View Full Version : How to connect HR20 if unit is NOT near a network outlet
Title says it all. I have my HR20 in a cabinet that is NOT near a network outlet. What options do I have to get it hooked up to the internet so I can download some VOD???
Thanks so much for any help!
Cheers.
Stuart Sweet
06-27-08, 07:29 AM
I recommend a powerline solution such as you can find at DIRECTV.com. They are super easy to set up and not too expensive. You will need two, one for the DVR and one for the area near your router.
Michael D'Angelo
06-27-08, 07:31 AM
Stuart's suggestion is a great one and you can also go with a wireless adapter with an ethernet connection, not USB.
BubblePuppy
06-27-08, 07:39 AM
I recommend a powerline solution such as you can find at DIRECTV.com. They are super easy to set up and not too expensive. You will need two, one for the DVR and one for the area near your router.
I use Dtvs powerline adaptors and they work great. And a good buy.
I do have wireless in my home office. I have an extra airport express that I could use if that would work. I am just not very savvy when it comes to the more complicated setups.
My situation:
*Connection is in my home office where the signal coming from the modem is sent into an Airport Extreme base station which my Mac connects to via wirelessly.
Is the powerline solution the only way to do it? Seems like $50 to get started isn't that bad. I just need to make sure I have a way to plug it in. The area where my HR20 is located is not able to have the unit plugged in but there is a plug available about 3 feet away. I guess I could just connect it whenever I need to download a VOD and then unplug it when done?
Thanks so much for all the quick replies!!!!! You guys are fantastic!!!
i have 5 of the directv powerline adapters and they work great
graymd74
06-27-08, 08:03 AM
Wireless adapters works great. Had the same problem, but had an extra adapter and tried it out and have had no issues.
bobnielsen
06-27-08, 08:31 AM
One of the Directv powerline devices has a 6-outlet powerstrip. You could plug that into the wall and plug your HR20 into the powerstrip so a spare outlet would not be needed. It is more expensive ($60 vs $35). I am using two of these as I was limited for outlets at both ends. As Dave29 said, they work great and they are as easy to set up as a wired connection.
BubblePuppy
06-27-08, 08:36 AM
I do have wireless in my home office. I have an extra airport express that I could use if that would work. I am just not very savvy when it comes to the more complicated setups.
My situation:
*Connection is in my home office where the signal coming from the modem is sent into an Airport Extreme base station which my Mac connects to via wirelessly.
Is the powerline solution the only way to do it? Seems like $50 to get started isn't that bad. I just need to make sure I have a way to plug it in. The area where my HR20 is located is not able to have the unit plugged in but there is a plug available about 3 feet away. I guess I could just connect it whenever I need to download a VOD and then unplug it when done?
Thanks so much for all the quick replies!!!!! You guys are fantastic!!! Use a extension cord.:)
HAHAHA!!!! That would be something like 40 feet!
BubblePuppy
06-27-08, 08:48 AM
I do have wireless in my home office. I have an extra airport express that I could use if that would work. I am just not very savvy when it comes to the more complicated setups.
My situation:
*Connection is in my home office where the signal coming from the modem is sent into an Airport Extreme base station which my Mac connects to via wirelessly.
Is the powerline solution the only way to do it? Seems like $50 to get started isn't that bad. I just need to make sure I have a way to plug it in. The area where my HR20 is located is not able to have the unit plugged in but there is a plug available about 3 feet away. I guess I could just connect it whenever I need to download a VOD and then unplug it when done?
Thanks so much for all the quick replies!!!!! You guys are fantastic!!!
Use a extension cord.:)
HAHAHA!!!! That would be something like 40 feet!
3 feet is only 36 inches.:)
Chris Blount
06-27-08, 08:58 AM
I just tried out a AirPort Express yesterday. Works like a charm. You simply setup the AirPort Express to connect to your AirPort Extreme as part of the network NOT its own network. You will find it in the setup. Be sure to click "Allow Ethernet Clients" on the AirPort Express.
The tricky part for me was getting the HR20 to connect to the internet. You have to manually setup the connection settings on the HR20 (DNS, IP addresses, etc).
