Community Forums

reubenray · 05-09-2019, 02:27 PM

Which one of these would y'all recommend? I only need it for one receiver which is a Wally. From what I understand either of these antennas would give me the capability to record (using external hard drive) one channel while watching another recorded show. I would also be able to record two OTA channels using the OTA adapter at the same time. Is this correct?

Also I read that the Tailgater and Playmaker (with new software update) can pick up both the western and eastern birds. Is this correct?

mjeffrey · 05-09-2019, 04:40 PM

The Pathway X2 does both east and western arcs. I did read that the latest Tailgator Pro version can as well. No knowledge about the Playmaker.

A Wally with the 'dual' OTA adapter should do what you want with a DVR feature enabled. Please note that the dual OTA adapter runs hot!

reubenray · 05-09-2019, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjeffrey

The Pathway X2 does both east and western arcs. I did read that the latest Tailgator Pro version can as well. No knowledge about the Playmaker.

A Wally with the 'dual' OTA adapter should do what you want with a DVR feature enabled. Please note that the dual OTA adapter runs hot!

I found out about the adapter running hot on my just finished trip.

winegard · 05-09-2019, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjeffrey

The Pathway X2 does both east and western arcs. I did read that the latest Tailgator Pro version can as well. No knowledge about the Playmaker.

A Wally with the 'dual' OTA adapter should do what you want with a DVR feature enabled. Please note that the dual OTA adapter runs hot!

To clarify, the X2 supports full Eastern Arc mode (61.5, 72, and 77) and Western Arc (110/119/129) whereas the Playmaker (and Tailgater) only support hybrid mode (119/110/61.5).

reubenray · 05-10-2019, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winegard

To clarify, the X2 supports full Eastern Arc mode (61.5, 72, and 77) and Western Arc (110/119/129) whereas the Playmaker (and Tailgater) only support hybrid mode (119/110/61.5).

What is the difference besides a different type of LNB? The video (HD) will be the same won't it? Also don't all three of the above listed options only pick up one satellite at a time?

When I had Directv I used a tripod setup when the Trav'ler would not work due to being blocked by trees. I got to where I used it less and less. Being I switched to Dish I would have to spend just about the same cost for the Dish tripod setup as it would cost for either the Playmaker or Tailgater. I know I would loose the capabilities of picking up 3 satellites at the same time, but I can put up with that for a few days.

mjeffrey · 05-10-2019, 07:34 AM

The channels broadcast from each satellite will vary as will whether they are in SD or HD. With 3 satellites you will get plenty of channels.

129 and 72 have lots of HD. 61 has lots of east coast locals in HD. 129 has HD locals (more west) as well.

Distance Networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX..) are national broadcast in HD, if you qualify, but are only on 119.

The short answer is 'content'. If you can only get 1 or 2 satellites, lots of channels will be 'missing'.

winegard · 05-10-2019, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reubenray

What is the difference besides a different type of LNB? The video (HD) will be the same won't it? Also don't all three of the above listed options only pick up one satellite at a time?

When I had Directv I used a tripod setup when the Trav'ler would not work due to being blocked by trees. I got to where I used it less and less. Being I switched to Dish I would have to spend just about the same cost for the Dish tripod setup as it would cost for either the Playmaker or Tailgater. I know I would loose the capabilities of picking up 3 satellites at the same time, but I can put up with that for a few days.

mjeffrey's response directly after yours really kind of summarizes this - content is the biggest difference. You can get a better understanding of what is broadcast from each satellite by using a site like Lyngsat and finding the DISH packages for each satellite. For non-local channels, make sure you're looking at CONUS transponders (it will be in the left side of the table). It will show you what channels are broadcast from each satellite.

Also, being full eastern arc has benefits in terms of line of sight as well. If 119 is completely blocked, the Playmaker hybrid mode is unusable as we must lock to 119 to complete our search - even if it sees 61.5 during a search, if it cannot see 119, it will consider it a failed search and time out.

I am not going to definitively answer on the competitor product but I would think that unit requires a positive lock of 119 for operation as well.

Lastly, the X2's larger reflector leads to better signal performance and an improved ability to deal with light obstructions.

Jim Durley · 05-10-2019, 10:12 AM

Will the X2 pickup more than 1 sat. at a time with 2 users? With the Tailgater if one of the users changes to a station on a different sat it causes an error. Both users must use the same satellite. Is this true on the X2 ?

Thanks,
Jim

mjeffrey · 05-10-2019, 10:29 AM

Hopefully Winegard will confirm this but as I understand '2 receiver' mode, the antennae is directed to lock on to only satellite 72 in the east. I believe it has the most content so both receivers get all the (72 sat.) channels all the time.

So yes, both users do use the same satellite.

winegard · 05-11-2019, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjeffrey

Hopefully Winegard will confirm this but as I understand '2 receiver' mode, the antennae is directed to lock on to only satellite 72 in the east. I believe it has the most content so both receivers get all the (72 sat.) channels all the time.

So yes, both users do use the same satellite.

Correct, when a user selects the two satellite setting, the X2 will point to 72.

Alternatively, a user can use single mode and pick either arc while still connecting a second receiver. The secondary receiver will get programming from whatever satellite the antenna is currently pointed out. The main downside with that setup is that the secondary receiver may have to run a checkswitch with each satellite toggle to download the guide.

reubenray · 05-12-2019, 04:15 AM

Below are some questions concerning how the automatic antennas work.

1) Will it move from one satellite to another one as the channel is selected? If that is the case is there a delay in changing the channels?

2) Will most of the channels be on the same satellite? I am not concerned with the local channels

mjeffrey · 05-12-2019, 11:40 AM

1) Yes, if the new channel is on a different satellite. A few to several second delay for the dish to reposition.

2) depends on the channels you watch. You really will not notice much of a delay.

Some channels are broadcast in HD and SD, but the SD might be on a different satellite.

So if the HD channel is blocked by trees or heavy rain, you might still get the channel in SD on a different satellite.

There are lists on the internet of which channels are on which satellites.