KVH and new chanels

[Tim Powell]

I have a kvh M5 I purchased it almost 4 years ago. When i purchased it HD was just begining. The M5 will not track or receive HD chanels. I got the HD reciver from the satalite provider Direct TV. During my extended stay on the boat this summer I found that the HD chanes not all also broadcast in antilog on the screen where you select the chanel. The antilog chanels were hidden. I was able to unblock them and it showes both HD and antilog. For example it will show ESPN (HD) and right below that will be ESPN again with nothing after it. I high lite the non HD one and the pic showes up. I gained almost 70 chanels.
JUST SOME INFO FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NON HD KVH. The M7 which is HD is about 10,000 the M5S are around now for around 2500 or so used new about 5000.Easy to install just one cable from dome to receiver.
Tim

 

[Fanfare]

I expect DirecTV to drop those old non-HD channels at some future date. I have had my standard definition KVH for years. My HD TV pops up behind the aft salon AC. It's only a 24 inch or so set, so I doubt there is any visual difference between SD and HD. You can set your preferences to show all channels or just HD or just SD. It is under the "settings, channels" section of the satellite menu.

Nobody is going to tell you these older channels will disappear, but I would not go to the trouble of installing an older unit today.

AT&T just told me they are abandoning the 2G frequencies. My boat phone will be shut down shortly in the USA. Should still work for the Bahamas Telephone Co. I wonder if they will buy me a new phone?

 

[saltshaker]

I expect DirecTV to drop those old non-HD channels at some future date. I have had my standard definition KVH for years. My HD TV pops up behind the aft salon AC. It's only a 24 inch or so set, so I doubt there is any visual difference between SD and HD. You can set your preferences to show all channels or just HD or just SD. It is under the "settings, channels" section of the satellite menu.

Nobody is going to tell you these older channels will disappear, but I would not go to the trouble if installing an older unit today.

AT&T just told me they are abandoning the 2G frequencies. My boat phone will be shut down shortly in the USA. Should still work for the Bahamas Telephone Co. I wonder if they will buy me a new phone?

theres a huge difference between HD and SD. You're not watching analog you're watching an SD signal being broadcast from a digital system. The digital broadcast makes a huge difference. As for your phone, AT&T will give you a free replacement without any fees or contract extensions. Call them and they will send you an offer.

 

[PeterK]

I have a M7 and they are not HD. I thinnk Direct is a ways off before going all Ka band (at least I hope they are...)

 

[dottieshusband]

I've got a KVH 4hp. It's not HD and I've wanted to upgrade, but I've heard too many rumors that all the current KA band stuff will be obsolete and all programming move to the KU band..I have no idea what the truth is, but the uncertainty is making me delay my purchase until I get some clarity. Seems like there is a 3 to 5 year technology life cycle to all electronics. I just don't want to drop 5 plus on something that won't work in 5 years! And at $137 per month, I wish Direct TV would take an interest and provide some guidance. Right now, I'm using my cell phone connection for TV on board. It is HD, and much cheaper than direct with very little Capex

 

[PeterK]

Ku is the older band and all that Dish uses. Ka is what Direct uses for HD. Direct still uses Ku for SD.

 

[dottieshusband]

Ku is the older band and all that Dish uses. Ka is what Direct uses for HD. Direct still uses Ku for SD.

I've got them backwards then, but my understanding is that one of them is going away within the next 18 months. So if whatever you've got, or buy doesn't support the newer band... You're SOL !

 

[PeterK]

Sure hope you are wrong about the 18 months. I really don't want to go to Dish and even less want to spend big bucks for a new dome... Maybe dome prices will come down if you will only need to receive one band instead of two.

 

[Boatsb]

The band has no bearing on the type of signal. It's the choice of the provider to put SD or HD where they decide. I'd be interested to know what they will do with the bandwidth they no longer sell to Direct TV.

 

[dottieshusband]

I hope I'm wrong too! The KVH HD7 I want is 11k, plus to make it capable of supporting genies and mini genies, it needs an 2k expansion kit....yikes! That really is steep!

