[AJ2086]

OK, the time has come and we are finnally making the switch to a dish, equipment will be ordered this week. We have decided on D* because of the locals and the fact that we already have an 18x24 dish in the basement from a friend. Would have liked to go with E* for the supers and more premiums, but we are holding out hope for a merger or that D* will cave and give supers. The D* equipment is also alot cheaper than E*. But anything is better than cable who tells me that I am doing something to cause the outages on the local stations and that I have to pay for it to get repaired. But there are some questions we still have about a dish. How bad does "Rain fade" get and how long does it last, if it is a rainy day (like the past couple days in CT) does it cause major problems or no? Being in CT we get very snow winters sometimes will snow accumulation on the dish cause problems? And how would I be able to get it off the dish having my roof 2 storys up on 3 sides and 3 storys on another? I see these covers that they have, but I have lots of bees in my area and I am afraid they will get under the cover and form a nest like they do everywhere else. Anything else I should know about a dish? Now to the equipment, I am going to need a 4 room system and am not interested in PVR's, I dont care how much they will change the way I watch TV, some people in the house cant grasp new technology and at 100+ each for four rooms its a little too much. I have seen tha GAEBOs and like them, and I am thinking of getting 4 of those and an 18" dish with installation to 1 tv for 129.99 and with shippind it is 179.99. I have also debated the Samsung S70-???, 4 of those with an 18" dish for 79.99 plus a 40 dollar shipping. Are there any better deal out there? Better recievers? Also would I be able to have the installer install the 18x24 dish I have instead of the 18" that comes with my receivers? Will it cost more? And how much does installation to extra TVs cost? Any answers or input will be greatly appreciated. I hope to have D* in my hope by Thanksgiving.

 

[AJ2086]

Anyone have any input....

 

[Mike123abc]

Well I have Dish network, but rain fade is probably pretty similar. I put in 2 dedicated 24" dishes (one for 119 and one for 110). With this configuration I have yet to lose the signal on 119. 110 dropped out once in a huge storm (but before E8 came online with more power). I live in "tornado alley" and during the spring we have huge thunderstorms almost every day, and I would end up losing Dish for about 15 minutes or so once or twice a month.

If you get a lot of downpours (really hard) you might try to separate the dishes. If you do not get a lot of big storms, you probably will never notice problems with the standard triple dish.

 

[drjake]

Why do you think DISH is more expensive? You can get four receivers on the Digital Home Plan for a $50 activation fee, $100 if you want to upgrade one to a PVR. Also, you do not need to put the Dish on the roof. You can put it anywhere, you can get a clear shot to the Southwest. Most people in snowy areas keep them low on the side of the house. Rain Fade can happen, but I have never lost signal for more than a couple of minutes.

 

[AJ2086]

We are going with D* because we can get our locals from them and all the E* equipment I've seen is too expensive.

 

[Gemini365i]

Hi AJ...

Well I live here in Brooklyn and during the 3 str8 days of rain, I can tell you that I had NO rain fade at ALL! trust me the rain was coming down HARD too. I don't know, amybe it's because I live in an apt. bldg., but I had no fade, except a couple of pauses in the picture which only lasted a short time. About 3 times in 5 minutes the picture froze and paused, but then all was back to normal.

I didn't even notice anything, Picture stayed clear as DAY!

Hope this helps u.

JE

 

[bobo]

Try this link, although I'm uncertain how old it is. I have the GAEBO receivers and other than losing time their great. I believe there is a patch coming shortly to correct the problem of the receivers losing time. Good luck!!http://staging.momotek.com/html/body_directv_4_room_systems.html