Satellite TV Questions

[Bethers]

Some of the receivers today will work with multiple tv's. I wouldn't ask CW this - would ask someone from which ever service you decide to go with. If you don't need the tv's to have different stations on, here you go.

Here's a link to how to connect multiple tv's to one receiver:
http://www.ehow.com/how_7227237_wire-tv ... eiver.html

But, as someone said already, your rig may already be wired to do this without you needing to go to the work.

[Redwahine]

Our rig is newer and in our outside box there are 3 connectors. One for cable, one satelite for TV #1 in the living area and #2 for stelite for the bedroom TV. There is a satellite hook up behind each TV that match the ones in the outside box. So if I have 2 dishes I can hook one up to each TV. However, that is overkill for me. But I do have the choice to hook it up to whichever TV I want from the outside of the rig.

HD...the Tvs in my rig are both HD. However, most of the portable dishes are not HD. Those that are HD are more expensive and have more problems locking on the HD signals. And the HD receivers are more $$. I really don't notice the difference that much.

[Azusateach]

Our rig is newer and in our outside box there are 3 connectors. One for cable, one satelite for TV #1 in the living area and #2 for stelite for the bedroom TV. There is a satellite hook up behind each TV that match the ones in the outside box. So if I have 2 dishes I can hook one up to each TV. However, that is overkill for me. But I do have the choice to hook it up to whichever TV I want from the outside of the rig.

HD...the Tvs in my rig are both HD. However, most of the portable dishes are not HD. Those that are HD are more expensive and have more problems locking on the HD signals. And the HD receivers are more $$. I really don't notice the difference that much.

Check your dome antenna -- there ought to be 2 coaxial hook-ups coming out from it, in addition to the plug for the 12v. That's how you can hook up 2 receivers and have your TVs operate independently. I have basically the same set-up on my trailer, but my coaxial plugs are on the outside.

[chalet05]

Judy, have you looked at the Winegard site for RV applications? http://www.winegard.com/mobile/index.php

I just bought their Carryout and found this site helpful while I was researching. They also list their dealers who will be familiar with RV setups.

I went to a DirecTV dealer for information and he didn't even know what I was talking about!

[JudyJB]

Thanks, Anita. I will call them tomorrow. I did not get much help from direct tv either.

[snowball]

We have direct tv right now it's on vacation and I'm using the parks cable ...however tuning in the portable dish was dh's job with my help
however I didn't help that much to know what to do so I was with out tv from when I left SLC in July till I got down here to Q in Nov and hooked up to there cable
paying for it. Actually called to cancel it but they encouraged me to put it on vacation will need to take it off vacation in May I believe...nice to not have the bill but I miss the stations I used to get....if I could afford it would get the automatic dome thing
We got hooked up to Direct after we were in our rv and don't have to have the FAA license I believe we rent the receivers and get both east and west coast but have to pay for them
sheila

[chalet05]

We got hooked up to Direct after we were in our rv and don't have to have the FAA license I believe we rent the receivers and get both east and west coast but have to pay for them
sheila

Thanks, Sheila, because I didn't remember anything about FAA - I, too, started Direct after I moved into the 5er.

[Redwahine]

My bad. I meant a DNS (distance network service) for those without a stick & brick home base account. Not FAA.

I just took the Carryout out of the box and will hook up for the first time tomorrow.. I did it once before when Dawn let us borrow her Carryout and receiver. That's what started this whole thing in the first place. DH loved it.

Good luck, Judy !

[BirdbyBird]

Thanks everyone for the discussion. I have learned a lot and you got my interest... other than the cost and finding a place to pack in while traveling..... To think that I wouldn't have to go without Downton Abby or Gray Anatomy..... ( Hey, I don't want to read all the time )

[retiredhappy]

When I fulltimed I used Dish. I started with a portable kind and found it a giant pain so ended up with roofmounted automatic Winegard. You have to be able to see the TV while you are trying to set up the satellite and I had to keep running in and out to set it up. When I did have someone traveling with me we often were barely talking to each other by the time we got the TV set up. I did have to enter the zip code of where I was located in order for it to find the satellite. I subscribed to a separate service to get either East or West coast stations. Yep trees are a problem but I would ask for sites that I could get satellite. I took my receivers from my house before I went fulltime. Dish doesn't know where the receivers actually are located unless you tell them. I still have Dish at home and have been happy with it. Direct has fewer stations and after their initial rate, it can up a lot at then end of your introduction period. Yes, heavy rain or snow can cause loss of signal even at home. You do need a receiver for each TV. If you use a splitter you will have to watch the same channel of both TVs which, if you're alone, isn't a problem. However, splitters can interfere with getting a good signal. In this day and age, I would be concerned about those outside portable units. No one ever stole those tripod setups cause they were cheap - not so on the new portable setups.

