My wife just read that Direct TV is dropping SD programing by April 2019, and RV's that carry a box from home will have to get a separate contract, and their own HD box, and satellite.Looks like my $500 Winegard will be worthless. The home system is going wireless, and will be upgraded also, so any SD tv's will not be compatible.I think it might be time to change to Dish network.

So, you have an obsolete dish.For around 200 dollars you can buy an oval dish/tripod assembly that will work with Directs latest SWM equipment. The latest Direct HR44 or HR54 is a wireless system that will get you HD programming. Couple it with wireless mini genies and you can watch TV on two different televisions. It does NOT require internet to work. It will work just fine in your RV or at home.

It doesn't matter what provider you have. All SD will probably go away at some point. Dish new service will give you HD so why not make the conversion for HD and be done with it. But there is no drop-dead date for SD and DirecTV may find they will need more time to phase it out as opposed to just no longer providing SD receivers. I wouldn't rush to make any changes at this time. Wait for the notice to come from them and deal with it at the time. The sky has not yet fallen. If you do decide to throw away your $500 Winegard now, please let me know. Chuck

I don’t get why watch SD when you can watch HD.

garyp4951 wrote:I think it might be time to change to Dish network.Might be time to join the HD world.

Big Katuna wrote:I don’t get why watch SD when you can watch HD.x2

Are SD Winegard Direct TV going to be obsolete?

18 Replies

Toolguy5
Explorer III
Jul 25, 2018
As long as you have an H24 receiver you are OK. You can still use the winegard Satellite and still get the SD from Direct TV
garyp4951
Explorer III
Jul 25, 2018
gdweb, I have considered getting the SWM3 tripod, but have gotten spoiled by the carry out. Thats what I will get though when they phase out SD, or get a Dish HD carry out.
Michelle_S
Explorer III
Jul 24, 2018
Ditto, we've been using the same rcvs both in our home base house and our RV. Been doing it for years with no issues.
gdweb
Explorer
Jul 24, 2018
garyp4951 wrote:
Sorry if I didn't say, but my home is HD with the Geni system, just the rv uses the SD Winegard carryout.
Search shows I can get HD Directtv with a manual tripod kit for $200 like Donn0128 said, or automatic units for $1500, and both require a separate service agreement.
Chuck, I guess I'll keep what I have for now, but if I throw it away I'll let you know.lol

disagree. i carry my home hd and genie on the road. i bought the swm3 dish and tripod set up online. no separate contract agreement, and no problems.
garyp4951
Explorer III
Jul 24, 2018
The $300 gift card from Dish will just about pay for the carry out.
Thanks for the replies, and I like getting other opinions, but will wait and see what DTV does.
goducks10
Explorer
Jul 24, 2018
Drop DTV, go with Dish and save $$$ with the new contract. That will pay for a carry out. Get a 211 or Wally and pay $7 a month for the 211/Wally when camping. I made the switch a couple years ago for the exact reasons almost. I wanted HD and DTV will never have it in a carry out self aligning sat dish. Best move ever. So simple to set up using my Dish Pro app to find the sats thru the trees.
I cancel service on the 211 at the end of the season. Start again the following season. I can do that on my phone with the MyDish app.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2018
Acampingwewillgo wrote:
Why watch SD when theirs (sic) HD? There are many reasons for some of us.
The usual (and universal) answer is money. Once I saw HD there was no way I was staying with SD.
Acampingwewillg
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2018
Why watch SD when theirs HD? There are many reasons for some of us. The in motion King Dome and the Auto tracking Datron Dishes on my Roof are both Direct TV, I've had Direct TV for 25 years, my receivers in the motorhome are SD receivers. While I have HD at home, getting HD in the RV would mean a lot of changes. Yes, sure I could get the Portable HD Sat dish to set up on site but that's just another thing to do.

I am considering making the jump to Dish when all is said and done but I'll wait until Direct TV actually knows what there going to do with SD TV. The Cellular(Data, Direct TV Now) market for Direct seems hit and miss right now and the campgrounds I go to aren't exactly cellular friendly.

Anyways, that's why I still use SD...your mileage may vary!
Retired_JSO
Explorer
Jul 24, 2018
I bought a replacement G2 last January. I plan to just get the Dish system for the RV and use the G2 Carryout I have. DT at the home will stay.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2018
garyp4951 wrote:
Sorry if I didn't say, but my home is HD with the Geni system, just the rv uses the SD Winegard carryout.
Search shows I can get HD Directtv with a manual tripod kit for $200 like Donn0128 said, or automatic units for $1500, and both require a separate service agreement.
Chuck, I guess I'll keep what I have for now, but if I throw it away I'll let you know.lol

Or buy a $400 carryout and use DISH..