Starlink to stream tv

[pdq_bc]

hi everyone

We have Shaw Direct satellite tv and it is now time to ditch the dish and learn how to stream tv.

Is anyone using Starlink RV, streaming tv, and have a Tiffin?
(and why a Tiffin; because we want to know is it possible to to connected everything using what tiffin has installed to operate the four tvs.)

thanks everyone!
cheers,
peter

[courtnjm]

Originally Posted by pdq_bc

hi everyone

We have Shaw Direct satellite tv and it is now time to ditch the dish and learn how to stream tv.

Is anyone using Starlink RV, streaming tv, and have a Tiffin?
(and why a Tiffin; because we want to know is it possible to to connected everything using what tiffin has installed to operate the four tvs.)

thanks everyone!
cheers,
peter

I don't have a Tiffin, but I've been a Starlink user for over a year now. If your TVs are smart TVs meaning they will connect to wifi, you will have no problem connecting your TVs. From there it's about connecting to streaming services. My TVs are Ruko TVs and have numerous streaming apps embedded in the software. Hope this helps.

[SamKVA]

Originally Posted by pdq_bc

hi everyone

We have Shaw Direct satellite tv and it is now time to ditch the dish and learn how to stream tv.

Is anyone using Starlink RV, streaming tv, and have a Tiffin?
(and why a Tiffin; because we want to know is it possible to to connected everything using what tiffin has installed to operate the four tvs.)

thanks everyone!
cheers,
peter

We use Starlink, have it tied via WiFi to the WiFi Ranger that was installed at Tiffin and it works great for streaming. The four TVs connect to the Ranger which is also connected to a WiFi hot spot as an option and for while in motion.

With everything WiFi these days, the Ranger doesn't have a lot of value unless you subscribe to the Wingard cell service to take advantage of the roof top antennas or frequently use campground WiFi service with the roof top antennas and booster. I use it solely for the TVs and while home the RV is connected to FiOS. That allows me to quickly make sure the TVs firmware/software are up to date before every trip.

This was all part of cutting the cable at the house and switching to YouTube TV. Now everything is the same between the house and the RV.

My wife tele-works full time so connectivity is pretty important. We've been places with zero cell service and Starlink saved the trip but it's not perfect. As with anything over the air, obstructions are your enemy and the RV service is de-prioritized so speeds are not always the best. It's normally a lot faster than 5G and in all cases, it's better than no service. I also installed the WeBoost RV to boost cell signals which also works very well.

Starlink's pause/resume service option with the RV plan is very good. You actually end up with a little "free" time which is good as you should resume service a few days before a trip and set it up at home. This allows Starlink to send the base station any updates since the last time it was active.

I bought Starlink RV very soon after it was announced and have spent a lot of hours configuring the RV and all devices. I'm more than happy to provide more help/advice but need to better understand what you want to accomplish.

Sam

[pdq_bc]

Originally Posted by courtnjm

I don't have a Tiffin, but I've been a Starlink user for over a year now. If your TVs are smart TVs meaning they will connect to wifi, you will have no problem connecting your TVs. From there it's about connecting to streaming services. My TVs are Ruko TVs and have numerous streaming apps embedded in the software. Hope this helps.

thank you for this - and yes helpful.
all the tvs are LG brand. the main tv is a smart tv, but i do not think the others are.
cheers,
peter

[pdq_bc]

Originally Posted by SamKVA

We use Starlink, have it tied via WiFi to the WiFi Ranger that was installed at Tiffin and it works great for streaming. The four TVs connect to the Ranger which is also connected to a WiFi hot spot as an option and for while in motion.

With everything WiFi these days, the Ranger doesn't have a lot of value unless you subscribe to the Wingard cell service to take advantage of the roof top antennas or frequently use campground WiFi service with the roof top antennas and booster. I use it solely for the TVs and while home the RV is connected to FiOS. That allows me to quickly make sure the TVs firmware/software are up to date before every trip.

This was all part of cutting the cable at the house and switching to YouTube TV. Now everything is the same between the house and the RV.

My wife tele-works full time so connectivity is pretty important. We've been places with zero cell service and Starlink saved the trip but it's not perfect. As with anything over the air, obstructions are your enemy and the RV service is de-prioritized so speeds are not always the best. It's normally a lot faster than 5G and in all cases, it's better than no service. I also installed the WeBoost RV to boost cell signals which also works very well.

Starlink's pause/resume service option with the RV plan is very good. You actually end up with a little "free" time which is good as you should resume service a few days before a trip and set it up at home. This allows Starlink to send the base station any updates since the last time it was active.

I bought Starlink RV very soon after it was announced and have spent a lot of hours configuring the RV and all devices. I'm more than happy to provide more help/advice but need to better understand what you want to accomplish.

