the newest thing in satellite television!

[2airishuman]

how'd we miss this new product folks!

looking back at some nytimes pieces i ran across this.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/01/au...s/01TELLY.html

forget the iphone, this is COOL!

directv now has a product called the sat+go...

an lcd tele, satellite receiver/coder/decoder with ac/dc power connection, battery pack and signal meter all in one!

here are a couple of product info/review links...

DIRECT TV Sat-Go | Expert Satellite Direct

DirecTV Sat+Go! - The portable DirecTV satellite television - PVR Wire

DIRECTV SAT-GO "Satellite-To-Go"

while it apparently cannot serve as the 'primary satellite' (whatever that means)

it can be had with a variety of channel viewing packages or as an add on to a primary package.

priced at 1400$ and with discounts of several hundred bucks...

i'm interested.

a satellite in a suitcase...COOL!

and how 'bout this portable flat panel satellite thingie...

SatCom PASSPort&#153 Products

no doubt one still needs to line up with the creature in outerspace...

wonder how that works?

apparently sirrus radio is also offerring a 3 tv station family viewing package,

SIRIUS Satellite Radio - New: SIRIUS Backseat TV

with more sirrus tv to come....

the tracvision a7 still seems a bit pricey, but

for those of us NOT lugging or mounting a traditional satellite...

these products are great new options...

cheers
2air'

[overlander63]

From what I've heard and read, the new system will have an antenna similar to the Onstar and Sirius sat radio antennas, so maybe nothing more obtrusive than another bump on the trunk will be needed.

[JStanley]

Looks like an interesting item.
I wonder if it could be use worldwide. Maybe someday.
And would it work in Africa for the Cape Town to Cairo to Cape Town travelers in 2009-‘10?

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by JStanley

would it work in Africa for the Cape Town to Cairo to Cape Town travelers in 2009-‘10?

i know very little about sat tv technology,

but seem to recall the 'dish' is assigned to a specific satellite when registered.

so i'd suspect one would need to know which satellite 'covers' a given geographic region in africa.

otoh this device DOES show how technology is moving.

we may very well have laptops/lcd tv/video/camera devices with satellite uplink built IN to the case by 2009...

it's a good time 4a gadget guy to be alive!

cheers
2air'

[moosetags]

Neat stuff! I'm sure that sat internet access will soon follow.

[overlander63]

The way I remember satellite working, is the receiver would ask you for zip code, or latitude and longitude, and tell you which satellite to aim for. If it is still that way, and if there is a satellite over the part of the world you are in, it should not be a problem to tune in.

[Gunnyusmc]

Someone in this RV park got one last week, but I haven't been able too find out who, so I can bug him/her for a view.
I only saw the shipping box, but it was BIG.

Don

[tslanier]

I want satellite TV reception but am getting conflicting answers
A friend who has direct tv said call them for service and they will give you the dish and receiver
when I called direct tv, they gave me another number for RV's through a company called KVH, and they just give you an option to leave a message
the local AS dealer, has the portable antenae for sale and recommended I go to Best Buy to get a good receiver like a Hughes, then call for service with a provider
I don't want to buy one if they are provided by the company you sign up with for service
I would appreciate some direction
Stewart

[Gunnyusmc]

I never got a look at the new portible.
I have Directv on a portible stand with Accu Dish head and 3LNB for my HD.
I have the RV local program for $9.99 a mo. this gives be ABC, CBS, NBC, & Fox from NY and CA.
This is a good set up for full timers. It takes about 20 min too set up. The stand cost $80 and the ACCU dish $70 the reciever was $200. with $100. rebate, dish $216. mouthly programing is $71.80 for my package.
The non-mobile auto tracking dome is now about $1000. but I spend a lot of time in State Parks which tend too have large trees, which will foil it. So for now I will stay with portable set up.
If you are not full time you can use your home reciever and pick up a used dish with stand at no extra charge for service.

Don

[Minnie's Mate]

I purchased an "emergency kit" from Directv for around $80 including shipping. It includes a heavy duty tripod and dish with the basics to point the dish (a small compass and bubble level plus the wrench to assemble the tripod and mount the dish). I use one of my home receivers when I travel. The installation instructions even mention using it with an RV so Directv knows and condones it use when camping. However, if you call and ask specifically about RV use, they will refer you to a second tier marketeer that will sell you a kit specifically for use with an RV and will cost about $200 or more. If you go with the emergency kit, you need to ask specifically for the temporary emergency kit and don't mention RV use until after you establish what you are getting. It also depends on the CSR you get. Some know what you want it for and some don't have a clue.

