Satellite Tv Advice Needed Options

[MelindaK]

I am thinking of breaking down and getting satellite tv for the TT. Which has the better pay as you go Dish or Direct TV? Any preference on satellite dishes? My brother mentioned the cube since it is automatic. Not sure I want to pay that much, but I don't want to spend an hour setting up tv reception either.

[cactusjack]

The first question is this. How large of a TV screen will I be using. If its larger then 32" then you need to ask your self the question Do I want HDTV or Standard Definition (SD) TV.
Reason: SD stinks on big screen TVs. We are talking "blur vision" vs. crisp sharp images from HD satellite signals on a 55" or larger screens.

The cube satellite receiver is kind of expensive considering that it only works for SDTV satellite channels. A cheep Directv D12 (SD) receiver and single LNB 18" dish on a tripod is maybe $40 (because both are out of date technology) will do the same thing.
An SD image is not too bad on small screens. The nice thing about SDTV antenna aiming is that you only need to find one satellite and you can use a cheep satellite finder $15 and a magnetic compass to help you. Aiming a “HDTV” satellite dish and feeding the signal to an HD receiver is much more difficult.
Reason: An HD antenna has to be able to see and lock on to at least three satellites. A lot of people who camp get very good at using these numbers to preset the antenna while its on the tripod and then they get a helper to look at the TV signal screen while they move the antenna to find the middle satellite. Look for other campers who have a tripod and satellite dish set up. You can use their antenna to take a sighting with your compass. Also RVs are very happy to help you set up your antenna.
Based on your zip code Directv and several other internet sites provide the numbers for the exact magnet heading and degrees of elevation tilt and skew (antenna side tilt). The trick is make sure that the tripod is level and that the antenna mounting mast is absolutely vertical. Youtube has a lot of how to video’s on satellite antenna aiming.

Current Technology: The current Directv “Slim Line” SWM HD dish $100 feeding its latest $200 HR24 receiver(s) has to lock on to five satellites. In order to find the three or five satellites the antenna has to be tilted a tad on its side. Unlike SDTV you can’t use an inexpensive a satellite finder to help with the process of moving the antenna up and down and side to side as you zero in on the one satellite. Directv charges extra for HDTV. DISH does not. If you have the satellite receiver located in an RV Directv can provide (for a fee) Distant Network Service (DNS) DISH can not provide DNS.

I am thinking of breaking down and getting satellite tv for the TT. Which has the better pay as you go Dish or Direct TV? Any preference on satellite dishes? My brother mentioned the cube since it is automatic. Not sure I want to pay that much, but I don't want to spend an hour setting up tv reception either.