Hey guys
We have a client with 4 Directv boxes, and the Deca Network adapter. All controlled via IP with Control4. It's worked fine for a couple years. Until now.

I apologize for my ignorance, but if we have an ethernet to each sat box, is the network adapter necessary?
As we were troubleshooting, The Directv installer told me it was needed regardless of hardwiring the ethernet into the boxes.

- The issue is that the primary "server" directv box shows a ton of packet loss , and our control is awful.
If I reset the box, the control is good for about 4-5 minutes and there is no packet loss. Then it reverts back to the loss and the control issues are back.

It appears that the network we've installed is stable and no other issues, other than the Directv IP control. Infrared control from Directv remotes work perfect.

* if we can just eliminate the deca, I will. But if it's absolutely needed, then I'll have to move to IR control.
So, is that Deca only needed if we cannot wire the box directly with ethernet?
Thanks!

The stupid stuff the DirecTV (hired on Craig's List) installers say these days, is always worth a laugh.
No, you do not need the Deca adapters if ethernet is already available.

But good chance that will do nothing to improve the network issues. DirecTV receivers these days are just straight garbage. AT&T has them so screwed up, it is not even funny.

we haven't used an ethernet connection to directv boxes, ever.  The cinema kit is all you need for IP control of all them.

I'd get rid of the ethernet cables, then go into each box and do the reset option that resets all the settings in the directv menu.

IP control on DTV receivers is just asking for trouble. Smart DTV control is with 232 ONLY imo. They are incredibly reliable using 232. We wrote our own C4 232 driver for DTV.

RS-232 is the only way I do it too, with both Crestron and Savant.

Since each DirecTV receiver had DECA adapters on it (and he mentioned it had been working for years), I would assume these are old receivers and don't have the DECA built-in. Which means you need either the DECA adapters or direct ethernet on each one.
Either that or the DirecTV installer was REALLY stupid.

Original poster didn't give us ANY model numbers, so we are all left just pissing in the wind to guessing at this.

Dude what are guys talking about? DirecTv IP control over Ethernet is one of the most reliable Ethernet devices to control!!! I have systems in the field for over 6 years that have never been touched. I’m not sure what could possibly be the difference in our experience. We are network nazis so our networks are very well built and managed but nothing that you guys aren’t probably doing. I’m controlling 3 boxes in my own home for years with 0 issues. There was a very brief time we had an issue with some genies changing from their static IP. We started reserving them, and have never had an issue since

Thanks for the replies. You've answered my main question, which was Do we need the network adapter.
They are older boxes, but I do not have model numbers handy.
Thanks again

I will say that we have had one customer who's DTV box switched between 2 different MAC addresses. Since control was predicated on that, it caused us some headache until we figured it out. I don't remember what we did to rectify the problem sorry! We may have switched to 232.

I really like the idea of switching to 232. Honestly, I didn't realize the USB port on the box could be used for that.
Thanks

How? The MAC address is assigned and registered by the manufacturer- it's unique to that device. Did someone replace that box? The address wouldn't change because control changed to RS-232 because the NIC isn't involved.

this happened to me once too.  i had a receiver reserved in my router at home, I lost control of it one day.  looked at the IP and it had changed to an open address on the network.  compared the mac to what i had saved in the router and it had changed.

Could the receiver switched to wireless for some reason? (Due to a factory reset or firmware update?) This will be a different MAC address.

Via USB dongle? It there additional config required on receiver end? Care to share 232 codes? Is this C4 or Crestron?

that being said......232 is rock solid as well. i did my first DTV/232 job with RTI 16 years ago!!!! we just tore it all apart to upgrade this year.

IP has been so reliable we havent used 232 in years. do the dongles work with clients?