In motion satellite dishes

[Hoganism]

I'm upgrading to HD TVs so I have to upgrade my dish. Currently have an in motion R-5 KVH. Anything new out there?

[B Bob]

I upgraded to a Motosat HD 18 months ago. It works well. Not in motion. Very good workmanship on the hardware.

[lllkrob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoganism I'm upgrading to HD TVs so I have to upgrade my dish. Currently have an in motion R-5 KVH. Anything new out there?

Which service do you use DirecTV or DISH? You cannot receive DirecTV HD on a dome type antenna of any kind at present. Your KVH R5 will receive DISH HD with an upgrade to the software as I understand it.

If you want an automatic open face dish your least expensive choice is a Winegard Traveler. The only limitation is it is not in motion capable.

[DBeauchamp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoganism I'm upgrading to HD TVs so I have to upgrade my dish. Currently have an in motion R-5 KVH. Anything new out there?

No need to upgrade, your R5 is still a very current product. This dish works well with Bell (in Canada) and Dish (in the US). With Dish, the R5 automatically switches between sat 110 and Sat 119 when you're flipping channels. The only problem is if you have more than one receiver, all receivers have to watch channels from the same Sat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lllkrob Which service do you use DirecTV or DISH? You cannot receive DirecTV HD on a dome type antenna of any kind at present. Your KVH R5 will receive DISH HD with an upgrade to the software as I understand it. If you want an automatic open face dish your least expensive choice is a Winegard Traveler. The only limitation is it is not in motion capable.

You can upgrade the firmware in your R5 if you wish. See:
KVH Tracvision - updating firmware L3, R5sl
but it may not be necessary.
The Winegard Travler is an excellent choice as it does not have to flip between Sats because it has 3 LNB's that see up to three Sats simultaneously. It is, however, a stationary type. Not an in-motion...

I have an R5 and 4 Tv's in my coach, only one receiver. I use a 4X4 HDMI multiplexer to distribute Cable, BluRay and Sat signals to any combination of the TV's. Very happy with the set-up, admitedly though, way overkill as we do not watch that much TV when travelling. Tennis is more fun.

[BattChief7]

I have an older dome type KVH Trackvision (2002 era). L3 model. It cannot handle the newer HD receivers because of the style and number of LNB's as well as dish size and shape but I still use the older style DirectTv receiver and it works well. I actually I use two receivers and can watch different channels on each one. Just wanted to clarify that you can still use dome trackvision with DirectTv but you are correct that you cannot get DirectTvHD. The question is can the L3 be upgraded to receive HD from Dish?

BattChief

[lllkrob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BattChief7 I have an older dome type KVH Trackvision (2002 era). L3 model. The question is can the L3 be upgraded to receive HD from Dish? BattChief

I don't think so, there was a hardware upgrade kit that was available once upon a time but I don't believe KVH has it available any longer. It might be worth a call to KVH.

[DBeauchamp]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BattChief7 I have an older dome type KVH Trackvision (2002 era). L3 model. It cannot handle the newer HD receivers because of the style and number of LNB's as well as dish size and shape but I still use the older style DirectTv receiver and it works well. I actually I use two receivers and can watch different channels on each one. Just wanted to clarify that you can still use dome trackvision with DirectTv but you are correct that you cannot get DirectTvHD. The question is can the L3 be upgraded to receive HD from Dish? BattChief

You can watch two different channels but they must be on the same Sat. (about half the channels are on each of the 2 Sats). At some point you will hit a channel that gives you an error msg. such as 'no signal'... The receiver connected to the RF1 output on the dome controls the Sat switching.

The L3 supports Dish just as good as the current R5 and thus supports HD. It too can only see one Sat so it does have to switch between 2 (or 3) Sats as you change channels. The only dif. between the L3 and the R5 is the L3 needs a KVH/Switch Remote. It cannot switch automatically from a receiver command. You basically need to switch channels with your receiver remote and when you get 'no signal' you push A or B on the KVH remote. More info on the KVH switch here:
Kvh Tv/Sat Switch
Note that you can also hook up a laptop to the serial 'A' input on the on-off switch panel of your dome and switch Sats using the following commands:
@L,a for Sat A
@L,b for Sat B
You will need to download the KVH Flash Wizard software from KVH to issue theses commands.

If you decide to buy a Sat/Switch from KVH, you should also consider purchasing a 15volts DC power adapter. Your dome is probably connected to the coach batteries and this has proven less reliable especially when batteries go low...

I own both an L3 and an R5...

[LindaH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoganism I'm upgrading to HD TVs so I have to upgrade my dish. Currently have an in motion R-5 KVH. Anything new out there?

It would have been nice if you had told us which service you use, because as already state by others, you will not be able to receive DirecTV HD programming with a dome.

While you can receive Dish Network HD programming with a dome, since a dome only "sees" one satellite at at time, you will not be able to view two different programs on two different TVs *IF* those two programs are on different satellites. By the same token, if you have a DVR receiver, you will not be able to watch one program while recording another *IF* those two programs are on two different satellites. Of course, if you only have one TV and/or don't have a DVR receiver, then a dome will work just fine with Dish Network HD programming.

Unless you absolutely HAVE to have in-motion, you'll be happier with an open-faced, multiple-LNB dish such as the Winegard Trav'ler.

[Hoganism]

Thanks for the replies and I'm looking forward to more info. I am currently on DirecTV and am surprised that HD programming is not available by dome. We actually watch more TV while we are traveling so I will be looking into the Dish Network. Do they have something similar to Sunday Ticket?

[lllkrob]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoganism We actually watch more TV while we are traveling so I will be looking into the Dish Network. Do they have something similar to Sunday Ticket?

You can checkout their programming options here: www.dishnetwork.com

[justaroamer]

To get HD from Directv, you need the SL5 dish (slimline, 5 LNB) and no sat. switching as with Dish, so any receiver can view whatever they wish. I use the MotoSat unit, but the Wineguard roof mount and carry out SL5 will work just fine. You can get the tripod portables with the SWM system so you only have one coax coming to the coach instead of up to 4, depending on number of receivers. I have mine wired so I can watch any TV in the coach from the dome or MotoSat in the event a tree is in the way, but I'll aways use the HD by choice.

[DBeauchamp]

I suppose the ideal setup is an in-motion dome on the roof to get a music channel (or record an event) while driving (or xm/sirius) and a portable dish on tripod with appropriate LNBs for use at the campground. Mind you portables are not always permitted at some resorts. So many options...

[orpco]

Recently installed Winegard in motion minmax. On 1 trip it worked flawlessly with Dish subscription. HD quality was very good. In motion tracking was good, according to the wife.

[MaverickBBD]

I did the directv slimline trav'ler a yr and a half ago. It has never given me any grief. Knowing what I know now I would go with the Moto Sat HD so I can switch providers without having to switch dishes. Directv gives me grief.