There is a credible report that DTV will not be supporting SD equipment in the future and has already begun that process in over 50 cities. Click to see the report. Also click on the growing list of cities in the article where SD equipment is now being replaced with HD equipment.I would assume that DTV would replace your SD RV receiver with a HD receiver (they own the leased receivers) but not your dish. And they may/may not help with any RV wiring etc changes. And if you have a SD TV then you’ll still be watching programs in SD.NOTE : This refers to SD equipment (dishes and receivers) and not to SD programming transmitted on HD equipment.Anyone have any related information on DISH or other related information?

Not saying that SD TV is not going away but the article lists an untrue statement. "Starting today, DIRECTV is on a path to an SD-free life that started several years ago when they stopped lighting up new MPEG-2 markets. The list of markets that require HD boxes keeps growing, and in 2015 DIRECTV stopped activating new SD-only customers."I had a SD receiver activated in 2016.

At the S&B DTV will upgrade you to HD with a Genie and Slimline 5 lnb antenna installation. In our case it was entirely free two years ago.

rv2go wrote:Not saying that SD TV is not going away but the article lists an untrue statement. "Starting today, DIRECTV is on a path to an SD-free life that started several years ago when they stopped lighting up new MPEG-2 markets. The list of markets that require HD boxes keeps growing, and in 2015 DIRECTV stopped activating new SD-only customers."I had a SD receiver activated in 2016.I interpreted the statement to mean new markets and Knoxville is not on the list. Also it's not clear just when and how long will be able to get SD. I'd assume that the larger areas will be among the last to have all HD receivers.

Also the list does not appear complete. In 2012 we were unable to get the Olympics in OR on the coast/Eugene area with our RV SD antenna (ie local channels). After many calls we learned that only HD equipment was supported in that area. This is not a "new" area and is not on the list in the article. Several other posters indicated the same for several other areas.Anyone considering repair or upgrade of their SD equipment (ie antennas) might want to consider the article. DTV receivers should not be a issue as they are owned by DTV and you lease them.

In our case the answer is simple,switch to Dish. We have a Winegard Carryout and it works on both Dish HD and Direct SD.

The Future of SD Satellite Equipment | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

bob_nestor
Explorer III
Jan 03, 2017
Chuck_thehammer wrote:
the internet can not carry everything...

Sat TV, phones, smart Homes. Radio. afternoon bog downs prove it.

So Years before capable... my opinion.

How true! I get a kick out of people who think "unlimited" cell phone service also means "infinite" resources that they feel means everyone who has that plan should be able to download as much as they want for as long as they want as fast as they want.
bob_nestor
Explorer III
Jan 03, 2017
CA Traveler wrote:
Bob,

OK did some reading and apparently not all receivers are leased. Perhaps someone can clarify the pros and cons, lease agreements, etc.

My reasons for buying over leasing were pretty simple. First off, the original DirecTV SD system I bought was back int he early days before there was any lease available. Second, buying allows me to do my own installation. I've seen and talked with some installers about how and where they typically install the equipment. In one case a DirecTV installer wanted to put the dish on the edge of my roof behind some trees because he was to lazy to climb up on the roof. Third, when I did the financial analysis it always seemed to me that after the two year contract commitment period I'd basically paid for the equipment anyway and after that I was pouring money down a hole on a lease. (Same for my cable modem.) And owning the equipment allows me to switch between services when their spiral rising costs get out of control. Now the downside is the equipment can become obsolete and need replacement, but that hasn't happened yet. Also equipment failure is my problem not theirs and here again that hasn't happened. Finally there's the "it doesn't work, send help" issue, but what I've found it they charge for that either way so it doesn't matter.
Chuck_thehammer
Explorer
Jan 03, 2017
the internet can not carry everything...

Sat TV, phones, smart Homes. Radio. afternoon bog downs prove it.

So Years before capable... my opinion.
Dick_A
Explorer
Jan 02, 2017
Moved from Tech Issues forum.
Popsie
Explorer
Jan 02, 2017
What I've been reading lately is that streaming video over the Internet is going to replace satellite TV, cable TV, and broadcast TV = it's just a matter of time.

For example, look at DirecTVnow
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jan 02, 2017
Bob,

OK did some reading and apparently not all receivers are leased. Perhaps someone can clarify the pros and cons, lease agreements, etc.
bob_nestor
Explorer III
Jan 01, 2017
CA Traveler wrote:

Anyone considering repair or upgrade of their SD equipment (ie antennas) might want to consider the article. DTV receivers should not be a issue as they are owned by DTV and you lease them.

Not sure what you mean here as not all DirecTV or DishTV receivers are owned by the respective companies. I own an SD and an HD DirecTV receiver and two HD Dish receivers. The cost of the DirecTV receivers were subsidized (reduced cost to me when I bought them) but they became mine free and clear after the two year service period.
bgum
Explorer
Jan 01, 2017
In our case the answer is simple,switch to Dish. We have a Winegard Carryout and it works on both Dish HD and Direct SD.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jan 01, 2017
Also the list does not appear complete. In 2012 we were unable to get the Olympics in OR on the coast/Eugene area with our RV SD antenna (ie local channels). After many calls we learned that only HD equipment was supported in that area. This is not a "new" area and is not on the list in the article. Several other posters indicated the same for several other areas.

Anyone considering repair or upgrade of their SD equipment (ie antennas) might want to consider the article. DTV receivers should not be a issue as they are owned by DTV and you lease them.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jan 01, 2017
rv2go wrote:
Not saying that SD TV is not going away but the article lists an untrue statement.

"Starting today, DIRECTV is on a path to an SD-free life that started several years ago when they stopped lighting up new MPEG-2 markets. The list of markets that require HD boxes keeps growing, and in 2015 DIRECTV stopped activating new SD-only customers."

I had a SD receiver activated in 2016.
I interpreted the statement to mean new markets and Knoxville is not on the list.

Also it's not clear just when and how long will be able to get SD. I'd assume that the larger areas will be among the last to have all HD receivers.