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Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Yahoo Message Number: 98784
Hi Folks Here I am in RGV, TX getting ready to head west. Two Problems:

1. Just hooked up my Directv. They tell me I can have network stations  either at home OR in the rv. I have someone living at home so need it  both places. I made 4 calls, spoke to many people & got the same tale.
 Has anyone figured out how to solve this problem?  
2. Assuming there isn't a solution to the above problem, then can
 someone tell me what I'm doing wrong in hooking up a converter box to the rv tv.

I follow the directions, I think. The wire between rooftop local station antenna goes directly to the tv, by-passing the satellite receiver, correct? Nothing should go to the satellite receiver, right? I put the amplifier button to the "ON" position but it's not working.

Any help would be gratefully received!!

Thanks, Pat
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98785
Quote
1. Just hooked up my Directv. They tell me I can have network stations either at home OR in the rv. I have someone living at home so need it both places. I made 4 calls, spoke to many people & got the same tale.
Has anyone figured out how to solve this problem?

 While there are people who are receiving both DNS (Distant Network Service) *and* locals on the same account, they're doing so despite FCC regulations.
You can have either DNS *or* locals on the same account but not both (it's the reason Dish Network lost their ability to provide their customers with DNS...they didn't follow the FCC regulations, got sued, and lost).
 There have been some people who have been successful in having DNS turned off and locals turned on when they're at home and vice versa when they're traveling.  However, that involves talking to Customer Service Reps who may or may not know how to do that.  At any rate, it wouldn't solve your problem since you have someone living at your house when you're gone, so you wouldn't want your locals to be turned off.
 As far as how to hook up a converter so you can watch over the air TV with your batwing antenna, I can't be of any help there since we don't need a converter.  However, you didn't say anything about how you had the converter hooked up...I would assume it would go between the batwing antenna and the TV, but don't know for sure.  I'm sure someone here will be able to help.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98788
Pat: I am not sure by what you mean by "nothing goes to the satellite receiver." Something has to go to it in order to route the signal from the satelite antenna to the TV. Our current rig has the satellite antenna as an option; however, our earlier rig (26RB) did not. I really cannot recall the proceure I used but believe the exterior hook up for the satellite/cable routed to the TV area along with a switch which gave you a choice between cable/satellite and the batwing.

Bob in Florida

__
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98789
Pat: I am not sure by what you mean by "nothing goes to the satellite receiver." Something has to go to it in order to route the signal from the satelite antenna to the TV.


I believe that when Pat said that she was referring to over-the-air programming using the batwing antenna and converter (when they're out of their "locals" spot beam and want to watch network programming by raising the batwing).  At least that was my understanding.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98790
Linda has it right. My terminology was incorrect.
 My last effort included a cable from the batwing antenna directly to the TV Ant In bypassing the Sat receiver.
 Additionally there are 3 (red, white & yellow) cables that go between 2 audio + 1 video outlets on both the converter box & the tv.

Batwing is up, amplifier is on but nothing changes.

hopeless, Pat

Quote
I believe that when Pat said that she was referring to over-the-air programming using the batwing antenna and converter (when they're
out of
 
Quote
their "locals" spot beam and want to watch network programming by raising
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98791
"Batwing is up, amplifier is on but nothing changes."

Pat

I had to set up my converter box before I would get any reception.
There should be instructions with the converter as to how to set it up to get the best reception.  It's a whole menu thing, and there should be a place where you can check the antenna signal.  Whenever we move we usually have to redo the setup and find the best direction for the batwing before we can get over the air TV with the box.

Also, on our TV (Sharp Aquos, 2005 30TB LD) we have to go the the right "input".  Our TV has 4 "input" modes.  We have one for regular over the air tv, one for the DVD player, one for satellite TV and one for the digital box.

Hope this helps

Kate
 http://cholulared.blogspot.com &

http://www.cholulared.com & http://www.flickr.com/photos/83282349@N00/

Want to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98792
I am still confused about what you are trying to do.  A converter box is normally used to convert cable TV to analog TV so your receiver can use the cable signal.  If you are receiving signals over-the-air you would never use a converter box.  The coax should go directly from the batwing to the coax input on your TV.
 Depending upon how your TV is setup, you may or may not need a VHF/UHF splitter from the batwing coax to the splitter, and from there to the TV.
Newer TV's only have one coax input and the splitter is not necessary.  You can tell by just looking at the inputs on the back of the TV.
 Make sure the power lamp is glowing on the batwing control switch.  That will indicate that the amplifier is receiving power.  The way you did it should have produced a picture, assuming there are over-the-air signals to receive from your location.  I would borrow a small TV from someone, and plug it into your coax to see if your TV is faulty.

Dick
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98793
This is getting stranger by the minute.  A converter box is never required to receive off-the-air signals.  Of course I am talking about today.  After February 17, when most of the TV stations in the country go digital, older TV's WILL need a converter box, but that is an entirely different animal from a cable television converter box.  Frankly, I have never heard of the use of a converter box of any kind in a recreational vehicle.  Maybe it's a matter of semantics.

Dick
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98795
If you are receiving signals over-the-air you would never use

Quote
a converter box.

 Yes, you would, *IF* your TV isn't a digital TV and you're trying to watch digital channels.  Next month most TV stations in the U.S. will change over from analog signals to digital signals...if you don't have a TV with a digital tuner, you DO need a converter box if you're going to watch over-the-air programming.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98796
A converter box is never required to receive off-the-air signals. Of course I am talking about today. After February 17, when most of the TV stations in the country go digital, older TV's WILL need a converter box, but that is an entirely different animal from a cable television converter box

I was under the impression she was talking about an over the air converter box, like you will need after Feb 2009.

