Switching To DISH

[JEBar]

well, we've been with Direct TV for well over 20 years .... that will end next week .... a couple of days ago I called them so as to replace a remote control .... the new remote arrived today .... it is the same model as our old one .... programmed it and it will do everything but cut the TV off/on .... called their customer service and after working through the process, they said the had no clue why it wasn't doing so .... when they went on to say that it really didn't matter because all of their customers with equipment like ours are being systematically moved to upgrade their equipment .... given the upgrade would be done at no out of pocket expense to us .... we currently have one receiver at home and one in the camper .... with their new system we will still have 2 receivers but both will have to operate through the main home receiver .... not having any interest in purchasing a second plan for our camper, we just signed up with Dish .... our current dome roof antenna will work with Dish so that's no problem .... we will have to purchase a replacement portable antenna .... suggestions from folks who camp and use a remote antenna with Dish Satellite service would be appreciated ....

[markiver54]

Don't blame you Jim. We, and our neighbors have ALL been having problems with Direct TV. Thinking of switching to another service for those reasons. Seems to be ever since AT&T took over.

[JEBar]

our experience has been that since AT&T took over Direct, several major changes have taken place and all of them are bad .... a couple of them are its much harder to get to speak to a person when calling their customer service .... and, when you do, a high percentage of the time you are speaking to someone for whom American English isn't there first language ....

[Mags]

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We dropped DirecTV several years ago. Mostly for technical reasons related to our weather/rain and at times just thick cloud cover. We did FiosTV for a while, but stopped that when got into streaming movies and shows directly from the internet. Saved close to $200 a month.

[BigAl52]

Jim I have a winegard carryout. I just put it on the roof take the wally receiver from my main tv at the house hook up the cable to the sateliite hook up on the fifth wheel. After that hook up the wally receiver to the tv and the rest is pretty easy. The wingard runs off or 12 volt has a cigarette light plug in on it. I have a converter I just plug into the wall. Mine is an older one but it still works. I think they have newer and improved models now.

[Redthies]

What’s this “TV” you speak of?

[cooperhawk]

We have had Dish for many years now and are happy with the service. It used to be hard to get service but every year they improve. We have a Wineguard Traveler on our RV and it works perfectly. We also have two 211 receivers in the RV and a Hopper system in our home. We can now switch them on and off with our IPhone so we only pay for them when we use them.
On the road we have all the channels we have at home except for the locals of course.

Dish is a little spendy, but we think it's worth it, especially on rainy days on the road.

[JEBar]

It used to be hard to get service but every year they improve. We have a Wineguard Traveler on our RV and it works perfectly.

good to hear that service has improved .... we spend our summers west of the Twin Cities in South Dakota and were concerned about the level of Dish's service in the northern parts of the country .... we have a 3 year old Wineguard Carry Out G2 mounted on our camper .... it performs well .... my understanding is it only takes flipping 2 switches to convert it from receiving Direct and Dish .... I'm now looking for one to mount on a tripod for use when our roof mounted antenna is blocked by trees or other obstructions

We can now switch them on and off with our IPhone so we only pay for them when we use them. On the road we have all the channels we have at home except for the locals of course.

we need to check into being able to do this with my wife's IPhone .... the reality is, our camper averages being used more than once each month so I don't know how often it would pay us to have them cut it off

Dish is a little spendy, but we think it's worth it, especially on rainy days on the road.

we did lose some channels, none that are important to us .... switching to Dish will almost cut our monthly bill in half ....

[Mags]

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It's a place in Oregon.

What’s this “TV” you speak of?

[Redthies]

That was an optional comment I was going to make...

[JEBar]

OK, like I said, I'm trying to learn as much as possible about using DISH equipment .... a couple of questions :

1. is it possible to copy the movies we've saved on our Direct DVR and put them on the one we will get from DISH ?

2. could we still connect our current Direct DVR to a TV and watch the movies without being connected to Direct TV's service ?

[markiver54]

To the best of my knowledge No, and No.

[JEBar]

oh well, it was worth asking .. ... reply appreciated

[RanchRoper]

Yikes this stuff is above my cowboy pay grade...if I move the rabbit ears just right I can get the Honeymooners most nights...that Norton cracks me up.

[JEBar]

understood on the sticker shock .... for my wife and I, TV is a major source of enjoyment .... we seldom and I do mean seldom go to a movie theater .... I'd bet that we don't average doing so more than once every 10 years or so .... due to dietary concerns we seldom eat out .... we do enjoy traveling where enjoying movies, sports and such just as we do at home .... actually, making the change to DISH will reduce our monthly expenditure and that's a good thing

[markiver54]

understood on the sticker shock .... for my wife and I, TV is a major source of enjoyment .... we seldom and I do mean seldom go to a movie theater .... I'd bet that we don't average doing so more than once every 10 years or so .... due to dietary concerns we seldom eat out .... we do enjoy traveling where enjoying movies, sports and such just as we do at home .... actually, making the change to DISH will reduce our monthly expenditure and that's a good thing

Can relate entirely Jim. We also depend on TV and movies. Cannot even remember the last time we went to a crowded movie theatre. Glad you are finding a way to pay less! These companies are ripping us off!

[RanchRoper]

We are on satellite at home, and out of the 100+ channels we get I think we watch 3 or 4....

[markiver54]

We are on satellite at home, and out of the 100+ channels we get I think we watch 3 or 4....

SOO true. Ya pay for one of their packages...and then 100 or so of that wonderful large number...are infomercials!
We're being -----------d.

[Mags]

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Part of exactly why I quit cable and satellite for internet streaming. I get to pick what I watch and when on my time.

We are on satellite at home, and out of the 100+ channels we get I think we watch 3 or 4....

SOO true. Ya pay for one of their packages...and then 100 or so of that wonderful large number...are infomercials!
We're being -----------d.

[BigAl52]

Looked into streaming but not sure which package or company to go with. What equip to buy. So just called dish told them I wanted the senior discount and loyal customer pkg and the guy dropped my price and gave me a 2 yr deal with no price increase.