“Hey, kids, let’s go on a road trip!” Seemed like a good idea at the time. Pile the fam in the car and let’s go see the world. Only one problem: bored kids locked in the back seat are going to misbehave. It’s a tale as old as time, I’m telling you.
One option for keeping the kids occupied is live TV. It’s a great option and it’s worked very well in the past, but it’s gotten harder in the last decade. Finally, there’s an option that makes sense.
Yes, I can hear you thinking it. Truth is, kids like to be entertained. We tend to think of kids using screens today but they can be just as entertained by TV. Depending on your age, your folks had DVD screens in the headrests and you probably have fond memories of them. Today there are a lot more options, but that doesn’t mean live TV should be forgotten.
Until 2009, you could use a portable TV in a moving vehicle. Unfortunately you can’t anymore. The same technology that makes digital high definition possible also means you can’t watch TV if you’re going faster than 15 miles per hour. Unfortunately that was one of the tradeoffs when that tech was finalized in the mid-2000s. If the new ATSC3 standard ever takes off, it won’t be a problem but until then watching TV using nothing but an antenna’s off the table. If you live in an area where there is ATSC 3.0 service, you could probably watch a channel or two, but I don’t know that the equipment is really “car sized.”
There is a solution for cars and SUVs, the TracVision A9 from KVH. It’s only about 6″ tall and small enough to be mounted on midsize cars and SUVs. It delivers standard-definition television from DIRECTV or DISH no matter how fast you’re going.
However, there are some limitations to satellite television and it’s important to know them up front.
I still think satellite is an excellent technology, and if you are going to be really into live TV, it’s a great option. This is especially true if you’re going to be traveling in large open areas where there isn’t a lot of cell service. However, if you’re looking for a more “temporary” solution, there’s another way to go
If you have DIRECTV Satellite service, you have access to the DIRECTV app. On a tablet or phone, you can watch your recorded TV, watch over 120 channels of live TV, and tens of thousands of on-demand programs. You can even watch programs from your home DVR
The same is true with the DISH Anywhere app. It doesn’t matter which satellite service you have, you have a mobile solution that makes sense. Then, you just have to figure out how to deliver that programming to your kids.
Here’s how you do it: get a cheap tablet like an older iPad or Fire tablet. Get a device like the GOTSPOT which will give you the best possible internet service to all the devices in your car, all at a very reasonable price. Load nothing but the DIRECTV or DISH Anywhere app on it and set the parental controls. All of a sudden you have an instant TV watching device and you don’t have to worry about anything. You can put a password on it so the kids can’t load apps, and as long as you hear that TV, you know they’re not browsing somewhere they shouldn’t.
Solid Signal is a DIRECTV and DISH dealer and can also get you set up with the GOTSPOT. We’ll help you get everything you need to start watching TV in the car with nothing more to worry about! It starts with a call to our 100% US-based call center at 888-233-7563. We’re here during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you!
The post What’s the best satellite TV solution for a car? appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.
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One option for keeping the kids occupied is live TV. It’s a great option and it’s worked very well in the past, but it’s gotten harder in the last decade. Finally, there’s an option that makes sense.
Live TV and kids? Do kids even know what live TV is anymore?
Yes, I can hear you thinking it. Truth is, kids like to be entertained. We tend to think of kids using screens today but they can be just as entertained by TV. Depending on your age, your folks had DVD screens in the headrests and you probably have fond memories of them. Today there are a lot more options, but that doesn’t mean live TV should be forgotten.
Use a TV antenna?
Until 2009, you could use a portable TV in a moving vehicle. Unfortunately you can’t anymore. The same technology that makes digital high definition possible also means you can’t watch TV if you’re going faster than 15 miles per hour. Unfortunately that was one of the tradeoffs when that tech was finalized in the mid-2000s. If the new ATSC3 standard ever takes off, it won’t be a problem but until then watching TV using nothing but an antenna’s off the table. If you live in an area where there is ATSC 3.0 service, you could probably watch a channel or two, but I don’t know that the equipment is really “car sized.”
Satellite for cars and SUV’s
There is a solution for cars and SUVs, the TracVision A9 from KVH. It’s only about 6″ tall and small enough to be mounted on midsize cars and SUVs. It delivers standard-definition television from DIRECTV or DISH no matter how fast you’re going.
However, there are some limitations to satellite television and it’s important to know them up front.
- The dish is pretty big. If you’re used to roof-mounting something like a suitcase or some skis, you need to give that up.
- Unless you’re in your local area, you probably won’t get your local channels.
- DIRECTV customers will only get standard definition programs, and not all areas will have local channels in standard definition.
- DISH customers may lose signal if they travel to the other end of the country.
I still think satellite is an excellent technology, and if you are going to be really into live TV, it’s a great option. This is especially true if you’re going to be traveling in large open areas where there isn’t a lot of cell service. However, if you’re looking for a more “temporary” solution, there’s another way to go
The DIRECTV and DISH apps
If you have DIRECTV Satellite service, you have access to the DIRECTV app. On a tablet or phone, you can watch your recorded TV, watch over 120 channels of live TV, and tens of thousands of on-demand programs. You can even watch programs from your home DVR
The same is true with the DISH Anywhere app. It doesn’t matter which satellite service you have, you have a mobile solution that makes sense. Then, you just have to figure out how to deliver that programming to your kids.
Here’s how you do it: get a cheap tablet like an older iPad or Fire tablet. Get a device like the GOTSPOT which will give you the best possible internet service to all the devices in your car, all at a very reasonable price. Load nothing but the DIRECTV or DISH Anywhere app on it and set the parental controls. All of a sudden you have an instant TV watching device and you don’t have to worry about anything. You can put a password on it so the kids can’t load apps, and as long as you hear that TV, you know they’re not browsing somewhere they shouldn’t.
The best way to do it
Solid Signal is a DIRECTV and DISH dealer and can also get you set up with the GOTSPOT. We’ll help you get everything you need to start watching TV in the car with nothing more to worry about! It starts with a call to our 100% US-based call center at 888-233-7563. We’re here during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you!
The post What’s the best satellite TV solution for a car? appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.
Continue reading...
