Moxi HD DVR - Page 92

Madness? This is Time Warner Cable!

Yeah, I know it's a tired reference, but boy, is it ever appropriate when discussing TWC.

Ah, yes. The reality blindly marches onward.

How does one get more info on SDV? Saw a note about it coming in June, but TWC has done nothing to update its users about their "new service". I just paid a fee for new cablecard installation. Does it become worthless, and do I need to buy an SDV adaptor from Moxi now. Is my 3-tuner DVR now a 2-tuner box? Great warning for my less than 90 day old device.

pgershon,
If you read this thread a bit - maybe use "search this thread" for sdv, there's a lot of info. We've discussed it a lot!

Briefly though, I would think if you had any sdv in your area TW would have given you a TA.

Dave

edit to add:
Sorry I just noticed you said sdv is coming in your area. TW should give you an adapter for free. If it's a Motorola like I have the three tuners will work fine.

Question: When using the 3 tuner Moxi DVR and a Mate in the same room watching the same channel (den/kitchen) will the Mate use the same tuner the DRV is using or will it take a second tuner to tune the same program? How may tuners will be left free for other purposes?

When doing this, will the programs be in sync so that there is no audio delay?

Same Question when using the Play On link to a PC to play Rhapsody. Can you play the same music with both devices (DVR & Mate) in sync?

Thanks!

Would a router I, say, bought from Staples simply replace the cable modem presently provided by TWC? And, that one Ethernet cable would go from the router to my PC and another Ethernet cable would go to the back of the Moxi?

Is there a brand of router that's mo betta than another? I thought as long as I was going wired I'd get a 40' long Cat6 Ethernet cable. Any flaw in my thinking? I'm not too crazy about using my house wiring for Ethernet.

I'm not understanding how a graphic located on my PC (or a movie via Windows Media Center) would get to the Moxi. Apparently the signal goes back out the Ethernet cable from the PC to the router and then to the Moxi, Yes?

Kerry
Windows 7 Home Premier

Kerry..

1) Typically, cable companies DO NOT provide a router. The provide simply a modem which then must be connected to a router. What a router basically does is split your internet connection and distribute to devices that are hooked up to your network. A router holds your IP that is provided from you cable company. A router also has a DHCP server which assigns IP addresses to your networked devices. A router is necessary to run a Moxi as well as the Mates because they all require IP addresses. The network would run as follows: RG6 would be run to your modem. From your modem, run an ethernet cable to your router WAN port (which should be clearly labeled, typically most routers have one WAN port and four 10/100/1000 ports for your devices.) From the router, you may connect the ethernet ports to your devices, ie computer, moxi, etc. If you require more ports, a switch would be needed. If this is the case, run one ethernet cable from your router to the switch's "auto-upload" port. Some switches have automatic auto-upload. Refer to documentation if you require further instructions.

2) I am using a Linksys router right now with a 24 port Netgear switch. Most people don't need 24 ports, but hey, why not, swing for the fences. I don't think there is one router that is superior than another in terms of performance, but some routers have advanced features such as virtual servers, port forwarding, enhances firewall settings, etc. If you are buying a router with a wireless access point, I recommend getting an N spec router, might as well. I also recommend gigabit, although most routers now feature it. Wireless performance does vary between routers, but as I said before, I am using the Linksys WRT320N and am quite satisfied. Expect to spend around $100 for a wireless N router.

3) If you have media that is located on your PC that you would like to view on your Moxi, you must have a DLNA server running on your PC. Windows 7 does have DLNA media server built in and Moxi should recognize it on the network. You have to set permission on your folders to "share" to view them on Moxi. Refer to windows 7 help files for the DLNA server.

Hope this has helped!

Hi spinaker,

Great reply. Very clear. Thank you.

Since posting I looked at a gigabit wireless-N router, Netgear WNDR3700 approx $150. Could I use a wireless router (30' distance down a hallway) between the PC and a Moxi? Apparently I'd need a receiving box near the Moxi to receive the transmitted signal from the router, yes?

