Direct TV - What Equipment Do I Need

redwingfans wrote:

FrankShore wrote:
Get a DirecTV package
Get a SD DirecTV box (at Amazon or SolidSignals, etc)
Get a Winegard G2 portable satellite dish

You are totally automatic then. No "dish pointing" and the G2 is state of the art!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, I now have a clearer idea of my needs and wants, but still have a couple of questions.
1. Need to be able torecord at home while we are away.
2. Would prefer to have the wireless Jeanie at home.
3. High def on the road would be nice, but not required.

Now the questions,
A. On the road do we receive the same package of stations (minus local)?
B. The Winegard G2 sounds great, but a little on the pricey side, is it really worth it?
C. If we have the Jeanie at home, can we still buy a SD DirecTV box from someone other than Dirct TV?
D. What makes the SD DirecTV box work, is there some type of control card?
E. Do I simple connect the Winegard cable to the PW outside cable connection?

Thanks Again,

so there are a few choices.. I am stuck in the same spot right now

I talked to DTV about my options today

they have two official plans

1. the 'seasonal' account (also called Mobile on their website)

this gives you ONE location operating at a time, RV or home,
and they toggle you back and forth.. but while in RV, can't record at home. (we want to do that too)
but whatever package you have is 100% available in each location,
RV or home.

2. Multiple accounts..
one for home, one for RV, 2 yr commitments on each, and you cannot 'turn off' one, cause you have a 2 yr monthly commitment.

--------
a) yes

then there is the way some of us do it.. take some of the home equipment with you, on your home account, but don't tell DTV.

I have the Genie and 2 wired clients (C41's), total 3 TVs. C41's only work with Genie. (shame, as they are nice and small)
c)
I will buy a HR24 HD DVR and 2-H24 receivers, previously owned.
have to check each device ID before buying. Leased equipment (2 yr commitment) has to be returned.. you don't own it.
I called and checked on three units today.. 2 were ok, one was in the middle of being on the third account and the current account was in collections..
stay away from that stuff!.. I lost those ebay auctions, but there will be more.

d)
for each device you will need a $20 access card (can't get on the DTV network without one), and $6.50/month per device for the software downloaded into the receivers)

then I will get another dish, and near term the tripod. (I'm not spending $1200 for an antenna yet).. and won't accept SD.
(we've got a 70in HD TV at home, and are not dropping to 42 AND SD!)

e) no
great pic here on setup with DTV, RV, multiple receivers.

DTV offered to give me the HR24 and 1-H24 for free today, for a new 2yr contract (on my home account).. but wanted another hard credit check?
We've been a customer for 7yrs, with all the packages, never missed a payment, and you need to HARD credit check me AGAIN?.. I'll pass on that.

If you are starting new, get them to install the RV too as part of the new account. still pay the $6.50. the more free the less $20 access cards to buy. but you can't not pay for 2 yrs. ($156 over the 2 yrs/device)

I'd take the genie and remotes with us, but DW wants to record stuff while we are gone.

winegard antenna, auto locate.. sounds wonderful..