Tiffin and King Dome - No HD??

[roboniko]

I just purchased a Tiffin Zephyr and have the newest Directv box. Problem is I am not getting any HD channels. Getting error 771 on directv box. anyone have nay ideas on this one? When doing the setup I am getting signals on 101, 110 and 119 but it does not look like the dish is moving to 110. Book mentions something about a converter needed. Don't know if I have this or not, would think so for a coach like the Zephyr. Getting different stories from dealer at this point.

[Elkhartjim]

I don't think any of the "dome" dishes are capable of HD.

[Route 66]

Jim is correct.

No dome is capable of receiving DirecTV HD.

[Bill Adams]

The DirecTV signals are broadcast on 2 KA band satellites at 99 and 103. Your King Dome (all domes) on a KU band LNB only so will never be capable of receiving the DirecTV HD programming. The only way to get HD with your dome would be to switch to Dish Network where the HD programming is still (currently) being broadcast on the KU band. If the coach is several years old you will also likely need a hardware/firmware update to make the KD work with the 3 Dish Network satellites.
If you want to remain with DirecTV you have a couple of choices. First, just live with no HD. Second, replace the dome with the Winegard Trav'ler or MotoSAT HD-SL5 or third, setup a manually pointed tripod based Slimline 3 or 5 (SL3 or SL5) antenna and use that connected to your HD receiver.
If you are new to Tiffin products there is a very good an active forum which can be found at:
http://www.tiffinrvnetwork.com/

[roboniko]

Thanks but boy does that suck bigtime!!! I wonder if I can return my HD receiver that I just bought last week?

[HD4Mark]

Tim,
Just went through the same question until Bill woke me up. We already have 2 HD boxes in the stick house and thought the same thing. Did you buy the receiver from DirecTV or an electronics store? DirecTV is not easy to get out of contracts with and a new receiver usually comes with a 2 year. If you bought it at a store and didn't activate it you may be OK.

Bill,
What are the chances a smaller dish than the giant size Slimlines could be used in conjunction with a dome type using a switch? I am thinking something like an old Dish 500 with the LNBs swapped out. Does DirecTV not use any programming from 119? My understanding was the big oval dishes were needed do receive from birds over 20° apart.

[Bill Adams]

The Slimline 3 antenna for 99, 101 and 103 is a slightly smaller dish but still bigger than a single LNB antenna.
What little bit of programming may still exist on 110 and 119 is all duplicated on one of the other satellites. A few people around the US still get their local Network programming from 110 or 119 but this is now pretty spare and would not be of any concern to an RVer.

[Iron Man]

I don't think it will be much longer
TracVision HD7 Satellite TV Antenna System
This is for boats, it 24 inches tall and 27 inches wide or vice versa. Could probally be adapted for rv's. The height could pose a problem.

[greystroke]

Tim,

My King Dome manual states: Page 15

"To switch the 101,110 and 119 satelites for HDTV requires the purchase of an optional HD converter kit with switch #9748, and setting the receiver for OVAL dish-3 satelites in the receivers satelite setup menu screens. An HD receiver and HD ready TV also required."

So you need to call 18009829920 and order the converter kit and switch.

I don't use HD on mine yet but as I understand with the kit and switch the switching should be automatic.

[Route 66]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iron Man I don't think it will be much longer TracVision HD7 Satellite TV Antenna System This is for boats, it 24 inches tall and 27 inches wide or vice versa. Could probally be adapted for rv's. The height could pose a problem.

The height and the $10,000 price tag are the problems.

[Route 66]

That was the old DirecTV HD setup which is no longer used.

The current DirecTV HD satellites are 99 and 103.

Quote:

Originally Posted by greystroke Tim, My King Dome manual states: Page 15 "To switch the 101,110 and 119 satelites for HDTV requires the purchase of an optional HD converter kit with switch #9748, and setting the receiver for OVAL dish-3 satelites in the receivers satelite setup menu screens. An HD receiver and HD ready TV also required." So you need to call 18009829920 and order the converter kit and switch. I don't use HD on mine yet but as I understand with the kit and switch the switching should be automatic.

[greystroke]

Thanks I just confirmed it at kingcontrols.com. I guess I am behind times. So if i get HD it will have to be through Dish and not Direct TV according to the web site.

[Bill Adams]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greystroke Thanks I just confirmed it at kingcontrols.com. I guess I am behind times. So if i get HD it will have to be through Dish and not Direct TV according to the web site.

That is correct. There is no dome that can receive the DirecTV HDTV programming on 99 and 103 since they are broadcast on a KA band and the LNB in a dome is KU band.

[Bob (WA0MQE)]

Roboniko... Why don't you just get a HD antenna and replace the King Dome? I'm planning on replacing our semi-auto King Dome with a Automatic HD this summer. I've seen an awful lot of Winegard Auto HD antenna's on the top of RV's during our travels this spring. Everyone I've spoke with swears by them and says they work very good.