[hornmdt]

What's the best way to do this?. I'm going to get a HR34 and want to switch to the DECA format of MRV since Home Networking can be so slow with fast forwarding, etc. and sometimes even temporarily freeze.

I guess getting a Directv tech to do it for me is the best route. Will there be a charge and will there be issues with me already being a Whole-home viewer via my home network? Don't want to confuse the guy. I only have DVRs so I'll end up with 11 tuners with the HR34. I always find I need more than 2 tuners at my main TV in the den a lot but with MRV being so slow with fast forwarding, etc. using home networking it is a pain to watch a recorded show coming from another DVR.

That brings me another question, is there anyway to control another DVR to set recordings, etc. via MRV from a DVR like you can from a non DVR? I cannot find a way to do this so if I want to record 3 shows at the same time I have to physically go to that room and set the DVR to record the third show. Then I can watch the recorded show from the den (although maybe somewhat slow response on the remote control) but can't find a way to set a DVR in another room to record from the den DVR.

Thanks

 

[DarkLogix]

what is your network setup like? it sounds like its ether using a hub or some other flawed design

on to deca

as MRV is already enabled it might be trouble for the CSR to get the right order out

though you could buy all that's needed for about $70 on ebay
with 3 DVR's that would be 3x white decas, 1 CCK (ether Wcck or the non-wireless one though the wireless one would be better due to features it has outside of just wireless) and ensure green labeled splitters

do you already have a SWM16? if not then via e-bay that's another $70-80

then you likely have a SWM LNB currently so also a new LNB

I'd bet D* will have a charge for it but it'll aslo be an issue getting the work order done right

 

[hornmdt]

Yes my home network is a simple 12 MB Internet connection into a 12 port hub. Was set up to give my DVRs Internet connectivity for movie downloads, On Demand movies using Blu-Ray Players, etc. Then MRV came along so I started using the connected DVRs in that fashion but as I said there is a huge lag between hitting the fast forward button on the remote and the show on the other DVR actually responding, etc.

 

[DarkLogix]

All you need is to swap the HUB for a SWITCH and the performance should pickup greatly

 

[hornmdt]

Will that perform pretty much like DECA? I don't know what kind of LNB I have but I have dual 8 port multiswitches giving me 16 cable capability. I have 2 wires run to each location (one for each tuner) and a wired ethernet connection at each location. I currently have 5 DVRs active but was planning on deactivating a couple when I get the HR34. I have no DECA equipment currently installed so my MRV is surviving strictly by the hub.

Do you know if there is anyway to control another DVR (set it to record) from a local DVR like you can with a non DVR?

 

[CCarncross]

There is no way to control 1 dvr from another, only from an HD receiver. They havent announced any plans for dvr to dvr control like the receiver to dvr functionality so you have to setup a 3rd recording at the other dvr if you are currently on another dvr.

 

[TAK3210]

What's the best way to do this?. I'm going to get a HR34 and want to switch to the DECA format of MRV since Home Networking can be so slow with fast forwarding, etc. and sometimes even temporarily freeze.

I guess getting a Directv tech to do it for me is the best route. Will there be a charge and will there be issues with me already being a Whole-home viewer via my home network? Don't want to confuse the guy. I only have DVRs so I'll end up with 11 tuners with the HR34. I always find I need more than 2 tuners at my main TV in the den a lot but with MRV being so slow with fast forwarding, etc. using home networking it is a pain to watch a recorded show coming from another DVR.

That brings me another question, is there anyway to control another DVR to set recordings, etc. via MRV from a DVR like you can from a non DVR? I cannot find a way to do this so if I want to record 3 shows at the same time I have to physically go to that room and set the DVR to record the third show. Then I can watch the recorded show from the den (although maybe somewhat slow response on the remote control) but can't find a way to set a DVR in another room to record from the den DVR.

Thanks

They have a $199 charge for just the Whole Home on top of the $49 installation charge and anything else you order.