[2airishuman]

ok here is another interesting new option for satellite tele...

the vu qube

Wallace Technologies - VuQube

VuQube V10 Mobile Satellite Antenna: Big Rig Chrome Shop

http://www.dieselboss.com/VC_installation.pdf

small (17x17x17) fully contained and the only hookup is one coaxial cable...

remote control for finding the sky bird.

can be positioned ANYWHERE or mounted to the tv or trailer.

pretty cool!

ne1 tried this?

cheers
2air'

[cosmotini]

I just received today a Camping World RV VIEW magazine/sale paper. They have an ad for the Vu Qube. It seems a little misleading to me but I don't know much about satellite tv. It says that the Vu Qube receives its power through the coax cable from the satellite receiver (sold separately).

So I think this is only a satellite antenna from the way it sounds.

Camping World is selling these for $799.

[2airishuman]

hi cosmo,

oh i agree it is only the antenna (a small dish), mounted on a gear driven rack inside a box with a remote control for positioning...

yep a sat receiver is still needed and a paid sat subscription service...

but still it is different looking than the typical dish/tripod thingie...

but i'm not surprised cw might blurrrr things a little.

this box is a trucker thing.

some of the technology aimed at truckers can help us rv'ers too...

i picked up a broadband signal booster and antenna and special adapter,

that plug into my verizon express 34 card, at a truck stop.

NONE of the verizon dealers carried this stuff or had even heard of it....

none of the computer vendors had a clue either....

truckers rule!

cheers
2air'

[SilverRanger]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

hi cosmo,

i picked up a broadband signal booster and antenna and special adapter,

that plug into my verizon express 34 card, at a truck stop.

NONE of the verizon dealers carried this stuff or had even heard of it....

none of the computer vendors had a clue either....

truckers rule!

cheers
2air'

I'm not at all surprised that Verizon hadn't heard of them. A few months ago (just before I retired) I met with some verizon technicians and my own computer techs to discuss improving our broadband connectivity with laptops and the various aircards we were using for access to the various law enforcement databases, some of which were internet based. At the request of one of my techs, I gave an inpromptu parking lot demo of the external antennas, direct connect amplifier, and adapter which I had been evaluating for several weeks. It significantly improved the signal, as had already been proven in various locations across the state. We had already been buying a few antennae and adapters from them for years, but they had never heard of the amplifiers, said they couldn't possibly increase signal strength, and also said they would not support them (whatever that means).

It was apparent they were flying by the seat of their pants on their assessment because I caught one of them writing down the model number and other data off on my amp, possibly for later research. I already knew these rigs worked, and equipment for my employees was either already installed, or on order. The research had already been done by the trucking industry. On a road trip this summer I found the best selection of antennas, adapters and amplifiers I had seen to date at a Flying J truck stop in Geargia.

[DFord79]

Thats a great package for someone who likes compact Directv. I am a current sucbriber to Directv. What I am going to do is take my bedroom reciever and install it in the new AS. Buy a stand alone dish for $80. Plug dish into trailer/reciever. I can have Directv anywhere in the US for NO extra monthly fee. Seems simple enough to me. Just a bit of storage space needed in the pickup bed for the stand alone dish. I works,,,I have a friend who owns a truck camper and did this very thing. They think its great.

[Minnie's Mate]

DFord79, that is what I did over the Labor Day weekend. I haven't had a chance to use the dish since then, though. The one trip we have taken since then where we didn't have cable was a private camp ground in the north Georgia mountains and there were too many trees. Unfortuantely, the dish and tripod take up too much room to carry unless it's needed.

One of the members of the airforums bought one of the vue cubes but I don't think he has had a chance to use it yet. Seems you could put it on a table or even a tripod if you didn't want to mount it permanently to the Airstream or tow vehicle.

[henw]

I'm waiting for a portable dish that will automatically find all the satellites needed for HD and PPV.

Tom

[Minnie's Mate]

A couple of years ago a company in San Francisco came out with an ultra thin satellite receiver that could fit on top of an SUV/mini-van's luggage rack or could be mounted on top of a sedan or truck's roof that could track the satellite while in motion. The system was about $2,500 and the manufacturer planned for the price to come down as it gained in popularity until it reached about $500. The system was comprised of literally tens of little mini-dishes mounted on a swivel system inside a plastic/fiber glass pod about 4" thick. The system is still available and is still about $2,500.

I guess it never quite caught on well enough.

[Zeppelinium]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

...it's a good time 4a gadget guy to be alive!
cheers, 2air'

No, it's not. Pretty soon every problem will be solved with a wallet-sized nifty whammo device and what advantage will us gadgets guys have? I'm for the days of spagetti wire everywhere and lots of boxes that no one else understands...

I mean, what're we going to do with the gurus, toss them on the junk pile? Gad, I'll have to buy an exercise machine and practice being nice...

Zep

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by Zeppelinium

...I'm for the days of spagetti wire everywhere...

hey zep can i send you this bit of a/s artistry 4 sorting?

cheers
2air'