[ChicagoTC]

I've finally had enough with my unreliable MVR over WiFi, it seems to work well if nothing is currently recording on any DVR but it becomes unwatchable if any DVR is taping. I'm not sure how a taping program affects network performance but that seems to be the case. That being said I'm finally going to move to DECA and want to make sure I get all the needed pieces.

My current set is like the below picture, I have the SWM8 and 8 port splitter outside in a weather proof enclosure, due to how the existing wiring was done. Think older brick house with all wiring on the exterior. I have the PI inside before my HR22-100. Ignore the MRV, it's the only pic I could find with the PI after the splitter)

Here is my list of receivers I want to put on MVR and what I think I need.

HR22-100 - DECA
HR20-700 - DECA
H21-200 - DECA
HR20-100 - DECA, BSF, 1x2 splitter(does this need to be a green label 2 way splitter)
Additional DECA + power supply - to get the receivers on my network/internet.

EDIT: I just noticed they now have DECABB1MR0 which can replace the extra DECA for connection to the internet? This includes a power supply and seems to be cheaper then a DECA and PS.

 

[veryoldschool]

The HR20-100 doesn't need a green label splitter [since DECA isn't passing between outputs], and if you move the splitter to behind the DECA, you don't need the filter.
Your "8-way" splitter does need to be a green labeled, which this image doesn't show.

 

[ChicagoTC]

Perfect thank you! I have 4 DECAs and a broadband adapter ready to go on ebay for $70. I have a ton of splitters and my 8 way is green label. Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[cabletech]

you say you have a ton of splitters. Just make sure that they are the green lable one's for dtv and not the average off the shelf kind for cable.

 

[ChicagoTC]

Follow up question here guys and I hope this makes sense. With my current setup the room where the HR20-100 currently has 2 lines going to the box. This is legacy before I set up SWM. I'm currently only using one line to my HR20-100 and I've diplexed OTA on the other line which goes to a splitter then into the OTA port on the HR20 and a PC tuner card on my HTPC.

From what I understand I'll no longer be able to diplex with MRV. So my questions are three-fold.

Does the MRV traffic populate all the cable runs from SWM8 regardless of whether they are actually connected to a receiver, effectively killing any diplexing of OTA a SWM system?

If not can I split the 2nd line I have coming in and keep one leg providing OTA for my HR20 and HTPC like I now have and use the 2nd line to connect the DECABB1MR0 to my network/internet?

If it does prevent diplexing OTA on all cables from the SWM, can I split one of those cables from the SWM to connect to my HR20 and the DECABB1MR0?(in this case I'd remove the OTA cable at the SWM8 and patch it to the cable I'm diplexing on) This would result in a direct run from my antenna. My biggest issue is the only place I have a switch port available is where I need OTA and there are only 2 cables there.

I figured it would be confusing here is a quick picture of my current setup. Red is sat cable, blue is OTA.

 

[veryoldschool]

It's hard to get to what you're asking "but":
DECA on the SWiM coax, means NO OTA diplexing.
If you have other "free" coax, it can be connected with splitter(s) and used for OTA to other locations.
If you'll have the BB DECA [or CCK] near a receiver, you can split the coax to feed both.

 

[ChicagoTC]

Thanks again for the quick reply. So since I can't put any OTA on the SWM/MRV system I guess I'll need to do option 2.

Based upon my recent picture I can remove the OTA from the SWM8 and connect it to the 2nd cable coming into this area from the SWM8. This will give me a dedicated OTA line. With the 2nd line I'm currently using with SMW, I can split this(using a green label) and put one cable to the HR20 and the other to the CCK?

 

[The Merg]

With the 2nd line I'm currently using with SMW, I can split this(using a green label) and put one cable to the HR20 and the other to the CCK?

Yes.

- Merg

 

[ChicagoTC]

Thanks for the help so far guys, but I'll having issues with the HR20-100. I've attached an updated image focusing on my connections.

Basically anytime I put the splitter 1 into the loop I get satellite issues. The HR20 can't recognize the SWM. I've tried the connection from splitter 2 into all 4 inputs and no luck. Right now I have it removed and MVR and the receiver appears to be working, but this is the only place I can use my CCK so I need that 1st splitter.

From the 8-way it goes to the SWM8 and PI is before and HR22-100 in another room.

