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Installing Direct TV into a motor home
We recently traded in our travel trailer for a used motor home. The motor home is a Winnebago Journey 34 DL. In addition to all the other bells and whistles, it came with a satellite dish (Winegard), a receiver (Sony), two TVs and a factory installed set of push buttons to control what signals go to which TV, DVR, and VCR. The Sony receiver had a Direct TV card in it. After figuring out how to turn it all on and set all the controls, the Direct TV logo came up and the menu would allow me to select a channel, movie, etc. Of course when I actually tried to view the selected program I got an error (711) and to call customer service. I was not expecting Direct TV programming to be available but this did tell me that all the hardware was working properly.
We were currently using another provider for our home TVs (Time Warner). Their service has been good and I only considered getting away from them because I wanted to get satellite service in the motor home. Not being too smart, I have trouble remembering the channels we like to watch at home and having to learn new channels when in the motor home is too daunting for me! So, I decided to have one provider for both the MH and our house. At this point I called Direct TV to get their service.
I began the conversation explaining about the MH and needing a dish for our home. The lady I spoke with was having trouble with the details and directed me to another person who seemed to understand what I needed. We completed the order and about a week later the technician appeared with the boxes, dish, etc. Long story short, he was not aware of the MH and I explained that if the system could not work with the MH then I could not use it. He suggested I call Direct TV back, explain the problem and see if we could work it out. I did this and they sent the tech back out for the install the next day. Once the home system was up and working (and it does work great), I took the second receiver out to see if I could hook it up in the MH while the tech wrapped up in the house. The second receiver (H25) did not work in the MH, but the tech left because he said the work order did not state that one receiver was to be installed in the MH.
Again, I went back to Direct TV and thought it was all worked out. The tech was to bring another receiver that was not High Definition. My phone conversations with Direct TV had uncovered that the dish on the MH could not receive HD and would require a standard receiver. However, when the tech showed up, he was not aware of the need for another receiver, so nothing changed and he left. All the people at Direct TV have been very nice, but passing along details seems to be missing something. I am guessing that they do not often install Direct TV service to an existing satellite dish.
Again, back to Direct TV's customer service. This time they are to mail to me another receiver. The Tech is scheduled to come back in a week to install this receiver. At this time, I estimate that I have spent more than three hours on the phone with the people at Direct TV… that has costs them a lot of money.
I do have a call in to Winegard to see if they have any ideas about what new problems might show up next.
Stay tuned
litzdog911
ACE - Sage
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46.4K Messages
14 years ago
Keep us posted. Your situation is rather unique. Good to hear they're working with you and being responsive. Note that the H25 HD Receiver ONLY works with the newer Single Wire Multiswitch dish setup, which must be what they installed for your home. And since your RV dish is purely SD, there's no benefit to using an HD Receiver anyway.
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dcd
Expert
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20.7K Messages
14 years ago
The CSR made a big mistake. They should have told you that sharing a RV with a house account was not allowed, and that if you wanted to have a RV account that was a separate item (see link). Having said that sharing with RV's on a periodic basis is common and Directv more or less looks the other way. However, the setup in the RC is a do it yourself project all the way.
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/content/travelers/rvs?topnavtype=2
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dlboarman
Tutor
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5 Messages
14 years ago
I have since heard from Winegard (they return calls on Saturday !!) Once I told the guy the model of the dish, he immediately told me that any receiver except the H25 and HR25 would work. The H25 was what was shipped/installed by Direct TV.
As to the second post from dcd, I specifically told Direct TV what I was intending to do... ie install one receiver in the motor home and the other in our house. I have talked with at least ten people from Direct and no one has indicated that what I am doing is not correct/legal/allowed. I am assuming it is OK until they tell me otherwise. Of course, if we are away in the MH we will not be using the home system... maybe that is why they don't care?
I will post again when the next step is taken... probably 9/9/11
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irishntn
Guru
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535 Messages
14 years ago
The H25 doesn't work with the setup you have on the motor home and they don't make a HR25. The HR24 you currently have will work on the motor home, but will have to be reconfigured to the setup on the motor home.
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helicopterguy
Tutor
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5 Messages
14 years ago
I have a friend that has a motorhome and directv at his house with several receivers. He has a winegard stationary dome on the top of the motorhome. Once he parks, he hits a button and the antenna finds the satellite. Then it works like you're at home. Winegard also makes in motion antennas if you want to watch TV while you're rolling down the road and stationary models that work with directv HD receivers.
Once you have the setup done at your house, you should just be able to call up directv and have them add the existing RV receiver to your account. Just like adding a second receiver in the bedroom or kitchen for example.
One additional note is that payper view programming won't work in the motorhome unless you hook up a phone line or have a receiver with a network connection that is connected to the internet.
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dlboarman
Tutor
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5 Messages
14 years ago
I understand what you are saying about a Direct TV tech not necessarily understanding how to install with another manufacturer's hardware. I had not thought about it when I first called Direct TV. However, it would have been great if Direct TV had suggested I call Winegard for info. on receivers that would work, and to tell me that I am on my own to install, if I am. As it was, they just sent out the newest receiver they have. Since I don't work for Direct TV and am not a technician, but I am a customer, they should have grabbed the ball and ran with it. When installing with non-direct TV hardware, call the hardware company for compatibility issues. That seems pretty simple now that I understand more about dish hardware... but, again, I was not the expert, I was not selling my services.
I am going to call Direct TV and see what receiver they are shipping. Sounds like the D12 is what I need.
Thanks for the input. I think it will work once I get a non-HD receiver.
The tech did tell me that pay for view would not work in the MH since there is no phone line... and that is not a problem.
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dcd
Expert
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20.7K Messages
14 years ago
The tech did tell me that pay for view would not work in the MH since there is no phone line... and that is not a problem.
That's true, no PPV ordering using the remote. However, you can order using your computer or mobile device with the correct App installed.
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dlboarman
Tutor
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5 Messages
14 years ago
Thanks ... once this is installed, and working, I will come back to your email.
Dan
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