Changing from one system to another

[mrtick]

I'm seriously thinking about switching from DISH TV to DirecTV, so that I can take advantage of DirecTV with Tivo. So, besides getting the Tivo receiver and another DirecTV receiver for a second television, what else do I need? Do I need to replace the satellite dishes? Switches? Cables? Or can I just reposition the satellite?

Or does everything change?

[Scott Greczkowski]

Besides the receiver you will need a new switch. Because a DirecTivo needs two cables from your LNB or Switch you may have to run a second coax to the Tivo that probably is not there now.

[HarryD]

Recommended brand is Spaun. See Mini-dishes.com. Depending how far you cable is run, you may need a powered switch.

[Neil Derryberry]

You might consider UltimateTV as well. You just missed out on a cool deal from sony on their W60 UTV recievers... you could get 2 free after rebate, which finally shook me loose from E*. Take a look out on orbitsat.com... I was very pleased with the service I got from them...

Also, I got a KTI 24" dish with my systems. It has an Eagle Aspen switch integrated into the lnb arm that is ready to accept 3 lnb's... you just plug them in and you get 4 outputs from the switch.

[Karl Foster]

Right now Best Buy has a deal for one UTV, one standard RCA receiver, dish and installation for $49 after rebate for new customers. Not bad. It was in my weekly Best Buy circular that I got in the mail, not at the website. www.orbitsat.com has the 70-hour RCA model for $69.95 for new customers. That is a great deal.

[Steve Mehs]

If you nave a Dish300 or a 2 Duel Dish500 you wont need to change your dish but if you have a twin you'll have to since the twin has 2 biuld it SW21's that wont work with D*.

[Karl Foster]

If you are going to switch, the packages for new subs include the dish. Just mount the new dish and LNB to the mast that is already there, adjust to the azimuth and direction for your zip, and that will result in less work for you.

[boba]

YOU do know DirecTV TIVO and ULTIMATE TV are out of production. TIVO is coming out with a new model and those fantastic deals were a close out. Microsoft has closed down their Ultimate TV operation and combined it wirh X box.

[Karl Foster]

Originally posted by boba
YOU do know DirecTV TIVO and ULTIMATE TV are out of production. TIVO is coming out with a new model and those fantastic deals were a close out. Microsoft has closed down their Ultimate TV operation and combined it wirh X box.

That is a bit of an overstatement. Tivo will have a Series 2 Directivo sometime soon, and new Directivo models are available for new subs for a good price Microsoft still supports the Ultimatetv. Both of mine still work. The division wasn't closed, it was combined with the XBox division. When you call Ultimatetv, you still get a live body on the phone, and they are very responsive. RCA will cease producing new UTV units soon, but Sony has not indicated that they will. For $9.99 (currently for new subs through www.minidishes.tv), Ultimatetv is an incredible deal. Existing subs can get an Ultimatetv receiver for $99. Ask anyone who has a Directv PVR, and you'll hear nothing but raves. Just becuase it is no longer in production, doesn't mean it won't work. My Honda Civic hatchback is no longer in production, but it still works as good as the day I bought it.

Not to get into a war, but when E* can make a PVR that can record a program whenever it is on, not just time-slot record like a VCR, and has more than a one-week guide, I'll look into it, but until then I'll take my full-featured upgraded UTV receiver any day and twice on Sunday.

[EL34dude]

Karl, UTV is like a religion for you..... party on !!!

[James_F]

Originally posted by EL34dude
Karl, UTV is like a religion for you..... party on !!!

:lol:, I'm a fellow DirecTV subscriber and I won't even cross him on that... :D

IMHO DirecTivo/UTV is much better than the DP/501/508... The 721 looks good, but the price is just killer. We'll have to see what happens with the merger.

[Karl Foster]

Originally posted by EL34dude
Karl, UTV is like a religion for you..... party on !!!

Not really a religion, but....us D* subs need to be vocal on this board, especially when half-true things are said. It seems we are outnumbered about 30 to 1. :)

I am totally sold on the dual-tuner PVR and have converted others who feel the same way. If DirecTivo had two-tuners activated when I bought my first unit (May 2001), I would have bought it instead simply due to name recognition, but they didn't, and my wife insisted on the dual tuners. I have been very happy with my (her) decision to go with UTV, but it is only tv and hopefully if there is a merger, I'll continue with the same kind of service and equipment.

If I seem over zealous, it isn't intentional. I really don't watch that much tv and actually end up erasing a lot of programs I just don't have time to watch.

[Karl Foster]

Originally posted by James_F


:lol:, I'm a fellow DirecTV subscriber and I won't even cross him on that... :D

IMHO DirecTivo/UTV is much better than the DP/501/508... The 721 looks good, but the price is just killer. We'll have to see what happens with the merger.

I agree, James. BTW, where are the Britney/Natalie avatars?

Now I know why I moved from Phoenix 12 years ago. While it is still in the 110's down there, it is only 80 here. :)