Question for Winegard roof mounted dome owners

[ajlcal]

I'm getting ready to buy a Winegard roof mount dome satellite dish. I'll be using Direct TV with two standard receivers and plan to use it only stationary. There are three different models: the MiniMax, Mission, and SD. Is one better than another? Also, is it true that you can watch different programs independently on two TV's? I'm getting some conflicting information on this. It's something to do with both channels having to be on the same satellite. I thought Direct TV only used one satellite at a time.

[dvmweb]

We have the Roadtrip Mission. It does not recieve HD signals. I see you want a stationary unit. You should be able to get HD signals. A suggestion, We are going to get a unit that we can set out to avoid trees for this year's season.

[jfran304]

I think you need to check out the Winegard Traveler if you only want to use it stationary and get HD programming on different receivers.

From what I have heard none of the dome satellite dishes will receive HD programming from Direct TV.

Satellite RV - Winegard TRAV'LER Automatic Multi-Satellite HDTV Antennas

Jon

[Pusherman]

Originally Posted by dvmweb

We have the Roadtrip Mission. It does not recieve HD signals. I see you want a stationary unit. You should be able to get HD signals. A suggestion, We are going to get a unit that we can set out to avoid trees for this year's season.

No dome will receive HD on DirecTV. Also, they all only look at one satellite at a time.

Assuming the HD thing is not an issue, the impact is if you're watching 2 different channels at a time on different TV's with 2 different satellite receivers, you will only be able to watch channels from the same satellite.

This may not be a problem, as most of DirecTV SD channels are from 1 satellite. HD and local channels are from another.

A stand-alone open dish with multiple LNB's will most likely solve the above issue. Or a multi-LNB Trav'ler dish mounted on the roof. Assuming you have a clear shot to the satellites, not being blocked by any trees, you're home free with the Trav'ler.

[Selah]

Any piticular reason you want a dome for stationary use? The Wineguard Traveler will pick up HD and multiple satellites and provides a better signal in bad weather conditions. Like the dome it has two feeds to support two receivers.
We use the Traveler and have a carry out for those times where were parked under trees and the Traveler can't get a lock on the sats.

[ghutch]

If..... you are ok with std Def programming, and you are set on a dome auto locate roof mounted dish, the the MimiMax will be just what you need. It will feed 2 SD receivers from one sat( DTV101) and give you all of Directv's programming in SD but without locals. Roof mounted domes are simple and reliable. They are limited to one sat. Now, if you want a auto locate dish that is portable, meanig it can be set on the ground and avoid trees, the the Winegard Carryout is a good option. It is just like the MIniMax except it sets on the ground (or on the optional foldup stand. The Carryout Gets all the same programming as the MiniMax as well. so... you have two choices if your are Ok with SD programming. Both run 2 receivers and each receiver works independently of each other. PM me if you have questions as I have one. Side note: Directv's High Def programming comes from 3 satellites and requires an openface dish and HD receivers.

[ajlcal]

Originally Posted by Pusherman

No dome will receive HD on DirecTV. Also, they all only look at one satellite at a time.

Assuming the HD thing is not an issue, the impact is if you're watching 2 different channels at a time on different TV's with 2 different satellite receivers, you will only be able to watch channels from the same satellite.

This may not be a problem, as most of DirecTV SD channels are from 1 satellite. HD and local channels are from another.

A stand-alone open dish with multiple LNB's will most likely solve the above issue. Or a multi-LNB Trav'ler dish mounted on the roof. Assuming you have a clear shot to the satellites, not being blocked by any trees, you're home free with the Trav'ler.

I'm aware that none of the Winegard domes get HD with Direct TV and that's okay with me. We've been RVing for years using a portable SD dish and tripod. With my tripod set-up, the only way to get totally independent station viewing on two TV's was to run two coax cables from the dish - one to each TV. When I tried running one cable from the dish, the two TV's were not totally independent - some stations would go black on one or both TV's. If I buy a dome, will some stations go black or will both TV's be totally independent? That's the question I have for Winegard dome owners.

[joeplazek]

I have a Winegard RT8000 In Motion and can't say enough good about it. Locates very fast (we seldom use it in motion but works well). Once we are stopped I just turn it on and it will find the satellite in about 1 minute. We are on Bell Express View and it will receive HD or SD (although you chose one or the other). I have installed two units myself without a problem. Highly recommend these units.

joe

[TVforMyRV]

You should be able to use two receivers on two different channels at the same time. You will have to run a separate coax to each receiver.

The biggest difference between the units is HEIGHT.

The SDi may not perform quite as well in wet conditions due to the water drops not running off as well. Other than that, not much difference.

[joeplazek]

Originally Posted by joeplazek

I have a Winegard RT8000 In Motion and can't say enough good about it. Locates very fast (we seldom use it in motion but works well). Once we are stopped I just turn it on and it will find the satellite in about 1 minute. We are on Bell Express View and it will receive HD or SD (although you chose one or the other). I have installed two units myself without a problem. Highly recommend these units.

joe

I add with two receivers you can watch two different channels. You just can't mix HD and SD programming.

joe