DirecTV offers new TracVision A7 satellite TV system for vehicles

If you've been eyeing one of those rooftop satellite dish monstrosities for your Suvee-action-jeep or gravity-defying motor home, there's a new one in town that can receive those snazzy DirecTV value-adds like XM Satellite Radio and local programming. The TracVision A7 goes for a spankin' $2,995, and of course you'll be shelling out $45 for the subscription cost, but isn't that a small price to pay to be able to make fun of your local sports guy wherever you may roam? (Within your local television market area, of course). DirecTV Total Choice Mobile is still the only satellite TV package for cars after two years in action, and we don't see any price breaks in sight, but at least now you can get a bit more for your money.

[Via Orbitcast]

[QmanFoo @ Aug 25th 2006 12:46AM]

Sadly, these won't becoming common until they get alot smaller. BlitzSafe was working on a 4" x 4" directv receiver as well, but it's still vaporware.
On this model it seems, the local channels are blocked out when you leave your local area (tracked via a GPS receiver), I hope somebody can hack that feature quickly!
Also, Audiovox was supposed to come out with one that handles Dish. I think it was called the SpeedRay 3000 or something like that. It has an integreated 802.11b router for high speed internet access over the satellite, but I don't know if it made it to market yet.

[stens @ Aug 25th 2006 9:10AM]

The subscription cost for the programming is, as noted, about $45/mo.; that is, if you don't have DirecTV at home. If you already have a subscription at home, the mobile receiver is just an additional receiver, thus $4.99/mo + $1.99/mo for local channels. I looked into this when I first heard of these mobile dishes some time ago.

Maybe this isn't an approved Engadget Attitude (especially since this actually is a cool system), but I don't think my kids need to watch more Power Rangers on the way to school or the grocery store, even disregarding the cost. For those of you who want it though, it's not quite so expensive if you have DirecTV at home.

I suspect the Dish system noted by the previous commenter would be similar in price structure.

I'll hold out for a wristwatch satellite TV system.

[Brian @ Aug 25th 2006 9:10AM]

Most, if not all of the local channels are spot beamed back down to earth anyway these days. Even if you wanted to, you likely wouldn't receive them too terribly far away from your home area, GPS tracking or not. Cool idea though, I'd love to have one!