Are SD Winegard Direct TV going to be obsolete?

garyp4951 wrote:
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.

I do the same, I just use a receiver from home, and the small oval dish on a tripod. I will deal with it when it happens. I have the latest, and greatest from Direct TV, plus a new smart TV at home. In the fifth wheel I still have the original TV, which is going on 11 years old, but still works well.

garyp4951 wrote:
Sorry if I didn't say, but my home is HD with the Geni system,

Then you should be able to grab the genie and go. There is a learning curve setting up a tripod dish.

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

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

x2

garyp4951 wrote:
I think it might be time to change to Dish network.

Might be time to join the HD world.

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

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

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.