Dish Network compatibility??????????
A year or so I upgraded my Home Dish from Dish 500, which pointed kinda South, to the other satellite with HDTV. They installed a receiver, VIP 612 DVR, with a new antenna and pointed it kinda East. ...
Forum Discussion
Horizon170,
Can you use your DISH 500 in Florida?
-- Probably, and, yes, it will work with your VIP612.
Is the DISH 500 the best dish to use in Florida?
-- Probably not. A 1000.4 dish (which picks up the Eastern Arc sats, 61.5, 72, and 77) would probably be better. A DISH 500 (and the 1000.2 dish) picks up two or all of the Western Arc (110, 119, and 129) sats. In Florida the Western Arc sats are lower in the sky than the Eastern Arc sats.
For example, using www.dishpointer.com for Miami, FL, the elevation for a 1000.2 dish is about 38 degrees, but for the same location for a 1000.4 dish, the elevation is about 59 degrees -- that's more than 20 degrees higher in the sky which makes it easier to "shoot" over buildings, trees, etc.
However, to me, a 1000.2 and 1000.4 is harder to aim than a DISH 500. I have a great tripod & meter, but it's still a challenge at times. Since you spent 2-1/2 hours trying to get your DISH 500 to work with your VIP612, I don't suggest you start buying anything yet.
Because you'll be staying at one place for several weeks, why not see if a local installer will set you up? Just Google "DISH installers" + the nearest city and give one of them a call. You can start doing this now.
Finally, you made a point that you don't need HD. With a DISH 500, you'll get a few HD channels I think. With either a 1000.2 or 1000.4, you'll get all of DISH's HD programming.
Can you use your DISH 500 in Florida?
-- Probably, and, yes, it will work with your VIP612.
Is the DISH 500 the best dish to use in Florida?
-- Probably not. A 1000.4 dish (which picks up the Eastern Arc sats, 61.5, 72, and 77) would probably be better. A DISH 500 (and the 1000.2 dish) picks up two or all of the Western Arc (110, 119, and 129) sats. In Florida the Western Arc sats are lower in the sky than the Eastern Arc sats.
For example, using www.dishpointer.com for Miami, FL, the elevation for a 1000.2 dish is about 38 degrees, but for the same location for a 1000.4 dish, the elevation is about 59 degrees -- that's more than 20 degrees higher in the sky which makes it easier to "shoot" over buildings, trees, etc.
However, to me, a 1000.2 and 1000.4 is harder to aim than a DISH 500. I have a great tripod & meter, but it's still a challenge at times. Since you spent 2-1/2 hours trying to get your DISH 500 to work with your VIP612, I don't suggest you start buying anything yet.
Because you'll be staying at one place for several weeks, why not see if a local installer will set you up? Just Google "DISH installers" + the nearest city and give one of them a call. You can start doing this now.
Finally, you made a point that you don't need HD. With a DISH 500, you'll get a few HD channels I think. With either a 1000.2 or 1000.4, you'll get all of DISH's HD programming.
