WHITE PAPER: A Guide to DIRECTV Networking

[SS@SolidSignal]

Networking can be hard. When you're connecting a computer network to a complex home theatre system, it can be even harder. DIRECTV provides tools and parts for connecting its receivers and DVRs, but they don't always make it easy to understand what you need to do. There are several generations of equipment and several different ways of doing the same thing. Add to that, there are some parts that have very similar names but do different things!

This guide will give you an overview of the different ways that DIRECTV receivers can be networked.

This document is available in PDF format! Click here to download!

[SS@SolidSignal]

Before 2006, DIRECTV receivers didn't have any network connections. However, almost every receiver made since then has had a jack for a plain old ethernet cable. The following receivers can all be connected via ethernet:

• HR20
• HR21
• HR22
• HR23
• HR24
• HR34
• THR22 (TiVo)
• H21
• H23
• H24

The only receiver that's been made in the last three years without Ethernet is H25. Due to its small size, there just isn't room for an ethernet jack on the H25.

[SS@SolidSignal]

If you already have networking experience, you might be tempted to connect all your receivers and DVRs using Ethernet. The procedure is easy: connect all the receivers to your home network. Then, on each receiver follow these steps:

• {MENU}, then Arrow down to "Settings and Help" then press {SELECT}
• Make sure "Settings" is highlighted and press {SELECT}
• Arrow down to "Network Setup and press {SELECT}
• Make sure "Connect Now" is highlighted and press {SELECT}

You need to be aware that DIRECTV no longer supports Ethernet networking for whole-home viewing. You can still access on-demand content, TVApps and IPTV features like Pandora and YouTube, but without paying $2.99 for Whole-Home service, you will not be able to share content between receivers.

If you want to use your Ethernet network for whole-home be aware that it's technically possible but be prepared to spend hours on the phone with DIRECTV getting this turned on. The front-line DIRECTV CSRs won't be able to do it for you, and you will be told over and over again that it can't be done. If you spend enough time on the phone you can get Whole-Home activated for your Ethernet-connected receivers, but they sure don't make it easy.

[SS@SolidSignal]

There's a lot of confusion about the term "DECA." A lot of people use the term to mean networking using your satellite cables. Even installers call this a "DECA."

This is actually just called Coax Networking. The idea is that all your receivers communicate with each other through the satellite cables. This creates a smooth, clean path for sharing HD video and makes it easier for DIRECTV techs to set up without disturbing the rest of your network.

[SS@SolidSignal]

Here's where it gets confusing. The device you see above you was originally referred to as a "Broadband DECA" or "BBDECA." That was very confusing to customers so the proper name of the device was changed to a Cinema Connection Kit. A lot of people call this a DECA, Broadband DECA, or DECA Modem. It's better to just call it a CCK.

The purpose of the CCK is to give internet access to your home network. You hook up one end to a coax cable attached to your satellite dish or multiswitch, and the other end is connected via Ethernet to your router. It's self-configuring and should "just work" when you plug it in. If you see three green lights after it is plugged in and turned on, you're all set. A yellow light means a bad line somewhere.

If you are using Ethernet networking, you don't need a CCK. Trying to use both Ethernet and a CCK will just make all your receivers confused.

There is a wireless version of the CCK which is used when it's not possible to get ethernet and coax in the same room. It supports WPS (Wireless Protected Setup) which allows for one-button setup. If your home router isn't designed for WPS, it's also very easy to set up the wireless CCK using any HD receiver that supports ethernet. Just temporarily connect it to that receiver's ethernet port (and not the coaxial cable port) and go through the "Connect Now" procedure. Once it is part of your wireless network, disconnect the ethernet cable and connect a coaxial cable to make it part of your coax network.

All current HD receivers and DVRs, plus the standard-definition R22, can use coax networking, meaning one connection to the internet through the CCK will give on-demand features and whole-home sharing to all receivers.

Note:The HR34 can also be used as a CCK... wait a little while and we'll get to that.

[SS@SolidSignal]

The DIRECTV HR24 DVR, H24, and H25 receivers were designed for coax networking from the start. Although the HR24 and H24 also have an Ethernet port, they work best when connected to a coax network. This has led some people to say they have "Built-in DECA." (You can see where it gets confusing with everything being called DECA.) They do have chips inside them that let them use coax networking without any other adapter, that's what people are trying to say.

