DNS returns to Dish Network - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

DNS returns to Dish Network

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

We let our Direct account go, where we had both east and west coast DNS and when we reuped we could only get east coast and not both. Apparently Direct changed their program.

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill & Fred, just wondering what the big deal is with DNS anyway. Under most circumstances couldn't you get local network affiliate stations via your OTA antenna?

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

We've found that OTA is totally unreliable in you get away from major cities. We very often were only able to pick up a few of the networks and of course it always seemed to the the ones we didn't want that evening. :) We even upgraded the antenna and it didn't help much. Eventually we just go frustrated and went back to Direct TV.

It probably depends on where you travel, we often times get into the boonies. Right now we are about 30 miles from Bryce Canyon Utah and don't have cell phone service, no radio, or TV. Absolutely a beautiful area though. :)

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

We move about 60 times per year and often cannot get good local network programming OTA. Additionally, we use our DVR for most of our TV watching. You can't fast forward through the OTA programming! I also like knowing what channel my favorite programs will be on and at what time. Local programming and programming times are not always the same and trying to find NBC on 2.1 or 4.1 or 7.1 or 16.1 gets a bit confusing.

I am grandfathered into the East/West DNS so I am also able to record the programming I like in multiple time zones and when we travel E/W we can select the time zone we prefer if we do happen to watch something live.

Just as an example, we were in Cherokee, NC and there were only 2 analog channels available and NBC was not one of them. What? No Today show? What would I have done?

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

I would not want to rely on OTA for my TV. Our experience has been that picking up OTA signals is iffy at best. The new digital signals do not travel very far. I've had trouble when we were just 30 miles away from the city. DNS allows us to get east and west programming, and the local-into-local allows us to get the local station feeds.

I would add that I recently called DirecTV to switch to the local programming. Normally this is a hit'n'miss proposition that requires more than one call to Direct to find someone who knows what I am talking about and can make the switch. This time the rep I talked to understood what I was asking and she made the change. A very pleasant experience. I don't know if Direct is training their personnel or if I just got lucky and found the right rep on one call, but either way I was impressed with Direct. I sure hope this is a sign that Direct is getting their act together, finally.

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

We put the "Wingman" on our OTA antenna and seem to suck in the signals when others can't seem to. Last year we were camped in Central FL in the Ocala National Forest with friends and they couldn't pick up anything... we got 7 stations.

However, I can imagine there are plenty of really remote areas where the DNS would come in handy. Bill, I agree with the DVR thing too... we rarely watch anything live!

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill, I agree with the DVR thing too... we rarely watch anything live!

Ain't that Grand! I didn't get the whole DVR thing until I owned one and then I could not figure out how I ever lived without one! biggrin

505ers · RV-Dreams Family Member

NorCal Dan wrote:
I would not want to rely on OTA for my TV. Our experience has been that picking up OTA signals is iffy at best. The new digital signals do not travel very far. I've had trouble when we were just 30 miles away from the city. DNS allows us to get east and west programming, and the local-into-local allows us to get the local station feeds.

I would add that I recently called DirecTV to switch to the local programming. Normally this is a hit'n'miss proposition that requires more than one call to Direct to find someone who knows what I am talking about and can make the switch. This time the rep I talked to understood what I was asking and she made the change. A very pleasant experience. I don't know if Direct is training their personnel or if I just got lucky and found the right rep on one call, but either way I was impressed with Direct. I sure hope this is a sign that Direct is getting their act together, finally.

Hello Dan,

Trying to get this DNS thing straight. We signed up for Direct while living in our RV in Albuquerque, NM and our DNS is west coast. Currently we are at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for 5 months. If I call Direct TV will they change my local service to Flagstaff, if I ask them to? We are planning to be outside of Tucson this winter, so would I call Direct again and ask them to change my local service?

Thanks for your help.

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you call DirecTV and cancel your DNS service you can give me a new service address. Forget about talking about and RV, just tell them that you have recently moved to (give them an address) and you would like to receive the local Network programming. In 5 months call DirecTV again and tell them you have moved to your Winter home and you would like your service address changed. You will have to have a multihead LNB antenna installed and properly pointed to ensure you can receive the programming you are requesting. If the local Network programming at either location is broadcast on the 119 satellite you will need and SL5 LNB. If not then you will need the SL3. One of the very nice things about the DirecTV DNS service is that you can get everything you need from only one satellite unless you also want HD.

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

WOW!!! Seems like a lot of this & that just to watch TV. Most programs on TV IMHO are not worth turning the TV on to watch and merely result in noise polution. 101 channels - 1001 channels what does it matter - most are reruns anyways. Read some books or get a hobby - or go for a walk and get some exercise - put on some classical music and daydream.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Too each his own.No two people are alike. Linda and I feel TV is an enjoyable part of our entertainment budget and will jump through the hoops to keep it.Go ahead and read your books ,I'll continue to watch my TV. wink

505ers · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill Adams wrote:
If you call DirecTV and cancel your DNS service you can give me a new service address. Forget about talking about and RV, just tell them that you have recently moved to (give them an address) and you would like to receive the local Network programming. In 5 months call DirecTV again and tell them you have moved to your Winter home and you would like your service address changed. You will have to have a multihead LNB antenna installed and properly pointed to ensure you can receive the programming you are requesting. If the local Network programming at either location is broadcast on the 119 satellite you will need and SL5 LNB. If not then you will need the SL3. One of the very nice things about the DirecTV DNS service is that you can get everything you need from only one satellite unless you also want HD.

