Trac vision

[ric992]

Haven't had boat that long and don't want to go on boat and watch TV but curious what is best to set up the Trac vision...mine is a 2007 era..can it provide data too when in places with not much cell signal?? Should I just call direct TV or???

 

[B BARKER]

Mine is Direct TV. Called and ordered a box for spare bedroom then take it to boat initial cost about 120 bucks then like 7 bucks a month don't say anything about a boat or it will cost you 70 a month........

 

[B BARKER]

By the way it's a stand alone H24 box.

 

[RBB]

Buy your box on Amazon(Direct or Dish), then just have it activated by Direct or Dish. Which ever is your provider.

 

[brewster16]

Mine is Direct TV. Called and ordered a box for spare bedroom then take it to boat initial cost about 120 bucks then like 7 bucks a month don't say anything about a boat or it will cost you 70 a month........

Doesn't the $ 7.00 rate depend on you already having a Direct TV account back at home? Correct me if I'm wrong but, it's NOT that your putting service on a boat that makes it $ 70.00/mo but that you don't have an account already? Therefore it's stand alone service on your boat?

 

[ttmott]

Haven't had boat that long and don't want to go on boat and watch TV but curious what is best to set up the Trac vision...mine is a 2007 era..can it provide data too when in places with not much cell signal?? Should I just call direct TV or???

The antenna system has been programmed for either DTV or Dish; Almost all are set to the DTV satellites. There are some great threads throughout this Forum on setting up the system and yet there is a lot of wrong information also.
First - all receivers (like the H24 or HR24 box) are owned by AT&T many are a one time charge lease and no return requirement. A part of what that means is the tuner is registered to an account / location and it's a violation of the agreement and contract for service to change without approval. In other words you can't give it to uncle Vinny so his family has service.
Second - if you activate with AT&T for a boat or RV and you have an active DTV account then it is only an additional receiver charge of $7.
Regarding obtaining a receiver - The receiver and card needs to be obtained through an AT&T authorized retailer. It would be bad for you if you got one through Ebay and tried to register it only to find out AT&T will not accept the S/N or card. I obtained mine through Solid Signal https://www.solidsignal.com/ who are an authorized DTV retailer and followed their detailed directions; I had no issues other than programming an antenna type in the receiver to one that will work with the KVH antenna. I think I used "Slimline" but it has been around 4 years ago.... There are many possible selections; it simply takes time.
You must first get the receiver and antenna working together and get your system talking to the satellite before you contact AT&T to register. Your TV will get the DTV splash page when it is communicating.
Then contact AT&T to activate the receiver; you will need the number on the card and Serial Number of the receiver so make sure to write those down first when you get the equipment and your account number. AT&T activates the receiver through a signal downloaded through the satellite system; that is why you need to first get things communicating.
AT&T didn't ask where the receiver was located other than we discussed a mobile application - They charge my account only for an additional receiver which is $7.
The down side - your system will not communicate with satellite 103 which in our area is the HD feeds so you will only receive the SD channels but there are a lot of those still.

 

[ric992]

Mine is Direct TV. Called and ordered a box for spare bedroom then take it to boat initial cost about 120 bucks then like 7 bucks a month don't say anything about a boat or it will cost you 70 a month........

Only 7.00 a month?? Wow that's pretty good!

 

[brewster16]

Question for ttmott.... My goal is basic traditional SD television on my boat already outfitted and wired with KVH M3 satellite antenna. I've just ordered and received an H24 receiver from Direct TV ($ 99.00). Installer is coming to the boat next week. Obviously I don't want to replace the KVH satellite antenna on my boat. Will the M3 antenna work properly with the H24 receiver box to provide me the basic standard definition signal to my TV's?

 

[ttmott]

Question for ttmott.... My goal is basic traditional SD television on my boat already outfitted and wired with KVH M3 satellite antenna. I've just ordered and received an H24 receiver from Direct TV ($ 99.00). Installer is coming to the boat next week. Obviously I don't want to replace the KVH satellite antenna on my boat. Will the M3 antenna work properly with the H24 receiver box to provide me the basic standard definition signal to my TV's?

Yes it will. Hopefully the installer is familiar with the KVH equipment and knows to ensure communications between the satellite, KVH antenna, and H24 is up and operational before contacting AT&T to activate. Oh, and did they send the card with the H24? You can't do anything without the card.

 

[brewster16]

Thank you....Installer is a certified local marine installer.....the H24 is still in the box unopened but ordered and received from DirectTV themselves. I will check inside the box for the card. Thanks again.

 

[RBB]

I will add that KVH has a excellent tech support on the phone.

 

[ttmott]

Thank you....Installer is a certified local marine installer.....the H24 is still in the box unopened but ordered and received from DirectTV themselves. I will check inside the box for the card. Thanks again.

I think you will be good to go.
There is a chance the antenna was programmed to receive other satellites like Dish and if so will need to be reprogrammed to lock onto the DTV satellites which is a laptop and data link to the antenna. That is another level of experience that will be required. So if you can't lock onto the DTV satellites and get the splash page on your TV then either the M3 isn't functional or it needs to be reprogrammed.

 

[missnmountains]

Question for ttmott.... My goal is basic traditional SD television on my boat already outfitted and wired with KVH M3 satellite antenna. I've just ordered and received an H24 receiver from Direct TV ($ 99.00). Installer is coming to the boat next week. Obviously I don't want to replace the KVH satellite antenna on my boat. Will the M3 antenna work properly with the H24 receiver box to provide me the basic standard definition signal to my TV's?

Yes that is exactly how mine is set up. You don't need an installer. It is very easy to connect.

Ken

 

[Great Lakes]

Question for ttmott.... My goal is basic traditional SD television on my boat already outfitted and wired with KVH M3 satellite antenna. I've just ordered and received an H24 receiver from Direct TV ($ 99.00). Installer is coming to the boat next week. Obviously I don't want to replace the KVH satellite antenna on my boat. Will the M3 antenna work properly with the H24 receiver box to provide me the basic standard definition signal to my TV's?

Works great on mine. I have M3 with H24

 

[spikedaddy99]

I will add KVH got my service switched from Dish to Direct via phone (me following instructions) and you can get HD with the right antenna. I have the TV5. Upgrading to the HD7 is around $10K

 

[Shaps]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but is Dish or Direct TV better? Which is more 'cost effective' (cheaper)?

 

[ocgrant]

Only 7.00 a month?? Wow that's pretty good!

Thats only if you have exisiting Direct TV account for your home, you are just adding a receiver. I do and I have 2 receivers on the boat that work fine. Mostly SD but i do get some channels in HD. Works fine for me and with all the new technology comming soon I don't plan to upgrade this to an HD7 at this point as I have a Raymarine version.

 

[RollerCoastr]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but is Dish or Direct TV better? Which is more 'cost effective' (cheaper)?

I prefer the guides and programming of DirecTV, but their customer service was lousy before AT&T, and now it's even worse.

Dish has a special division that understands outdoor/mobile/recreational installations.

 

[spikedaddy99]

I prefer the guides and programming of DirecTV, but their customer service was lousy before AT&T, and now it's even worse.

Dish has a special division that understands outdoor/mobile/recreational installations.

Which I may go to once they upgrade our internet service in our area. Kids don't watch TV anymore anyway.

 

[ric992]

Can you get data from the kmh too...mine is a 2007 model