Satellite TV

fsudelt

Member
Jul 25, 2008
190
Orlando, FL & Port Austin, MI
Boat Info
2019 230 SLX
Previous:
2006 Malibu Ride XTi
2007 210 Select
2007 310DA
2007 240DA
Engines
6.2L Mercruiser 300HP w/ Bravo III Drives
We are in the process of looking at some used 2004-2008 DA's in the 34-40 foot range. The one's that do have satellite installed all seem to have Direct TV. Is Direct the only option for a boat? I asked as we have Dish for our home and our motorhome (which we will be selling when going back into boating) and would like to keep Dish for everything. Also if we can use Dish how difficult is it to switch over, will most satellites installed pick up both networks?
 
My Intelian I2 can support Dish. In fact, an optional module from Intelian for the Dish network is the only way my older/smaller dish can receive HD programming.

My limited experience with Dish was much better than my long-term frustrations with Direc, but that's another story.
 
Previous boat had Dish.

Current has DirectTV.

Experience has been they both are a pain to deal with.

Be careful about what the existing equipment on the boat. Unless it is newer Sat gear, you may be limited on HD programming.

Dish supported HD on older equipment longer than DirectTV did.
 
If you are within WiFi range or can use mobile hotspot then something like a Amazon FireTV (stick, etc) can be used for TV. If you need multiple TVs watching multiple sources/channels then this just requires another cheap device. I am also talking about doing this all through normal subscription services - not a hacked device (thats another discussion). If you want to distribute the output to all the TVs without rewiring we use a HDMI to Coax cable converter (we can also do this for remote DTV boxes, etc).

-Kevin
 
Thanks everyone. I assumed it could be done. Most I've seen so far are the KVH dishes. We'll see as we get more serious to one boat. If it has one that's great, if not it's not a deal breaker. It's nice at times to take a break from technology!
 
I have a KVH M3DX and switched it from Direct to Dish.

Call KVH and talk with tech support. They have a very knowledgeable staff, and will tell you all the parts needed to make the conversion.

In the case of the DX Model, I needed to provide a dish box (vip211) and programming on the contoller.
 
My boat came with a KVH system that I activated with Direct TV basic service because I get a good deal on it for being an AT&T subscriber.
It’s okay for what I pay and what I use it for, but a lot of the channels are things I wouldn’t normally watch.
If the boat didn’t come with the Satellite system, I’m not sure it would be worth investing in it these days. Too many other options out there.
I recently replaced 2 of the 3 TV’s on the boat with 1080P smart TV’s. They were my Father’s Day gift. Not many Marinas with good enough WiFi to take advantage of the smart part of the TV’s though.
Best thing I’ve found to use is my iPad with unlimited cellular date. I connect it to the TV I’m watching with an HDMI and Apple AV connector and stream from Netflix, Amazon Prime, and my home Verizon Fios account. AV connector let’s me keep the iPad charged while I use it too.
No WiFi, no problem, use cell data. No cellular service either? No problem since I have stuff downloaded to it from Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Bonus-Ability to: Check emails, get internet access, download newspaper every day, keep pdf’s of all boat manuals in ibooks, have books to read in Kindle App, stream music from XM, Pandora and Amazon Music to boat stereo through Bluetooth, etc....
 
I installed a KVH system on my previous boat. Something to keep in mind is line of sight to where on the horizon the satellites are located. If you have a bigger boat or a building in the way..... no signal. You would be surprised how close to the horizon they are located
 
In several years of having a satellite system on a boat, never had an issue with blocked signal.

This was on Flybridges boats, so that might have helped with not being blocked.,
 
I installed a KVH system on my previous boat. Something to keep in mind is line of sight to where on the horizon the satellites are located. If you have a bigger boat or a building in the way..... no signal. You would be surprised how close to the horizon they are located
Good Point! I’ve had a weaker signal in some spots. I’ve also had pixelation problems in bad weather.
 
I guess paying $$$ does not get me much more than the 40 or so channels I get OTA

Ah...nothing worthwhile on anyways.
 
I guess paying $$$ does not get me much more than the 40 or so channels I get OTA

Ah...nothing worthwhile on anyways.

Except the college football season in 5.5 weeks! For that there are apps that will basically give you every game including College Game Day!

Bennett
 
That is my plan...thinking slingtv.com. What are u using?

Dave
 
I changed out my old C3 KVH system to an M1 about 6 years ago and the darn thing is pix-elating like crazy, i contacted Direct and was told that the tech in the M1 is no longer supported, also told that by KVH and I must upgrade to a TV1 - anyone had this issue - kind of ticks me off that another 3K for that setup. I have it linked to my farm and sons college house so switching really isnt something I want to do - one bill for multiple locations.
chris
 
I changed out my old C3 KVH system to an M1 about 6 years ago and the darn thing is pix-elating like crazy, i contacted Direct and was told that the tech in the M1 is no longer supported, also told that by KVH and I must upgrade to a TV1 - anyone had this issue - kind of ticks me off that another 3K for that setup. I have it linked to my farm and sons college house so switching really isnt something I want to do - one bill for multiple locations.
chris
Mine just stoped working all together, I was going to spend the day trying to get it up and running, are you saying I have no tech support for this system or is the entire platform no longer operational? Luckily I picked it up 5 yers ago super super cheap..
 
Mine just stoped working all together, I was going to spend the day trying to get it up and running, are you saying I have no tech support for this system or is the entire platform no longer operational? Luckily I picked it up 5 yers ago super super cheap..

When I called about mine and sent it back they basically told me that the technology in the dome was no longer acceptable for the satellite system and that i needed to upgrade to the TV1. I have not swallowed that pin yet. I am going to look at the intellion system as well as I belief its less $$$$.
c
 
Funny thing about boating on a commercial river, barge traffic creates enormous wakes. Evidently my M1's cable had jostled loose just enough to render it inoperable. I'm back up and running with DirecTV. Problem solved
 

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