Do I need a Slim Line Dish????

[mjm76]

DirecTV sent me a letter saying I needed a new HD receiver due to their new satellites being lauched. I called DirecTV and the CSR said I needed the Slim Line Dish and another HD receiver.

I know that I need a new receiver since my old one is not MPEG4 compatible but why do I need a Slim Line Dish? I currently have 3 other HD receivers that are MPEG4 compatible.

I currently have the MPEG4 ku/Ka Dish (AT-9) and it is a larger dish. I have never had any problems with reception with this dish and I am currently getting the new channels on the new Sats (99 and 103) with no problems on my other TVs with my other HD receivers.

BTW: all this would be free of charge, but I am worried about replacing a dish that is working perfectly fine.

Am I missing something here? Is there another reason to get the Slim Line Dish.

I always have lived by the motto "if it is not broken..............don't fix it".


I would like to hear opinions on this free install/upgrade from others.

Thanks for your help. :)

[Grentz]

If you have the AT9 (sidecar) you do not need a slimline.

Both see the same sats. They probably just have it listed wrong.

[Johnnie5000]

Slimlines are easier to service for one. If you were to have to get a new LNB on your sidecar on a service call, you would get a whole new dish just to get a new LNB. HSP's no longer stock parts for those old dishes. Aside from that there's about a 20lb weight difference between the two. The mount is the same, same cables would be used, same multiswitch if needed.

I say if its free, go for it.

[paulman182]

It is very possible that the installer will not put up the new dish when he sees that you are already using one that is compatible.

[flipptyfloppity]

Kick that AT9 to the curb. They're big, ugly and some of them have LNBs which are ticking time bombs (there was a bad run of them). I know you think the AT9 is bigger and that means more signal, but due to the arrangement of the pickups, I don't think there actually is more collection area, just less overlap between 5 collection areas in play. I could be wrong on this though.

[bobnielsen]

When I upgraded from a H20 to my HR20, the work order had a new dish listed. The CSR said they do that just to ensure that the installer brings one, if needed. The installer didn't replace it.