If I can't get this working my only other option appears to be the wireless CCK and try to split a cable going to a non HR20-100 DVR.

Edit: Something I haven't tried is putting splitter 1 "after" splitter 2 basically 1st hop out from the DVR connected to sat1 which isn't powering the DECA.

Edit: I just tried the below config, and while it seems to work I'm getting weak signal and very bad pixelization

 

[ChicagoTC]

Hopefully this helps as well. Current setup with MVR working and all receivers working, but DECA is not connected to internet.

 

[veryoldschool]

You're shooting yourself in the foot [repeatedly].
You've got a total loss budget between the SWiM and the farthest receiver of 30 dB.
Since a 2-way splitter and 50' of coax both have about 5 dB of loss [at the high end], this can be looked at as having six "building blocks".
A 8-way uses 3 blocks
A 4-way uses 2 blocks.

Your first images uses 5 blocks in the splitters, leaving 1 block for coax.
Your second is even worst with 7 blocks in the splitters.
Your last is back to 5 blocks, leaving one for the coax loss.

"The short answer" is to use the 8-way [3 blocks] + 2-way [1 block], leaving you 2 blocks [100'] for the coax runs.

As I look at your last layout, I'd use a 4-way near the SWiM, then a 2-way at the HR20-100, and another 2-way to feed the BB DECA on another coax.
This would mean 3 blocks in splitters, and 3 blocks for coax.

 

[ChicagoTC]

I had no idea the 4-way splitters even when capped caused more loss than a 2-way. I bought the 4-ways for the same price as a 2-way so I figured why not.

So I actually have 5 total receivers, I left out from the diagram one that is rarely used. Therefore I need the first 8 way after the SWM.

That being said I believe my best performance option would be replacing the 4-way closest to the HR20 with a 2-way and going wireless on the CCK. The 2nd best would be using 2 2-way splitter by the HR20?

Does anyone know of a brick and mortar store near Chicago that sells the green label splitters? I have my entire AV room torn apart right now and I'd like to get it back together ASAP.

 

[cabletech]

Using the last picture, I would do the following, Connect the CCK direct to the 8 way,
then replace splitter #2 with a 2 way, reconnect the DECCA to OUTPUT of the 2 way and a second cable from the 2way to the other antenna input.

 

[ChicagoTC]

Using the last picture, I would do the following, Connect the CCK direct to the 8 way,
then replace splitter #2 with a 2 way, reconnect the DECCA to OUTPUT of the 2 way and a second cable from the 2way to the other antenna input.

Ideally that's what I would do, but I only have 2 lines coming into the area with the HR20 and I'm trying to avoid pulling another cable. The 2nd cable has now been disconnected from the 8-way splitter and spliced directly to my antenna to bring OTA down there. That's also the area with the switch. So I believe I'm either using 2 2-way splitters or getting a wireless CCK. Updated image below.

 

[veryoldschool]

Get a 2-way splitter [which BTW only needs to be a "normal" SAT splitter, so Lowe's & home Depot] then get the wireless CCK [which can be used in a wired mode] and connect it in the pass through mode like this:

Even if the CCK has to be on the HR20-100 coax, it should be fine.

 

[ChicagoTC]

Everything appears to working, MRV among 3 DVRs(waiting for 2 more DECAs via ebay) and all the boxes pass internet connection tests. I figured I'd share my final solution. I got 2 2-way green label splitters and tried splitting one line into the HR20. One line passed to the CCK and the other the DECA. Then the DECA went into another splitter to connect both ports on the HR20.

While this worked I think the 2 splitters in a row brought my signal level way too low. The picture would pixelate and freeze every 30 seconds or so.

So I figured since I had a wireless bridge that I was using for unsupported MRV why not connect that to the ethernet port on the CCK. So I moved one green label splitter to another room with a direct run from the 8 way splitter. I installed the 2 port splitter there,connected one line to the DECA on the DVR and the other to CCK. Then ethernet port on the CCK to the wireless bridge.

Solid signal for 30 minutes now so all seems to be working well and I don't need to order the wireless CCK.

Thanks to all those who helped along the way.

 

[cabletech]

I REALLY REALLY wish folks would NOT use YELLOW. It is SO hard to see.

Chicago Goog work on your system, wish you the best,,,enjoy.