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First Look at the DirecTV SAT-GO
cblount writes "DBSTalk's Earl Bonovich got his hands on one of the first portable DIRECTV receivers. The DIRECTV Sat-Go incorporates a TV, DIRECTV Receiver and DIRECTV Antenna into one conveniently portable design for camping, tailgating, RVing, sitting by the dock or even watching at home."
I hate nature as much as the next guy, but . . . camping? Really?! What's the point, if you're going to sit around watching satellite television?
Now you'll never have to miss American Idol again......I guess everything has it's downside.
DirecTV's product page has a picture that strikes me as depressing and conflicting; two happy kids, running towards the sea on a beautiful day with a nerf football ready to play catch, a beautiful "wife", all dragging dad in tow who just can't part with his boob tube. Put the gadget down and play with your kids, dude! And how are you going to see that LCD in the bright sun anyway? Just the same, I signed up. I'm thinking one of these would be great to have when I'm on the road..
I used to wonder how they could have enough bandwidth to serve wireless Internet from satellite to the whole country and likewise how they could provide local channels to so many different cities. I found out that the satellites can make separate broadcasts on the same frequencies to different parts of the country. I guess the parabolic antenna on the satellite has multiple feed points near each other near the focus of the antenna arranged in such a way that each one only broadcasts or receives for each major area. For a portable system like this you might have to get special service so it would work across the country if you were traveling.
When I go camping (usually 2 or 3 weeks a year), I don't take anything electronic except a cellphone, but even that stays turned off and in the backpack.
I'm a bit of a luddite and not really a nerd (I don't code, don't like sci-fi, not a gadget nut, etc.) so I guess I just don't understand but if you are going to camp, then camp, otherwise just stay at home. Seriously..
Gone!
I would say that this pictures isn't so much "awkward" as it is "depressing". This happy, shiny, bright picture with people smiling is a lot more depressing than any dystopian sci-fi movies/books I've ever seen/read. Ugh.
I don't respond to AC's.
One of the reviewers claims the thing takes up to 70W.
Didn't say if that max is atypical, or what the average would be.
I don't view anything over 20W as "portable".
And anything over 25W is REPREHENSIBLE in a TV Receiver. Those Comcast Cable boxes use 35W ON or OFF which is probably more juice than your new refrigerator is using. How many Coal power plants in the US are dedicated exclusively to keeping the little red lights on the ComCast box lit up?
So this is supposed to be a better solution for campers and RV's than the standard DirectTV they are already carrying around. But it doesn't sound like the dish aim procedure is easy- you can get automated systems that work while you are driving. This one wont work unless you are stationary.
My DirectTV Tivo uses 29W ON or OFF, day or night, so thats about $70/year in electricity. But that is a fair sight less than the 70W claimed for this unit! I don't understand why making it portable would double the power consumption.
I'm a bit of a luddite and not really a nerd (I don't code, don't like sci-fi, not a gadget nut, etc.)
What the heck are you doing on slashdot? You sound like my father in law- who has yet to allow his second wife to have internet in the house because he's heard all these news reports about how computers cause viruses.....
SJW: a person who perceives an injustice, and while correcting it, commits a greater injustice.
What I don't understand is how someone who takes an ultralight aluminum and nylon backpack, a compass, butane lighter, food from a grocery store, high tech material sleeping bag, nylon tent, and all of the other comforts of civilization that are incredibly common, can be so condescending towards people who take a tv or laptop with them. It basically boils down to 'my shade of gray is better than your shade of gray.'
When the "I camp for REAL." crowd starts wrapping an animal skin around their waist and starts walking, THEN they can be taken seriously. Until then, they are just pompous ass hypocrites that are just pretending to camp.
Comment removed based on user account deletion
Sorry but your fridge is using 100-200W and only if you have a tiny apartment fridge with freezer on top.
Your executive edition subzero side by side it taking 1-2Kw when running. and typically costs 2-3$ a day to run at current midwest electrical prices..
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.