 

[Boatsb]

Tv on a boat is an unnecessary device. I get by with an antenna for the few times I watch while on the rivers. If I'm offshore I don't need tv. The cost is not the issue. It's how bad you want tv on your boat. If you need it that bad you'll pay whatever it takes.

 

[PeterK]

Scott, some of us are "full time cruisers"...

 

[Boatsb]

That's why I said if you want it bad the price is no issue.

Many of us use it as an escape from the daily grind.

 

[Tim Powell]

That's why I said if you want it bad the price is no issue.

Many of us use it as an escape from the daily grind.

After all the BS what should a country boy do purchase a new dome and receiver or stand pat with what i got for a while. I am satisfkied just do not want to come to the boat and have a blank screen

 

[saltshaker]

Tv on a boat is an unnecessary device. I get by with an antenna for the few times I watch while on the rivers. If I'm offshore I don't need tv. The cost is not the issue. It's how bad you want tv on your boat. If you need it that bad you'll pay whatever it takes.

no TVs on my boat. We had 5 at one time and decided that we were better off without them. Now we have one with no service so the boys can play Xbox at night or on a rainy day

 

[SEVEN]

If you don't fish you have to do something other than polish. I use the music channels all day and into the early evening. Then a couple of good movies to end the day. It takes me away from reality for just a bit.

 

[dottieshusband]

After all the BS what should a country boy do purchase a new dome and receiver or stand pat with what i got for a while. I am satisfkied just do not want to come to the boat and have a blank screen

I'd stick with what you got. Technology will change, prices will come down. I've read the biggest advantage to the KA band is throughput speed and increased capacity. Look in the future for Satellite internet access and TV content delivered via internet. Like the VOIP protocol. I see TVIP down the road. Milk your current KVH as long ad it works, supplement that with free HD TV, and I also get 25 channels through my cell phone and SLINGTV, not a sling box, but a subscription service called SLINGTV. You hook your cell phone to a mini usb dongle that has an HDMI output to the TV..and its HD. Amazon prime fire, or ROKU and others have internet based TV as well. Spending 5 to 20 k on a nee system now? Not me

 

[nautibake]

I have a M7 and they are not HD. I thinnk Direct is a ways off before going all Ka band (at least I hope they are...)

PeterK: We also have the M7 but we are getting HD. There was tech bulletin KVH sent out last summer (August I think). It lists the serial #'s, but most of the M7's can have the RF chip upgraded for HD. The RF chip is ~$700 and should be relatively easy install. Just a thought...

 

[PeterK]

Jerry, are you on dish or direct? I looked at all the KVH tech bulletins for the last 18 months and cannot find the one you reference.

 

[nautibake]

Jerry, are you on dish or direct? I looked at all the KVH tech bulletins for the last 18 months and cannot find the one you reference.

Peter - I have dish (full disclosure, I don't have the newer RF7 board, however I have the KVH configured for DirectTV satellite and I get the DISH HD channels, go figure). Anyway, I'll try to attach the KVH Tech Bulletin. It was Feb 2015. Here is an excerpt:

Subject: DISH Network Satellites Changing to 8PSK Modulation

Products Affected

TracVision® C3, 4, 6, G4, G6, G8, M1DX, M3DX, M5, M7, and M9

Problem Description

DISH Network® is in the process of converting most of its satellite signals from QPSK modulation to a more efficient 8PSK format. This upgrade will allow DISH Network to provide additional content and more highdefinition programming, improving the customer experience. However, like many other technological advances today, the new format is not backward compatible with older receiver or antenna equipment. Therefore, some older TracVision antenna models may need to be upgraded or replaced to continue receiving the full line-up of DISH Network’s programming.

TracVision M5, M7, and M9 Systems Built After 2008

These antennas must have an RF7 board installed to decode 8PSK signals. Customers who have an antenna equipped with an RF7 board will just need to update its tracking parameters whenever DISH Network makes a change.

KVH started building antennas with the RF7 board in October 2013. However, M5, M7, and M9 antennas built from January 2009 through October 2013 can be upgraded in the field (see upgrade kits below) if the customer chooses to continue receiving DISH Network programming. Switching to DIRECTV service is another option.