Direct or Dish TV? - RV-Dreams Community Forum

sdman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Direct or Dish TV?

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

I prefer Dish Network but then I've been a customer since day 1.It's kinda like asking the old question which is better Chevy,Ford or Dodge.It kinda depends what equipment and programming you want.

Old Snipe · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've had both, they are pretty much the same as far as programing. Currently, I have DirecTV and the main reason I like it is when I have to set up my portable dish (which is a pain in the butt), DirecTV is easier to hit the satellite, there are only two angles, (compass and elevation) where Dish has three (compass, elevation and skew). Dish hits off two satellites and sometimes (way too often), I couldn't get locked on. With DirecTV, it is very easy to lock on.

Best Regards!

Waggin Tails · RV-Dreams Family Member

Paul, I got that feedback today as we chatted with a Dish/Direct sales office.

The sales person discourage us from considering an HD setup and recommended an SD setup. He said the difference is the shape of dish, plus the set up is more complicated for HD when compared to SD.

Racerguy · RV-Dreams Family Member

Dish Network High Def is not really that hard to set up once you do it a few times. If you make sure the mast is set up right it's just a matter of setting the skew using the marks on the dish and setting the elevation,then use a good signal meter to find the signal.I used a $ 7.00 meter and have had signal in as little as 15 minutes but on average 30 minutes including the time it takes to put it all together.:)

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Direct TV is, in general, more RV friendly as it only requires one satellite for all channels for the standard definition feeds – that is all channels. This is especially important when you are among trees or other obstructions. (Dish requires you receive 2 satellites for all channels.)

Now, setting up a portable HD dish can be more troublesome. However, I have found, assuming a pretty clear sight toward the satellites, if you peak the dish on the 101 satellite, the standard definition satellite, you will get the two HD satellites 98% of the time. The Direct TV “HD” dish gets both HD satellites and single standard definition (SD) satellite.

If you have an automatic antenna, like the Wingard SK-3005, it will work very well and if the path is difficult, due to trees, etc. it can get just the single standard definition satellite and you will have all channels. If you can’t get a shot through the trees where you are parked you can use a little 18” dish which as was mentioned. It only requires a pan and tilt to find the single satellite. (Dish requires a third adjustment called skew even for the standard definition channels.)

There are websites you can access to get the "numbers" to point the antennas and see if you have any obstructions to clear.

http://www.dishpointer.com/

Also for the little 18" dish from Direct TV - put in the zip code and it gives you the 2 numbers to use. Very easy IMO.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/customer/dishPointer.jsp?_requestid=1332788

This, IMO, is why Direct TV is “better” – more RV friendly - and it has been my choice for a long time. But as was said, many times this is a Ford / Chevy / Dodge thing

For those coming to the Rally, Howard has asked me to do a seminar on this “TV Stuff”. I’ll look forward to answering your question as best I can there. Hope to see many in Kerrville.

Bill

-- Edited by Bill and Linda on Wednesday 4th of April 2012 06:52:29 AM

53 Merc · RV-Dreams Family Member

I am on Directv after a bunch of hoohah from Dish (after talking to 3 somebodies that had no idea what they were talking about). Dish said I could not have service in my RV. Directv said sure, we will give you a dish to take with you, just take one of your receivers from the house with you. After fighting the dish setup several times, I read about the Wineguard Carryout. Spent the 700$ and spent about 3 minutes setting up the system. Wow, easy setup. To use the Wineguard with Dish you have to set several dip switches for Dish. Only problem is, it is not compatible with HD, which is OK. My old eyes can't tell the difference between regular and HD anyway.

My observations about talking to any one of the "service techs" from either company is that it is a crapshoot. Sometimes you get someone that actually knows what they have to offer. Most often, they are only interested in selling. I always ask to speak with a supervisor about 5 minutes into the conversation. Only problem then is you are flagged as a hardcase. (Like I care)

The Bear II · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've only had Dish.

