[dskilz3]

After unsuccessfully attempting to get DTV to send me an HR34 and being unable to afford the upfront cost of the machine it occurred to me to try to replicate what the HR34 offers (hopefully) by just connecting 2 DVRs to the same TV. Essentially I have one for me and my shows and my wife can switch the source on the TV to the other receiver to watch her shows. Sounds like a plausible theory but I am unsure how to even begin to wire it or if it is even really possible.
I currently have a HR22 connected to the tv via a SWM and I am hoping to add the HR20 that I had sitting unused in the other bedroom. The SWM seems to have one cable coming from the wall which is obviously the Sat signal, it the splits 2 ways, one going to the HR22 and the other going to a router which I am not quite sure why that would be necessary as this is the only TV we have in the house. Can I just disconnect the cable going to the router and connect it to the HR20 instead? Can any of you techies please give me some advice as to how to accomplish this 2 DVR-One TV connection? Any and all help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

-Dave

 

[carl6]

Yes, you can add the other DVR to your main viewing TV and use another input on the TV. You will also need to set one of the DVRs to an alternate remote code (or to rf).

Either add another splitter and split the line going to your primary DVR, or replace the 2-way splitter with a 3 or 4 way splitter. Keep the line going to the router (it serves several purposes).

 

[The Merg]

Since you are on a SWM system, you could just use MRV. That way you do not need to worry about switching inputs around on the TV or switching the input on the remote.. Your wife can still record to her DVR and you to yours. You will need a DECA for the HR20 though for this to work.

- Merg

 

[dskilz3]

OK, so it sounds like I have 2 different options. I actually called DTV and the tech on the phone also told me it could be done but said it would be best to send a tech out to the house to do the set up for me at a $50 rate. I'd much rather do it myself if it is not entirely too complicated. I would like to still be able to use the full capabilities of the 2 tuners on each of the DVRs as well. I appreciate both of the above replies to my original question but am now unsure which of the 2 routes is best and will be easiest for me to do myself? Suggestions? Thanks!

-Dave

 

[The Merg]

OK, so it sounds like I have 2 different options. I actually called DTV and the tech on the phone also told me it could be done but said it would be best to send a tech out to the house to do the set up for me at a $50 rate. I'd much rather do it myself if it is not entirely too complicated. I would like to still be able to use the full capabilities of the 2 tuners on each of the DVRs as well. I appreciate both of the above replies to my original question but am now unsure which of the 2 routes is best and will be easiest for me to do myself? Suggestions? Thanks!

-Dave

Is the old DVR set up with a TV or is the only TV for it the one where the HR24 is?

Even if you need to hook it up on the same TV, I would still use MRV as it will just make things easier. The only time you would need to switch inputs would be to delete SL's from the second DVR. You could use the iOS app, Android app, or web to create SL's or set recordings on the second DVR.

- Merg

 

[dskilz3]

No, the HR20 is not set up on any TV, it was just sitting unused ever since I got the HR22. Switching inputs on the remote is a simple push of a button so really no trouble there. Can you please explain what MRV and SL stand for(Yes, I'm a newb)? Thanks!

-Dave

 

[Alebob911]

MRV= Multi-room viewing
SL= Series Link

 

[Alebob911]

I suggest that for the ease of things just adding the HR20 to another input and do like you originally said. You could get a harmony remote and program it so with a push of a button the right HDDVR turns on and the right input is selected on the TV.