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The official "ask veryoldschool" thread

136K views 823 replies 136 participants last post by  jpray72 
#1 ·
Folks,

As many of you know we have a great asset in "veryoldschool", or VOS for short. He's forgotten more about RF and connectivity than many of us will ever learn.

I'd like to start by thanking him for his immense service to this forum, and I'd like to start an official thread for the many questions you all have for him about connected home, whole home viewing, or anything DIRECTV related.

Please keep to topic and if you have a question, please read on to see if it's been answered.

Thanks!
 
#352 ·
veryoldschool said:
Well there's your problem. The DECA on the HR21-100 has to connect to the ethernet port of the 21.

If you're trying to do "double duty" it needs a switch:



Your other receivers are connected like this:



So when you swapped the H25 out, "I figured" you knew how to connect the right DECA to the HR21, but it sounds like you have a CCK next to the H25, and not the right DECA for the HR21.
Thank You My Friend... Used the top Pic to set up the HR21-100 and it worked like a charm first time!!!
 
#354 ·
gregftlaud said:
Btw, after i get the deca ethernet adaptor attached to the HR21 and bridged to my hr34.... do i need to go into network settings on the 21 and repeat network setup or do i need to go into the advanced setup and plug in the IP of the 34 ......or?
Seems like this has already been answered: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?p=3057181#post3057181

If you're currently not using advanced network settings, then changing from an ethernet connection to a DECA connected to the same ethernet port, shouldn't require anything, as they're both hardwired to your router.
 
#357 ·
I've read up on DECA last nite about connecting the ethernet cable coming from the coax ethernet adaptor into the top ethernet port (for DECA) on the hr21.

But since i'm bridging this thru my 34 do i keep the connection from the deca adaptor on the bottom ethernet port on the hr21 or do the top?
 
#358 ·
gregftlaud said:
I've read up on DECA last nite about connecting the ethernet cable coming from the coax ethernet adaptor into the top ethernet port (for DECA) on the hr21.

But since i'm bridging this thru my 34 do i keep the connection from the deca adaptor on the bottom ethernet port on the hr21 or do the top?
Only one port on the HR21 is the primary, and the secondary shouldn't be used.

It should be the top port, but there have been glitches where these receivers have swapped ports for primary.

The primary connects without problems, while the secondary can cause various network issues.

Not being there, I can't "for sure" tell you top or bottom.
 
#359 ·
Well right now i'm using the bottom ethernet port on the 21 for my hardwired connection. I guess when i get my coax deca ethernet adaptor tomorrow i'll switch to the top port as instructed but if that doesnt work then try the bottom.

EDIT: I just took the hardwired connection to the 21 and switched it to the top port and it connects to the internet fine too. Unusual for me b/c the last receiver that i had with two ethernet ports was my old HR20-100 and only one of them wuld work to connect to the internet.
 
#363 ·
Just had D* install an upgrade the other day to add an HR34 to my system and change from a SWM-8 to a SWM-16. HR34 could not get activated due to failure on 103 odd and even tests so tech got a waiver after troubleshooting with D*. The HR34 continues to pixelate, get 771 and periodically 771A errors. Tech is supposed to come back on Monday, but I want to see if I can do some initial legwork to help get this resolved.

Current setup looks like this:
Slimline5->SWM-16->PI on dedicated PWR port
SWM1->2way splitter-> HR34 & HR24
SWM2->2 way splitter-> HR24 & 4way splitter->CCK & HR24 & DECA->HR20 & terminated unused port

I never have any pixelation or issues on any of the other DVRs. If I view signal strength on the HR34 for 103ca I consistently see one of the tuners (varies depending on reboots) that is 8-10 points lower than the other 4 tuners. This causes my lowest reading on transponder 10 to be in the mid 70s for this one tuner. Other sats are also lower on this tuner, but usually only 2-4 points. Any ideas?
 
#364 ·
kjsmithtx said:
Just had D* install an upgrade the other day to add an HR34 to my system and change from a SWM-8 to a SWM-16. HR34 could not get activated due to failure on 103 odd and even tests so tech got a waiver after troubleshooting with D*. The HR34 continues to pixelate, get 771 and periodically 771A errors. Tech is supposed to come back on Monday, but I want to see if I can do some initial legwork to help get this resolved.

Current setup looks like this:
Slimline5->SWM-16->PI on dedicated PWR port
SWM1->2way splitter-> HR34 & HR24
SWM2->2 way splitter-> HR24 & 4way splitter->CCK & HR24 & DECA->HR20 & terminated unused port

I never have any pixelation or issues on any of the other DVRs. If I view signal strength on the HR34 for 103ca I consistently see one of the tuners (varies depending on reboots) that is 8-10 points lower than the other 4 tuners. This causes my lowest reading on transponder 10 to be in the mid 70s for this one tuner. Other sats are also lower on this tuner, but usually only 2-4 points. Any ideas?
This was much like my HR34, where it failed a few like yours. I put it where I had a HR24, so I knew the coax/signals were good.
Which version of software is it running?
Mine got an update and last time I checked it passed the same tests it failed before.
I don't have pixelation, so that may be a sign of something else, but your setup doesn't look like it should be a problem.
 
#365 ·
veryoldschool said:
This was much like my HR34, where it failed a few like yours. I put it where I had a HR24, so I knew the coax/signals were good.
Which version of software is it running?
Mine got an update and last time I checked it passed the same tests it failed before.
I don't have pixelation, so that may be a sign of something else, but your setup doesn't look like it should be a problem.
I am on 54c. I agree, it should work flawlessly. I did a system test and it passed. Then I did something that I can pretty much count on causing it to stop working, that is activating DLB and changing to another channel. Sure enough, no more picture. Re-ran system test and it gave code 49-025 with text to the effect that it couldn't register swim channels and might have too many receivers. There are only the HR34 & HR24 on this leg (7 tuners) and 2 HR24 plus an HR20-700 on the other leg (6 tuners). Do you thing the SWM-16 or PI could be bad? Really bothering me about that 1 tuner always showing 8-10 points lower on the 103ca. Could you check yours to compare?
 