3 feet is only 36 inches.:)
Argh! I though you said "extended" cored like a long DSL line! I read too fast.
I just tried out a AirPort Express yesterday. Works like a charm. You simply setup the AirPort Express to connect to your AirPort Extreme as part of the network NOT its own network. You will find it in the setup. Be sure to click "Allow Ethernet Clients" on the AirPort Express.
The tricky part for me was getting the HR20 to connect to the internet. You have to manually setup the connection settings on the HR20 (DNS, IP addresses, etc).
Thanks Chris, I'll give that a try before I do anything else since I already have the express station just laying around doing nothing. Cheers!
BTW, Chris, I just noticed you are from SA! I grew up there and spent the better part of my young life there. Have since moved to NC but alway miss home where I still have friends and family. Too bad the Spurs didn't do so well this year :(
Chris Blount
06-27-08, 09:11 AM
Not a problem. If you have trouble let me know and I will try to help. You shouldn't have any trouble getting it to work and it will save you a few bucks not having to go with another solution.
Yeah, SA is still here and growing. Lots of development. Housing prices are still pretty reasonable. Actually I thought the Spurs did well this year. Making it to the Western Conference finals is no small task. I'm just glad the Lakers eventually lost. :)
My Mom said the same thing. If we can't win at least the Lakers lost :)
I am going to try the setup right now. I'm just not too sure about the setup on the HR20 yet since I don't know what the heck a DNS, etc, is. I am embarrassed to say :(
Chris Blount
06-27-08, 09:22 AM
My Mom said the same thing. If we can't win at least the Lakers lost :)
I am going to try the setup right now. I'm just not too sure about the setup on the HR20 yet since I don't know what the heck a DNS, etc, is. I am embarrassed to say :(I don't have my HR20 in front of me but I think it's like this:
IP Address: 192.168.1.150
DNS: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
I think I'm missing one but the setting was 192.168.1.1
bobnielsen
06-27-08, 09:53 AM
I don't have my HR20 in front of me but I think it's like this:
IP Address: 192.168.1.150
DNS: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
I think I'm missing one but the setting was 192.168.1.1
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
The DNS setting is provided by your ISP. You can probably find it on the router or your computer's network settings (some routers will proxy this so you can use the router's IP address as the DNS, same as the gateway).
Chris, et. al, I have tried the Air Port express route and it didn't work. The distance is too far. It looks like I am going to go the way of the D* powerline option.
Many thanks to everybody for helping me figure this one out! Have a great weekend!!!!
BubblePuppy
06-27-08, 10:23 AM
Chris, et. al, I have tried the Air Port express route and it didn't work. The distance is too far. It looks like I am going to go the way of the D* powerline option.
Many thanks to everybody for helping me figure this one out! Have a great weekend!!!!
You can also get powerline adapters at Best Buy and Circuit City but I found Dtv to be cheaper.
Chris, et. al, I have tried the Air Port express route and it didn't work. The distance is too far. It looks like I am going to go the way of the D* powerline option.
Many thanks to everybody for helping me figure this one out! Have a great weekend!!!!
you will not be dissappointed with the directv powerline kits. plug and play.... thats it
Chris Blount
06-27-08, 01:51 PM
Subnet: 255.255.255.0
The DNS setting is provided by your ISP. You can probably find it on the router or your computer's network settings (some routers will proxy this so you can use the router's IP address as the DNS, same as the gateway).You are right. My bad. I guess my memory isn't that good. :)
When in a situation like Chris's where you have a router between you and the net, there is a 99.99% chance that the router will handle DNS requests for you. Some routers may not let you get online if you use a DNS seperate of the gateway/routers address.
A good example of Chris's setup would be something like the following.
IP Address: 192.168.1.150
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Router/Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Primary DNS: 192.168.1.1
Secondary DNS: (intentionally left blank)
You have 3 basic options.
1) DirecTVs powerline adapters, which are available at DirecTV.com
2) Assuming you have a wireless router, wireless bridges, the Linksys WET200 is popular.
3) Cat5/6 Cable (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812105312). Theres a NewEgg example of 100ft of ethernet cable with ends already crimped on for $10 plus shipping.
