I know there have been endless discussions on Directv vs. Dish on this forum. I'm interested in the latest update.I personally use Directv at home and will transfer one of my receivers to the 5th wheel when traveling. Only needing standard definition, I've carried an 18" round dish for years, and when unable to aim at a satellite, I enjoyed the recorded programs on the DVR.Well, now it's getting close to Directv's ending of the broadcast of SD signals, so what's my best/cheapest solution? Get one of the Directv self aiming cube type antennas that will receive HD signals, or look at a Dish system that can be dedicated to the 5th wheel, and only activated for one month periods when needed? Any suggestions appreciated.

Switch to Dish. Will work the same as now except you will have a different dish and get HD.

Back when we needed a Satellite provider, I checked both providers. Direct seemed to have little or nointrest or provision for those of us without a fixed site, while Dish was glad to have our business, and several provisions for travlers and our special needs. That is why I chose Dish and have enjoied their service. The customer service and support has always seemed interested in finding solutions, and have been easy to work with.

You have two different problems that might require two different solutions.At home, if you have good internet speed, you really should try one of the "streaming" services. They could even save you some money. Most allow you to buy your own "tuner box" (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV). So you only have a "one time purchase" (between $30 and $150 per TV). You can easily move the device from your house to the RV.Your choice of services includes Hulu, Sling, PS Vue, AT&T TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, Philo and I am sure more. This are almost all "no contract", "pay as you go" and include some "cloud based" DVR storage. From about $50-$200 month. Channel selection differs greatly. They do limit the number of simultaneous viewer (2-5). You have to do your homework on this.As I said, these all require a good internet connection. Most campgrounds do NOT have "good internet" and if you boondock, you need another solution. As long as you don't camp to far "off the grid" and can get an AT&T cell phone signal (4G preferred, but I think 3G is adequate for SD TV), then you could use AT&T AT&T ToGo Roadlink. $400 for the device and $360/year for unlimited data. Actually, there is no reason you can not use that as your home internet.More on AT&T ToGo Roadlink This talks about successful RV installations and use with internet streaming TV.

theoldwizard1 wrote:You have two different problems that might require two different solutions.At home, if you have good internet speed, you really should try one of the "streaming" services. They could even save you some money. Most allow you to buy your own "tuner box" (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV). So you only have a "one time purchase" (between $30 and $150 per TV). You can easily move the device from your house to the RV.Your choice of services includes Hulu, Sling, PS Vue, AT&T TV, YouTube TV, Fubo, Philo and I am sure more. This are almost all "no contract", "pay as you go" and include some "cloud based" DVR storage. From about $50-$200 month. Channel selection differs greatly. They do limit the number of simultaneous viewer (2-5). You have to do your homework on this.As I said, these all require a good internet connection. Most campgrounds do NOT have "good internet" and if you boondock, you need another solution. As long as you don't camp to far "off the grid" and can get an AT&T cell phone signal (4G preferred, but I think 3G is adequate for SD TV), then you could use AT&T AT&T ToGo Roadlink. $400 for the device and $360/year for unlimited data. Actually, there is no reason you can not use that as your home internet.More on AT&T ToGo Roadlink This talks about successful RV installations and use with internet streaming TV.Interesting you should mention streaming services. While I have no interest in these for RV applications, I am currently playing with Hulu at home. I have relatively high bandwidth and having no problem on that end, but I find for my needs there are some features that are lacking.Available content is fine but some of the user interface abilities vs. Directv (and probably Dish)are just not there. Hopefully these can be fixed in the near term and I can cut the cord and save some money.For the trailer I don't want to have to depend in an internet connection. Also, I enjoy loading up the DVR with programs for when we are in an area where satellite (or internet) is not available.

replacement for Directv | Good Sam Community

39 Replies

edatlanta
Explorer II
Dec 03, 2019
Bill.Satellite wrote:
Yeah, not. I love my DTV!

I love my DTV too Bill since 1995.

Aiming a tripod mounted Slimline dish is a piece of cake. I use the signal strength meter built in to the Genie and a wireless baby monitor so I can see and hear it from outside where the dish is. Takes minutes to aim.

At my home base site I have a ground mounted Slimline so all I have to do it hook up the coax.

Works for me.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Dec 02, 2019
DTV is removing all SD programming early 2020. That might push you to another choice depending upon what HD programming is broadcast from the 101 satellite. An HD receiver will be required and no one has any idea which channels will be available.
dryfly
Explorer
Dec 02, 2019
Bill.Satellite wrote:
You can also do the exact same thing with ANY DTV hardware including the Genie and Genie 2. You just need a full sized antenna mounted on a tripod or an auto point roof antenna like the Winegard Trav'ler (no domes).
Move the equipment between RV and home seamlessly.

