There was a time when I, like you, would have laughed at the idea of a “connected car.” I spent the better part of a decade driving hours each day and it was my time to enjoy peace and quiet. Back then, I had a cell phone but not an unlimited plan; it was for emergencies and not much else.
Those days are long gone. Now we need laws to tell us to pay more attention to the road than to our devices. Most new cars are absolutely awash with screens, and a good number of them come with cellular data systems onboard that can function as built-in hotspots. Gone, gone, gone are the days of sitting in the back seat playing “punch buggy” or “I spy.” (Yeah, I’m dating myself.) These days, if you’re not driving you’re playing with your phone in some way or another.
Yet, even with the most powerful cell phone signal boosters, it can still be possible to lose signal. Even with the most expansive data plan, there comes a point where your data will slow down because you’ve used over a certain point. So what can you do at that point? (Play punch buggy?) Some customers have asked us if it’s possible to watch satellite TV in a car, truck, or SUV. The answer is a resounding YES, and it’s something that the technologically gifted have been doing for about two decades. Here’s how it’s done.
Meet the KVH TracVision A9
The KVH TracVision A9 is a satellite TV system specifically designed for personal vehicles. Its low profile means that you can mount it on nearly any vehicle without even affecting gas mileage. A receiver can be wired into your car and even into headrest video systems if you have one. It’s the perfect solution for this sort of thing. The TracVision A9 will work even while your vehicle is going down the road, thanks to its auto-aiming tech. It’s compatible with DIRECTV and DISH so you can bring all your programming from home. Depending on what you have at home, you may even be able to save a buck or two by bringing a receiver from home.
This technology is proven. It’s been around for close to 20 years, believe it or now. It works in practically any weather and it can even provide you with HD and 4K service if you have the right satellite receiver to go with it. It can be installed by virtually any auto shop or by any tech-savvy DIYer. There’s practically no downside here.
What about driving several receivers from one dish?
OK, so when someone brought up the idea of running several receivers from something like the TracVision A9, I had to chuckle a little bit. After all, how many screens could you fit in a car or SUV? But, truthfully it’s not a bad question. Imagine if you want to create a killer tailgate setup. You might not need a lot of satellite coverage while driving, but you might want to run half a dozen TVs, all in HD, from your truck. I could imagine a vehicle that was specifically designed to bring the party no matter where you are. A lot of times you’ll use an RV for that, but who says you can’t use an SUV? After all have you seen the size of some of these SUVs lately? They’re bigger than some RVs from the 1980s, right?
That’s when you’ll want something like this KING Phoenix. It’s available for DISH or DIRECTV, and it brings the full in-home experience to you no matter where you are. It folds down so that it doesn’t cause problems while driving. (Of course it can’t be used like that, this is a solution for tailgating.) When you’re stopped, it automatically aims itself to allow you to have virtually limitless screens attached to one dish. Something like this could easily mount to the roof of an SUV, just like it could mount to an RV. It’s a great solution if you’re going to be watching while parked.
Want to know more?
Solid Signal is your home for all your auto, SUV, and entertainment needs. We’ll help you get live TV, great cell signals and more no matter what size vehicle you have. We’re here to help! Let our team lay out all the options and build a custom package that meets your exact needs. We have engineers and customer service specialists ready to help in our Novi, Michigan offices. All it takes is one phone call to 888-233-7563 to get started. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below and we’ll happily get right back to you!
