DirecTV "Whole Home" DVR Questions - Page 7

Originally Posted by heisman6183

I have a question about setting up Whole Home DVR in unsupported mode. What I would like to do is connect my H21 to a router in the basement via ethernet. My HR21 would be connected to an AirPort Extreme via ethernet, the AirPort Extreme would be connected to the router in the basement via ethernet. Is this going to give me the connectivity I need or do both DirecTV boxes need to be connected directly to the router, or directly to the AirPort Extreme? Thanks.

Originally Posted by Beerstalker

Actually, the way I read it is he is going to be wired between his airport extreme and his other router in the basement. If that is the case then it should work fine. If he is going wireless from his airport extreme to the router in the basement, then I agree he will most likely have issues. I'm assuming the airport extreme is just acting as a wireless access point and switch, and he has the router functions turned off. Otherwise if he hooks two routers up to each other I believe that can cause issues.

Originally Posted by Chancho208

I have 2 HR21's that have ethernet connection. I have a SWM 8. Technical support was nice enough to activate the whole home dvr. I don't have deca filters or adapters anywhere. The system works perfectly. Now I am going to be adding a new receiver. If they send me the HR24 as my new receiver I understand you are not supposed to connect it via ethernet. I read that in the receiver manual "Never connect an Ethernet cable to an HR24 or H24 receiver with Whole-Home DVR service; this will disable the Whole-Home
network and disable playlist sharing."

So my question is do I just need to connect the new HR24 via coax and they will all work together (since the deca adapter is built in)? or will I need to get deca adapters for my hr 21's so they are all on the same deca network? Also I don't know if I would need the deca router package or not? If it matters each of my HR 21's have splitters immediately behind the coax input with 2 lines coming into the 2 coax inputs.

I would really appreciate any help you can give. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Chancho208

I have 2 HR21's that have ethernet connection. I have a SWM 8. Technical support was nice enough to activate the whole home dvr. I don't have deca filters or adapters anywhere. The system works perfectly. Now I am going to be adding a new receiver. If they send me the HR24 as my new receiver I understand you are not supposed to connect it via ethernet. I read that in the receiver manual "Never connect an Ethernet cable to an HR24 or H24 receiver with Whole-Home DVR service; this will disable the Whole-Home
network and disable playlist sharing."

So my question is do I just need to connect the new HR24 via coax and they will all work together (since the deca adapter is built in)? or will I need to get deca adapters for my hr 21's so they are all on the same deca network? Also I don't know if I would need the deca router package or not? If it matters each of my HR 21's have splitters immediately behind the coax input with 2 lines coming into the 2 coax inputs.

I would really appreciate any help you can give. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Beerstalker

You can hook your new HR24 up over ethernet just like your other receivers. The reason it states that in the manual is because the only supported Whole Home DVR setup is over coax. And if you have a supported Whole Home DVR setup with an HR24 and then hook up an ethernet cable to it, it will cause the receiver to lose it's connection to the DECA network and it will stop working with Whole Home DVR. So they put that info in the manual to try to stop people from thinking they can just hook up an ethernet cable to the HR24 to get internet access on it.

Since you are running a non-supported Whole Home DVR system over ethernet you can hook up the HR24 just like you other receivers and it will work just fine.

Originally Posted by SVTarHeel

I have a question that has a simple answer, I'm sure, but let me give the background to my setup for clarification...

We switched over to DirecTV back in January. We are set up with Whole House and 2 HR24s. When the installer was here, I was outside with him when he opened up the cable box on the side of the house. It was set up with the incoming line going into a 4-way splitter. With TWC, we had one line going to the cable box in the den, one going to a cable ready TV and the third line for cable internet that went to the bedroom. He set up the DirecTV with the first line going to the DVR in the den, line 2 going to the DVR by the other TV and the third line for the DECA box's access in the bedroom (so it could be connected to DSL via the router there).

Now, I'm trying to figure out the best way to watch some of the saved content in the TV-less bedroom. I originally considered using the DIRECTV2PC software to watch on my PC. Then, I saw some Black Friday sale prices on DirecTV receivers and wondered if I could get one of them and hook it to line 3 in the bedroom, using a 2-way splitter to get the signal to both the D* HD receiver and the DECA box.

Is that possible? Recommended? Are there problems with what I'm trying to do? Do I need to give more info to clarify the situation?

Thanks in advance for any help. And Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Originally Posted by suregrip

I have an H24 and 3 H25 IRD's with whole home service. Seems if I unpluged the ethernet cable from the DECA which goes to my router and internet I lose access to the DVR from the H25's. Plug it back in and it will work. I left it plugged in and unplugged the router from the cable modum and it still works. ??? What gives? It is not connected to the internet, just to the router. Is it happy with the routers address? If the setup uses the coax to access the DVR why do I need the DECA? I know for info and on demand but I don't use that anyhow. Not sure I made this clear as I tend to ramble on.

