What DVRs can you use in your RV or boat?

Our RV and marine customers love satellite TV. But, there’s some confusion about which receivers and DVRs can be used while you’re out on the road or the water. Both DIRECTV and DISH have really engineered their products to work in homes, not in something that moves. Dishes like ones from KING and Intellian take care of the reception side of the equation. But what about the boxes themselves? It can be a little confusing.

DISH

DISH customers are really well positioned to use their hardware on boats or RVs. Practically any current receiver or DVR will work. There are some things you might want to know, however. While you can use the Hopper 3 and Hopper Plus DVRs pretty much anywhere (including while in motion), the internet-enabled features of these boxes won’t work unless there’s an internet connection. This may seem like common sense, but we’re all so used to the internet that we don’t even think about it most of the time. A better bet might be the 2-tuner Hopper Duo which gives you a simplified DVR experience. I should also point out that depending on your satellite dish, you might need a DPH42 multiswitch to make the Hopper work right.

If all you want is a receiver, choose the Wally. It’s really your only choice. The Joey boxes won’t work unless you bring the Hopper as well. Having multiple client boxes might work on a boat, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense in an RV.

DIRECTV

If you have older satellite equipment on your RV or boat, your options are somewhat limited. All current DIRECTV equipment requires the use of SWM technology. This might be incompatible with the system you have previously installed. In general, all it takes is the addition of a SWM-30 multiswitch to get futureproof.

It’s also worth pointing out that your DIRECTV options are fairly streamlined. If you have a residential account, you’ll need an H24 receiver or HR54 Genie. The old HR24 DVR is no longer available for customers who don’t already have one. The Genie clients won’t work without a Genie DVR in place, and it’s worth pointing out that the Genie 2 is probably the wrong choice here. If you have a Genie 2 at home, you can’t get another one for your boat or RV. Its size and form factor also don’t really work well in something that moves.

If you have a commercial account, you can choose the H24 for backwards compatibility, or the H25 or H44 for the most modern experience. In all cases you should be looking at satellite equipment that is SWM compatible. If you’re not sure what you have, the experts at Signal Connect can help.

What about HD channels?

Both DIRECTV and DISH support HD and even 4K in boats and RVs. However, there are some things you should know. Because both DIRECTV and DISH use multiple satellites, switching from channel to channel may take some time. Also, some mobile and marine dishes do not support DIRECTV’s 99 and 103 locations. This means your selection of HD is somewhat limited, but that is likely to change. As DIRECTV moves away from standard definition local channels, I expect that more HD will be added to its main satellite at the 101 location. So it’s not a long term problem.

Don’t go it alone- get help

Getting the answers you need for RV and marine satellite can be hard. If you call DIRECTV or DISH, they’re likely to mislead you. Their call centers just aren’t equipped to answer those questions. You need the experts. You need Signal Connect.

For over two decades, we’ve worked with RVers and boaters to get them the right solutions the first time. We understand your unique needs and we deal with them all the time. Don’t bother with the overseas call centers and the script readers. Call us the first time and you’ll get someone on the phone who really knows their stuff.

It all starts with a call to 888-233-7563 during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’re here for you!

About the Author

Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet is the editor-in-chief of The Solid Signal Blog and a "master plumber" at Signal Group, LLC. He is the author of over 10,000 articles and longform tutorials including many posted here. Reach him by clicking on "Contact the Editor" at the bottom of this page.