Direct Satelite service

Sounds like the right choice! Enjoy your new coach.

Thanks for the input. Things now make more sense. I have decided to transfer the Winegard Traveler over for the time being, retaining the advantages listed here. Dealership will set this all up for us and so I am a happier soon to be camper again. We move often and this makes more sense to me. Appreciate all the wisdom out there.

catkins wrote:
So, have purchased a new Tiffin Red. Choices are non HD Direct TV or HD Dish. Does Dish offer national network stations? At first look I do not think I am a a happy camper................. Thanks for your wisdom!

First, be sure you join the Tiffin forum. Lots of good info there and lots of folks with the same coach and same issues.
http://www.tiffinrvnetwork.com/forum/

The DirecTV service is a bit easier to deal with when using a dome if you don't care about HD. All of the DirecTV SD programming comes from only one satellite allowing the use of most any receiver up to an including the Genie if you add the SWM hardware. DirecTV also still provides DNS for $15/month ($20 if you can get them to turn on both coasts).
Dish will get you HD but you will be limited to one satellite at a time as mentioned above. The service works best (with a dome) if you use just one single tuner receiver. Since no DNS is available your Networks will come from you billing address initially. If you move outside that beam (200-1000 miles depending upon the beam) you will need to call and have your service address (not billing) changed and the new Networks will come in. How often you plan to move locations will determine whether this makes sense for you.

Even if you go with Dish and are able to get HD stations, the dome system you have can only aim at one satellite at a time which makes it of little use with a DVR if you want to record one channel while watching another since that could only be done if both channels are broadcast from the same satellite.

I continue to be amazed by major RV manufacturers continuing to install systems such as what you have without giving customers the option to purchase something better. They want to be able to advertise the "bling" of "satellite TV included" by providing the least expensive possible implementation. I wonder what percentage of buyers end up like the OP disappointed by the satellite system they have been provided?

If you are just traveling through use your antenna for locals, or the rv park cable. If tou are going to stay somewhere for a few months just change your service address and get the sattelite locals. Why spend the money on DNS?

Check to see if your new Tiffin came with the Winegard Trav'ler prewiring. That is a non-domed, automatic, roof-mounted dish that allows you to get DirecTV HD. It will cost about 1500 for the dish plus installation but it works beautifully and has a much stronger signal than the domed dishes.

One advantage for me with DirecTV and DNS service is that I don't have to reprogram my favorite programs to record on different channels every time I move. I just aim my dish and the DVR does it's thing since the recorded programs are still ready to go.

Dish does not offer a "Distant Network Service" (DNS) as Direct does, where the NY and/or LA network stations are available anywhere in the US. Dish does offer the option of changing your service address at will though, allowing you to receive the spot beamed local broadcast network stations for your location's market area.