Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
Direct TV has announced it will end Standard Definition broadcasting in 2019. They haven't been upgrading SD support for some years already, and the last SD broadcasts will phase out in 2019.
http://forums.solidsignal.com/content.php/5483-THE-END-IS-COMING-DIRECTV-announces-end-of-SD-service
This will affect RV users more than residential, since many RVers own their dish or dome, and many are dependent on receiving signals from the DTV 101 satellite (pretty much the only one from DTV that domes can receive). It's not yet known what DTV will broadcast from that satellite position and band, but they paid $billions for it so won't be leaving it fallow! However, whatever it is probably won't be compatible with existing SD satellite receivers, so RVers with Direct will at least need new receivers. Those who pay Direct a monthly fee for receiver rental will get free replacements, of course, and surely Direct will do something to help subscribers stay with them (they want your monthly $$!). Whether existing domes and dishes will work with it remains to be seen., but you might want to postpone major investments in new satellite gear that is SD only.
http://forums.solidsignal.com/content.php/5483-THE-END-IS-COMING-DIRECTV-announces-end-of-SD-service
This will affect RV users more than residential, since many RVers own their dish or dome, and many are dependent on receiving signals from the DTV 101 satellite (pretty much the only one from DTV that domes can receive). It's not yet known what DTV will broadcast from that satellite position and band, but they paid $billions for it so won't be leaving it fallow! However, whatever it is probably won't be compatible with existing SD satellite receivers, so RVers with Direct will at least need new receivers. Those who pay Direct a monthly fee for receiver rental will get free replacements, of course, and surely Direct will do something to help subscribers stay with them (they want your monthly $$!). Whether existing domes and dishes will work with it remains to be seen., but you might want to postpone major investments in new satellite gear that is SD only.