I use a tripod and sat dish for flexibilty in placement instead of a roof top sat dish. I can usually setup the sat dish within a half hour. That includes putting the tripod and sat dish together, placing it and aligning it.

The key to easy setup is to make sure everything is plumb before trying to align the dish. The times I have had problems getting the signal to lock in has always been due to the tripod or sat dish mount not being plumb.

I use a Dish 500 setup and we have the full programming package. We've always had great service from Dish Network. Their customer service is very responsive and knowledgeable. I haven't tried the HD yet in the RV.

sdman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Great! Thanks to all!

Since we have have not had either Dish or Direct TV, we would probably go with what seems the easier to set up, Direct TV. We have 3 weeks before we start mostly living at the beach house, 1st of May. My next question for the readers hear or from Direct TV is, can we just take the service with us? That is when we finally move in to the RV and leave the beach house permanently or just move back to the main S&B that may not have sold can we just take the service with us? We need to sing up for 24 months to get the discounts on the programming. I know I would need a new install of the roof antenna at the S&B but so what. I would need to have my own installed or use a tripod with the RV also.

janni · RV-Dreams Family Member

My feeling on HD is once you try it you wont want to go back. We have a dish on the roof of our coach and since it doesn't get HD we haven't used it. We have DirecTV and are happy with it. Our closest neighbor has Dish and he likes his also. We get more football games than he does but he could maybe order it separately. We have spent some time getting used to our system and setting it up when we move but once we got the hang of it works great. Good luck with customer service, this forum, and also "Google"

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

Yes, you can take it with you. In fact, don’t forget to take the dish off the S & B with your as well for backup. However, you will need to establish a new account address if the S & B address is no longer valid.

Also, and this is true for any service, if you want the “big 4” networks, FOX, CBS, ABC, NBC, you will either need to get national service called Distant Network Service OR, if you don’t move a lot you can just call them and they will change the authorization to receive the “local” stations from your new location. (Federal law prohibits them from providing the local network stations from say, Miami, if you are in let’s say, Flagstaff.)

When you call ask to speak with a representative that knows about DNS – Distant Network Service if you want that. DNS covers the US and comes from either NY or LA. Your choice. You have to fill out a form, Federal Government again, but once all this is done it works all over the US without a hitch.

PS - If full time I really do recommend the roof mounted Winegard SK3005 automatic HD / SD antenna. It will set up by itself in like 5-10 minutes. Expensive, but worth IMO. Setting up the 18" dish shouldn't take 10 minutes once you learn how.

Good luck

Bill

RonaldNC · RV-Dreams Family Member

I've used Dish since I started RVing. We have an automatic dome dish, so finding the satellite is not a problem. My main reason for choosing Dish is that I get HD. I haven't had any problems with it. If you don't have a dish yet, take a look at the Dish Tailgater... it's a portable unit that automatically finds the satellite... pretty cool and gets good reviews. It's also reasonably priced at $350.

Good luck!

Ron

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have Dish so I can't comment on Direct. We just made the switch from a home-based system to RV-based. Like has already been said above, the ease of the transition depends on which customer service person you get when you call. The first one I got didn't have a clue - had never heard of DNS and had to ask someone how to answer every question. It also appeared as though English was not his/her (I couldn't tell) primary language. I later called back and got a very knowledgable person who was very helpful. She aimed me in the right direction right away.

The DNS approval takes some time. This is a government regulation so expect the obligatory red tape. Application is first made to Dish - you have to be completely RV or commercial truck based - and they in turn forward it to the networks who give the final approval. We had a glitch on our application (had 2 receivers listed - you can only have 1) and a DNS rep from Dish called us to get it straightened out. It took us about 10 days to get approval but now we get the New York and Los Angeles network channels.

