HD-DVR's LOWER Ethernet Connector

[oldbamaguy]

I recently added three UPS units to my setup. But I ran out of wall plugs (all the power strips and UPS want to be plugged DIRECTLY into the wall). The electricians want over $300 to run another line.
My current setup is using only one power strip, but this limits the Ethernet connections available. The Ethernet connection is plugged into the UPPER connector on the HD-DVR. What is the LOWER connector? It is a "feed through"?? Can I use it to series connect my other HD-DVRs?? It seems I saw that somewhere, but all my searches here have all drawn a blank.
Thank You Very Much!!
oldbamaguy

[jasonki32]

Its a pass-through connections. So you could use that port to connect something else to your network(ie xbox, bluray, etc) as long as the top port is connected to your network.

[oldbamaguy]

Thank for the quick response!!
I thought I saw that somewhere, but couldn't find it.
Best Wishes Always!!
oldbamaguy

[jasonki32]

Your welcome, glad I could help

[RunnerFL]

I recently added three UPS units to my setup. But I ran out of wall plugs (all the power strips and UPS want to be plugged DIRECTLY into the wall). The electricians want over $300 to run another line.
My current setup is using only one power strip, but this limits the Ethernet connections available. The Ethernet connection is plugged into the UPPER connector on the HD-DVR. What is the LOWER connector? It is a "feed through"?? Can I use it to series connect my other HD-DVRs?? It seems I saw that somewhere, but all my searches here have all drawn a blank.
Thank You Very Much!!
oldbamaguy

It all depends on which of your DVR's you're referring to. I see from your sig that 2 are HR20-100's. On the HR20-100 the second port isn't active. If you're referring to your HR22 it's a switch port that can be used.

[jdspencer]

I use the bottom ethernet port on my new HR23 to feed my HR20-100. Works great!

[oldbamaguy]

Ouch!! If RunnerFl is correct, I'm gonna have to plug in my other Directv "power strip", which means I'm gonna have to have another AC outlet which means I am going to need another electrical circuit run. Electricians estimate $300 to do the job.
Best Wishes Always!!
oldbamaguy

[Mertzen]

Isn't a feed through on all but the HR20-100? I know one model is excluded.

[jdspencer]

True, the HR20-100's bottom port is not enabled. Thus, the need for me to use the HR23 as the feed through.

I didn't see the OP's equipment list. He'll have to give up networking one of the HR20s. Maybe he could run an ethernet cable to it from another location rather than getting more power to connect an ethernet switch.

[dave29]

oldbamaguy,

You could always add a cheap 5 port switch to feed both DVR's.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127085

[Shades228]

oldbamaguy,

You could always add a cheap 5 port switch to feed both DVR's.

http://www.jdoqocy.com/image-3146500-10521304http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127085 (http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-3146500-10521304?URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct %2FProduct.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16833127085)

The problem is electrical outlets for the switch not a switch itself. He needs more power. *insert Tim Allen grunt*

[Shades228]

Ouch!! If RunnerFl is correct, I'm gonna have to plug in my other Directv "power strip", which means I'm gonna have to have another AC outlet which means I am going to need another electrical circuit run. Electricians estimate $300 to do the job.
Best Wishes Always!!
oldbamaguy


Without knowing your setup it might be cheaper to just get a couple of ethernet wall plates and run cables to a wall plate rather then deal with installing a new breaker. You can get a patch pannel pretty cheap as well and centralize it.

[veryoldschool]

Isn't a feed through on all but the HR20-100? I know one model is excluded.
HR20-700 [no second port]
HR20-100 [second port "dead"]
HR21-100/200/etc. pass through.
HR22/23 pass through.

[oldbamaguy]

This problem just came to my attention this afternoon (and I was so proud of myself for adding the three UPSs). Somehow one thing just seems to lead to another. I'm trying to get a "pretty straight forward" setup. I appreciate all the responses with ideas for workarounds. I think I'll just get the electricians here and let them do a few other things while they are here. I even considered doing the job myself, but since I live alone, I'd probably get shocked and die before anyone figured I was missing. :):):)
Best Wishes Always!!
oldbamaguy

[MrAP]

Running out of wall plugs doesn't always mean running out of available electrical capacity on a circuit. It may well be possible to use a plug multiplier. Just a thought!