As to not needing the box for over the air signals, we've noticed more and more in the last couple of months that we get much better reception using the converter box than we do with plain old over the air TV.

Kate
 http://cholulared.blogspot.com &

http://www.cholulared.com & http://www.flickr.com/photos/83282349@N00/

Want to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98797
Quote
My last effort included a cable from the batwing antenna directly to the TV Ant In bypassing the Sat receiver.

 You say that you have the cable from the batwing antenna going directly to the TV's Antenna In hookup...where is the converter box in this setup?

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98799
Quote
February 17, when most of the TV stations in the country go digital, older TV's WILL need a converter box, but that is an entirely different animal from a cable television converter box.

 Dick, I don't see any place where Pat said anything about a cable TV converter box.  She's talking about the analog/digital converter box that everyone will need come next month if they still have a TV with an analog tuner.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98800
Quote
"...2. Assuming there isn't a solution to the above problem, then can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong in hooking up a converter box
to the rv tv.

Quote
I follow the directions, I think. The wire between rooftop local station antenna goes directly to the tv, by-passing the satellite receiver, correct? Nothing should go to the satellite receiver,
right? I put the amplifier button to the "ON" position but it's not working.

Quote
Any help would be gratefully received!!"

Thanks, Pat

Pat, do you have a sat TV antenna on the roof?  Do you have an LD
installed entertainment unit?  What year and model LD do you have?  Is the TV original to the LD and may I assume it is not digital so you need the converter box?  I may be able to help you with photos if you answer those question.  Contact me off forum if you wish.

Chris Horst
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98804
No, she didn't, but she was talking about now and not when the digital changeover takes place.  So........I had to assume that she was talking about some other converter box, and the only one I know of is the cable television converter box.  I guess she needs to tell us if she is talking now or in the future.

Dick
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98805
Quote
No, she didn't, but she was talking about now and not when the digital changeover takes place.

 Dick, there are many TV stations that are *already* broadcasting in digital.
Those people who have a TV with an analog tuner need a converter NOW if they want to watch those stations.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98806
Pat,

I'm going to make some assumptions based on your previous posts.

1) Your Sat receiver has a "off-air pass thru" feature so that when it is  turned off the antenna signal goes right to the TV, and when it is  turned on you tune your TV to some channel (probably 3) and watch Sat TV  
2) Your DTV converter box has a similiar feature.

If these assumptions are correct, you need to take the coax cable that was connected from the Antenna to the Sat receiver, and connect the  DTV converter box between the antenna and the Sat receiver (you will need another short coax cable to accomplish this) Result should be Ant to DTV box to Sat receiver to TV.  Now when the Sat receiver and DTV box are off you will see old fashion analog TV, when the Sat receiver is on and DTV box off you will see Sat TV and when the Sat receiver is off and the DTV box on you will see Digital TV (TV tuned to proper channel (3?) for each of the boxes.
 If your DTV converter box does not have a "pass thru" feature, things get more complicated.  You will then only be able to see Digital "off-the-air" TV with this arrangement.
 The problem with DTV boxes that do not have the "pass thru" feature is that if you still want to be able to see analog TV, you need to get the antenna to both the DTV box and the TV itself.  Try what I suggest; depending where you are located, you may never want to look at analog TV again anyway.

Good luck,

Rich Gort 2000 MB - Birch Bay, WA
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98807
I'm talking about the converter box needed after 2/17 to get local "over-air" stations!! Thanks to all, Pat
Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98808
Pat

In that case, have you set up the converter box?  It has to be programmed, it won't just work out of the box.  I thought the instructions on mine were kind of vague, but I finally figured it out and it works great.

Kate

http://cholulared.blogspot.com &

http://www.cholulared.com & http://www.flickr.com/photos/83282349@N00/

Want to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096
Directv & Network Stations; converter box hookup??s
Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98809
Pat, I am using DishNetwork, so some of what I say may be inaccurate.
Connecting from the dish to the TV requires a decoder between the two.
That decoder contains your account criteria and uses it to determine which signals are permitted to pass through.  My system uses the decoder (a DVR) to select the channel to be viewed.
Assuming that you have two decoders and two dishes, you should be able to connect one set at home and one set in the RV.  You will need to know how to point the dish and as you move, you will not get the local stations but others should come in OK.  Connecting in the RV is just like at home.  Once the dish is pointed and receiving a signal, it must be wired to a decoder.  The decoder output goes to the TV.
Ken
'08 MB
Kate & Rich!!!! [LD] Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box h
Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98810
Kate: I've gotten as far as the welcome screen, etc. but then I get "no signal", so think it's something else. Thanks.
 Rich"  Also just tried your fix but it didn't work either. I rechecked the cables several times to make sure I did it right.
I didn't get the welcome screen but a screen with blue rectangles with "no signal". I'm getting to the point where I may buy a new tv that doesn't need the silly box!!!

Thanks lots to all of you, Pat
Re: Kate & Rich!!!! [LD] Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter b
Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98811
Pat

at the welcome screen, is there a menu or setup icon?  On mine, there's an actual menu button on he remote.  Until I hit that, I only see the welcome screen.  Once I hit the menu button, there's a bunch more options, including setup, signal strength, etc.

Kate
 http://cholulared.blogspot.com &

http://www.cholulared.com & http://www.flickr.com/photos/83282349@N00/

Want to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096
 
Kate & Rich!!!! [LD] Re: Directv & Network Stations; converter box h
Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 98812
Pat, If you see the welcome screen from the DTV box, you're nearly there! Don't give up now!  Just make sure the Batwing ant is connected to the "from antenna" connector on the DTV box and let the menus guide you thru scanning for stations, etc.  I think you are almost there!

Rich
Former 2000 MB- Now Bullet Crossfire 1800RB trailer pulled by a Chevy 2500HD