Standard vs Hi Def?

I have a SD automatic, roof mounted DirecTV antenna. I am totally satisfied with it. To upgrade to a HD automatic antenna was $2000 when I last checked, 2 years ago. What do I get for that amount of money? A better picture on a bunch of channels and half the amount of storage space on my DVR. Because these days I get the local channels (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, etc) on my conventional antenna and these channels are often in HD, I am happy. Even it the local channels wern't in HD I'd be happy.

Because you have a SD automatic antenna only you can decide if it is worth $2k to upgrade to HD. I continue to enjoy the extra $2k in my pocket.

Eric, currently outside Ft. Wayne, IN

Thanks everyone for you help I am going to go ahead and get the slimline direct TV dish and see how it all works out. I am sure I won't have any problems thanks for your input it helped.

HD is harder to pick up than SD.....

Well.. Once perhaps. Here is the major difference customized for DircTV.

SD uses one bird, Located at 101W,,, So you need to set Elevation and Azimuth and there you are.. Simply what.

HD uses 3 Birds, 99-101-103 and (you do not need to know this the antenna designer does) the 99 and 103 birds are in a different frequency band.
Back to what you need to know.
So you have to set Elevation TILT and azimuth That is 3 parameters and thy interact some what. (Generally you pre-set Tilt and leave alone but not always)

This also means no DOME can get Direc HDTV (At least the RV domes, Marine domes are different) so yes it is "Harder"

Same for DISH.

Dish SD uses two birds 110 and 119, HD adds a 3rd.. Other than having the proper antenna.. Set up is nearly identical But with a SINGLE receiver,, Some DOMES will work.



In all cases the proper Ground/Tripod mount antenna will work, Multiple Receivers/DVR's HD/SD/ Dish or Direc.. IF you have the right antenna, properly set it works.

Clay L wrote:
the Winegard Traveler Slimline dish for DirectTV is automatic and is approved by DirectTV.

Yes it is, it appears to be a full slimline. I was thinking of the smaller ones.

2oldman wrote:

diazr2 wrote:
I should have said I have a Standard Def roof mounted self seeking Directtv (sic) Satellite dish. Mounted on my roof. What I would like to know is does the HD self finding seeking satellite dish have a harder time finding the HD signal than SD dish? Hope that clears it up.

AFAIK, with Directv you must use a Slimline dish, not an automatic one, to get HD... as you alluded to in your first post.

I may not be understanding what you are saying, but the Winegard Traveler Slimline dish for DirectTV is automatic and is approved by DirectTV.

jorbill2or wrote:
I have a traveler dish for dish network and have been on the edge or beyond of the spotbeam for local Chanel reception and have received the std def local but unable to get the same Chanel in HD I think the local beam is somewhat smaller for HD local . This is on Dish tv not Direct so I'm not sure it applies but fyi

Thats true.. Most (not all) of the HD services also have SD copies, and usually showing up on the same channel on the receiver. I can select HD, SD, or both. I leave SD off the menu unless needed, and sofar that's only when plugged into the 18"portable

I have a traveler dish for dish network and have been on the edge or beyond of the spotbeam for local Chanel reception and have received the std def local but unable to get the same Chanel in HD I think the local beam is somewhat smaller for HD local . This is on Dish tv not Direct so I'm not sure it applies but fyi

"My concerns are that HD is harder to pick up than Standard. Has anyone noticed you don't get Satellite reception where you use to?"

I replaced the King Controls In_Motion DirecTV Standard Def dish with the Wiengard DirecTV Traveler. You cannot use it when in motion.

I have found that I receive a stronger signal with the Traveler than I did with the King Controls unit. The Traveler is a Slimline Dish and has a much larger dish area to receive the signal. I would not worry about it being more difficult. Don't hesitate, you'll be much happier with the Traveler. The In-Motion King Controls was only good for receiving Sirius Music when traveling anyway.

Just for the record: While DirecTV requires somewhat larger and more expensive dishes for receiving HD, Dish Network HD transmissions CAN be received on the smaller dome type dish antennas such as my Winegard RoadTrip Mission. You might run that idea through your mind if you already have such smaller dome antenna and if you want HD satellite TV and not the expense of a larger Dish on your RV.

As to your other question, I do not recall ever having a problem receiving HD transmission but still getting the SD channel.... won't say that cannot occur. Its pretty rare if it does.

Ivylog wrote:
Direct HD still finds 101 and if the skew is correct, then HD will be OK... so it should not take any longer. If your TV is not 30+" and 1080 def not sure I'd bother.

Agree on the 30+" but not the 1080p. I have a 50" Pioneer Plasma 720p at home that is still better picture quality than most LCDs or newer (cheaper) plasmas. Wish I had bought the 60" and I wouldn't even have a hankering to upgrade. 30-50" 720p is fine. Over 50", 1080p has advantages but it's not the only spec that matters.