Directv and hd in rv

[Wireman]

I'm planning on changing to Directv in the house. Install scheduled for next weekend.
Last time I had Directv was 7 years ago and had a portable dish I used for the RV. Things have changed a lot since then.

From what I read on other posts ,Directv has already given me incorrect info on the new Genie HDVR and the Genie mini. They told me I could just take a Genie mini and use it in the RV.

I'm reading I would have to take the Genie HDVR to receive channels in the RV.

Just trying to wrap my head around all this info and what's needed to use Directv in my TT.

So here are my questions.

1. HDVR needed for use in RV?

2. Is there a portable dish, other than the reflector type mounted on a tripod, that's capable of receiving Directv HD signals? The small dome type. I can't seem to find any. I have minimal storage in my 23RLSW to store a portable dish and tripod.

These dish reflectors are a lot bigger than the old one I use to use. From what I can tell the only way for a HD signal is using a dish on a tripod.

For those using a small dome type portable unit, is the SD signal decent and what brand are you using?

3. When I had Directv before I had a Monaco class A. It had 2 coax inputs, 1 for park CATV and the other for satellite input. My TT has only 1 input. I know there has to be splitters inline inside the TT somewhere. Would this prevent being able to use the coax input for the Directv signal?

Or would I have to run a coax directly to the HDVR through a window or some how find a way to run a new coax and jack to the living area where the TV is located. I don't think it's really possible to mount a permanent dome on the roof and get coax to the TV area. Would have been nice if Jayco pre-wired the unit for roof mounting a dish.

4. Is there a better and easier way instead of using the HDVR from the house?

A lot of questions I know, but everyone's input would be appreciated.

I need real world experience from those using Directv.

[etex211]

DISH makes it really cheap and easy to get HD in your camper with their tailgater.

Unfortunately, there is no competing product for DirecTV.

This is one of the main reasons we chose DISH over DirecTV when we made our switch from cable 3 years ago.

[GraftonGuns]

Hi Wireman.
I purchased a Winegard G2 carryout satellite and have both the ladder mount and tripod. I take out one of the Direct tv receivers from the house, not the main receiver but one that we have in the basement. The G2 comes with good instructions on how to program it for the RV. and, if you have any issues, tech support is only a phone call away. Hope this helps.

[Wireman]

Originally Posted by GraftonGuns

Hi Wireman.
I purchased a Winegard G2 carryout satellite and have both the ladder mount and tripod. I take out one of the Direct tv receivers from the house, not the main receiver but one that we have in the basement. The G2 comes with good instructions on how to program it for the RV. and, if you have any issues, tech support is only a phone call away. Hope this helps.

I assume this is SD broadcast? SD not a deal breaker, but was hoping to have HD if possible.

[Wireman]

Originally Posted by etex211

DISH makes it really cheap and easy to get HD in your camper with their tailgater.

Unfortunately, there is no competing product for DirecTV.

This is one of the main reasons we chose DISH over DirecTV when we made our switch from cable 3 years ago.

Thanks, that's what I thought. Probably stick with Directv and the SD broadcast.

[Big Sky]

Hi Wireman, I'm a Directv diehard, primarily because of NFL Sunday ticket. We installed a Winegard Traveler HD dish and we use it with a HD dvr. Our home set up is a Genie, and we have four HD DVR's as well. In the Summer the DVR remains in the RV and we have a Directv line on the side of the garage that connects to the RV so we can access content as well as continue to record content on the RV HD DVR. When we arrive at our camping destinations, you push a button and the Winegard finds its location and determines the Azimuth, tilt and direction on it's own. The only drawback is that the dish is permanently mounted and sometimes we are unable to park in a spot that allows the dish to dial in on a signal. This isn't the cheapest option, but wow it works awesome and gives you full HD channel spectrum. We love it.

[Wireman]

Do either of you use the existing coax input on your unit?

Now that the HD, SD question is answered I need some input about getting the signal to the HDVR.

Probably depends on how each of your units are wired for cable signal.

[Wireman]

Originally Posted by Big Sky

Hi Wireman, I'm a Directv diehard, primarily because of NFL Sunday ticket. We installed a Winegard Traveler HD dish and we use it with a HD dvr. Our home set up is a Genie, and we have four HD DVR's as well. In the Summer the DVR remains in the RV and we have a Directv line on the side of the garage that connects to the RV so we can access content as well as continue to record content on the RV HD DVR. When we arrive at our camping destinations, you push a button and the Winegard finds its location and determines the Azimuth, tilt and direction on it's own. The only drawback is that the dish is permanently mounted and sometimes we are unable to park in a spot that allows the dish to dial in on a signal. This isn't the cheapest option, but wow it works awesome and gives you full HD channel spectrum. We love it.

You have the whole channel line up, but with the Traveler it is a SD picture, correct?

Same question for you, do you use the existing coax connection on the side of the TT or a separate feed directly to the Genie?

[etex211]

Originally Posted by Wireman

Do either of you use the existing coax input on your unit?

Now that the HD, SD question is answered I need some input about getting the signal to the HDVR.

Probably depends on how each of your units are wired for cable signal.

Most, if not all, of the newer campers come equipped ready to accept a satellite signal. The coax input on the side of my 2013 351RLTS can be used for either cable or satellite. That's where I hook up my DISH tailgater. On the inside by the main living room TV, all I had to do was turn off the antenna amplifier, and move the looped cable to a different jack so my DISH 211k receiver would then output to the bedroom and the basement. The only drawback to this arrangement is that while the living room TV is in HD (it uses the HDMI output from the receiver), the bedroom and basement TVs are not.