Well, that kinda gets back to my OP. I feel carrying, and aiming a full size SlimLine antenna mounted on a tripod would be a pain. Right now I'm more than pleased to sacrifice SD for HD reception and just have to deal with an 18" round antenna. I have no interest in a roof mounted antenna.

I too have been more than happy with DTV for 20 years but I can see that in the future Dish being a much better option for RVing unles something changes.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Nov 23, 2019
Yeah, not. I love my DTV!
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Nov 23, 2019
cavie wrote:
switch to dish!!!!!

Least complicated, and best answer to the question.

However, if you want lots and lots of options - - you're off to a good start, - - just like the pages and pages you mentioned.

:S

~
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2019
You can also do the exact same thing with ANY DTV hardware including the Genie and Genie 2. You just need a full sized antenna mounted on a tripod or an auto point roof antenna like the Winegard Trav'ler (no domes).
Move the equipment between RV and home seamlessly.
georgelesley
Explorer
Nov 12, 2019
dryfly wrote:
georgelesley wrote:
Big Katuna wrote:
You can not use a Hopper with the Winegard Pathway.

I tried using the Hopper and a Joey with a tripod and the correct LNB but it was too big of a pain to take the Hopper, Joey and Access point out to the rv.

Not to mention DISH boxes have a slow meter so it was a pain to align the dish.

Now I just leave them at home to grind away downloading shows and use the Pathway.

I hope someday Winegard or someone comes out with an auto align dome that works with a Hopper.

Yep, the hopper is limited to full sized dishes. Since we have dish at home, it just makes sense for us. No extra cost to use it on the road after we paid for the proper equipment.

I mentioned the hopper since the OP stated he has Direct already at home, he might consider switching home as well for convenience.

Yes, thanks, I would consider changing at home as well. Can the Hopper be taken out of the RV and used at home with a fixed dish antenna?

If that were the case, I would not use the "pay as you go" program. I would do what I now do with DTV and just use the Hopper as one of my home receivers and transfer to the 5th wheel as needed.

Yes. We move ours back and forth between home and rv. I did put slide on leads and extended the leads from the wall at home to make it easier to hook up and disconnect. I also put a short very flexible hdmi cable in the rv from the original hdmi cable to the hopper since a 90* adapter would not fit.. And also got the dish ota adapter for the rv install so the locals show up in the guide and can be recorded as well although the same thing can be done by calling dish to switch the locals. I do suggest when calling to switch locals use option 4 tech support on the menu, they seem to know how better and get it right.

The only thing is when you switch between home and the rv for us anyway, is that I have to run a check switch (test installation) the first time I turn on the hopper in each location. Takes a few minutes. After that no need. You may also have to switch the locals back to your home area.
dryfly
Explorer
Nov 11, 2019
georgelesley wrote:
Big Katuna wrote:
You can not use a Hopper with the Winegard Pathway.

I tried using the Hopper and a Joey with a tripod and the correct LNB but it was too big of a pain to take the Hopper, Joey and Access point out to the rv.

Not to mention DISH boxes have a slow meter so it was a pain to align the dish.

Now I just leave them at home to grind away downloading shows and use the Pathway.

I hope someday Winegard or someone comes out with an auto align dome that works with a Hopper.

Yep, the hopper is limited to full sized dishes. Since we have dish at home, it just makes sense for us. No extra cost to use it on the road after we paid for the proper equipment.

I mentioned the hopper since the OP stated he has Direct already at home, he might consider switching home as well for convenience.

Yes, thanks, I would consider changing at home as well. Can the Hopper be taken out of the RV and used at home with a fixed dish antenna?

If that were the case, I would not use the "pay as you go" program. I would do what I now do with DTV and just use the Hopper as one of my home receivers and transfer to the 5th wheel as needed.
georgelesley
Explorer
Nov 10, 2019
Big Katuna wrote:
You can not use a Hopper with the Winegard Pathway.

I tried using the Hopper and a Joey with a tripod and the correct LNB but it was too big of a pain to take the Hopper, Joey and Access point out to the rv.

Not to mention DISH boxes have a slow meter so it was a pain to align the dish.

Now I just leave them at home to grind away downloading shows and use the Pathway.

I hope someday Winegard or someone comes out with an auto align dome that works with a Hopper.

Yep, the hopper is limited to full sized dishes. Since we have dish at home, it just makes sense for us. No extra cost to use it on the road after we paid for the proper equipment.

I mentioned the hopper since the OP stated he has Direct already at home, he might consider switching home as well for convenience.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Nov 10, 2019
You can not use a Hopper with the Winegard Pathway.

I tried using the Hopper and a Joey with a tripod and the correct LNB but it was too big of a pain to take the Hopper, Joey and Access point out to the rv.

Not to mention DISH boxes have a slow meter so it was a pain to align the dish.

Now I just leave them at home to grind away downloading shows and use the Pathway.

I hope someday Winegard or someone comes out with an auto align dome that works with a Hopper.

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replacement for Directv

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