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Old 03-16-2020, 03:11 PM   #27
TurnerFam
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Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Georgia
Posts: 2,585
THOR #4735
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Quote:
Originally Posted by echuck66 View Post
Is it possible to watch different channels on separate tvs at the same time?

It seems that Dish uses multiple satellites for different channels, and with the dome dishes, it has to reposition itself to reach different channels.

I'm not too concerned with SD vs HD, so I'm ok with DirecTV. I just want to be able to watch our shows, or a ball game, while the kids might want to watch a movie or some kids show.
YES, but there is some limitations if you are referring to using a PORTABLE antenna to do this, since it has only a SINGLE 'lnb'(eyeball) to view the three satellites that channels reside on... The lnb does NOT always have to 'move' to another satellite just because you change channels, but only when that new channel resides on a different satellite. There are PLENTY of channels that reside on the same satellite, such as most of the HD versions of channels, on satellite 129.
With DIRECT TV, though, they don't offer HD channels on ANY of their portable antennas, which is why many RVrs choose DISH - when you've watched HD channels, it's not easy to 'go back' to watching SD. With smaller TVs you might not notice as much, but with the larger TVs, it's pretty evident, and MUCH clearer, especially for us with 'older' eyes!

To watch differing 'channels', on two different TVs, with a Portable antenna, and both TVs with their own receiver, you will have a 'MAIN' receiver that can receive all 3 satellites, while the 'SECONDARY' receiver will only have the ability to see ONE satellite - that's how the 'secondary' coax output from the antenna works - it 'piggy backs' from the Main receiver when it has initially acquired it's signal. That satellite that the Main receiver is viewing when the secondary receiver is programmed will determine which satellite the secondary receiver will be able to see channels from. Confusing, but here's a quick and easy way to find out what to do:
When you have your MAIN receiver programmed, find the channel that the other TV might most want to be able to view. Leave the Main receiver on this channel while you THEN program the secondary receiver. When it's complete, you'll see that it will ONLY show channels that reside on that satellite. The list of channels will be what the secondary TV will be able to view.
Now, while the secondary TV is viewing it's channels, make sure that the Main receiver stay on a channel which resides on that same satellite. The antenna will not have to 'move', and therefore the secondary receiver and TV will be able to continue seeing their channel(s), and the Main receiver and TV will be able to see their own channels, all on the same satellite. Sat 129 is probably the best in this situation.
What IF the main receiver changes to a channel that resides on a differing satellite? Well, the main TV will still be able to view any channel it wishes, but the secondary TV might then see the 'error: this channel is not available' blue screen message. The simple way to correct this is to change the main receiver back to a channel that resides on the original satellite.

O.k., I suppose that's all muddy now, but once you do this a time or two, you'll start to understand the relationship of the two receivers, and the antenna, and be able to best manage it for your family's situation.

The other option, an optimal one, is to actually have TWO separate portable antennas, if you REALLY want to have the capability of two tvs seeing ALL the channels they wish.
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the Turners...
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