 

[DarkLogix]

Will that perform pretty much like DECA? I don't know what kind of LNB I have but I have dual 8 port multiswitches giving me 16 cable capability. I have 2 wires run to each location (one for each tuner) and a wired ethernet connection at each location. I currently have 5 DVRs active but was planning on deactivating a couple when I get the HR34. I have no DECA equipment currently installed so my MRV is surviving strictly by the hub.

Do you know if there is anyway to control another DVR (set it to record) from a local DVR like you can with a non DVR?

ok if you currently have the multiswitch setup vs the swm setup then the LNB should be fine

you'll need 4 cables from the dish to a SWM16 (the HR34 won't work with your non-swm setup)
so you need Deca parts and a SWM16

 

[DarkLogix]

Will that perform pretty much like DECA?

Deca basicly acts like a 16port 100mbit switch
so it'd be easier to just ditch the hub for a switch given your current setup

as a convertion to Deca would likelt be atleast $150 via ebay or possibily $200 via D*

 

[BobStokesbary]

There are some real terminology issues here that really confuse the discussion. First, a DECA is nothing more than a box that takes your twisted pair signal and puts it on the coax. It does not switch, it does not route, it just translates.

Second, SWM is Single Wire Multiswitch. It puts all the signals from the LNB on individual frequencies that can transported over a single coax line. The standard SWM LNB supports up to 8 tuners. It takes a separate SWM box to handle more. Your 11 tuners will require the separate SWM unit. It would be interesting to know how you have been driving your current 6 tuners off a conventional dish, but that is a separate question for another time.

I doubt your installer will be confused by what you have and what you want. Your current setup has been discussed repeatedly on these forums and I would imagine your installer is well aware of how it works. He will simply disconnect the twisted pair connections and replace them with DECAs (where applicable). You don't mention which type of receivers you have now so it is difficult to know what additional DECAs would be required since the HR24 has its own internally.

If you are hoping for speed on your MRV network, you may be disappointed with the new HR34. Early reports make it sound like it is sluggish. I would certainly imagine that D* will be making improvements as time goes bye, but the early reports are not favorable on the speed issue.

As for programming DVRs not in the same room. Currently there is no capability to do this with your remote. But, I have my laptop in the front room where I watch most of my TV. If I want to program something on my bedroom DVR I simply log on to my DirecTV account, find the program and schedule it to record in the bedroom. Very simple and easy to do. If you have a "smart" cell phone and it works at your house, you can do the same thing with the DirecTV app.

Hope this helps.

 

[hornmdt]

Let me see if I can answer the questions you nice folks have posted in response to my original post.

Well I found out that I do indeed have a switch not a hub when I went to switch it out. So I switched it out anyway and of course it gave me no more speed on the MRV. There is a good 5-6 second lag between hitting play and the show starting when it has to come across the network. A little faster with fast forward, etc. but still 3-4 second delays. Like I said I have all DVRs (HR20, HR21, HR22, HR23 and a very old Directv HD TIVO that doesn't figure into the MRV). It may be that this delay is something I have to live with because I'm going DVR to DVR and not DVR to Receiver, I don't know.

I would love to see if the SWM stuff would give me faster MRV speed and it sounds like I will have to go that way since I'm purchasing a HR34. Is that correct? I don't think I need DECA if I understand what it does correctly since I have a hot ethernet wire at each receiver. Is that correct?

I am currently able to send a wire to each of my 10 tuners by using a 2 way spiltter (made for spiltting this type of signal) on each of the 4 wires coming from the dish. So then I end up with 8 wires (4 each) for input into the 2 Zinwell Multiswitches. The Zinwells have 8 outputs on each so i technically have 16 tuner capaility.

With the HR34 I will go to 11 tuners since it has 5 tuners and I decommission the old TIVO. If the SWM stuff means I can get by with just one wire to each box I'll only need 5 (one each for the 4 DVRs and 1 for the HR34).

As I said my MRV is totally going through the ethernet wires to the switch and then to the onther DVR which is slow.