Connecting one of these receivers to a coax network should be automatic. If the coax network is present when they boot up, it will be recognized and configured. If it isn't, the "Connect Now" procedure should work to quickly connect these boxes to the internet, as long as the CCK is already in place.

[SS@SolidSignal]

Finally, I present to you... the ACTUAL DECA. DECA stands for "DIRECTV Ethernet Coaxial Adapter." It's used on the following receivers:

• HR20
• HR21
• HR22
• HR23
• H21
• H23
• R22
• THR22 (TiVo)

Because these receivers don't have built-in coax networking, they need an adapter to convert the network part and put it into the receiver's Ethernet port. Using a DECA is easy. Connect one end to the satellite cable and then connect BOTH the coaxial and ethernet cables to the receiver. Within a minute or two all the lights on the DECA should turn green indicating good communication.

You may need to do the "Connect Now" procedure to get networked on these receivers.

If you accidentally use a DECA on an H24, H25, HR24, or HR34 receiver it simply won't work. As a rule of thumb, if it's got a flat, touchscreen front, it doesn't need a DECA in back.

There is a new version of the DECA that is more streamlined and even easier to understand, but it is technically equivalent to the original DECA. Read a review of it here.

[SS@SolidSignal]

If you're using coax networking, you're sending a signal through the wire that some of your receivers might not understand. In fact, that signal could damage your other receivers over time. If you have standard definition receivers or DVRs such as:

• D10
• D11
• D12
• R15
• R16
• any old TiVo
• any old Hughes, Philips, Sony or RCA receiver

as well as the old H10 or H20 HD receivers, you will need to protect them by using Band Stop Filters if they are connected to the SWM output ports. (D10, D11, R15, and older receivers must be run through the legacy ports and don't require SWM.) These connect between the satellite cable and the receivers and they stop the coax network signal from reaching the receiver. You can also use one of these filters to isolate any receiver that you don't want to share programming with, such as if you don't want to share programming from the living room into one of the kids' rooms.

[SS@SolidSignal]

This is the 5-tuner HR34 Super DVR. It was designed from the ground up to be the only DVR you'll need in the home. Because of that, it can do tricks that other DVRs can't, and it handles coax networking different from other DVRs.

What's really cool about the HR34 is that if you have one, you don't need a CCK if you hook an Ethernet cable straight into the HR34. The HR34 has the exact same hardware as a CCK built right in. If your HR34 is connected to your router, it will send internet information to all your other receivers. You can also use a CCK if your HR34 doesn't have Ethernet nearby.

If you choose to run Ethernet networking instead of coax networking, you need to be aware of this. The HR34 will try to use coax networking and your other receivers will become confused. There really isn't a need to run Ethernet to every receiver as long as you have it connected to the HR34, but if you choose to do this, be sure to connect a Band Stop Filter between the satellite cable and the HR34. This will force all the receivers in your network to use Ethernet.

[SS@SolidSignal]

In order to prepare your DIRECTV system for coax networking, the first step is to install band stop filters on any equipment that is not designed for networking, or any equipment you do not want to network.

The Connected Home signal that is used in coax networking is very strong compared to other signals on the line and can overpower that signal, possibly leading to damaged receivers. In order to keep these receivers from getting damaged, we use band stop filters. The band stop filter stops the Connected Home signal from reaching the receivers. It can also be used in a room such as a child's bedroom that you want to shield from the rest of the home.

You will need the following:
DIRECTV Band Stop Filter (BSFR01) from Solid Signal)

The following receivers do not receive the connected home signal:

• D10
• D11
• D12
• R10
• R15
• R16
• H10
• H20
• Any non-DIRECTV-branded receiver

Of these, the D12 and R16 should have band stop filters if they are connected to the SWM outputs. Other receivers only connect to the legacy ports and do not need Band Stop filters.

Installation is simple. Disconnect the satellite cable from the receiver and connect it to the band stop filter. Then, connect the attached coaxial cable on the filter to the receiver. The following diagram shows installation of a band stop filter.