Directv HD dish - do they exist?

[slim4511]

Ok so I am pretty certain that it will be an Airstream Interstate that I purchase in the relative near future. In the meantime, I am researching exactly what I want in the unit and knocking off one item at a time. Regarding In Motion satellite systems, I want Directv in HD but from what I am seeing, it appears that it isn't possible in a dome type unit and only in a open dish set up. Is this correct?

[73shark]

Welcome to the Air Forums.

Can't help on the sat TV but I'm sure someone here probably can.

[UKDUDE]

CampingWorld has a large selection of satellite dishes for mounting on the roof, and some of them are for DirecTV receivers. Check out their website.


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[Jeff64]

I believe you're correct. I tried to do the same and couldn't make it happen. I went with the in motion Road Trip Mission. I believe they said it would do HD with Dish but I am a DirecTV guy.

[slim4511]

Originally Posted by UKDUDE

CampingWorld has a large selection of satellite dishes for mounting on the roof, and some of them are for DirecTV receivers. Check out their website.


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

UKDUDE,
Thanks, yes I have looked at camping world and the ones they have are only stationary for Directv in HD and not in motion. My search continues.

[ghaynes755]

Slim you are correct. Or at least almost. If you have a lot of money and roof space KVH makes marine units that will do the job. KVH HD7 is 24' diameter and in the $10,000 range.

[slim4511]

Looks like it would work. Not interested in spending 10k on it though. Thanks.

[ScottP]

Hello

First post, new owner myself

We had the dealer in Boise Idaho install a system on our 2014.5 AI.

Dealer (Airstream Adventures) strongly recommended Dish network in-motion system vs Direct TV.

We are very pleased with the install and in-motion performance.

Of course, in a perfect world we would preferred the "bubble dish" to be placed "aft" of the roof A/C unit.

Our first trip was in June and consisted of an 8,100 mile trip from Jackson Hole to NYC, Boston, Bar Harbor, Quebec, Michigan and back to Wyoming. All good!

[73shark]

Welcome to the Air Forums.

Wonder why they didn't just put it where the OTA antenna was. I know that the RV is pre-wired for sat but never saw where the external end of the coax comes out.

[ScottP]

Re: OTA placement


The dealer indicated they didn't want to eliminate our ability to watch local/free programming, by removing the OTA antenna and replacing it with the Dish network system (Weinguard antenna). It's likely we will have the bubble antenna moved aft, but I'll combine this activity with other improvements, such as a solar panel upgrade by Lewster.

I'm not sure we "need" any TV onboard, except for watching the favorite NFL team broadcast (during the "off chance" we'll be traveling in the van while a game is on).

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by ScottP

The dealer indicated they didn't want to eliminate our ability to watch local/free programming, by removing the OTA antenna and replacing it with the Dish network system (Weinguard antenna).

Sounds like a marketing opportunity for Dish, if they were to develop a Dish receiver that also included a VHF/UHF antenna built into the base of it so you could have both in one…

[pappy19]

It all has to do with the receiver, not the satellite dish as such. As I understand it, the motion dish will handle HD, but the other stationary or mobile ones are not HD. The one I have is Direct TV but not HD.

[slim4511]

So you can see my challenge. I would like a dome type antenna that is HD from DirecTV, preferably in-motion. No such animal exists. There is non HD. There is Dish Network HD. I am a DirecTV subscriber though and would like to just take one of the boxes from the house into the van when using and be done with it. Could actually just get an additional box for I think like $10/month more. Such a drag.

[RVDreamer]

What's wrong with the traveler dish?

It won't work while in motion and it isn't a dome but it will receive much better than a dome antenna, it is automatic, and it will allow Directv HD with a standard home type receiver. It supports the new genie and 3D HD TV.

So you can use your home receiver and you can get NFL Sunday ticket to watch any football games available.

[slim4511]

Originally Posted by RVDreamer

What's wrong with the traveler dish?

It won't work while in motion and it isn't a dome but it will receive much better than a dome antenna, it is automatic, and it will allow Directv HD with a standard home type receiver. It supports the new genie and 3D HD TV.

So you can use your home receiver and you can get NFL Sunday ticket to watch any football games available.

So which traveler dish are you referring to? Maybe I missed it.

[slim4511]

Ok I see it. It is the SK-SWM3 DIRECTV Slimline. Yes that appears the choice I would need to go with. Thanks.

[Jackcat2]

May want to check Amazon.com once you are ready to purchase. We got ours (Carryout) $150. less than CW was asking and free shipping over a year ago. Not HD but we find no difference in picture quality on smaller screens.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by jackcat

Not HD but we find no difference in picture quality on smaller screens.

If your screen resolution is less than 1920×1080, HD makes no difference, because the television would down-convert an HD signal to match the screen resolution anyway. Doesn't matter if it's a 22" screen or a 42" screen.

A non-HD signal displayed on a 1080 screen looks grainy because signal resolution is less than television screen resolution. So it may seem counterintuitive, but if you want the best picture quality from a non-HD satellite system, step down to a (less expensive) 720 television rather than a 1080 television. That way, the signal received matches the screen resolution available regardless of the actual diagonal measure of the screen.

[73shark]

And 720p and higher is considered HD, at least by the cable companies.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by 73shark

And 720p and higher is considered HD, at least by the cable companies.

I didn't know that. Do satellite TV providers also consider 720p to be HD, or just 1080p?