Ease of setup depends on whether you want standard definition or HD. We upgraded to HD and use a portable dish (1000.2) that we need to set up on a tripod. It has taken some practice but I'm getting better at it each time I set up. To get all of the channels in HD you need to catch 3 satellites - 110, 119 and 129. Like Racerguy says the key is to be detailed in your settings and make sure the tripod mast is absolutely plumb. Then the meter will help you home in on the signal.

sdman · RV-Dreams Family Member

Bill and Linda wrote:
In fact, don’t forget to take the dish off the S & B with your as well for backup. However, you will need to establish a new account address if the S & B address is no longer valid.

PS - If full time I really do recommend the roof mounted Winegard SK3005 automatic HD / SD antenna. It will set up by itself in like 5-10 minutes. Expensive, but worth IMO. Setting up the 18" dish shouldn't take 10 minutes once you learn how.

Good luck

Bill

Thanks Bill. Good advise about taking the S&B dish with us. As for the auto Winegard, we plan to get that. Have read a lot about it here.

Just need to sell the house now.

Mark

RodandGeorgia · RV-Dreams Community Member

Hey everyone. Thanks for all the information on this. Not signed up for TV yet but was talking with an independant dealer for Direct, Dish, etc and he showed me the Dish Tailgater. Wow. From what he told me, you just set it out, plug it in and it searches for a signal automatically. Sounds pretty sweet. We are still in the planning stages and so could get it, sign contract and then take it with us when we go FT.

Any serious flaws in this plan? ~$350. Anyone---- just let me know will you. Take care all. Rod and Georgia in Sisters OR.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

If you want HD this is an “OK” product. If you don’t want HD you can do the same thing for $30 for a Direct-TV dish plus a tripod. With Dish HD or SD you have to find two satellites to view all channels and at times this can be an issue. Think trees for one problem or potentially feeding more than one receiver.

If all you want is SD Direct-TV does it all (all SD channels including the networks – CBS, Fox, ABC, etc.) with one satellite (not two) and the manual dish never breaks. This two satellite business is a bigger deal for some who travel a lot – especially where there are obstructions. We do, so I know.

IMO, don’t be too quick to sign a contract and purchase this till you have decided on a number of factors one of which is theft of the product sitting on the ground. Again, this is a personal choice based on your criteria of use and TV preference.

My view, based on experience in the business, is Direct-TV is more RV friendly in all regards. For home use – doesn’t matter that much.

Bill

WestWardHo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Direct tv has more channels and more HD offerings. People are right, never take your dish from your home. You can, if you are parked near a major city, pick up their local channels on your receiver. Example: quartsite gets Phoenix locals. You do need either a dish that is compatible with direct tv or the winguard unit. Just take you receiver from the house and plug it in. You need a place for the receiver or a mount. You can get rf remotes that will work thru drawers or cabinets.
Currently directtv has a free NFL Sunday ticket deal thru June 17th I believe if you're a big sports fan. Good for the 2012 season. You can use a standard receiver on an HD Tv but not recommended. You will get a better picture with an HD receiver & standard tv!
You may find it easier to work with a local directtv dealer rather than the 1-800-directtv. They provide knowledgeable local service and advice. Worked for us.
Good luck to you & let us know what you decide!

BandA · RV-Dreams Community Member

We have direct TV at home is it possible to bring the receiver from one of our rooms to take on the road, or is it better to purchase a unit for the RV.

Bill and Linda · RV-Dreams Family Member

BandA wrote:
We have direct TV at home is it possible to bring the receiver from one of our rooms to take on the road, or is it better to purchase a unit for the RV.

Yes, you can take a receiver from home. Not a problem. Direct TV has no problem with that. There is no reason to purchase another one and it will be an issue to get it turned on and off service wise and there is no need to pay for the service when you are not using it. This is done all the time.

However, you do need an antenna and a tripod. Do you have that covered? There are many options for the antenna when you have Direct TV. Very RV friendly in this regard. But you do have to decide on HD or SD only for the RV. If the receiver is an HD receiver it will work fine with an SD (standard definition) antenna as well as an HD antenna. SD on a portable dish is really easy with Direct.

Bill