Directv receiver & Portable Dish

mrs crj · February 25, 2017

This question has probably been answered but I have either not found the discussion or just don't understand so, I'm hoping someone can dumb it down for me.

We have a Directv genie receiver at our home which we take with us when we travel to watch recorded movies or programs. We would like to get an automatic, portable dish that won't cost us a lot. So far, based on what I've read and been told, we would either have to purchase an expensive dish (>$ 1,000) or get a new receiver. Whatever type of dish we use, we want one that is not a hassle to set up and as automatic as possible and want it to be portable.

Here are my questions: Is it possible to convert the genie somehow so it will be able to use the less expensive dish? If so, how?

Next, if this can't be done, what type of receiver would we need to get so we could go with the less expensive portable satellite dish? And with that, where would be buy one? Directv told me we would have to go to a third party, any ideas?

Thanks for any information.

RangeMaggotBob · March 5, 2017

I guess maybe I'm just not understanding why a more expensive dish is going to make a difference. There's no reason any dish- one for DirecTV anyway- should not work. If you shop around, you can find those auto ones for around $500.00. We have the Genie at home, but just take the bedroom receiver with us when we camp. I have a portable dish that I manually sight in to the satellite; I've been doing it so long it takes me about 3 minutes to find the satellite. Again, I see no reason an inexpensive- relatively speaking- auto dish won't work.

Chad Heiser · March 5, 2017

None of the portable dome type dishes will work with your Genie. You will either need to step up and buy a Trav'ler from Winegard if you want automatic or use a regular manual dish (like the one on your home) and set it up on a tripod when you want to use it.

You can get a different box from DirectTV and use it with a portable automatic dome, but you will be limited to standard definition programming only because domes can only receive SD programming from DTV.

SWharton · March 5, 2017

We have a Traveler and receive HD from Directv. If you want a portable domb then Directv is SD. If you want to use your Genie probably a tripod is the best way to go We have found tv4rv.com very knowledgable and helpful.

docj · March 5, 2017

None of the portable dome type dishes will work with your Genie. You will either need to step up and buy a Trav'ler from Winegard if you want automatic or use a regular manual dish (like the one on your home) and set it up on a tripod when you want to use it.

With all due respect, this is not correct. Yes, the Genie is a SWM device, but most simple dishes and portables can be converted to SWM with little effort and expense. How to do the conversion is discussed here (even though the discussion is about Winegard products the concepts discussed will work with many other brands): http://www.winegard.com/help/images/d/d1/2452242.pdf

Yes, it is true that you will only receive SD signals with a portable dish but if that doesn't bother you then there is nothing standing in your way. There is no truth to the often stated "fact" that DirecTV HD receivers can't receive SD. Just understand that if your home system consists of a Genie and one or more mini's, you MUST take the Genie with you in the RV--the mini's can only work in the presence of a Genie.

Chad Heiser · March 6, 2017

With all due respect, this is not correct. Yes, the Genie is a SWM device, but most simple dishes and portables can be converted to SWM with little effort and expense. How to do the conversion is discussed here (even though the discussion is about Winegard products the concepts discussed will work with many other brands): http://www.winegard.com/help/images/d/d1/2452242.pdf

Yes, it is true that you will only receive SD signals with a portable dish but if that doesn't bother you then there is nothing standing in your way. There is no truth to the often stated "fact" that DirecTV HD receivers can't receive SD. Just understand that if your home system consists of a Genie and one or more mini's, you MUST take the Genie with you in the RV--the mini's can only work in the presence of a Genie.

You are correct, I should have been more clear. What I meant by saying the genie would not work with a dome is that you would not get the full functionality of the genie with a dome. You would be limited to SD programming only and the dome would have to be converted and some domes may or may not support the conversion.

Twotoes · March 6, 2017

Another option is to get a Pay As You Go account with Dish for the RV. You can use a Pathway X2 Automatic dish (about $450 new or $200/$250 used) and a 211k or z (about $99 new or $50 used) and get HD programming. This only works with Dish and will not work with DirecTV. Dish has some programming for as little os $39.00 and you only have to pay for the time you are on the road, and no contract to sign.