Need satellite service, which one?

[BABrede]

Forgive me if this has topic has been beat to death. But I'm just not understanding what I have been able to find.

What I'm thinking about using is a tripod set-up. We will probably trade coaches in 12-18 months, so I don't want to permanently install anything.

We want HD programing in our coach. If I understand correctly to do this with Dish i need 2 dishes? And with Direct I can do it with one?

Will I need a separate receiver for each tv (we have 2 tv's now may add a 3rd next year)?

How many cables will need to go to TV's? We want to be able to use the DVR in the receivers.

Can I use the wiring that is already in the coach? I have a cable input outside that feeds both TV's going thru the "splitter" box and a VCR/DVD player.

We currently are in our coach part time, but plan on full timing in about 6 months. Should I set up the account for the coach and then move them into the house, or set up the house and then move the receivers in and out of the coach? We want to able to have network feeds. I understand both networks lock you into 24 month contracts. I also understand that for "RV" service I have to fill out a waiver, that's no problem.

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm a little dense sometimes. I have no problem doing the install once I "get" it.

Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Kerry

[kjburns]

A single Dish 1000 will handle your needs for multiple TVs. A dual tuner receiver like the VIP 722 can run two TVs, one HD and one SD, plus about 350 SD hours of DVR. The wiring in your coach probably already goes to a central location. Just connect the dish to the receiver and the receiver to your sets and you're done.

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BABrede Forgive me if this has topic has been beat to death. But I'm just not understanding what I have been able to find. What I'm thinking about using is a tripod set-up. We will probably trade coaches in 12-18 months, so I don't want to permanently install anything. We want HD programing in our coach. If I understand correctly to do this with Dish i need 2 dishes? And with Direct I can do it with one? Will I need a separate receiver for each tv (we have 2 tv's now may add a 3rd next year)? How many cables will need to go to TV's? We want to be able to use the DVR in the receivers. Can I use the wiring that is already in the coach? I have a cable input outside that feeds both TV's going thru the "splitter" box and a VCR/DVD player. We currently are in our coach part time, but plan on full timing in about 6 months. Should I set up the account for the coach and then move them into the house, or set up the house and then move the receivers in and out of the coach? We want to able to have network feeds. I understand both networks lock you into 24 month contracts. I also understand that for "RV" service I have to fill out a waiver, that's no problem. Sorry for all the questions, but I'm a little dense http://www.irv2.com/forums/images/smilies/banghead.gif sometimes. I have no problem doing the install once I "get" it. Thanks in advance for any and all help. Kerry

Both DirecTV and Dish Network use only one antenna. If you want the HD service from either provider you will need an antenna with multiple LNB's. If you do not need the HD programming then the DirecTV service only requires a single LNB and makes the antenna very quick and easy to point.
You only need a separate receiver at each TV is you want to be able to watch 2 different channels on 2 different TV's at the same time. Dish Network has a receiver that can output 2 different channels from one receiver but DirecTV does not. You will need one cable to each receiver and if it is a DVR receiver then you might need 2 to each receiver. DirecTV have special antennas and receivers that allow just one cable to each DVR and a special splitter (internal or external) allows the dual input option.
If you want to use the coach's existing wiring it would be for only one receiver. You would not be able to use your cable connection, but you could disconnect the cable connection end that is in the back of your splitter box and run that directly to the receiver. You can also use an A/B switch at that location so the outside cable input could either go to the receiver (when you have the sat antenna connected) or to the splitter box (when connected to cable).
It makes no difference how you register your account. When you are ready to travel you just send in the RV waiver form and once activated you will be able to receive the Network programming from the East and West coasts but you will no longer receive your local Network programming.

[ISLAPP]

I have Dish service in my home. I have two HD receivers and a HD/SD Duo DVR for the tv's in the house. I move the two HD receivers to the coach during camping season. One for each tv in the coach. I hook them to a Winegard carryout dish. Automatic Portable Satellite Dish - Winegard Carryout

The first time you get the dish, you program it to Dish service outside your home.
Then wherever you are, it thinks you are still at home and once it finds the satelittes( 3 of them hopefully), it will give you your home local channels. There is nothing to tell Dish network and nothing to sign or do anything else with. As far as they are concerned, those receivers are still sitting in my home.
I can give you more detail if you wish to PM me, but I like the carryout unit and this setup has worked well for me this past year.
Mike

[wa8yxm]

I make this post often but with this post I'm going to seriously shorten it

You have 4 services

DirecTV (Works with domes or dishes quite well, one or more receivers or DVR's)
Dish Network (Works with Some Domes if you have only one receiver, otherwise you will have problems sooner or later, works great with the proper dish)

Dishnetwork HDTV (Same as Dish Network on compatibility)

DirecHDTV: Does not work with domes at all, works with the proper dish


THe only consideration.. The western most satellite for DISH HDTV (The one with the HD on it) is "over the horzion) for folks on the east coast, so Dish now has two different "Arcs" of satellites, one east coast and one west coast.

I do not have dish at this time and do not know if this is a problem (PEOPLE.. if you have Dish HD and move coast to coast.. Please let me know)

My recommendation: DirecTV (not HD) if you have a dome

Pick one: (any one) if you plan on using a roof top or tripod mounted dish type antenna..

[BABrede]

In talking to my local provider/installer he said that the best is Direct TV using the Slimlline dish (for HD & DVR). BUT that this dish was too heavy for a tripod and would be VERY hard to hit the satellite without a very expensive piece of equipment.

I'm so confused.....

[PNWGirl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BABrede In talking to my local provider/installer he said that the best is Direct TV using the Slimlline dish (for HD & DVR). BUT that this dish was too heavy for a tripod and would be VERY hard to hit the satellite without a very expensive piece of equipment. I'm so confused.....

