DIRECTV service question

[BobCA]

I am a new Directv customer just ordered service. What I would like to do is have a HD dish and HD DVR for my house. Then I would separately get a SD receiver for my travel trailer (don't need HD on the small TV in the trailer, and I want to go with a King or Winegard auto locating SD dish).

Here's my question: If I get Directv HD service at home, can I add a second SD receiver on my own and have them activate it (i.e. pay the $6/mo extra TV fee and not pay for a separate RV service plan)? Or does Directv require that all receivers on a plan be either SD or HD, but not both.

I assume they probably only send the activation signals through the HD or SD satellites but not both. But wanted to check with the experts here to confirm!

Sorry if this question has already been asked and answered I searched but could not find this same question.

[Mike_NW]

Bobca--did you install the Pathway yourself or have a shop do it?

[BobCA]

I ended up going with Dish network after Directv failed to show up for the installation appointment. My install was scheduled from 12-5pm. So I am at home waiting about 4pm I wonder is this really going to happen? I call Directv ask them to confirm. I get a call from the tech about 4:30 he says he is finishing up other job and he expects to be at my place soon. So I continued to wait at home. 6PM I call him back and he says he definitely will some tonight just haveing problems at other install job. 9:30 PM he calls me back says he will not make it tonight and I have to call Directv to reschedule the install. I called them next day and promptly cancel my order.

Dish install was a breeze. Automated system texts you the night before, again the day of the install, and tech called me 30 min before he arrived as I requested when I scheduled so I was able to stay at work and come home when he was ready to meet me. So glad I did go with dish I love the Hopper DVR. I was able to watch World Cup on ESPN streaming while sitting by the pool on vacation in Cancun Mexico (when the WiFi there was fast enough). I ordered a Winegard pathway X1 + Vip 211z receiver on Amazon. Called dish and there was no problem adding the second receiver on my dish plan, $7/mo., no questions asked they did not care where I was using it. Works great I put it on my Toyhauler roof and I have satellite signal locked in 5-10 min.

[Bill_Satellite]

You don't need an SD receiver for your dome that can only receive SD. Just get as many HD receivers that you need in the house and then bring one of them into the RV when you travel. While you will not receive the HD programming, the HD receiver WILL receive all of the SD programming. Just move the one receiver back and forth as necessary.

[2oldman]

Over time, you'll grow more impatient with SD after having watched HD. It's a noticeable difference.

[BobCA]

All thank you so much for the quick response I have come to the right place this is a very knowledgeable and active community!

Ok based on your responses I will probably switch my order to an HD setup then, let them do the install at my home, then add a SD receiver later. I will probably have to pay for the SD receiver out of pocket (less than $100) since I think the free receiver is only available on initial setup package. Not a big deal. I am going to start getting gouged at month 13 anyway when the teaser rate expires. I tried last night Directv will not let me a-la-carte order a HD dish, HD DVR, and plain SD receiver. I think they know I am up to something 🙂 I tried to explain that I already have a SD dish on my "garage" and want to use the SD receiver there and not switch out the dish. I'll try again one more time when I call them back today.

[Ramblin_Recks]

BobCA wrote:

Here's my question: If I get Directv HD service at home, can I add a second SD receiver on my own and have them activate it (i.e. pay the $6/mo extra TV fee and not pay for a separate RV service plan)? Or does Directv require that all receivers on a plan be either SD or HD, but not both.

I have 5 HD receivers. One of the five is designated my "RV" receiver and I turn it on or off with a phone call, otherwise it is $6 per month per receiver. You can have SD and/or HD recievers. Also, DTV charges you an "HD" fee for "HD service and a "DVR" fee. IMHO, much like ATT used to charge for DTMF (or push button phones) instead of the standard rotary phones...it is called gouging, but I pay it...

[2oldman]

BobCA wrote:
Or does Directv require that all receivers on a plan be either SD or HD, but not both.

No.

[Sandia_Man]

Yes you can go that route, but easier to let them install all the receivers you need at your home and just use one of them for your rig. We take the HD receiver from our bedroom for RV use and use a HD dish on a home-made stand to acquire the same programming we have at home.

[az99]

Beware that DTV is quickly changing policies and not to the consumers benefit.
To be safe just have them install the SD receiver in another room of the house. Then unhook and take it with you when needed.

[rr2254545]

They came out and first installed the two in the house and then installed the one in the motor home in the driveway. All on one bill - this was 5 years ago when i set up the account. Two are HD, on is not.

[old_guy]

I found out that if you didn't order the receiver at the time you signed up they will charge you an extra 60 dollars since you are with in the first 6 months of your joining. I asked them so you are penalizing me for being a new customer. I told them to forget it and I will get a dish and take the one form the house.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

yes you can do what you want. I would have them install the house first. Then go online and order a basic SD receiver. Easy to activate and set up by yourself. They normally won't install in RV's.
Note: when you travel and are out of your local channel area, you won't get local channels on Directv. You can scan for local digital channels with a digital TV or digital converter box.
Note about receivers going inactive after non use for 30 days. I reset my receiver online. I like it much better than calling the toll free number. Either method is easy tho.

[srt20]

I have 1 HD/DVR receiver , 1 HD receiver, and 2 SD receivers on one account for my home. I use 1 of the SD receivers in my RV. I didn't call and tell them this, I just did it.
I have a regular Directv HD dish at my site even though I only use SD there right now. After a certain period of time, DTV deactivates receivers that haven't been used. If you call the 1-800 number, DTV gets your phone number and matches it to the account and turn the receivers back on, without actually having to talk to anybody. Takes about 30 seconds.

So to make along story short, yes you can do what you propose.