Multiple TV's connected to one receiver?

[mrblond128]

I'm in the process of deciding if I should switch to satellite. One big advantage for cable to me is that I can run basic cable to TV's in rooms not used often for free. To my understanding this is not possible with DirecTV? Is this correct? I have two spare rooms that I don't want to pay $4.99 a month for when they are only used by guests a few times a year.

Do I have other options?

TIA

[loudo]

I'm in the process of deciding if I should switch to satellite. One big advantage for cable to me is that I can run basic cable to TV's in rooms not used often for free. To my understanding this is not possible with DirecTV? Is this correct? I have two spare rooms that I don't want to pay $4.99 a month for when they are only used by guests a few times a year.

Do I have other options?

TIA

The only other option, is to use wireless A/V transmitters and receivers, plugged into the A/V outputs of the receiver. It takes the signal of the receiver and transmits it throughout the house. You put a receiver where ever you have a TV. This is good only if you want to send the signal of the selected channel of main receiver, to other TV sets. All TVs receive the channel selected on the satellite receiver. I use this for the TV in the kitchen, and spare bedroom. While my wife is in the kitchen, she can turn the receiver in the great room and watch what ever she wants, on the kitchen TV. The wireless transmitter/receivers, that I use, also allow you to use the receivers IR remote from the other rooms, to change control the receiver.

Work good except all TVs get the same channel.

[ansky]

You can also achieve similar results as the post above by using the multiple outputs on the receiver. For example, you could use the S-video output to connect the receiver to your main TV, and then use the RF coaxial output and run a cable into the guest room(s). But you will only be able to tune the receiver to one channel at a time so all the TVs will be receiving the same channel.

[carl6]

You might consider getting one extra receiver, and wiring all of the rooms. Then you could simply move the one receiver to whichever location needed it.

Carl

[Bobman]

I have two spare rooms that I don't want to pay $4.99 a month for when they are only used by guests a few times a year.


The cheapest route is just get a coax splitter and connect it to the receivers coax output and then run cables to the rooms. I have my main living room receiver also hooked up to the kitchen and basement TV's that way.

The "downside" to this way is you can only watch 1 channel, whatever the receiver is on, but you save $5 a month. The "upside" is you already have cables run if you ever want to add a permanent receiver there. Just unhook the cable from the splitter and connect it to a multiswitch.

I had a wireless transmitter gadget like someone else mentioned and always had interferance problems and picture quality problems so I prefer a hard wire.

[NVBlue]

I use a device from Channel plus that converts the signal from the satellite receiver to a cable TV channel. This is run throughout the house via coax cable. I use an old Sony Satellite receiver that has a remote that can be used throughout the house. As the other posts indicates, you can only watch one station at a time. I use the same receiver for an SD Tivo that I use to burn DVD's.

[loudo]

I had a wireless transmitter gadget like someone else mentioned and always had interferance problems and picture quality problems so I prefer a hard wire.

Yes, I forgot to mention it. If you use wireless, make sure it is on the newer 5.8 GHz frequency, not the 2.4 GHz one. To many other things interferer with 2.4 GHz wireless. Things like wireless phones, home networks, microwave ovens, etc.

[mrblond128]

The cheapest route is just get a coax splitter and connect it to the receivers coax output and then run cables to the rooms. I have my main living room receiver also hooked up to the kitchen and basement TV's that way.

The "downside" to this way is you can only watch 1 channel, whatever the receiver is on, but you save $5 a month. The "upside" is you already have cables run if you ever want to add a permanent receiver there. Just unhook the cable from the splitter and connect it to a multiswitch.

I had a wireless transmitter gadget like someone else mentioned and always had interferance problems and picture quality problems so I prefer a hard wire.

Do DirecTV installers set you up with something like this, or is this something you have to do yourself?

[CCarncross]

Yourself, its not part of any standard install, plus the PQ is pathetic that way..RF modulated picture is pure crap, might as well watch snowy cable if you are going to do that

;)

[durl]

Why not simply disconnect the receivers when not in use? I have a spare for when family comes to visit. I call Directv to have it connected while they're here, then call to disconnect when they leave. You still pay a mirroring fee, but I'll pay $4.99 to give them the freedom to watch what they want.

[mrblond128]

Why not simply disconnect the receivers when not in use? I have a spare for when family comes to visit. I call Directv to have it connected while they're here, then call to disconnect when they leave. You still pay a mirroring fee, but I'll pay $4.99 to give them the freedom to watch what they want.
Could I simply unplug an active receiver from a TV and plug it into another without having to call DirecTV?

[JLucPicard]

You can move any active receiver to any TV (as long as you've got the cabling to hook it up) without having to get D* involved. I've even taken receivers to friends' houses for Sunday Ticket get togethers and to the park for PPV wrestling parties. I just needed to bring along a dish to get the signal.

That was my first thought when I read your original post (that you could just move a receiver where you needed it when guests were staying with you), but I wasn't sure from your post how many receivers you had (or will have) activated in your home.

[mrblond128]

You can move any active receiver to any TV (as long as you've got the cabling to hook it up) without having to get D* involved. I've even taken receivers to friends' houses for Sunday Ticket get togethers and to the park for PPV wrestling parties. I just needed to bring along a dish to get the signal.

That was my first thought when I read your original post (that you could just move a receiver where you needed it when guests were staying with you), but I wasn't sure from your post how many receivers you had (or will have) activated in your home.

I'll probably ge the the four room hookup with 4 receiver offer that I see now. I'll deactivate one of the receivers and activate it when needed. At least I know I could move a receiver if needed too.