I need help activating the direct tv service in our new to us 2004 Foretravel U270 3610.
A recent call to a direct tv service provider resulted in them telling us we need new equipment before we can get service.
Is this correct or can our old receiver and roof dish be used.
Thanks.
I would say depends on what you have.
Larry and Terry... John's point is well taken. I would add that the best point of contact with DirecTV is their RV department at 800-769-4635. Reps at this number understand our particular situation (whether full-timing, extended timing, or other use of the coach) and equipment and service plan needs... they have been very helpful with us for the last 4.5 years. The rep at that number will likely need model numbers of your equipment to correctly answer your question about whether the current dish/receiver setup can be activated, or will need to be replaced. Good luck!
Unless you have incredibly old equipment or equipment that has money owed on it you should be able to get a card and activate it. Could be thay changed the rules...
Patricia,
Thanx for that magic Directv number, very timely as I just got back home from my 4700+ mile venture, tat included new Samsung Smart TV, Winegard Trave'ler, and now required new Directv receiver,problem, the SWM and the hone antenna is not, so called the number and bingo, switch selected to multi- dish setting. So very timely.
Geez, I think we finally have it all solved now that includes the local TV Chanel's, had to change te antenna settings also, so now to go back on the road.
So antenna from 04 to 18 and switch multi-switch to SWM, Real simple IF you can remember these little details.
Oh joy !
Patricia,
Thanks for the Direct tv number.
It turns out that I need new receivers before I can obtain service.
Thanks again.
Direct TV Receiver Boxes and the "Smart Card" are now Married with the users name and account number. When changing from one owner to another you get a new Receiver Box and simply throw away the old one.
Seems like a waste, but that's how it is.
picked up one from PPL for 89.00 when I changed over to the dome.
RV Satellite Receivers - PPL Motor Homes (http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/tv-antennas/rv-satellite-receivers.htm)
Seemed like the best deal.
Cheers
Dave... glad to help... we also have a Samsung TV (great HD!) and LOVE the Winegard Travel'r (push the button and voila!) - amazing how it can "see" through the trees!!
Larry/Terry... glad to help, too! We have a relatively new DirecTV receiver (HR24-200, which is JUST shallow enough to fit in the AV cabinet above the driver's head in our '03). It's a DVR, and it's WONDERFUL to record programs and never have to watch another commercial again! Even live TV can be backed up... then push that magic "30-seconds forward" button however many commercials one needs to skip!! Hopefully, as a new customer, DirecTV can provide a DVR at no cost (or credit back each month to zero out the cost)! Just ask for the retention department and tell them you're seriously considering going to DISH instead - has worked for us many times!
Larry, if you are going to have to pop for new equipment, consider Dish Network. I had DirecTV for 13 years and will never do business with them again. Dish has been fantastic for us and getting local channels with just a phone call has worked every time. I think they are more oriented to serving RVers than DirecTV and a little more honest. Just a thought.
We also prefer Dish, but it would depend on the make and model of dish currently on the roof whether Larry would be tied to DirecTV or have the option of going with Dish.
-M
Yes, the model of dish on the roof will determine Larry's option of DirecTV vs DISH... although I believe there are (were?) conversion kits for certain Winegard dishes to be converted from DirecTV to DISH (but not the reverse), IIRC.
Certainly there is no best answer for DISH vs DirecTV.... a recent discussion on the rv.net forum might help to sort out some of the differences, if a choice is available: RV.Net Open Roads Forum: Technology Corner: Direct TV vs. Dish (http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26837484/)
I agree the choice is subjective. I was just expressing my displeasure with treatment we got from Directv after so many years as a customer.
It is my understanding that if you have a Winegard Traveler the cost to change from one to the other is about $300 for a different dish. My Winegard Carryout requires only a change in dip switches, no extra cost.
I agree with Kent (us Okies stick together, LOL), that Dish offers much better customer service. I've had both DirecTV and Dish, and IMHO, Dish is a better option. I use the Dish chat : DISH Customer Care & Service | DISH Support Live Chat (http://www.dish.com/chat/)
to change our service address to be able to receive local stations.
YMMV, Good Luck, Dave A
Yes us Okie's have to stick together. I'v had Dish now for 8 years and have never had a problem with the service, and yes you can change the local service with a phone call.
Kent you and Dave need to stop by next time you'all come thru Ardmore.
Thanks Dave. Didn't know you could use chat to change address. Now if they could just set up an online form to do the same thing. :(
And I'll Plus 1 for Dish. I've had to have service come out twice. Once when I added my Hopper and once when we added a Joey. Both times the service guy bent over backwards to help. Dish calls you after the service for a survey and the service guys will do anything for a 10 rating! One guy made up 2 50ft coax cables for me and gave me a usb wireless adapter for free. I love free stuff. :)
see ya
ken
@Ken,
I like the chat much better than being on hold. You need your Dish Account number, 4 digit pin , and of course, your new service address. Its very quick and easy. At the chat menu page: DISH Customer Care & Service | DISH Support Live Chat (http://www.dish.com/chat/) I always choose the tech support option. Once in a while, they may offer you an upgrade or movie option, but I always politely decline the offer. Although, sometimes, a pretty good ($$ wise) offer.