I would like to get Directv to switch me over to SWM so I might get the better speed. Maybe it travels faster over the coax than ethernet. I'm hoping here. Am I anywhere close to understanding what's going on and what I will need and tell Directv?

Thanks.

 

[Phil17108]

Why not let the DirecTV installer set up your 34 and just see what they do. They may have a way around all the hangups you think there are to you system. I don't think you will get much if any more speed with DECA over the straight ethernet, it is adding another link in the chain, and is it a requirement to have SWM to have DECA?

 

[veryoldschool]

is it a requirement to have SWM to have DECA?

DECA will only work on a SWiM system for two reasons:

1. SWiM frees up the frequencies that DECA uses
2. DECA only works on a splitter based system

 

[trh]

That brings me another question, is there anyway to control another DVR to set recordings, etc. via MRV from a DVR like you can from a non DVR? I cannot find a way to do this so if I want to record 3 shows at the same time I have to physically go to that room and set the DVR to record the third show. Then I can watch the recorded show from the den (although maybe somewhat slow response on the remote control) but can't find a way to set a DVR in another room to record from the den DVR.

Thanks

There are a number of iOS and Android apps that let you look at the guide and then record listed shows. If you have multiple DVRs, then you select which ones to record to. The best app is the iPad app that even allows some limited streaming from your DVRs to your iPad while on your home network.

 

[hornmdt]

I guess the sluggish speed I see is probably because I'm always going from DVR to DVR. It's probably faster when used as intended from receiver to DVR.

I'm assuming that my new HR34 will not work when I hook it up as all my other DVRs have. Isn't there some infrastructure I'm missing to make the HMC work? One thing I notice right off is the HR34 only has one coax input where all my other boxes have two coax inputs coming from the Zinwell multiswitches.

Unless I misunderstand the terminology I don't think I need Deca. Isn't that just the Internet hitching a ride on the coax then being split back out to plug into the box's RJ-45 port similar to the way the old diplexers did with OTA signals. If I have a hot RJ-45 straight from the switch at each location there should be no need for DECA, right?

I know a Directv guy who has adjusted my dish before who seems very knowledgeable. Is it ok to bypass Directv and call the guy directly to get him to do my install?

One last question, will an AM21 work with the HR34 to get OTA signals?

Thanks

 

[CCarncross]

HR34 requires SWiM.....thats the piece you're missing.

 

[Bevostein]

I just went from unsupported to supported MRV. At the same time I swapped out a SD DVR for and HD DVR (HR24). I paid $99 for the HR24 and $25 for the MRV. My total bill for the install was $134 after taxes. The tech brought out a SWM16 because I was going to supported MRV and more than 8 tuners. I previously had a SWM8. That worked out nicely because I also on the side had purchased an HR34 and needed the SWM 16 to put HR34 on the system.

 

[hornmdt]

How do I go about getting Directv to know that I now have the supported version of MRV using SWiM and no longer the unsupported version using my home network? Does the Directv installer make a phone call and tell them or what?

Thanks

 

[Davenlr]

How do I go about getting Directv to know that I now have the supported version of MRV using SWiM and no longer the unsupported version using my home network? Does the Directv installer make a phone call and tell them or what?

Thanks

I would just send them an email and request it, but in reality, unless you plan to have a tech come work on it, there is better support here for it, than anywhere.

 

[hornmdt]

I would just send them an email and request it, but in reality, unless you plan to have a tech come work on it, there is better support here for it, than anywhere.

Yes you guys have been great. I know I could do it myself now thanks to this forum. I want to be in a supported mode per Directv so I do have a tech coming to do the work. I just don't know how Directv is supposed to find out that I am now switched to SWiM/DECA MRV rather than the home network way I am now. Since I am home networked MRV I don't have to do anything to keep it working since MRV is already turned on. But they think it is home networked and therefore unsupported. I want Directv to know I'm now in a supported mode. I'm guessing the tech is supposed to call in and tell them job complete, switch your records to supported mode? Was hoping there was someone who had done this and could tell me how they handled Directv.