DirecTv to multi TV's

[btexpress]

I have read a ton of the post for about a week now, and I think I am more confused now that before. I would like to have someone point me to the correct thread or tell me how to connect one HD-DVR to more than 1 TV as in different rooms and or floors. I know they would all have to watch the same thing. It doesn't matter to me how it would need to be done, which ever way is best to do it. Just explain it in layman's terms, without using so many abbreviation that I am not familiar with.
Thanks for any help I can get, I am just starting out with the HD revolution, I had the whole house hard wired with rg6 when it was built, but now these receivers don't have a RF output on them. I think they knew if they did that we would have to buy more receivers, more money for big D, just don't want to do that., Bob T

[webcrawlr]

Do you have any cat5e/6 to use? If so there's plenty of baluns out there that will carry everything from composite video to HDMI. A little more info on your infrastructure would be handy.

[spartanstew]

You can connect it to the local TV via component cable and then run HDMI to the other room. That's the simplest and cheapest way to get HD.

If you don't mind getting standard definition on the other distant TV's, there's ways to accomplish that too.

Getting HD on multiple distant TV's can be quite expensive at the moment, although there's an HD BOCS (http://www.myxtender.com/) coming sometime this year.

[btexpress]

I have 5 TV'S on 2 different floors, 1 HR21-100 & 1 old Hughes Hird E-86 (Mpeg 2). Right now the Hughes is supplying the source to all the other rooms via RF cable from its RF video out. As you know there aren't as many channels on Mpeg 2 as on HD and I want to get the HD to all of the TV's, especially since I bought all new HDTV's. There is a single RF cable run to every room in the house on both floors. I don't mind spending some to get what I want. Is there a device to run HDMI to from my HR21, and then run cat 5 or something else, to all the other rooms?
Bob T

[MountainMan10]

For cat 5 you need to google "component video balun" or "hdmi balun".

To connect more than 2 tv's with HD your cheapest method is to get more receivers from Directv. You can split the component out, but good component splitter/amplifiers are pricey. You can split HDMI, but splitters that work with HDCP are pricey. HDCP is copy protection for HDMI. No guarantee that a splitter will support it on all programs. You need 2 baluns for each connection.

You can continue to use RF - though it won't be HD. Connect the composite output (red, white, yellow) from the DVR to a VCR. The run the RF from the VCR.

[boba]

I have 5 TV'S on 2 different floors, 1 HR21-100 & 1 old Hughes Hird E-86 (Mpeg 2). Right now the Hughes is supplying the source to all the other rooms via RF cable from its RF video out. As you know there aren't as many channels on Mpeg 2 as on HD and I want to get the HD to all of the TV's, especially since I bought all new HDTV's. There is a single RF cable run to every room in the house on both floors. I don't mind spending some to get what I want. Is there a device to run HDMI to from my HR21, and then run cat 5 or something else, to all the other rooms?
Bob TYour cheapest solution may be replace the E86 with a H20/21/23 and have each receiver serve a floor. A component output would be run to the closest TV and HDMI output could be run to the remote TV. Monoprice is a source for HDMI splitters but there are many others.

If I had invested in 5 HDTV's I would get 5 receivers so each had independent control but that is just me.

[btexpress]

Can I run a HDMI from the HR21 to a wall mounted HDMI port and 2 cat6's to another room w/HDMI ports, then to a TV, or do you have to use a "balun" with each run?

[MountainMan10]

You need the balun to convert from hdmi to cat 5. It takes a pair. One to convert to cat 5 and another to convert back to hdmi.
You will need a pair for each TV, and and HDMI splitter.

[Newshawk]

You can always connect a RF modulator (less than $20 almost anywhere electronics are sold) to the composite output of the HD DVR then feed that into the existing distribution system. All TVs on this system will get a low quality SD picture, however.

[nashpatrick]

I am using a 130 ft HDMI cable from Monoprice for my HR22-100 and it works great!

[Rob]

Wouldn't it be nice if Directv had a HD reciever that outputed a digital QAM channel via RF? Or do they have one?

Or HDMI converted to QAM output

This looks expensive: http://www.blondertongue.com/media/pdfs/presentations/HDE-QAM_Spec.pdf

[MountainMan10]

Wouldn't it be nice if Directv had a HD reciever that outputed a digital QAM channel via RF? Or do they have one?

Or HDMI converted to QAM output

This looks expensive: http://www.blondertongue.com/media/pdfs/presentations/HDE-QAM_Spec.pdf

Only $11,899

[btexpress]

You can always connect a RF modulator (less than $20 almost anywhere electronics are sold) to the composite output of the HD DVR then feed that into the existing distribution system. All TVs on this system will get a low quality SD picture, however.

"New and Improved Equipment List HERE"
What is the reason that when I click on "HERE", I get this screen:

btexpress, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

1. Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
2. If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.

Log Out Home

Help?

[btexpress]

You can always connect a RF modulator (less than $20 almost anywhere electronics are sold) to the composite output of the HD DVR then feed that into the existing distribution system. All TVs on this system will get a low quality SD picture, however.

I prefer to have HD at both locations, but thanks for the info.
I didn't say before but there is only two of us in the house, but the wife doesn't have enough recording space & I have, 1 HD 1080i Digital VCR, 1 HR21-100, 1 Toshiba 5oo GB DVD Player/Recorder. She is the reason for all this trouble, She wants to watch in the bedroom what she records in the living room. And trust me all this work will be cheaper than a divorce. :hair:
Thanks for the help, looks like I will do the balun, cat6 deal.
Bob

[Alebob911]

Get a H21 and then network it and your HR21 and utilize MRV (Multi Room Viewing) that was released in BETA version with the latest software update. That is the easiest and reliable way.