My concern of course is streaming without glitches and stoppages, in which case it would be smarter to use Ethernet cable, yes? I'd prefer wireless so that I wouldn't have to go up into my attic's crawl space.

Kerry

Moxi does not recommend wireless. They recommend ethernet cable, MoCA or powerline ethernet.

However several user here had good luck using a wireless bridge.

If you can, I would run the cable..

Agreed Acaoacao....the last thing you want is to be watching a show and have it stutter or cut out completely. MoCA is a good alternative but IMO, nothing beats good ol' Cat 6.

Another networking question I probably should have asked before . . .

I ordered my two 3-tuner Moxis and two Mates Wednesday evening, although I've not heard a word since placing the order. I recall reading here that's unfortunately not unusual.

I ran into heavy resistance from my dh at the idea he'd have to crawl around under the house yet again to string more Ethernet cable.

Since all four rooms are already wired, a friend suggested that I just put switches in each room with each switch connecting to my existing router. Actually, I only have to worry about three rooms because one of the rooms is my control center .

Since I already had one switch connected to my router, I told my dh I could solve the problem if he shelled out the money for two more switches, which he was happy to do to get out of crawling around under the house. I didn't tell him I was going to have to add another switch, anyway, since my router & switch are already at capacity

So, I ordered the switches (Cisco SD205) right after the Moxis, and they've already been delivered and hooked up. I'm just waiting for the Moxis now.

Any reason this won't work?

Issue is not "what is SDV". I know answer. Did research in Feb and determined TWC NYC does not use SDV. Purchased a 3-tuner DVR, a 2-tuner DVR, and 2 mates. Pretty happy with them. Now I read that TWC plans to implement SDV starting in June. It really sucks for those of us who already purchased 3-tuner DVR. Not much to be done about it. Just venting.

Yea, I know what you mean, running Cat 6 can be a bitch. However, wise man once say do something right, do it once, do something half assed, do it a few times. Depending on your level of technical expertise, I highly recommend running Cat 6 or even Cat 5. I ran Cat 6 because it wasn't a lot more money and figured might as well go for the latest (yea yea, cat 7 is out, but that is $2 a foot!). I bought 1,000 ft bulk and put keystone jacks in throughout the house. This can be a bit cumbersome because you have to make up each individual jack instead of just buying patch cord and making it work. I think the best solution for you would be to look into a MoCA solution. If i'm not mistaken, for two adapters, it's a little over $100. MoCA should have enough headroom for your applications.

As far as the router is concerned, you may want to look at some reviews on PCMag or Cnet. $150 is a little pricey for a router to be honest. It could be because it's a dual band, which you probably couldn't use anyway. I've also read the range isn't as good on the Netgears. D-Link is supposed to be the best, but again, i liked the linksys. Either way, you should be fine.

If you wanted to use wireless, you would need some type of dongle to make it work. Again, I would advise against this because the further away you get from the access point, the lower the throughput. Even though wireless N has a theoretical speed of 300 Mb/s, you would probably only see that speed with a clear line of site, less than 25ft away. Bottom line, do the right thing and hard wire it, you'll be happy you did.

Agreed, SDV sucks the big one. Some markets do have 3 tuner models, but most of the cisco units are 2 tuner. On the bright side, this could also mean that SDV is needed because you'll be getting more channels. I had cablevision, and never got an SDV adapter because when they installed my m-cards, the tech said that the adapter did not work correctly and didn't want to leave it. After a month or two with the Moxi and cablevision, we got tired of the cablecards not working properly and switched to FiOS. No SDV required and couldn't be happier. I know not everyone has FiOS in their neighborhood, but if you do, I would highly recommedn kicking TWC to the curb.