Sam

Hi Sam

We do not have a wifi range (i think Tiffin began that install after our year (which is a 2015 Allegro).

And yes, i understand that Starlink is not perfect, but it sure sounds WAY better than the wifi that is available in most rv parks.

What trying to accomplish....
Well in my ideal world it would be a source for getting tv content coming in to the motorhome that can be "plugged in" like we can do with the satellite. Currently, from the roof mounted (winegard) dish, the signal goes to the Shaw receiver, that is then distributed to the tvs via the splitter. So with the new configuration, there would basically be a replacement for the Shaw receiver. And i think that would be some type streaming device. Well, lol, perhaps i ought to say i think new would require such device - this is all new to us.

Some background...
We fulltime (since 2011) and while Shaw direct has well for this past 10 years, it is not working any longer. The last change (by Shaw) to their satellites in the sky cost almost $1,000 for the upgrade to the Winegard system. And now we are facing another upgrade to the Winegard system. In addition, the Shaw signal is no longer available to where we spend the winter (southern california).

Sorry to folks if it takes awhile to articulate all this, but like i say - this is all new (and sometimes rather confusing :-)

thanks,
peter

[SamKVA]

Originally Posted by pdq_bc

thank you for this - and yes helpful.
all the tvs are LG brand. the main tv is a smart tv, but i do not think the others are.
cheers,
peter

Amazon Firesticks are cheap and easily connected to the other TVs. In my opinion, satellite TV is a waste of money as you can combine everything into a reasonable Internet package for streaming and any other online features you may need. Plus, if you have in-motion satellite TV, you aren't likely getting HDTV and streaming quality is still much better.

Unless you are full-timers, you should look at the total goal for both home and RV.

Sam

[pdq_bc]

Originally Posted by SamKVA

Amazon Firesticks are cheap and easily connected to the other TVs. In my opinion, satellite TV is a waste of money as you can combine everything into a reasonable Internet package for streaming and any other online features you may need. Plus, if you have in-motion satellite TV, you aren't likely getting HDTV and streaming quality is still much better.

Unless you are full-timers, you should look at the total goal for both home and RV.

Sam

We are full-timers.

[SamKVA]

Originally Posted by pdq_bc

Hi Sam

We do not have a wifi range (i think Tiffin began that install after our year (which is a 2015 Allegro).

And yes, i understand that Starlink is not perfect, but it sure sounds WAY better than the wifi that is available in most rv parks.

What trying to accomplish....
Well in my ideal world it would be a source for getting tv content coming in to the motorhome that can be "plugged in" like we can do with the satellite. Currently, from the roof mounted (winegard) dish, the signal goes to the Shaw receiver, that is then distributed to the tvs via the splitter. So with the new configuration, there would basically be a replacement for the Shaw receiver. And i think that would be some type streaming device. Well, lol, perhaps i ought to say i think new would require such device - this is all new to us.

Some background...
We fulltime (since 2011) and while Shaw direct has well for this past 10 years, it is not working any longer. The last change (by Shaw) to their satellites in the sky cost almost $1,000 for the upgrade to the Winegard system. And now we are facing another upgrade to the Winegard system. In addition, the Shaw signal is no longer available to where we spend the winter (southern california).

Sorry to folks if it takes awhile to articulate all this, but like i say - this is all new (and sometimes rather confusing :-)

thanks,
peter

Peter,

We must have been typing at the same time.

Starlink is far better than most (if not all) campground WiFi service plus you manage it. The Starlink kit includes a WiFi router which is very effective and you can connect more devices from your RV to it than you will ever own. If you need connectivity on the road as we do, then go for a 5G cellular hot spot and booster if necessary.

I'm a big Starlink fan and not affiliated in the least bit. Just anxious for them to get more satellites launched to eliminate some of the congestion and implement the features of their next generation satellites.

Sam

[pdq_bc]

Originally Posted by SamKVA

Peter,

..., then go for a 5G cellular hot spot and booster if necessary.

Sam; is that part of the Starlink system - or add ons / additional devices ?

cheers,
peter

[vseasport]

Originally Posted by pdq_bc

Sam; is that part of the Starlink system - or add ons / additional devices ?

cheers,
peter

Peter,

"Streaming" means cutting the cable. To make it work a streaming service should be subscribed to with the programming you like. You can search streaming services and find many. Most will give you a free trial for several days. That will replace Shaw. Now, the programming will stream via wifi (Starlink is an outstanding option) to an app (for the service you have chosen) that needs to be installed on each TV. A smart TV can be connected directly to wifi and app downloaded. Other TV's will need a device (like a Firestick or Roku) to download apps and provide the wifi connection. With this system TV's do not need a hard connection (just wifi), will be independent and can watch different programming at the same time. We have an antenna switching box in our Tiffin that is no longer needed.