#366 ·
kjsmithtx said:
I am on 54c. I agree, it should work flawlessly. I did a system test and it passed. Then I did something that I can pretty much count on causing it to stop working, that is activating DLB and changing to another channel. Sure enough, no more picture. Re-ran system test and it gave code 49-025 with text to the effect that it couldn't register swim channels and might have too many receivers. There are only the HR34 & HR24 on this leg (7 tuners) and 2 HR24 plus an HR20-700 on the other leg (6 tuners). Do you thing the SWM-16 or PI could be bad? Really bothering me about that 1 tuner always showing 8-10 points lower on the 103ca. Could you check yours to compare?
The 49 error code troubles me.
My tuners are all within a couple of points.

The first thing I'd do is to put both receivers on this SWiM output on the SAT screen, and then check the SWM screen to see if there are any zeros.
With both receivers on this screen there shouldn't be any.
Then I'd have the other receiver exit the SAT menu, and check the 34's screen to see a zero or two show up as the other tuners have now taken over those channels.

You might do the same for the receivers on the other SWiM leg.

"Now maybe" you do have some receivers mixed up as to which legs they're really connected to.

This test would show if that's the case.

If not, then another thing might be to swap the two legs and see what you get.
 
#367 ·
veryoldschool said:
The 49 error code troubles me.
My tuners are all within a couple of points.

The first thing I'd do is to put both receivers on this SWiM output on the SAT screen, and then check the SWM screen to see if there are any zeros.
With both receivers on this screen there shouldn't be any.
Then I'd have the other receiver exit the SAT menu, and check the 34's screen to see a zero or two show up as the other tuners have now taken over those channels.

You might do the same for the receivers on the other SWiM leg.

"Now maybe" you do have some receivers mixed up as to which legs they're really connected to.

This test would show if that's the case.

If not, then another thing might be to swap the two legs and see what you get.
Ok, lots of info. Putting both in the SWM menu shows all transponders available between 97 and 100 strength. Dropping HR24 out shows 2 TPs now at 0. Put HR24 back in SWM menu all show available again, drop HR34 out and only 1 of the TPs shows zero. Start recording that station and change to another, now 2 TPs show zero. So it appears the HR34 only allocates SWM TPs as needed, unlike all other HRs. Finally get to recording 4 stations and change to a different live station shows all 5 TPs at zero. Then I do double play on HR34 and immediately get pixelation and 771. Back on HR24 SWM menu slowly shows each of the TPs coming back as available, until all are available. On HR34 SWM menu, all TPs now show zero. Seems like maybe a bad HR34? As I said, using double play is sure to cause the issue, now it seems like that causes a loss of communication with the SWM.
 
#368 ·
kjsmithtx said:
Ok, lots of info. Putting both in the SWM menu shows all transponders available between 97 and 100 strength. Dropping HR24 out shows 2 TPs now at 0. Put HR24 back in SWM menu all show available again, drop HR34 out and only 1 of the TPs shows zero. Start recording that station and change to another, now 2 TPs show zero. So it appears the HR34 only allocates SWM TPs as needed, unlike all other HRs. Finally get to recording 4 stations and change to a different live station shows all 5 TPs at zero. Then I do double play on HR34 and immediately get pixelation and 771. Back on HR24 SWM menu slowly shows each of the TPs coming back as available, until all are available. On HR34 SWM menu, all TPs now show zero. Seems like maybe a bad HR34? As I said, using double play is sure to cause the issue, now it seems like that causes a loss of communication with the SWM.
This does suggest there's something strange going on with that HR34.
 
#370 ·
Yes, any H/HR2x model receivers that don't have DECA built into them need to have a BSF in place if they are on a SWM system where DECA is being used and they don't have their own DECA.
 
#372 ·
I have had WH since it was first available running in unsupported mode using my wired Ethernet network. I recently replaced my aging HR20-700 with an HR34-700. At the same time I moved to DECA using the HR34 as the CCK. I revoked all existing IP addresses for my networked rcvrs on my router and rebooted them all. I noticed that they still have IP addresses assigned by my router. Is that normal. Everything seems to be working fine and they all see each other. Is this WAD?
 
#373 ·
mjwagner said:
I have had WH since it was first available running in unsupported mode using my wired Ethernet network. I recently replaced my aging HR20-700 with an HR34-700. At the same time I moved to DECA using the HR34 as the CCK. I revoked all existing IP addresses for my networked rcvrs on my router and rebooted them all. I noticed that they still have IP addresses assigned by my router. Is that normal. Everything seems to be working fine and they all see each other. Is this WAD?
:confused: All the receivers connected to your router will get IP addresses assigned from the router though DHCP.

If you removed the connection to the router, when the receivers reboot, they shift to their internal IP addresses starting with 169.xxx
 
#374 ·
"veryoldschool" said:
:confused: All the receivers connected to your router will get IP addresses assigned from the router though DHCP.

If you removed the connection to the router, when the receivers reboot, they shift to their internal IP addresses starting with 169.xxx
My HR34 is connected to my router using the Ethernet port. My other two networked rcvrs are using the DECA adapters. Those two are still getting IP addresses assigned by the router and I see them in the routers list of devices?
 
#376 ·
veryoldschool said:
"Right", as they're connected to your router through the HR34 coax network.
so then WAD and I don't need to do anything else? Just checking as I am new to DECA but not new to WH...

Thanks!
 
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