DirecTV HD Upgrade

[DriVer]

DirecTV HD Upgrade

I just wanted to share this Blog with you. DirecTV is migrating over to 100% HD and although they may have started in your market they are just getting ramped up here in South Carolina.

I'm not sure how this technology change will carry over to RV products but I expect that the need for multi element LNBs will soon be obsolete.

[Homeless2]

Just talked to Directtv and they're saying a SWM dish will be needed. Not sure what that means but I'm currently trying to find one from Winegard. I'll let you know.
---homeless2

[Sundance3200]

We have Direct here, and have changed all receivers to HD models at no cost after the first one which we have had for 1 year. We live in Tennessee. They did this at no charge for the new receivers and no extension of the original contract. I transfer the ones in the house to the rig when we travel and I have a RV4 satellite dish mounted on the top of the fiver. I have had no problems using the new receivers in the fiver except I have to change the mode on the TV's in the rig to view only the regular channels. This is done with the receiver remote under preferences. If I want HD in the fiver I will have to install a new dish one with HD capabilities. As we are getting ready to go full time as soon as the house sells I will consider replacing the dish then. They cost around 1800.00

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeless2 Just talked to Directtv and they're saying a SWM dish will be needed. Not sure what that means but I'm currently trying to find one from Winegard. I'll let you know. ---

homeless2, I believe the acronym stands for Single Wire Module.

The technology is pronounced "swim".

Whereas in the past you would need a double RG6 at any location where a DVR is setup, DTV has technology that will enable record and watch on a single cable.

[Clay L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeless2 Just talked to Directtv and they're saying a SWM dish will be needed. Not sure what that means but I'm currently trying to find one from Winegard. I'll let you know. ---homeless2

That is a "Single Wire MultiSwitch" and as far as I know Winegard doesn't have a dish with one available.
Certainly the Traveler 3500 HD dish didn't a few months ago when mine was installed.
It isn't needed because the Traveler will pick up all 5 satellites at the same time including the 99 and 103 satellites that HD is broadcast on along with locals.

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundance3200 If I want HD in the fiver I will have to install a new dish one with HD capabilities. As we are getting ready to go full time as soon as the house sells I will consider replacing the dish then. They cost around 1800.00

If I'm reading the situation correctly you may want to hold off on the new dish for a while. It's sounding like they're standardizing on HD and we may not need the $1800 dishes anymore (?) Sigh.... story of my life... oh well, I guess I didn't need that $1800 anyway.

We'll see how long it takes someone to come out with an automatic SWM dish for RVs.

Rick

[Don/Lou]

I dont believe you are reading the situation correctly!
However I will leave it to Winegard (member) to reply
Don

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don/Lou I dont believe you are reading the situation correctly!

I certainly wouldn't be the first time! Just ask my DW....

Rick

[Clay L]

What Direct is doing is putting all local channels on one or two Ku band satellites. That won't change the need for a dish capable of picking up the 99,101, and 103 satellites.

99 and 103 broadcast on the Ka band while 101 broadcasts on the Ku band. That is why the dome type dishes can't provide Direct HD channels.

The other two satellites used by Direct TV 110 and 119 (Ka band like 101) used to broadcast some locals and foreign language channels but apparently will no longer carry the locals.

[deandec]

I am confused. As a standard def dome user, is the 101 satellite a Ka band or a Ku band?

The statement below attributes both to the 101 Sat.

I believe I use the 101 Sat exclusively. Is it changing from Ku to Ka or something?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clay L What Direct is doing is putting all local channels on one or two Ku band satellites. That won't change the need for a dish capable of picking up the 99,101, and 103 satellites. 99 and 103 broadcast on the Ka band while 101 broadcasts on the Ku band. That is why the dome type dishes can't provide Direct HD channels. The other two satellites used by Direct TV 110 and 119 (Ka band like 101) used to broadcast some locals and foreign language channels but apparently will no longer carry the locals.

[Don/Lou]

101 is not changing!

[Clay L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by deandec I am confused. As a standard def dome user, is the 101 satellite a Ka band or a Ku band? The statement below attributes both to the 101 Sat. I believe I use the 101 Sat exclusively. Is it changing from Ku to Ka or something?

Of course you are confused. I mistyped and the statement should have been:
" What Direct is doing is putting all local channels on one or two Ka band satellites. That won't change the need for a dish capable of picking up the 99,101, and 103 satellites. "

Thanks for catching my error.

[deandec]

Aha. Thanks for the clarification.

That would mean that their change over will not affect my standard def receiver from 2002 so I can continue to use the old Dome.

[Perry White]

If you want to find out all the latest news, tips, upgrades on Dish and DirecTV DBSTalk.Com