DBSTalk First Look: Multi-Room Viewing Opt-in Beta

**Stuart Sweet** · 01-17-10, 09:58 AM

You've heard about it...
You've asked for it...
It's finally here!

Multi-Room Viewing is now possible on the HR2x and H2x series!

With version 0x0395, DIRECTV has started an opt-in, unsupported beta of Multi-Room Viewing!

The Cutting Edge test team is very proud to present this First Look of Multi-Room Viewing (MRV). More than any other First Look, this was a real team effort. I can't even count the number of folks who contributed.

For MRV support, please go to this thread. This is not the support thread for MRV.

Multi-Room Viewing First Look

Please note that some DBSTalk.com testers and staff members may have received free equipment from DIRECTV or its partners for the purpose of evaluation and testing.

**Doug Brott** · 01-19-10, 04:38 PM

DIRECTV has created a web page for sharing information about Multi-Room Viewing that can be found here.

Of particular note is the reference to the "Beta Testing Phase."

Quote:

Beta Testing Phase

Please note the DIRECTV Multi-Room HD DVR service is currently in its beta testing phase. During this beta phase, the service will be offered at no charge. Once the service is out of beta and has launched nationally there will be a monthly service fee for the service.

If your receivers are not currently networked please do not network them to participate in the beta testing phase. Once the service launches nationally there will be a special networking offer available to take advantage of the service.

The "special networking offer" is likely related to the the DIRECTV Ethernet over Coax Adapter (DECA). You can find more information about the DECA here.

**Doug Brott** · 01-19-10, 05:43 PM

A couple of things to consider:

The video streaming from room-to-room can be affected by your home network. Even wired networks can have problems if the router or switch cannot handle a proper continuous data rate.
DIRECTV will be relying on the DIRECT Ethernet over Coax Adapter (DECA) for networking. You must have a SWiM (Single-Wire Multiswitch) device to use the DECA adapter. To check if you have a SWiM installation, simply press the {DASH} key on your remote while viewing Live TV.

**Doug Brott** · 01-19-10, 05:46 PM

0x395 is not yet available as a national release. It will be available very soon.

scottandregan · 01-19-10, 05:52 PM

Great Job on the first look, I think people are going to love this feature.

BubblePuppy · 01-19-10, 05:55 PM

Very nice looking First Look. Great job.

richierich · 01-19-10, 05:56 PM

Very Nice Piece Of Work with The First Look At MRV!!!

Originally Posted by BubblePuppy:
This is also from the web site:

"If your receivers are not currently networked please do not network them to participate in the beta testing phase. Once the service launches nationally there will be a special networking offer available to take advantage of the service."

Almost reads as if that once it goes national you will need DirecTV equipment to have MRV.

Originally Posted by RAD:
"One rumor was that DirecTV would have an upgrade available to get folks to a DECA netrwork, replacing any hardware necessary, for a fixed price. They may be saying that so folks don't go out and spend a bunch of money pulling wire or wireless/powerline adapters or upgrading receivers when the DECA upgrade might be cheaper, and then having folks upset that they paid more then the upgrade."

Exactly what Directv doesn't want you to do knowing that DECA will be easier to install and will (suppodedly) work better in handling MRV.

MicroBeta · 01-19-10, 05:56 PM

Another stellar first looks. Great Job!

Mike

dettxw · 01-19-10, 05:58 PM

Beautiful work!
I like it.

nino2469 · 01-19-10, 07:06 PM

may not be the right place to say this but this will be a monthly charge for something that uses my network?

dave29 · 01-19-10, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nino2469

may not be the right place to say this but this will be a monthly charge for something that uses my network?

No,there will eventually be a fee to enable the Multi Room Viewing software between capable receivers. (after the Opt-In Beta period is over)

dave29 · 01-19-10, 07:15 PM

BTW, nice First Look guys, as always.

richierich · 01-19-10, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nino2469

may not be the right place to say this but this will be a monthly charge for something that uses my network?

Yes, and your DVR uses your Electricity in your house, what a Ripoff.

**Doug Brott** · 01-19-10, 07:18 PM

The networking solution that DIRECTV will be supporting is the DECA solution which connects the receivers using the Satellite Cabling of your receiver. You must have a SWiM for this to work.

So will it be using your network? No.

Lee L · 01-19-10, 07:28 PM

How will they stop you from using Ethernet?

If they somehow do kill it and make you onlyuse DECA that will suck as I bet 90% of their installed base does not have SWM. I have some boxes on SWm and some on a standard switch.

nino2469 · 01-19-10, 07:29 PM

exactly if I want to use ethernet why is there a fee? And as for the electricity comment, I'm not paying Directv a fee for power so that comment makes no sense.

dave29 · 01-19-10, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee L

How will they stop you from using Ethernet?

They won't, it sounds like it won't be supported though.

Unless they turn off the ethernet ports via a software release.

**Doug Brott** · 01-19-10, 07:39 PM

DECA uses the Ethernet ports .. They can't exactly turn them off.

Lee L · 01-19-10, 07:42 PM

But iguess they could choose not to activate MRV if you have not bought all the DECA crap at inflated prices.

jasonki32 · 01-19-10, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee L

But iguess they could choose not to activate MRV if you have not bought all the DECA crap at inflated prices.

I have always found the DirecTV to be reasonable on their networking offerings. Their wireless adapters are at least $10 cheaper than any online retailer. So I really don't think that they inflate their prices.

**Doug Brott** · 01-19-10, 07:50 PM

Actually, DECA isn't crap .. It's a very elegant solution for this .. But there should be no reason you can't use your home network if you set it up yourself.

**Doug Brott** · 01-19-10, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonki32

I have always found the DirecTV to be reasonable on their networking offerings. Their wireless adapters are at least $10 cheaper than any online retailer. So I really don't think that they inflate their prices.

No, my understanding is that DIRECTV isn't trying to make money off of the networking equipment .. more just recouping costs. The bigger reason for them using certain equipment is because it's the the right equipment for the particular task.

steveken · 01-19-10, 08:03 PM

This biggest question of all is something someone like me has been wanting to know for a long time.... What about people who have an H20 or other receivers that do not have an Ethernet port and really want to use MRV and are willing to pay the monthly fee for the service?

I have talked to DirecTV on the phone until I am blue in the face and just can NOT get them to set me up with a receiver with an Ethernet port on it to replace my H20-100. I even tried to talk to the installer who installed my service when I moved about it and got no where even though the Movers Connection phone agent told me that she put specifically on the work order to replace my old receiver with an H21 or better with an Ethernet port. Heck, the SD DVR that they gave me for free as part of the Movers Connection is even an old R16 (I think) that doesn't have an Ethernet port on it.

So, I am stuck with older equipment that can't take advantage of new services that DirecTV will offer and I want to use. I don't feel I should have to go out to Nice Try and buy an H21 or H23 myself just to get something that will cost more to use anyway. I have been a customer way too long. I think I deserve some help on this from DirecTV. Do I actually expect anything like this to happen? Of course not, but it sure would be nice.

**Stuart Sweet** · 01-19-10, 08:15 PM

steveken... details are still sketchy but I can tell you that there will be an upgrade path for people with incompatible receivers or network topologies.

kramer · 01-19-10, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Brott

The networking solution that DIRECTV will be supporting is the DECA solution which connects the receivers using the Satellite Cabling of your receiver. You must have a SWiM for this to work.

So will it be using your network? No.

Doug,

So are you saying that not only will there be a fee but equipment charges too?