Forum Discussion

Goldbrick's avatar
Goldbrick
Explorer
Apr 29, 2015

Dish Vs Directv

Just discontinued service with Directv for a variety of reasons and was going to go to Dish but have run into a problem. My primary location has a cable length (between receiver and actual dish) of about 400 ft. I have had no problem with the Directv signal over the last number of years but the Dish people won't install their "hopper" unit because they say it will not work with the length of connection. Needless to say I do not want to go back to Directv and I question that the Dish receiver will "burn out" due to extra effort in sending signal back and forth powering the lnb units on the dish itself. Anyone had this experience or have suggestions?
  • mikensallyt's avatar
    mikensallyt
    Explorer
    Apr 30, 2015
    Just cancelled my directv .. its too much to pay at home with four receivers. For me its Netflix off the cell phone on the road. And if its not avail at where we are, oh well. There are always dvd's that I bring and talk radio.
  • Executive45's avatar
    Executive45
    Explorer III
    Apr 29, 2015
    You'll either have to move your rig closer to the Sat dish or ask your neighbor to move his dish closer to your rig....:W. He does know you're hooking up to his dish right.....:B:B:B....Dennis
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    Apr 29, 2015
    Pretty sure if you could move it closer you would and part of your problem is that you are in MI... weaker signal. I would adapt your LNB to a 1.2M dish like this so you have a stronger signal. I use one in GA so even in a heavy rain I still have a good picture.
    For HD you might want to adapt to this type of dish or even a slimline dish that you increase the focal length for a stronger signal.
  • bgum's avatar
    bgum
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2015
    Doing without a possibility? Netflix Hulu other content.
  • dan-nickie's avatar
    dan-nickie
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2015
    There is a good reason for Dish position on this with the Hopper.

    The Hopper has 3 tuners built in. It takes a better signal to operate.
    Just had my Hopper installed last month.
    We tried to run it on an old existing RG59 cable that is about 30 feet long.
    It would occasionally pixelate so bad it could not be watched.

    I don't know about 'burning out' though.

    Maybe they will set you up with a 922 receiver, even if you have to buy it yourself?
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Apr 29, 2015
    You might even have problems going back to DTV since their latest SWM equipment has a 150' limit.
  • Goldbrick's avatar
    Goldbrick
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2015
    Cable distance nor picture quality not related to directv problems. Unfortunately, I have no choice on the distance involved. Dish people were unwilling to "try" install...were more worried about call backs in future (fair point). Now just looking for alternatives.
  • BB_TX's avatar
    BB_TX
    Nomad
    Apr 29, 2015
    400' is a long way for that sat signal coax. Understandable that Dish would not install it. I think the only solution will be to relocate the dish much closer. Curious why so far away.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Apr 29, 2015
    Im betting that your problems with Direct are also related to cable length. I assume because of trees etc you cannot get the dish closer, so have you looked for a repeater to boost the signal?

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