At first I was overwhelmed by the streaming concept. Jumping in I found it very easy and am happy we trashed the satellite.

Another cool thing I discovered last summer. Our rig had to go into the shop for a few days to we rented an Airbnb. They provided a TV with programming but I brought my Firestick in and instantly had our own streaming service.

[SamKVA]

Originally Posted by pdq_bc

Sam; is that part of the Starlink system - or add ons / additional devices ?

cheers,
peter

A 5G cellular hot spot is a different system/device than Starlink. You may not need it but we do as my wife works while I drive and needs connectivity. Starlink in-motion for RVs is now available but I haven't taken that plunge yet.

Sam

[moisheh]

As others have stated get a firestick. No need for a smart tv. You are Canadian so may have to use a vpn to get American TV. There is very little Canadian streaming sites. You also do not need a splitter if your TV has many inputs.

[creativepart]

You question about Starlink and plugging into your Tiffin’s system has gone unanswered because you are thinking about how this works from a standard cable/satellite tv point of view.

No, Starlink won’t work like your current SAT TV in your coach or just plug in as you put it. It works differently but that is not a problem and you won’t need to do anything too difficult to get everything working.

With Starlink you’ll be bringing in a new cable into your coach from the Starlink dish to a Starlink router device inside your RV. You won’t be able to just plug that cable into the outside of your coach via a cable TV or satellite input. Most people bring the Starlink cable inside through a slide seal or window.

Once the cable is inside and connected to the included Starlink router you will have a strong WiFi signal inside your coach for all devices; phones, laptops, and TVs. But you need to have a way to connect the TVs to that WiFi. Assuming your RV doesn’t have “smart TVs” built in, which is unlikely for that rv age, you will simply need to buy a Roku, Amazon Firestick, AppleTV or similar device for each TV. These just plug into the HDMI port on the back of each TV and then your TV can connect to the Starlink WiFi inside your RV. Both Roku and Firestick devices are available as a cheap “stick” that plugs directly into the HDMI port, kind of like a USB stick plugs into a computer. Expect to pay $30 or so for each, but they run sales, especially around holidays for half that price.

The Roku, etc devices have apps that you install that let you watch all kinds of content on your TV via that Starlink WiFi.

So you see, it’s not at all like the SAT TV setup in your Tiffin. So it will not connect up to your RV like your current TV does.

[pdq_bc]

Originally Posted by creativepart

You question about Starlink and plugging into your Tiffin’s system has gone unanswered because you are thinking about how this works from a standard cable/satellite tv point of view.

No, Starlink won’t work like your current SAT TV in your coach or just plug in as you put it. It works differently but that is not a problem and you won’t need to do anything too difficult to get everything working.

With Starlink you’ll be bringing in a new cable into your coach from the Starlink dish to a Starlink router device inside your RV. You won’t be able to just plug that cable into the outside of your coach via a cable TV or satellite input. Most people bring the Starlink cable inside through a slide seal or window.

Once the cable is inside and connected to the included Starlink router you will have a strong WiFi signal inside your coach for all devices; phones, laptops, and TVs. But you need to have a way to connect the TVs to that WiFi. Assuming your RV doesn’t have “smart TVs” built in, which is unlikely for that rv age, you will simply need to buy a Roku, Amazon Firestick, AppleTV or similar device for each TV. These just plug into the HDMI port on the back of each TV and then your TV can connect to the Starlink WiFi inside your RV. Both Roku and Firestick devices are available as a cheap “stick” that plugs directly into the HDMI port, kind of like a USB stick plugs into a computer. Expect to pay $30 or so for each, but they run sales, especially around holidays for half that price.

The Roku, etc devices have apps that you install that let you watch all kinds of content on your TV via that Starlink WiFi.

So you see, it’s not at all like the SAT TV setup in your Tiffin. So it will not connect up to your RV like your current TV does.

LOL ... you are so right! i am thinking about how this works from a standard cable/satellite tv point of view because that its my only reference. (we don't know what we don't know).

so i get that Starlink gets us the wifi. (and only if i could use the existing cables and do plug and play, but i guess the Starling 'cable' is not the same as "tv satelite cable'). and then there is the router (from Starlink).

and i get that i will need a Roku or Firestick - BUT - can i use one Roku or Firestick and plug it into the splitter and then that will provide signal to all the (four) tvs?

we know one tv is a smart tv. and i know this because i installed it. the picture stopped working on main tv and needed to be replaced. (i remain ever grateful to the Tiffin tech who talked me through that - AND it was way simpler than imagined.)

and yes, we are canadian :-)

THANK YOU for the help. well, thanks to everyone!
(rv full-time living is always an adventure - and often into the unknown)

cheers,
peter