End of Direct TV SD should I switch to Dish?
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-14-2021 05:44 AM
Direct TV says they will replace my receiver for free. They were not sure about the antenna.
I currently have a portable SD dish (one LNB) which is usually not that hard to setup. How much harder is it to setup the 3 LNB slimline dish? It does not appear that any of the portable automatic antennas work with Direct TV HD.
In my research, it seems that Direct uses satellites at 99, 101 and 103. The Dish western arch is 110, 119, 129 and the eastern arch is 61.5, 72.7, 77. In the 17 years that we have had Direct SD, the 101 Satellite has been relatively easy to lock onto just about anywhere we have been from Montana to the mid-Atlantic states. It is high enough in the sky that the dish does not have to be all that far away from even pretty tall obstructions. Looking at the Dish satellite locations the 119 and 129 look to be pretty low on the horizon and the western arc and eastern arc satellites are spread over a much wider degree range than the Direct satellites. The Tailgator and Playmaker can use the Dish 61.5 satellite in place of the 129, but this greatly increases the spread of the satellites being used. The Pathway X2 can use the Dish eastern arch satellites which seem to be higher in the sky and less spread out. If the automatic dish can not acquire all the satellites. Can channels on the satellites it can acquire be watched?
Any experience on how much if any switching from Direct to Dish affects being able to actually get a satellite signal without always being in a wide open lot or the desert would be greatly appreciated. Also, the automatic dishes all seem to recommend no more than 50' of coax. In some cases with the SD dish we have used up to 300' and still gotten good reception. Any experience/comments on what the real world limit on coax length for the automatic dishes is? What receiver and what antenna are you using?
Thanks for any and all comments.
Trailertraveler
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-16-2021 09:58 AM
DD716TED wrote:trailertraveler wrote:
Finally got a notice from Direct TV that they will start systematically ending their SD service in July 2021. I am not necessarily looking for all the bells and whistles of multichannel viewing, recording or using more than one TV at a time. I have a wireless repeater that can send the TV signal to the bedroom TV. We currently have the DNS feeds from LA and NYC. Reviewing the program packages, it appears that the Dish On the Go Channel lineup can include ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox out of Denver. Is this accurate?
Direct TV says they will replace my receiver for free. They were not sure about the antenna.
I currently have a portable SD dish (one LNB) which is usually not that hard to setup. How much harder is it to setup the 3 LNB slimline dish? It does not appear that any of the portable automatic antennas work with Direct TV HD.
In my research, it seems that Direct uses satellites at 99, 101 and 103. The Dish western arch is 110, 119, 129 and the eastern arch is 61.5, 72.7, 77. In the 17 years that we have had Direct SD, the 101 Satellite has been relatively easy to lock onto just about anywhere we have been from Montana to the mid-Atlantic states. It is high enough in the sky that the dish does not have to be all that far away from even pretty tall obstructions. Looking at the Dish satellite locations the 119 and 129 look to be pretty low on the horizon and the western arc and eastern arc satellites are spread over a much wider degree range than the Direct satellites. The Tailgator and Playmaker can use the Dish 61.5 satellite in place of the 129, but this greatly increases the spread of the satellites being used. The Pathway X2 can use the Dish eastern arch satellites which seem to be higher in the sky and less spread out. If the automatic dish can not acquire all the satellites. Can channels on the satellites it can acquire be watched?
Any experience on how much if any switching from Direct to Dish affects being able to actually get a satellite signal without always being in a wide open lot or the desert would be greatly appreciated. Also, the automatic dishes all seem to recommend no more than 50' of coax. In some cases with the SD dish we have used up to 300' and still gotten good reception. Any experience/comments on what the real world limit on coax length for the automatic dishes is? What receiver and what antenna are you using?
Thanks for any and all comments.
How were you notified by Directv? ..letter, email, on screen msg? I have not received a thing, and if going to happen, would like to start making plans for fall RVing with Directv or Dish..
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-16-2021 07:53 AM
I have an automatic Winegard dish on my roof but very often something is blocking my line of sight and I have to drag out the portable.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-16-2021 04:28 AM
DD716TED wrote:
How were you notified by Directv? ..letter, email, on screen msg? I have not received a thing, and if going to happen, would like to start making plans for fall RVing with Directv or Dish..
I got an email.
We’re writing with exciting news and an urgent reminder. We are in the process of moving from standard definition (SD) to high definition (HD) programming.
For the past few months, we’ve been working on service improvements that will:
• Deliver HD programming to you, at no additional charge, and
• Provide better HD signal strength during inclement weather
As such, some channels will no longer be available on DIRECTV® SD receivers. Please be advised the channels below will be the first to be removed from viewing on your outdated equipment on July 13, 2021.
• Channel 214 MAVTV
• Channel 233 Game Show Network
• Channel 305 ION
• Channel 328 TV ONE
• Channel 339 Fuse
• Channel 345 RFD TV
• Channel 361 AccuWeather
• Channel 372 Trinity Broadcasting Network
If you want to view these channels, you need to replace your SD receiver(s) with more advanced equipment. By updating your outdated equipment now, you’ll avoid complete service interruption when DIRECTV stops providing SD programming in the near future and benefit from our work to provide the best entertainment experience.
Please call 877.777.9080 as soon as possible to arrange your upgrade at no additional cost to you*.
We’ll take care of the details – including equipment and standard professional installation, if needed – at no additional cost or commitment. You’ll sit back and enjoy the results.
If you’d rather not upgrade now, you can continue to use your current DIRECTV standard definition equipment but as noted above, some channels will not be available as of July 13, 2021.