Hello Bill,

Just want to clarify things: In your post you said "give me a new service address", is this something you can take care of? We have the Winegard Traveler dish fixed to the roof of the RV, with HD. We do receive the local programming when we are in the Albuquerque area. Right now we do not have a physical address, other than the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Will this cause Direct TV problems if we do not have a physical address?

Thanks for your help.

And to Mr. RVPainter. I work 40 hours per week, hike several miles a day, ride my bike. listen to music, email & surf the Internet, read books and magazines. I also enjoy watching sports, news, movies & dramas.

So please, DO NOT tell me how I should live my life. My wife and I are doing just fine, thank you.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

505ers wrote:
Trying to get this DNS thing straight. We signed up for Direct while living in our RV in Albuquerque, NM and our DNS is west coast. Currently we are at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for 5 months. If I call Direct TV will they change my local service to Flagstaff, if I ask them to? We are planning to be outside of Tucson this winter, so would I call Direct again and ask them to change my local service?

Yes. Call DirecTV and tell them you want to change your service address. Give them the address where you are currently located.

When I call them I tell them, "DO NOT CHANGE MY BILLING/INSTALLATION ADDRESS"! They did that to me once. I had to go through the waiver process again to get my DNS back.

Another lesson learned, if you suspend your DirecTV service over 30 days they will cancel your DNS waiver and you will need to re-do all the paperwork.

jb · RV-Dreams Family Member

NorCal Dan wrote:

Yes. Call DirecTV and tell them you want to change your service address. Give them the address where you are currently located.

I am trying to get it straight as well. I currently have direct TV in the S&B and just take the receiver when we go in the RV. We are moving into the RV June 10 and will domicile in TX. I want the same programing pkg that I currently have in the S&B. I call them give them my Tx address change both billing and service address, request the form for DNS channels, send it in and we will be good to go?

How often can you ask to change the service address?

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

Mr 505-er's I was not nor did I Tell you anything - I was merely suggesting alternatives to TV - I enjoy some programs but am not addicted to TV - I can see you are well rounded in your activities - to each their own - don't be so defensive - my goodness - sorry you took offense to my comment - no offense was intented. I'm an on-line junkie so I guess I'll throw my money into that instead of TV. Peace Dude.

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

RVPainter: You did come into a discussion about satellite TV and post: Read some books or get a hobby - or go for a walk and get some exercise - put on some classical music and daydream. Hopefully, you can see how off topic that is and how it might sound like you are telling others what they should or should not do. There are lots of opinions out there and lots of different ways that people do things and they are all right (unless you don't see eye-to-eye with me). yawn

We all sometimes post something that was not intended to offend (again, except me) so don't let someone telling you that you may have mis-stepped offend you, just join the rest and learn from it.

-- Edited by Bill Adams on Tuesday 24th of May 2011 03:00:43 PM

RVPAINTER · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks for the heads up Bill - I shall try and follow your example :>) I lost sight of the fact that yes indeed it was off topic - my bad - my apologies - won't happen again. Appreciate the guidence.

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

Crap! Don't follow my example, I am always getting myself in trouble because I posted after ****tail time!

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

Really, I can't use the word that refers to having a Manhattan at 5PM?!? Now that's funny!

Ckerr · RV-Dreams Family Member

You got bleeped Bill?!?!

Appreciate the heads up about Dish. Since we're moving at a relatively slow pace right now, we just call and have them change our location and get the local stations. But down the road this will be good to know.

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

jb wrote:
I am trying to get it straight as well. I currently have direct TV in the S&B and just take the receiver when we go in the RV. We are moving into the RV June 10 and will domicile in TX. I want the same programing pkg that I currently have in the S&B. I call them give them my Tx address change both billing and service address, request the form for DNS channels, send it in and we will be good to go?
How often can you ask to change the service address?

I could be wrong but I think you need to setup a mobile account before you can get DNS. I did not make the switch from S&B to RV DirecTV so I don't know the process. Best bet would be to call DirecTV and ask them what you need to do to make the switch. Here's a link to the DNS waiver:

http://www.directv.com/DNS/DNS%20Mobile%20Revised%20Letter.pdf

Getting the same programming is not an issue. There is no difference in programming for S&B or RV.

DirecTV has no published guidelines for how often you can change your service address. I've done it 4 times in one year, but usually we just do it twice a year.

Bill Adams · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you mail in the required form and a copy of the vehicle registration and are approved for DNS you don't need to do anything else. You don't need to call, you don't need to setup a different account, nothing. Just send in the form. You will not get local Networks where you are parked but you will get either the East Coast Networks from NY or the West Coast Networks from LA depending upon the time zone your account is registered in for $15/month.
You can also fax the forms to 208-363-6444 and you should have the DNS service in just a couple of days.