Satellite TV

[lknTP17]

I'm about to be doing an installation on an 08' Regal 4460 involving Satellite TV. I've done 2 other boats with the KVH M3DX but have ran into some reliability issues with the box resetting and not tracking the correct satellites. They've been working fine ever since KVH sent me new boxes with only the directTV satellites installed (101,110,119). My question is: What systems do you all have and how reliable have they been? I've seen both the Raymarine 37STV and 45STV but from what I see are about a $1000 more than KVH. The other I've seen in use is the SeaKing but I'm unsure of the model/price. It has to have the ability to run 2 separate directTV receivers and HD capability is required for just 1 receiver.

[flkeysbkcountry]

I have the Raymarine 37STV and it has been extremely reliable. I do not have any experience with the other models you mentioned.

[slief]

I have KVH on my motorhome. When I switched to Dish Network, I had nothing but problems with it finding Satellites. Went back to DirecTV and have had no issues. One thing I will say is that KVH was very good with their support.

[mawyatt]

lknTP17 - 11/10/2008 11:24 PM

I'm about to be doing an installation on an 08' Regal 4460 involving Satellite TV. I've done 2 other boats with the KVH M3DX but have ran into some reliability issues with the box resetting and not tracking the correct satellites. They've been working fine ever since KVH sent me new boxes with only the directTV satellites installed (101,110,119). My question is: What systems do you all have and how reliable have they been? I've seen both the Raymarine 37STV and 45STV but from what I see are about a $1000 more than KVH. The other I've seen in use is the SeaKing but I'm unsure of the model/price. It has to have the ability to run 2 separate directTV receivers and HD capability is required for just 1 receiver.

I'm considering a Sat TV system as well. Have found that DirectTV is moving most HD channels to Ka band, while DISH is still using the Ku band. Ka band requires a special antenna that is very new to marine use. I didn't think HD would be important until I saw a ball game over the air on the cockpit TV, heck I didn't even know this TV was HD until this game (I know go ahead and laugh I've had this boat since March!!). Anyway it seems that if you want HD DISH is the way to go, so you will need a system that works well with DISH. I'll keep you posted if I find anything more.

[offshorebri]

Directv now has all of their HD channels on the 99 101 and 103 satellites.(In NJ.......... every geographic location varies) A few are still duplicated on the 110 and 119 but not for much longer. They will keep the Spanish channels on 110 and 119 for a while longer but those too will soon be migrated over. The ka band is much more temperamental than the ku band.........Keep this in mind when purchasing new systems......