Trailertraveler
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-15-2021 04:20 PM
trailertraveler wrote:
Finally got a notice from Direct TV that they will start systematically ending their SD service in July 2021. I am not necessarily looking for all the bells and whistles of multichannel viewing, recording or using more than one TV at a time. I have a wireless repeater that can send the TV signal to the bedroom TV. We currently have the DNS feeds from LA and NYC. Reviewing the program packages, it appears that the Dish On the Go Channel lineup can include ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox out of Denver. Is this accurate?
Direct TV says they will replace my receiver for free. They were not sure about the antenna.
I currently have a portable SD dish (one LNB) which is usually not that hard to setup. How much harder is it to setup the 3 LNB slimline dish? It does not appear that any of the portable automatic antennas work with Direct TV HD.
In my research, it seems that Direct uses satellites at 99, 101 and 103. The Dish western arch is 110, 119, 129 and the eastern arch is 61.5, 72.7, 77. In the 17 years that we have had Direct SD, the 101 Satellite has been relatively easy to lock onto just about anywhere we have been from Montana to the mid-Atlantic states. It is high enough in the sky that the dish does not have to be all that far away from even pretty tall obstructions. Looking at the Dish satellite locations the 119 and 129 look to be pretty low on the horizon and the western arc and eastern arc satellites are spread over a much wider degree range than the Direct satellites. The Tailgator and Playmaker can use the Dish 61.5 satellite in place of the 129, but this greatly increases the spread of the satellites being used. The Pathway X2 can use the Dish eastern arch satellites which seem to be higher in the sky and less spread out. If the automatic dish can not acquire all the satellites. Can channels on the satellites it can acquire be watched?
Any experience on how much if any switching from Direct to Dish affects being able to actually get a satellite signal without always being in a wide open lot or the desert would be greatly appreciated. Also, the automatic dishes all seem to recommend no more than 50' of coax. In some cases with the SD dish we have used up to 300' and still gotten good reception. Any experience/comments on what the real world limit on coax length for the automatic dishes is? What receiver and what antenna are you using?
Thanks for any and all comments.
How were you notified by Directv? ..letter, email, on screen msg? I have not received a thing, and if going to happen, would like to start making plans for fall RVing with Directv or Dish..
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-15-2021 04:37 AM
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-14-2021 07:04 PM
This was important to me because I have two single LNB dishes on my roof....an in motion and a very old Datron automatic. My problem was getting the correct receiver that will still operate with my current roof top dishes while maintaining enough programming on the 101 Sat to make it worth it. This still remains to be seen...not knowing exactly what channels are going to stay on the 101 or get moved about. I think I purchased a HR24/HR44? Receiver, then played hell to get it activated, having to go through a third party vendor for activation.
I've been with Direct for about 25 years and their customer service has never been worst...if I didn't already have Direct in house and what I already had dish wise on the RV I would have gone with Dish network long ago. I will not waste anymore money trying to keep up with Direct if what I've referred to above does not hold water. Good luck??
The Kid's: Humphrie, the Mini Schnauzer and Georgie,wire haired dachshund.
Rainbow Bridge: Laddie,Scoutie,Katie,Cooper,Kodie,Rubie,Maggie, Cassie, Mollie, Elvis, Potter and Rosie Love You! (40+ years in all)
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-14-2021 05:44 PM
Sandia Man wrote:This surprises me as the manual dish even using the cell phone apps his difficult to get setup with many trees around. That is why I was concerned about the spread of the Dish satellites versus the Direct ones. One of our favorite places to camp is the Rio Grande River Gorge in the Del Norte National Monument. Every turn of the river seems to dictate where you can get a shot at the satellites even when only looking for one.
We use a King dome and it has performed well, even RVing among towering ponderosa pines it locks in signal.
Trailertraveler
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-14-2021 05:33 PM
LouLawrence wrote:The time appears to be now. The email that I got offering the free equipment upgrade listed the first batch of channels that will go away effective on a specific date in July. We will be on a 3-4 month trip and I do not want to try to deal with equipment replacement on the road.
DTV has been talking about this for years. I would not do anything until
something changes. You can update your system at that time in a matter of days. Don't sweat it until there is to actually deal with.
Trailertraveler
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-14-2021 05:14 PM
something changes. You can update your system at that time in a matter of days. Don't sweat it until there is to actually deal with.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-14-2021 12:05 PM
We have been back and forth with both satellite services over the years and with few exceptions they have identical channel selections, currently with Dish which tends to be more RV friendly overall. Have the Dish app on our smartphone and it takes but a couple of minutes to change location, programming, or just to wake up (ping) your receiver if it has been dormant for awhile.
We have Dish at home and purchased a couple of VIP receivers for RV usage, Wally is their current version although you can easily purchase either online. Setting up manual satellite antenna is only different as response from receiver is slower than Directv making the process longer. We use a King dome and it has performed well, even RVing among towering ponderosa pines it locks in signal.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-14-2021 06:53 AM
Sold 04 Dynasty to our son after 14 great years.
Upgraded with a 08 HR Navigator 45’...
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-14-2021 06:51 AM
Hitch Hiker
"08" 29.5 FKTG LS
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-14-2021 06:48 AM
Great thing about Dish (in my opinion) is that you can get the major network channels for the nearest city to your location at the time. Means you can get the programs in their normal broadcast time no matter where you are, and you can get the local weather forecast/warnings.
- Mark as New
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Permalink
- Report Inappropriate Content
Jun-14-2021 05:50 AM