[dennisj00]

There's no reason you can't plug a power strip, aka. surge protector, to into the UPS - either battery backed or surge outlets to get more electrical outlets. Then get a cheap 5 port switch if you need more ethernet jacks - assuming it's wired to the router or a wireless bridge.

[CCarncross]

There's no reason you can't plug a power strip, aka. surge protector, to into the UPS - either battery backed or surge outlets to get more electrical outlets. Then get a cheap 5 port switch if you need more ethernet jacks - assuming it's wired to the router or a wireless bridge.

All the UPS manufacturers highly recommend against doing just that.

[Phil T]

The pass through is very useful. My basement flooded in June and I had to move my HR21 and modems to another room. I thought I would lose my Slingbox until repairs were made. (still not done). I plugged the Slingbox into the lower connector and it works fine. I now realize I didn't need that extra hard wire network run I put in a few years ago for the SlingBox.

[dennisj00]

All the UPS manufacturers highly recommend against doing just that.

Only because they're in the business of selling outlets with either battery backup or 'surge' protection.

There's absolutely no reason a power strip can't be plugged into a ups (other than overloading). I have MANY!!

[wildbill129]

Only because they're in the business of selling outlets with either battery backup or 'surge' protection.

There's absolutely no reason a power strip can't be plugged into a ups (other than overloading). I have MANY!!

Agreed, I use a power strip on the non-backup side of my UPS to run my ethernet switch, dvd player, and anything else I don't care about battery backup....most UPS have a test mode, and will tell you if you have overloaded it.

[oldbamaguy]

I surveyed the attic today. I'm thinking I could just get an electrican to run a 20a 3 wire line down to a 4 plug outlet behind the tvs, etc. Do the APC 550va UPSs really draw 7a?? There is a tag on the AC line saying "125v 7a". Seems a mite high. As I calculate a 20 circuit won't "hold" three of them.
As an alternate plan, I got some "splitters" at Lowes. I might try the "splitters" until cooler weather if the circuit will hold three times 7a. And I also got a "splitter" for the Ethernet lines one to three. I may run "splitter-wise" until I get a circuit breaker kick-out.
Again Many Thanks for All The Ideas!!
oldbamaguy

[dennisj00]

In general, the amps are going to be Watts / 120 or 550 / 120 = 4.5 - disregarding power factor, etc. so it's not 7 amps. And the 550 is a max so you'll generally be drawing less than that.

I wouldn't put the TV or AV receiver on a ups unless it's a big one. Several DVRs will be happy on a 550.

[oldbamaguy]

After the electrician gets through, I should have three 120v/15a lines. I plan to plug one Directv power strip and one UPS into each. Only the HD-DVR and eSATA will be on the UPS backup plugs and nothing on the surge protected side. I plan to spread the rest of the stuff across the power strips to balance the load and provide ethernet connections. I sure hope this makes Directv and APC (UPSs) happy. It was an unexpected expense.
Best Wishes Always!!
oldbamaguy

[bobnielsen]

There's no reason you can't plug a power strip, aka. surge protector, to into the UPS - either battery backed or surge outlets to get more electrical outlets. Then get a cheap 5 port switch if you need more ethernet jacks - assuming it's wired to the router or a wireless bridge.

The OP was referring to Directv powerstrips, which contain a powerline ethernet adapter. These cannot be plugged into a UPS or any other surge-protected device because it will filter out the network signal.

[bobnielsen]

After the electrician gets through, I should have three 120v/15a lines. I plan to plug one Directv power strip and one UPS into each. Only the HD-DVR and eSATA will be on the UPS backup plugs and nothing on the surge protected side. I plan to spread the rest of the stuff across the power strips to balance the load and provide ethernet connections. I sure hope this makes Directv and APC (UPSs) happy. It was an unexpected expense.
Best Wishes Always!!
oldbamaguy

I have both a UPS and a Directv powerstrip ethernet adapter in two locations and they work fine together.