Good Luck
@Jimmy
It would be great to get us Okie foretravelers together. I'll give you a call one of days as we pass through. We've always loved Lake Murray.
Have dish traveler. CSuspended dish when I parked at storage yard 5 weeks ago. Had credit on account. Called them now, they set me up for Eldora local channels (Dayton OH) and turn on Dish tomorrow am (12:01 am?)
love the ease of dish.
yes, I will be at Eldora OH for Nascar on dirt the first time in 43 years, and then on to Indy for Nascar this week, OSH for the airshow SUnday till Thursday and then Sturgis for Bike Week the week after.
Not a big deal if you like to drive.
Guys, feel free to turn green with Envy, and DW has chosen only 3 of those days to play along, of course she was invited for entire routse.
Unintentionally turning into Dave M?
:-)
Anyone having more fun than me the next three weeks?
Hey, I start rehab on my new right shoulder next week.
What's more fun than that.???
You wanna trade???
Kent,
Love you , but I think I win.......
Remember, somehow you having that awesome coach had a speck of my DNA on it.
Wanna trade? Will cost you a bit......
:-0
Good luck on rehab, see you next year at Sturgis!
Tim, don't think a trade will happen. They will probably bury me in this thing.
A nice look....:-)
I'm not even a Okie, but I'll sure agree about sticking with Dish. A long time customer of theirs and very happy with them.
Oh, I forgot. I did spend a night at Hotel Black in Oklahoma City once. Maybe that qualifies me as a honorary Okie? It was way back in my military days. Understand it has been tore down.
It is interesting that so many here say Dish is the better company to work with. A link on the Yahoo Finance page today leads to an article from 24/7 Wall St. that rates Dish Network as the worst company in the US to work for. If their employees are that unhappy it is amazing that they provide good service.
Here is the link for anyone who wants to read the article. America?s Worst Companies to Work For - Yahoo! Finance (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/america's-worst-companies-to-work-for-152240719.html)
Having played with both Dish & Directv, RV, over 25 years, have switched from both as their plan was changing frequently, at one point they wanted my box hooked to a phone line 100% of the time, so I asked for the cable to reach Fl from Va. That was the last horse hockey games I suffered with Dish, went back to Directv, even they changed the game rules and een with them for about 10 years this go round. Nothing is for ever in the RV games.
It appears to me the 'TV Times Are A Changin' and the disruption in the classical TV business models is underway.
I gave up on DirecTV a while ago. Apart from it wasting too much time - at this point in my life every moment is even more precious than the last ;o)
best, paul
Howdy PatC,
I think overniting in Hotel Black definitely qualifies you!! I enlisted in the USAF back in '68, but it seems that anyone from Miami that had an induction physical went to the City and stayed at the Hotel Black. Haven't thought of it in years.
ttyl, dave a
That article was very interesting. I am very surprised that it was a recent article. Two years ago I wouldn't have been surprised as the phone reps at both Dish and DirecTV were not particularly nice. The last couple of years every time I have called Dish the reps having been extremely helpful. Since we change locations a lot I talk to them two or three times per month on average.
I recall the last time I had a DirecTV installer at the house he acted scared to death of the company. If he took too long or got a bad rating from me he could have easily lost his job with Direct. It made me nervous just talking to him. It a shame that people feel they have to work for a company they don't like or respect. I'm glad I'm retired.
I'll add my two cents. We have had both DISH and DirecTV and curreny have Directv and have for the last 10 years. We are pleased with them, their customer service, the quality of of reception and their online GUIDE. We call once in a while to reset the signal for the coach and get right through with no issues, plus we can do that ourselves online too.
I think both have done a great job to improve their customer experience. I also feel like they both are trying their best to work with RV'ers but the the FTC/FCC rules tend to restrict broadcasting. The FTC/FCCis really the one that needs to take a look at RV'ers and change their rules a bit.
Directv phone service been easy for me to change to local channels and turn service on and off if want to, one call. But a friend at this RV park last year and this year says he cannot get it chaned to local. Not sure why not though, been easy for e and others here.
Had lots of trouble with dish at home, in time went back to cable. Only the RV has SAT now.
Often dish vs direct sounds like us boys talking Chevy vs Ford what seems a long time ago
Mike
Then maybe we should be contacting our Congressional RV Caucus: http://dennisross.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=340299 (http://dennisross.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=340299)
They are now officially suppose to be looking out for our interest in Washington.