BABrede, I would listen to the people on this site more than a local provider. The reason is that their (local) expertise is with stick houses, not RV's. The folks here, especially the full timers, are doing things with theirs that I will bet most local providers do not even know can be done.

I do not have HD, just Dish 500. I picked up the satellite dish on Craig's list for $25 (it is the two prong type to p/u two satellites). If you pick up a one prong dish, then you will need to keep moving it to get the different satellites.

If you go with Dish and get the three prong dish, you will get everything (as long as the plan you purchase uses all satellites, my plan only needs two).

I am afraid, like everything else, it is personal preference. I have been with Dish for twelve years and love it. You will also find people with DirectTV who say the same thing.

If I were new, and had neither, I would pull up both sites, sit them side-by-side and chose the one that had the most features/price that I wanted. Then I would move forward with the RV tech stuff.

Good Luck!

Sheila

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BABrede In talking to my local provider/installer he said that the best is Direct TV using the Slimlline dish (for HD & DVR). BUT that this dish was too heavy for a tripod and would be VERY hard to hit the satellite without a very expensive piece of equipment. I'm so confused.....

Simply not true. You do need a larger tripod than one you see with the little single LNB antennas but there are many types and sizes out there. Pointing is not difficult once you get the hang of it, but it does take awhile to get the hang. Once you have gotten it wrong the first few times and figured out why, you should be able to get locked onto the satellites in about 10 minutes after setup. It's easier to find the 3 DirecTV satellites as they are all right there together at 99, 101 and 103 while the Dish Network satellites are spread between 110, 119 and 129. If you are a "tree camper" this also gives you a better change that all 3 will be in a clearing.

[LindaH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISLAPP Then wherever you are, ... it will give you your home local channels.

This is true only as long as you are within your Locals spot beam. Once you leave that spot beam, you'll no longer be able to receive your locals.

[bobbyjoe1946]

Mike I am looking at getting this Carryout. will it work with two dish dvr receivers is I like to tape my shows. also how many cables will I have to run? Any information by anyone will be appreciated.

Bobby

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISLAPP I have Dish service in my home. I have two HD receivers and a HD/SD Duo DVR for the tv's in the house. I move the two HD receivers to the coach during camping season. One for each tv in the coach. I hook them to a Winegard carryout dish. Automatic Portable Satellite Dish - Winegard Carryout The first time you get the dish, you program it to Dish service outside your home. Then wherever you are, it thinks you are still at home and once it finds the satelittes( 3 of them hopefully), it will give you your home local channels. There is nothing to tell Dish network and nothing to sign or do anything else with. As far as they are concerned, those receivers are still sitting in my home. I can give you more detail if you wish to PM me, but I like the carryout unit and this setup has worked well for me this past year. Mike

[Bill Adams]

The carryout will not power 2 DVR's. It has 2 outputs available so it could power 2 standard receivers or one dual tuner receiver. You actually could use 2 DVR's but you would only have one input to each receiver so you could use all the DVR functions except the option to watch one channel and record another at the same time.
The other problem with Dish Network and ANY dome unit is that you cannot watch/record 2 programming if they are on different satellites as the dome units only have one LNB and can only receive the programming from 1 satellite at a time.

[ISLAPP]

To clarify something Bill said, it is true that the dome can only be on one satellite at a time. However, that satellite has many channels on it so as long as you wanted to record two programs with the two dvr's you could as long as both of the channels you want are on the same satellite.

Now this "auto" searching dish is not perfect.. It still has to be located where it can find the satellite's.. I have had to move it around alittle from time to time to get it to look thru a tree or whatever.. I bought a cheapie compass the other day and thought it might help. You can go on the web and put in your physical location and it will tell you what direction the satelillites are for you.. Thought maybe then the compass would help point me that direction. Dont know yet if that will work.
Mike

[wa8yxm]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BABrede In talking to my local provider/installer he said that the best is Direct TV using the Slimlline dish (for HD & DVR). BUT that this dish was too heavy for a tripod and would be VERY hard to hit the satellite without a very expensive piece of equipment. I'm so confused.....

While I can't say how heavy the dish is.. I've seen several of them on tripods at several campgrounds

Now. one thing you need to know, there are tripods and there are tripods and there are tripods that 300 pounds of me can climb up on and work.

Think about what I just said.. No way does that antenna weigh more than 10% of what I weigh.

The dealer who told you it's too heavy for a tripod either

1: Never tried to mount one that way or
2: Is talking through his hat (As they say)
Don't listen to him

[HotMech]

The slimline dish for directv is kinda heavy, (I have one) they will however, stand up on a tripod. Not quite as easy to aim, has three setting angles. Azmuth, Elevation, and Tilt. The tilt is due to the multi sat capability, and the way the LNB's are mounted to the arm.

The latest "Slimline" Dish is a bit smaller than the first one, and maybe a bit lighter too.

Both can recieve channels from Five Satellites at the same time.

99, 103, the newest ones, 101, the main one, 110 the international one, and 119, the old HD one. YOur reciever has the coordinates in a menu, you can access. Be careful though, some of the older recievers, only have the dish cordinates for the older dishes. example. if you use a slimline dish, 1st or second design, on an older reciever, say the hughs HR10-250, the coordinates will not be right, because when the HR10-250 came out, the slimline dish, was only on the drawing board. The newer HD recievers, will have the correct dish coordinates for a slimline dish. YOu can also find the coordinates on DTV's website, for each of the different antenna types. Just make sure to take along a good compass. You won't be able to use the Cable input on your coach for the dish to reciever cable. You might have a video switing device in your entertainment system, if so you can connect the RF output from the reciever there, so it can be viewed on your whole system. Hope this helps a little, or a lot even.

Kerry