Express Vue and Tracvision

Fossilhound · 06-21-2008, 01:24 PM

Hello,

We are the proud owners of a 2004 Monaco Dynasty that came with a Tracvision system and a Hughes DishNet receiver. I am thinking about getting an Express Vue system that would work with the TracVision. Does anyone have any experience with this kind of system, how far south can one receive a signal. I have a Starchoice system at home but would like to use the dome on the motorhome if possible. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Fossilhound · 06-21-2008, 01:24 PM

Hello,

We are the proud owners of a 2004 Monaco Dynasty that came with a Tracvision system and a Hughes DishNet receiver. I am thinking about getting an Express Vue system that would work with the TracVision. Does anyone have any experience with this kind of system, how far south can one receive a signal. I have a Starchoice system at home but would like to use the dome on the motorhome if possible. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Ottawa · 06-21-2008, 02:07 PM

From my research Starchoice reaches much farer south and will provide service if out of the country. Expressview, I have heard having their service cutoff when they told them they were in the USA. The major issue as I see it with Starchoice is that they use two satellites and their dish can catch both at the same time. I believe that most of the channels come over just one of the satellites. I was thinking that any dish could focus on one of their satellites at a time. Not sure of this. but maybe someone with actual experience could comment. I have been thinking of getting a Vucube, but it has to be able to get Starchoice.

Northern-Canadian · 06-21-2008, 08:13 PM

Well I too will be interested in this topic. I know that when the coach was purchased the previous owner took his receiver out. I was thinking of taking my Bell Express Vu HD PVR with me to see if I could get something worked out. Bell too uses two satellites to give its HD signal and it is a matter of using a single circular dish with two LLNB's. One pointed at one satellite and the other skewed to a different angle to pick up the second satellite. Bell ExpressVu Canada I hope this helps in some small why to your question post and in some way helps me when I have the same decision in 17 more days.

Fossilhound · 06-22-2008, 06:28 AM

Thanks for the replies, as far as I know the dome does pick up Express Vue but I have yet to encounter anyone that has it working. I am hoping to use the existing system instead of changing everything out and trying to rig in the StarChoice sat system. It is a bit frustrating to have a workable satellite system in your motorhome but can't use it due some regulatory restraints. If I could I would purchase a subscription to DirectTv and have it all working.

Gaetan Lavoie · 06-22-2008, 07:24 AM

It is my understanding that Bell ExpressVu signal will not be available to anyone outside the Canadian borders by 2009. So it would not be wise to invest any kind of money toward a Bell ExpressVu system if you intend to use it south of the border. I spent my winters in Texas and I lost access to no less than 30 channels just last winter over what I had lost the previous winter. So I felt that it was no longer worthwhile to continue with Bell Express VU and have cancelled my subscription last month.

Most people that I have talked to are switching to STAR CHOICE as there is no restrictions on its use and works very well as far south as Belize south of Mexico.

STAR CHOICE uses a very different kind of signal that cannot be received by the KVH Satellite domes, the Winegard domes, or the Kingdome Cubes. You need to carry a spare STAR CHOICE disk that you set up on a patio umbrella base, a tripod or on a post fastened to your RV. The other solution is to buy a STAR CHOICE RV roof mounted dish designed by Explorer Satellite Systems Inc. Click on this link for in depth information.

I know that you may not be happy to learn that your roof mounted dome may not be much use to you if you intend to use it mostly in the US. But at least you won't waste any more money on something that won't provide you with the TV service for out of the country.

Regards,

Fossilhound · 06-24-2008, 06:18 AM

Thanks Gaetan,

That is what I was afraid of, it just seems a shame that we can't properly use the technology offered in our units. I had a look at the TV set-up in our motorhome and I am dreading having to install the cable for StarChoice, looks like it could be fun. As I get older I find that a lot of the TV/Stereo installation got more complex. I suppose the use of the KingDome would have made things too easy.

moisheh · 06-25-2008, 04:54 AM

WE had a crank up Winegard in our last MH. Easy to set up for Direct TV. Our new unit came with a Kingdome and a bunch of complicated High Tech electronics including a HD receiver. I hate the dome. PIA. A slight amount of rain will kill the signal. We had Expressvu in our stick home and they are impossible ! Would not cancel my service over the phone. They had to have it in writing. I wonder of Star Choice will be going to KA for the HD . Both Dish and Direct are changing quickly.

Fossilhound · 06-25-2008, 05:48 PM

Moisheh,

Would the change to Ka band work on the dome? I know how you feel about all of the electronics, we have come a long way from the old radios and B/W TV's. I am still not sure what to do with my unit, I have considered a gray market receiver but I am somewhat reluctant to even head down that path.

moisheh · 06-26-2008, 03:19 AM

I consider myself to be a geek but this new stuff is harder to comprehend. I think as you get older your time is better spent on more important things! I have done a lot of research on current and future offerings of sat systems. This info does not totally apply to Canadian systems as I am not familiar with them.

If you have a newer MH with LCD HD TV's and want HD service there are only 2 systems that will work properly in the next 1 to 2 years. Both Dish and Direct are moving HD channels to the KA band. Ther is no dome nor likely to be one that will work on KA. Apparently would have to be very high and wide. One person posted that KVH had a beta model. The experts are doubtful. The 2 systems are similar in principle. Automatic motorized pop up dishes. Mfrs. are Motosat and Winegard. For Direct they are 5 LNB! Perhaps some one can find out if Expressvu and Star choice are also moving some channels to KA?

catrider · 06-28-2008, 04:11 AM

Actually, Motosat now offers an auto dish that is compatible with Starchoice. Non domed, but is cheaper than the offering from the company out of Quebec.