Originally Posted by suregrip

So what do I need to do to have whole home and not connected to the internet? I shouldn't need the external decca, correct? Thanks

Originally Posted by mastermaybe

I now have upgraded to ONE HR-34 and will have an HR-24 in the bedroom.

s=So I will be good to go for "whole home dvr", equipment-wise, correct?

The D* CSR told me that I couldn't add whole home installation to my Friday appt, it woould have to re-scheduled or added at a later date...simple as that.

What kind of time does it take to activate it if indeed all I need is the HR 34 and a 24 which, as I understand, already has the DECA built-in?

Both boxes are simply replacing HR-22's in either room.

thanks,
James

Originally Posted by mastermaybe

did you mean "you have to have a SWiM system or the HR 34 won't work"?

I don't recall seeing any green splitters.

If the process is so straightforward (once I have the proper equipment), I wonder why she told me I'd have to re-schedule or schedule another appt?

I guess nothing surprises me anymore.

James

Originally Posted by mastermaybe

Ha ha, I'll just be sure to have this page opened on my laptop when the tech arrives as most of this is over my head when it comes to networking D* STB's.

I thought both the HR 34 and 24 contained proprietary "wireless" components that negated the need for coax/ethernet connection to the boxes outside of the HR 34...shows you what I know.

So then, if I indeed do not have the green splitters I will likely need them too, and, assuming that it will split off the incoming cable for my living room HR-24, I'm going to need to punch through my living room wall into my bedroom- or does the splitter break-off ealrier and connect the existing cables outside of the house?

I'm sorry, I'm sure it's obvious that I do not possess a firm handle on how this works.

thanks.

James

Originally Posted by mastermaybe

Thanks oldschool, I called D* and now have a 100% understanding- including how I need to integrate yet another component to continue to enjoy on demand content as SWiM wipes that out, lol.

Thing is, the tech told me that I will NOT be getting an HR-34 as those are absolutely limited to "real" new customers so I should forget about it. Whatever at this point.

Now my order for two HR24's is supposedly on hold until the tech has two of them. Then the tech told me that "most" new upgrades have them automatically install a splitter/swim so then Ill be ready for whole home and just have to add the wireless adapter to regain my on demand/internet content.

This sound about right?

James

Originally Posted by diy_darryl

My D* installation yesterday was a disaster. Was supposed to get an HR-34 Whole Home Media Center HD DVR (I am a NEW customer).

The tech installed and activated an HR25 DVR and 4 H25 RCVR's. When I found out I refused to sign the paperwork. He closed out the work order anyway and told me to call customer service.

Where it gets absurd is that I spent 3 hours last night on the phone with several different techs and supervisors being told that since my service was 'ON' I am an existing customer and ineligible for an HR34!!!

They verified that during the recorded phone call I was told I was getting the HR34 yet the CSR ordered the HR25 by mistake. Awaiting a resolution from CORPORATE since no one else seems able to resolve my issue, LOL!!!!

Anyway, a few questions.........

Does the HR34 require 4 coax's from the dish into the house? (I currently have only two but can run two additional).

The tech said he couldn't hardwire my DECA even though I have an ethernet switch next to the DVR, he connected a wifi DECA, said it was the only way whole-house would work. Is this correct?

Originally Posted by veryoldschool

1) there isn't an HR25, so you must have an HR24
2) being a holiday, you may not be talking to "the cream of the crop". Monday/Tuesday you may find better help.

Even if you have a wifi DECA, it can be hardwired since it has an ethernet jack. You'll need to disable the wifi before using ethernet or a double connection will lockup your network.
The HR34 is a single wire receiver [only], so you should have a SWiM system, which is also needed for DECA.

Originally Posted by diy_darryl

Yes, must have been HR24 and H25's.

So how many coax's need to run from my dish and into the SWiM 16? They say I have to have 4 coax's running into my house from the dish?


Still unclear on the ethernet? I can just hardwire my HR34 (assuming I get one) straight to my ethernet switch? (Built-in DECA?)

And disable wifi before using ethernet??????? Sorry, confused yet again.

Originally Posted by veryoldschool

The SWiM-16 needs four coax from the dish. It has two outputs that each can supply/feed eight tuners.
You can hardwire a HR34, but this doesn't disable the internal DECA, which doing this on a HR24 does, so with an active DECA you have a strong 525-575 MHz signal on the coax.
If you already have the wireless CCK connected, if you connect the ethernet port from it to the same router, it locks up the router [network loop].

Originally Posted by diy_darryl

I appreciate your help. I am clear on the coax issue.

They are supposedly going to redo the DECA if required so what exact ethernet connection should I expect to do it right for an HR34 and 4 H25's, whole-house DVR setup?