[Wireman]

Originally Posted by etex211

Most, if not all, of the newer campers come equipped ready to accept a satellite signal. The coax input on the side of my 2013 351RLTS can be used for either cable or satellite. That's where I hook up my DISH tailgater. On the inside by the main living room TV, all I had to do was turn off the antenna amplifier, and move the looped cable to a different jack so my DISH 211k receiver would then output to the bedroom and the basement. The only drawback to this arrangement is that while the living room TV is in HD (it uses the HDMI output from the receiver), the bedroom and basement TVs are not.

My TT is at the storage unit so I can't look at it now. I do remember the looped coax but never had to move it using park CATV.

There must be a splitter somewhere to feed the bedroom TV and I also have a outside mount with a coax output to move the bedroom TV outside.

I guess you would have somewhat of the same wiring setup.

My concern was the splitter would cause a signal problem.

[Big Sky]

That's the beauty of this system, it is a full HD, and we have the Premier channel line up with all of the sports packages. The cable from the Traveler to the HD DVR is not the trailer coax. I do however use the installed coax when we connect the HD DVR in the RV to our home. We have an exterior Directv outlet on the side of the garage and I connect that to the exterior RV cable connection. When I do that I have to disconnect the Traveler HD Dish connections on the DVR and connect to the RV connection. The purpose is to integrate the RV into our Directv "Whole Home" set up. This enables us to access whatever has been recorded on the RV HDDVR and also allows that unit to continue to record content while it's parked next to the garage. Our Genie unit never leaves the house, it remains in the home and we travel with one of our HD DVR's.

[StormPOD]

We switched to Direct TV because we could get DTV and Intranet cheaper than what we were paying for just internet only. For less than $10 we could add a receiver to the camper.

DTV gave us lots of bad info and after learning through that we decided to leave the Genie at home to record things while we are traveling.

We opted to add a receiver to the camper and use a tripod mount dish for HD. After reading in DTV forums and talking to several other I became concerned about DTV plans to discontinue SD by 2020 and add more streaming options. So we did not want to invest deeply.

So we purchased a NonDVR receiver for the camper that we use in our office of the house in the off season.

For the tripod and dish, we ordered off line and added a meter that makes setup quick and painless.

Directv SWM SL3S Portable Satellite RV Kit for Camping or Tailgating

Max Tracker Plus Satellite Signal Meter LOCKED

We are weekenders, we do not always use the television but on bad weather days is nice to have.

[Wireman]

I looked at my owners manual and no explanation on the coax jumper.

I also looked at a couple of photos I took of the area where the coax connections are.

The looped coax is in place, but no decal or explanation on when to remove it or where a satellite connection would be made.

Neither of the 2 coax connections are labeled( coax or satellite?).

[StormPOD]

Remove the loop cable. I used the bottom one, quick trial and error worked.
I have a power injector that came with my dish to push power out to the dish.

I will take some photos today for you.

[Wireman]

Originally Posted by Big Sky

That's the beauty of this system, it is a full HD, and we have the Premier channel line up with all of the sports packages. The cable from the Traveler to the HD DVR is not the trailer coax. I do however use the installed coax when we connect the HD DVR in the RV to our home. We have an exterior Directv outlet on the side of the garage and I connect that to the exterior RV cable connection. When I do that I have to disconnect the Traveler HD Dish connections on the DVR and connect to the RV connection. The purpose is to integrate the RV into our Directv "Whole Home" set up. This enables us to access whatever has been recorded on the RV HDDVR and also allows that unit to continue to record content while it's parked next to the garage. Our Genie unit never leaves the house, it remains in the home and we travel with one of our HD DVR's.

My mistake. I thought you had a portable dome satellite dish. I see that unit is roof mounted. A little out of my price range, so will have to settle for SD.

Even if I went that route getting the coax through the ceiling to the TV area could be a problem. Drilling holes through the roof get's me a little on edge.

My comment about Jayco pre-wiring for a roof mount satellite would be an asset.

[Wireman]

Originally Posted by Stormpod1

Remove the loop cable. I used the bottom one, quick trial and error worked.
I have a power injector that came with my dish to push power out to the dish.

I will take some photos today for you.

Thanks for all the info so far.

This was also a concern. From what I've learned so far and reading about the portable dishes they have to have a power back feed to the dish from the receiver.
Would any splitters affect this. That's why I have all theses questions on how these TT's are wired.

[StormPOD]

This is a photo of mine. I was mistaken I used the top coax connector.

[StormPOD]

Originally Posted by Wireman

Do either of you use the existing coax input on your unit?

Now that the HD, SD question is answered I need some input about getting the signal to the HDVR.

Probably depends on how each of your units are wired for cable signal.

I do use the existing cable from outside. Works well.

Originally Posted by Wireman

Thanks for all the info so far.

This was also a concern. From what I've learned so far and reading about the portable dishes they have to have a power back feed to the dish from the receiver.
Would any splitters affect this. That's why I have all theses questions on how these TT's are wired.

[etex211]

Here is the coax wiring diagram Jayco sent me when I requested it...

[Wireman]

Originally Posted by etex211

Here is the coax wiring diagram Jayco sent me when I requested it...

Thanks for that. I will save it and also print a copy to keep in my folder in the trailer.