HD set up (Dish or Direct)

[mikewy]

Planning to change out my existing Std TV's and install 3 new HDTV in the RV.
My Question: What is a better HD solution (Dish network or Diredt TV)

DISH (Pros)
may be able to keep the same antenna (No band change planned ...yet)
???
???
Dish (Cons)
hard to find and lock in on satellite
??
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Direct (Pros)
???

Direct (Cons)
sounds like they are chnaging to a new band, and will nee a new sat antenna
???
looking for feedback

[mrschwarz]

I have Dish at home and had an SD Dish in my old MH. The new one came with a King Dome 9704. According to the instructions, for Direct HD, you need to purchase an adapter of some sort. FOr Dish Network, you only need to change the configuration. They sent me a replacement circuit board and a firmware update and now the dish picks up all 3 satellites.

[Bill Adams]

No adapter is available from any dome manufacturer that will allow any dome to pick up the HDTV signal from DirecTV. This was the old HD programming that came from the 110 and 119 satellites. This is no longer an option as the HD programming has been moved to 2 new KA band satellites.
Dish Network still broadcasts on the KU band so a dome can receive the HD programming from Dish Network.
The best solution will depend upon you, but for me, the best solution is to pick the provider you prefer based upon their programming and pricing and then buy one of the open face multi-LNB antennas that are available from MotoSAT or Winegard. These antennas can see the 3 satellites necessary for all of their programming and there are no issues with easy of locating or switching between the various satellites.
The only possible slight edge to DirecTV is that there 3 satellites are very close together with only a 3 degree span between them while the Dish Network satellites are spread 19 degrees apart. If you are shooting through a gap in the trees it will be much easier to get the DTV satellites.

[Spikester]

Totally agree with Bill. Only thing to add is that Dish seems to be ahead of Direct TV when it comes to HD programming and HD receivers (equipment). Ditched my dome antenna for a roof mounted MotoSat HD antenna, happy as a clam, have Dish Network as a service provider.

Spike