I think the longest cable you can go is 233ft before you start to have issues, if I remember correctly.
AND, with it being in a cabinet, hiding said cable wont be too hard, as you can run it under the floor, in the attic, whatever floats.
CJTE......I think I am going to try door number 3 first! I was actually talking to my wife about this before I logged on here and I said that I should probably try a 50' cable first and see if it is not to much trouble since I don't imagine I will need it except for specific times. When done, just coil it up and put back in the cabinet!
Any reason to go with 6 over 5e? For this purpose I can't imagine so.
CJTE......I think I am going to try door number 3 first! I was actually talking to my wife about this before I logged on here and I said that I should probably try a 50' cable first and see if it is not to much trouble since I don't imagine I will need it except for specific times. When done, just coil it up and put back in the cabinet!
Any reason to go with 6 over 5e? For this purpose I can't imagine so.
Mehh, At the present time, Cat5e will suffice. If you're preparing for the next 4 years, you might go with Cat6.
The actual wiring inside a Cat6 cable is supposed to be twisted differently to enhance file transferring. As far as I'm aware, the NIC (Ethernet Jack) on the HDDVR's is 10/100mb only, not 10/100/1000, so Cat6 wont do much for you.
Cat5e is a bit cheaper, and probably your best choice, unless someone can confirm DirecTV is going to start putting 10/100/1000mb NICs in their receivers.
Chris Blount
06-27-08, 05:16 PM
When in a situation like Chris's where you have a router between you and the net, there is a 99.99% chance that the router will handle DNS requests for you. Some routers may not let you get online if you use a DNS seperate of the gateway/routers address.
A good example of Chris's setup would be something like the following.
IP Address: 192.168.1.150
Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
Router/Gateway: 192.168.1.1
Primary DNS: 192.168.1.1
Secondary DNS: (intentionally left blank)I just took a look and yes, that it how I have it. Man, my memory is bad. I just set that up last night. :lol:
Mehh, At the present time, Cat5e will suffice. If you're preparing for the next 4 years, you might go with Cat6.
The actual wiring inside a Cat6 cable is supposed to be twisted differently to enhance file transferring. As far as I'm aware, the NIC (Ethernet Jack) on the HDDVR's is 10/100mb only, not 10/100/1000, so Cat6 wont do much for you.
Cat5e is a bit cheaper, and probably your best choice, unless someone can confirm DirecTV is going to start putting 10/100/1000mb NICs in their receivers.
Great. Thanks for the info!
oldengineer
07-05-08, 07:19 AM
I have a quick question. I have 120V outlets near the router and the HR-21 box, but both outlets have a 6 plug adapter that covers the wall outlet and uses both wall plugs. Will the DTV Poweline adapters work?
as long as it does not have a built in surge protector, i dont know of any reason why it wouldnt work
brb408wpb
08-02-08, 11:45 AM
I just tried out a AirPort Express yesterday. Works like a charm. You simply setup the AirPort Express to connect to your AirPort Extreme as part of the network NOT its own network. You will find it in the setup. Be sure to click "Allow Ethernet Clients" on the AirPort Express.
The tricky part for me was getting the HR20 to connect to the internet. You have to manually setup the connection settings on the HR20 (DNS, IP addresses, etc).
Can Airport Express connect to an existing, non-Apple wireless network? I am in the situation too with a new HD-DVR but no wired connection to the internet. My wireless router is upstairs with an iMac directly connected to it. I'd like to stream video and music doing using something like eyeconnect. I was about to get AppleTV until I found this thread.
bobnielsen
08-02-08, 01:27 PM
The Airport express should work, although Apple somehow does things a bit differently, so setting things up can sometimes be difficult. I used a Buffalo bridge, but they aren't currently available because of a patent dispute (I'm currently using Directv powerline adapters and they work great). The latest CE supports setting up a Linksys WGA600N (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=134841). Other bridges would need to be set up using a computer connection prior to hooking them to the DVR. By the way, EyeConnect works great, even with the newer firmware which appears to be causing problems with some other media servers.
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