As long as the switchs have an auto-upload (which they all should have), and your router can support all the mac addresses, then no, you can string as many switches as you want together. However, I found that with running multiple switches, you can lose bandwith. I had 5 switches in my house and then replaced it with one Netgear 24 port gigabit switch, and all I have say was, whoa, big difference. But again, it should work without a problem.

yes, sorry I didn't notice that when I read your post the first time. Why don't you call TW and ask them which model of tuning adapter they're going to use. In my area, they're Motorola and they run all three tuners just fine.

Dave

Yikes -- that's concerning to me. When you say you researched the issue, did you talk to TWC?

The reason I'm concerned is that before I made the purchase, I called TWC to specifically ask about SDV in our area. I was told that it's not here and there are no "foreseeable" plans for it and it's definitely not going to happen within the next two years. We also had reason to have a tech out here a couple of weeks ago, and I asked him as well. I don't understand the technical explanation, but he said he doubted we'd get it in this market (which is small) within the next decade and perhaps never.

Of course, I've since learned that TWC isn't always . . . honest, but the technician seemed to know his stuff. He's actually looking forward to seeing a Moxi when ours eventually arrive.

Sounds more like you had a bad switch or bad cable. Connecting switches together, you should maybe see a small increase in latency but there's absolutely no reason the bandwidth should drop. I have 4 switches in my house and have never had a problem.

After I switched it, I noticed that the mates were snappier. If you also check the bandwith info at the Mates, I went from 65 mb/s to over 90 mb/s.

I wasn't doubting that you saw an improvement, just saying there is nothing endemic to multiple switch configurations that would cause that to happen so there might have been another issue.

FWIW, I decided to go MoCA since it didn't look like powerline was going to cut it based on my tests, so we'll see. I know I should probably bite the bullet and run cat6 and new coax (existing coax runs outside the house), but it sounds like a messy/expensive job.

Well, not so. Sheesh. 5 switches? That's a record in my experience. I'm not surprised that you saw an increase in speed. Were these connected in series? Since switches work at the data link layer, running another switch into an Ethernet port forces the receiving switch to constantly rebuild the ports' MAC table. (BTW, all "auto uplink" saves you is the need to purchase a crossover cable.) Unless the port can be fed into the backplane of the switch -- something not normally found in consumer oriented switches -- you'll always have this issue to contend with. And depending on the traffic, these switches don't have the processing power and just get overwhelmed.

Yea, Cat 6 really is the way to go, of course, it depends on how much time you have and your technical knowledge. A 1000 ft bulk can be had for about $90 from monoprice and keystone jacks are relatively inexpensive as well. To wire my house, it was around $150, then another 200 or so for a server class switch. I say server class because it's a 24 port job and desktop switches top out at usually 8 ports. Plus it has niceties like auto-upload, gigabit, full-duplex, and 2mb buffer. They usally have support for jumbo frames too. If you get a buddy or two to help, you could have to knocked out in a weekend. However, MoCA isn't a bad alternative, but ultimately may be more expensive.

I called TWC before I bought, but that is not the most useful exercise, in NYC at least. I called again today and they don't acknowledge any plan to implement SDV. I am more a believer of what I read on the web however. My experience is that the phone support people generally dont know what is going on. Installer did not know of any plans either, but TWC subcontracts out cablecard installs so their people likely would not know anyway.

Yea, it was a mess, suffice it to say. We went to a server class switch, 24 port. This switch has more than enough headroom to run everything. My father just decided to run patch cables all over the house. We just kept on expanding, there really was no planning when we first started running cable. When we got the Moxi's, we realized that we needed to start from scratch and have just one central switch to run the show. Everything is much smoother now.

Getting off topic, but I disagree with the assertion that connecting switches in series is bad. Undoubtedly there are crappy switches out there that only support one MAC address per port or something but even in cheap ($10-30) "consumer" switches it's not the norm. Look at the datasheets for something like Netgear FS105 or D-Link DGS-2205 - 1k-8k MAC addresses and enough bandwidth to support full duplex through all ports simultaneously. If you have test results that show otherwise let me know; I don't have easy access to a Smartbits anymore or I'd offer to do some tests.

