Article by Capt. Steve Katz
TV Time
Now that it is finally shipping, I want to review a new product, the KVH TracVision TV-Series satellite TV antenna system. While some feel fishing is a way to get away, others want to stay connected while away from land.
This new KVH product line is a powerful family of fully stabilized marine satellite television antenna systems and is designed to provide superior performance, including HDTV for worldwide satellite TV entertainment at sea.
TracVision TV1, TV3, TV5, and TV6 – are the four systems that make up the TracVision TV-series. These systems represent the latest technology in marine satellite television antenna systems, a market where KVH has had award-winning TracVision products for more than 16 years.
While there are other companies, such as Intellian and SeaTel, which both offer pleasure boat satellite TV systems, KVH holds a majority of the US market share for pleasure boats.
This new TV-series is similar to the existing antenna systems in size, but the hardware and software is completely different. The newest innovation is the TV-Hub, which is the control unit for the antenna and user interface. This TV–Hub is accessed wirelessly, using a web-based interface from a computer, tablet or cell phone. While it is not often that you would need to access the system, it makes the initial configuration and future adjustments very easy, using technology you already own. This is in contrast to the way the older systems were programmed where an electronics technician would bring aboard a Windows laptop and a computer cable to connect to the KVH antenna to access the diagnostics or programming functions. This was not an easy system for the captain or crew to adjust or troubleshoot.
The TV series consists of the TV-1 (12.5”), TV-3 (14.5”), TV-5 (18”) and TV-6 (”) antennas. The dimensions are the diameter of the antenna under the dome. These antennas are very light, weighting 8, 17, 25 and 53 pounds respectively. List price starts at $2,995.
While KVH’s product information at first may seem confusing, the only Wi-Fi feature of this TV system is the connectivity to the TV-Hub control system, NOT the TV broadcast. The system cannot send TV programming across the Wi-Fi to your tablet or TV.
In my opinion, one of the most important features of the new TV-Series is the ability to receive DISH high definition (HDTV) programming using the DISH Pro technology. This is in contrast to Direct TV HDTV, where a larger, more complex antenna system is needed to receive HDTV programming available on the KVH Tracvision HD series systems. If you want to watch HDTV programming aboard your boat, the new TV-Series will offer you an affordable solution.
Another important feature of this system is that is uses one single coax cable to connect the antenna to the TV-Hub below deck. This single coax cable carries power, data and RF signals to and from the antenna, making the installation and servicing much easier than in the past with multiple wires. Often, significant time is spent during the installation just running the wires, so with only one cable, installation is much less complicated.
The TV-Hub is where all the connections are made, from the antenna out to the receivers. The TV-Hub uses the ships DC power system, either 12 or 24 volts. An optional converter is available if you want to plug this hub into the 120v outlet. This TV-Hub is where the unit connects, using Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable, to your ships wireless network or directly to your tablet for programming. The TV-Hub can also be connected to your navigation equipment, allowing the KVH system to use your ships location to optimize the antenna positioning to receive and maintain the best satellite signal. The TV-5 and larger, TV-6 have a built-in GPS antenna to optimize tuning.
On the front of this TV-Hub is a set of three lights that makes it easy for a novice to quickly see the status of the KVH system. These lights are: TV-Hub, antenna and power. The lights change colors and/or flash to indicate the unit’s operational status.
This KVH TV-series system is an antenna system, not a receiver. The receiver is the device from the satellite provider, such as Direct TV or Dish networks. These receivers are usually obtained from the service provider. With one receiver you can watch one channel at time, so if you want the ability to watch two different satellite channels on two different TV’s you will need two receivers.
Where should I mount the antenna? KVH recommends that you do NOT mount the antenna the same level as the radar, and a minimum of 3-feet away from the radar. Take a quick look around the marina and you will see that it is not always possible or aesthetically pleasing to meet these guidelines. For those of you with a tower, and want to mount a small and light TV-series antenna on the buggy top, it is not recommended because the TV-1 and TV-3 can not withstand the forces of movement on the top of a tower. The TV-5 and larger antennas are recommended for this type of mounting location.
While these new TV series systems can provide worldwide satellite TV reception, different geographic areas often require different KVH hardware configurations. This is best specified at the time of purchase. As an example, if you do not plan to travel out of North America, then the Direct TV/Dish/Bell system would be best. If you plan to travel towards South America, then a TRI-Americas system may be best, allowing the reception of Direct TV US and Direct TV Latin America. There is also a Linear/Sky Mexico configuration available that covers Europe and the rest of the world where service is available. While there may be some compromise in available programming, purchasing a system that will accommodate your travel plans will save you the cost of additional hardware later.
Captain Steve Katz is the owner of Steve's Marine Service and holds NMEA MEI, AMEI, NMEA2000 certificates, ABYC Master Technician certification and factory training from many manufacturers.