[mitch5252]

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I have Directv and carry a portable dish with me. It's a pita to set up. However, with an SD receiver, you can turn the volume on your television way up and "listen" for the signal to come in while you're out turning the dish. The HD receivers don't have that ability.

To split the same signal to more than 1 television, you need something like this AFTER the coax that comes directly out of the receiver. Both televisions will have to watch the same signal. I know my trailer is TINY, but when George was with me, sometimes we used two televisions (same channel on both at the same time.) YOu can't split one cable into two BEFORE it goes into the receiver.



A question about the automatic satellites - it's more versatile (based on terrain and tree coverage) to have the free moving one instead of the roof mount, right?

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[mitch5252]

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I just went poking around the Winegard site for auto satellites. NONE of them will accommodate Directv HD. Yes on Dish HD, but not Directv.

Anyone have any idea if an auto satellite can be had for HD Directv?

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[Azusateach]

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I have Directv and carry a portable dish with me. It's a pita to set up. However, with an SD receiver, you can turn the volume on your television way up and "listen" for the signal to come in while you're out turning the dish. The HD receivers don't have that ability.

To split the same signal to more than 1 television, you need something like this AFTER the coax that comes directly out of the receiver. Both televisions will have to watch the same signal. I know my trailer is TINY, but when George was with me, sometimes we used two televisions (same channel on both at the same time.) YOu can't split one cable into two BEFORE it goes into the receiver.



A question about the automatic satellites - it's more versatile (based on terrain and tree coverage) to have the free moving one instead of the roof mount, right?

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Mitch, the picture you've posted of the coaxial splitter could be the right one, or it could be one for cable TV. I found out the hard way that there are 2 different kinds, and unless you get the one for satellite, it won't work. And yes, you split it AFTER it comes out of the receiver.

I think that having a free-moving one is more versatile. Yes, you do have to be mindful of your neighborhood, but again, you can lock it to something that isn't going anywhere and that should cut down on any temptation. After my experience over New Year's, I think that I can keep the dome close enough to either the front or back of the trailer and cable-lock it to my tongue in the front or the bumper or scissor jack in the back to keep it secure. And if I really wanted, I could probably get someone to hoist it up to me and stick it up on the roof. But frankly, if I'm camping in a place where theft is an issue, I probably wouldn't be camping there. We have some state parks where generators have been stolen, and I won't go there anymore.

As far as getting a dome for HD, the Winegard site doesn't show one for Direct TV -- just Dish.

I really, really like my Winegard dome. And no, I don't get paid to promote it. It's just a really nice luxury, and I feel fortunate to have it.

[mitch5252]

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Mitch, the picture you've posted of the coaxial splitter could be the right one, or it could be one for cable TV. I found out the hard way that there are 2 different kinds, and unless you get the one for satellite, it won't work. And yes, you split it AFTER it comes out of the receiver.

As far as getting a dome for HD, the Winegard site doesn't show one for Direct TV -- just Dish.[/quote]

Laura, I don't believe there's a difference. I used a really old splitter in the Mobile Marlin and it worked just fine (something George had way before satellite television). I sent an email to my ham radio/electronic wiring genius friend - hopefully he'll give me an answer first thing in the morning. But I think coax is coax (once out of the receiver).

And the Winegard HD automatic portable satellite antenna - silly girl, isn't that what I said - no HD for Directv, but yes to HD for Dish? Oh, who knows - knowing me, I made a typo...

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[Azusateach]

I do believe that you and I were posting at just about the same time. I didn't see your post about "poking around on the Winegard site" until just now. So. Great minds are thinking the same ... or something like that.

As far as the splitter ... maybe there's a difference with receivers, but the splitter I got would NOT work with my Direct TV receiver. And when I talked with someone who sold the domes and other accessories they said that there's a special splitter. So who knows again? I've been told that cable coax isn't the same as satellite -- you can "step down" and use satellite for cable, but not the other way. I tried using a smaller coax once and it wouldn't work. Hopefully your genius friend will help us out once and for all ...