If I had a network where everything terminates in one place (like it sounds like spinaker has), then I'd buy one big switch. If I had a topology like sslund has (which is closer to what I do have), I'd buy multiple switches.

The wiring part doesn't bugs me at all, it's the "construction" aspect - I really have no idea about the right way to run wires through the walls. In my last house it was much easier, I did use keystone jacks on the first floor and once I cut the hole for the box in the drywall it was easy to run the wires up the foot or so from the basement. I needed one run up to the second floor so I just went through the cold air return and left the cable hanging out of the grate - I cut it off and pulled it out when I moved out.

My "new" house is 105 years old, 3 stories, plaster walls, and lots of woodwork I don't want to mess up. I have no idea how to do anything on the 2nd floor. So, if I decided to wire it I'd probably pay an electrician, but I have no clue what that would cost. Hopefully the MoCA will work OK and I won't have to worry about it; I'd definitely prefer to go straight ethernet though.

BTW, back on the subject of Moxi, I did order a 3 tuner + 2 mates today. Thanks to everyone for their advice, I'm looking forward to trying it out and hoping for the best. Comcast cablecard install is scheduled for May 3, so hopefully it shows up this week.

I tried to get them to sell me a 3T + 3 mate "bundle" for $1199 but no luck, so assuming it works ok I'll probably have to decide between another mate and another main unit which suddenly sounds a lot more attractive at 166% of the price vs 250%.

I respectfully beg to differ. Suffice it to say that its frowned upon in the network world. It has nothing to do with full duplex or total number of MAC addresses per se. It's the fact that your asking the table to recreate itself every time the port sees another MAC address. You're essentially rebooting the device since whenever one turns on a switch it creates the table. Furthermore, I don't care how heavy duty a switch you have I could bog that puppy down by pumping several switches down the throat of a port. Why then do corporate switches, (I mean Cisco Catalyst, 3COM, HP Pro Curve; I've used them all), have ports that daisy chain into the switch's backplane?

As for the data, I think that Spinaker has done the experiment.

Last, its an ugly solution. You'll have to trust me, you just don't do it. Just walk into any corporate network room and you'll see a bunch of Ciscos each happily daisy-chained through the fiber GBIC.

I don't mind showing my ignorance, so does the same apply when one is using static IP addressing?

If so, then what solution do you recommend? My router wasn't inexpensive ($300+), but it's only got 8 ports. I've already added an 8-port switch (to the tune of $80+) and I'm currently at port capacity before the addition of two Moxis and two Mates.

FWIW, I'm already using video streaming on multiple devices at the same time (I think our max has been three at a time) through my switch with no apparent problems whatsoever . . . no stutters or dropped frames or anything like that. What kind of problems should I be seeing?

Also, FWIW, I worked for a state agency where we had switches scattered throughout the building with no apparent problems. Of course, we weren't regularly streaming video (although we did do some), and I wasn't on the tech side of things to know if there were problems . . . I just know that as users, we didn't have problems.

I thought our house was ridiculously wired until I started talking to other friends, and while I think we're still over the top compared to the people I know, most aren't too far behind me.

I understand networking isn't the topic of this thread, but I imagine I'm not the only one in the situation of trying to figure out how to best fit the Moxis in an already crowded network and not having unlimited financial means. If connecting one or more switches to a router isn't good, what on earth would be an acceptable & affordable solution?

I agree that we should have a Moxi category here so that we can start new threads.

With a 2-Tuner Moxi connected via wired Ethernet, can I also connect the TWC coax cable coming from the street directly to my Sony HDTV that has PIP? Presently I have a coax two-way splitter with one coax going to the HDTV, and, the other going to the cable box and then via HDMI to the HDTV. This allows me to switch back and forth via PIP to two channels. Will I still be able to do this with a 2-tuner Moxi? I won't be using the TiVO any more.

Thanks,

Kerry