns out (per the DirectTV rep that came out to fix some other issues on our unit) in SOME markets (such as Tucson but not Phoenix) the local network channels are on a different satellite than the other DirectTV channels. Two LNB units such as with the KingDome unit we have will not record a program on one satellite and watch a program on another satellite. One needs a three LNB unit. The two LNB KingDome unit we have will switch back and forth with the right programming very easily (like in automatic and in less than 5 seconds) but it can not access both satellites at the SAME time.

The good news is 1) there are not very many markets where this is so and 2) DirectTV is moving everything (except HD) to one Satellite within, (they say), the next year.

There are some other things one has to do in order to get Local Network Channels such as changing ones service address.

There is also the possibility to get Network Feeds out of the east cost with something called a Distant Networks Program but I do not know the specifics about that... yet... I understand it may take 6 months and some paper work.

At least this is the way I understand things... as of today @ 6:45 PM MST...

[Ceratto's Grotto]

FYI:

We have a KingDome 2 LNB unit, DirectTV and a TIVO unit.

While in Tucson (out of the Seattle area), we had problems getting the TIVO to work when trying to record / watch Local Network TV, (meaning Tucson's NBC, ABC, CBS), at the same time as the other DirectTV channels.

As it turns out (per the DirectTV rep that came out to fix some other issues on our unit) in SOME markets (such as Tucson but not Phoenix) the local network channels are on a different satellite than the other DirectTV channels. Two LNB units such as with the KingDome unit we have will not record a program on one satellite and watch a program on another satellite. One needs a three LNB unit. The two LNB KingDome unit we have will switch back and forth with the right programming very easily (like in automatic and in less than 5 seconds) but it can not access both satellites at the SAME time.

The good news is 1) there are not very many markets where this is so and 2) DirectTV is moving everything (except HD) to one Satellite within, (they say), the next year.

There are some other things one has to do in order to get Local Network Channels such as changing ones service address.

There is also the possibility to get Network Feeds out of the east cost with something called a Distant Networks Program but I do not know the specifics about that... yet... I understand it may take 6 months and some paper work.

At least this is the way I understand things... as of today @ 6:45 PM MST...

[Bill Adams]

OK, let's see if I can clarify a couple of things for you.
1) Your King Dome has only one LNB. This is referred to as a dual LNB as it will feed more than one receiver, but it cannot receive the signal from more than one satellite at a time.
2) Very few local Networks are still available on the KU band satellites that DTV uses (101, 110, 119) and NO dome can pick up the local programming that is on the new KA band satellites (99, 103).
3) You are eligible for the DNS Networks from NY and LA and these are available Nationwide. Once you fill out and send in the waiver it takes 7-14 days and not 6 months. If you fax the waiver to 208-363-6444 you may have DNS service in just a few days.
4) You are correct that no dome on the market can receive programming from 2 different satellites at the same time. Nothing special here about the King Dome.
5) DTV is moving their local Network programming to new satellites, but these new satellites are on the KA band and cannot be picked up on your (or any) dome as the LNB is usable on KU band only.
Your King Dome (any dome) will work just great as long as all you need is the programming on the 101 satellite. That's nearly all of the cable type programming plus the DNS Networks out of NY and LA. There is almost no HD programming left on 110 and 119 so the only KU band satellite that serves any purpose to us RVer's is the 101.

[Ceratto's Grotto]

Thanks for the further clarification Bill. That all makes sense and is in summary, what the last DirectTV tech told us (although not in as much detail and clarity as you were able to do).

There certainly is a variety of conflicting information and from 'authorized' sources though.

We do not use HD programming so I was not aware of any issues relating to that [yet] but depending upon where we are, the local network programming is on 119, albeit very few locations.

[LindaH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ceratto's Grotto:
There is also the possibility to get Network Feeds out of the east cost with something called a Distant Networks Program but I do not know the specifics about that... yet... I understand it may take 6 months and some paper work. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Here is the RV Waiver for DirecTV.

Print it out, complete the form and <span class="ev_code_RED">FAX</span> it to (208)363-6444 together with a current copy of your RV's registration form. You should have DNS up and running within about 24 hours.