[btexpress]

Alebob911:
I didn't say this before either because I didn't think it would help anything, I have a H21 in my RV. Explain what the: "MRV (Multi Room Viewing) that was released in BETA version with the latest software update" and what it takes to hook it up
Bob

[Alebob911]

MRV will allow you to view recorded shows on your HR21 via your H21 using the network connection that is on both of the boxes. All you have to do is connect both boxes to your network and then enable the MRV option on both boxes and then enjoy! it really is that simple. PM if you need additional help and I'll be glad to guide you.

[xzi]

Agreed, sounds like a job for http://www.directv.com/multiroom

[btexpress]

Alebob911: Your saying to run a Ethernet cable to each receiver from my router, and turn on MRV on both receivers. I already have a cable to my Linksys WRT600N Dual band Wireless N for my On Demand to the HR21. Do I need to run another one from the #2 port on the DVR or do I need another router. (I understand I need to do this on both receivers). But the link to MRV that "xzi" posted in #18 doesn't show any routers in it? Also, can I do this with 2 HR21's, I might get another one and put a large hard drive with it for the added storage and leave the H21 in the RV?
What am I missing?
Bob

[spartanstew]

"New and Improved Equipment List HERE"
What is the reason that when I click on "HERE", I get this screen:

btexpress, you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:

1. Your user account may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
2. If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.

Log Out Home

Help?

Some people have their equipment lists in the CE forum, which is not public.

[houskamp]

Alebob911: Your saying to run a Ethernet cable to each receiver from my router, and turn on MRV on both receivers. I already have a cable to my Linksys WRT600N Dual band Wireless N for my On Demand to the HR21. Do I need to run another one from the #2 port on the DVR or do I need another router. (I understand I need to do this on both receivers). But the link to MRV that "xzi" posted in #18 doesn't show any routers in it? Also, can I do this with 2 HR21's, I might get another one and put a large hard drive with it for the added storage and leave the H21 in the RV?
What am I missing?
Bob
one line to each reciever.. If you are out of ports get a simple switch instead of a router..

[RACJ2]

There is a less expensive way that I have used to run HDMI over cat5e/6 with these Monoprice wall plates for about $19 [Link (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10425&cs_id=1042501&p_id=6177&seq=1&format=2)]. If you want to use HDMI outputs for both TV's, you will have to add a powered HDMI splitter for about $34 [Link (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011301&p_id=5418&seq=1&format=2)]. If you have too long a run, you may need the powered splitter, just to boost the signal. They are both out of stock, but show that they will be coming back in stock soon.

[btexpress]

I just got done reading all of this link: http://forums.directv.com/pe/action/forums/displaythread?rootPostID=10648655[/I], this is starting to get interesting!! If you guys have not read this about DTV's new way for "us" to network our receivers and us "pay them", you should read it.

[CJTE]

DECA (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=170910)
MRV (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=171260)

EDIT:
But you have to have a (HD compatible) receiver at each TV in order to use MRV.
So either you run a line from one receiver to multiple tvs, or you one receiver for each TV (in the case of the latter, you pay $5/month/extra box)

[carl6]

That has been discussed pretty thoroughly in these forums as well as on the DirecTV forums. The SWM and DECA infrastructure will be the only one that DirecTV supports for MRV. We do not have final information yet, however the likelyhood is that there will be a one-time charge to upgrade to SWM and/or DECA (as required) and a monthly recurring charge for MRV. DirecTV has not released what those charges might be.

[btexpress]

DECA (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=170910)
MRV (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=171260)

With reference to post #13 & 20, I can't read your link.

[CJTE]

With reference to post #13 & 20, I can't read your link.

DirecTV HD Receiver Sub-forum (http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=112)
If you go to that forum, the threads I linked to are stickied to the top. One is called "DBSTALK Exclusive First Look: DirecTV Ethernet over Coax Adapter" The other is called "DBSTalk First Look: Multi-Room Viewing Opt-in Beta"

[RACJ2]

I just got done reading all of this link: http://forums.directv.com/pe/action/forums/displaythread?rootPostID=10648655[/I], this is starting to get interesting!! If you guys have not read this about DTV's new way for "us" to network our receivers and us "pay them", you should read it.I'm confused by your MRV post. I thought you started out wanting to use one HR21 for two TV's. With MRV, you need to have 2 HR's to watch recordings in more then one room. So what are you really looking to accomplish?

[btexpress]

I'm confused by your MRV post. I thought you started out wanting to use one HR21 for two TV's. With MRV, you need to have 2 HR's to watch recordings in more then one room. So what are you really looking to accomplish?
I started out with wanting to get my DVR picture in the bedroom from the living room. Then you all gave me a ton of info so I changed my mind, I think. I am just looking at all my different choices. I didn't know there were so many ways to do it with one or two receivers.
Bob

[Groundhog45]

I wanted to use one HR22 to display on two HDTVs in different rooms. These were my least used TVs. I got a 1x2 HDMI splitter (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10113&cs_id=1011301&p_id=4921&seq=1&format=2) and two HDMI wall plates (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10425&cs_id=1042501&p_id=2730&seq=1&format=2) from Monoprice along with a 35 foot HDMI cable. Both TVs work great and with the HR22 remote set to RF mode I can tune from either room. I use the DirecTV remote set for the TV used the most and just have to use the TV remote in the guest bedroom. I'm very happy with this setup.

Note: The prices at Monoprice change often. I've seen that splitter vary from $47 to $58 and the wall plates vary by about $1.