I keep reading things that lump DECA, MRV and VOD together. It seems to me that you could have MRV without having VOD, but you'd have to have DECA for MRV and you'd have to have DECA for VOD unless you only wanted it at one receiver (which was connected to the internet via your network).

Could someone go through what's necessarily interconnected and what's not? Thanks....

For all you DirecTV greenhorns. Glossary:

DECA: Directv Ethernet Coaxial Adapter
MRV: Multi Room Video. Requires at least HD-DVR & 1 more HD rec'r to work. The "1 more" can be an HD-DVR or an HD w/o DVR.
VOD: Video On Demand
SWiM: Single Wire in Multiswitch. IE no multiswitch. Polarity switching is accomplishished by compressing & stacking frequencies into "channels". Each channel is dedicated to 1 reciever. There are 9 channels on an SWiM LNB or SWiM module. 8 for upto 8 tuners in system + 1 communications channel that talks to each rec'r & instructs it how to tune. DVRs = 2 tuners. non-DVRS = 1 tuner. Cinema Connection Kits = 1 tuner. 2nd grade math skills [knowing how to add] are required when installing a SWiM system so you don't exceed the 8 tuners allowed.

The whole premise for DECA in a DirecTV system is that IP networking is accomplished on the coax. This enables a few things:
* The rec'rs can talk to each other & determine where/how to stream MultiRoom video. Such which DVR [if more than 1] to grab the content & which rec'r/room to send it to. Set-up/config MRV includes naming each rec'r/room.
* The VOD box aka Cinema Connection Kit can be connected to the to the Internet in a convient place & allow DVRs access to to over 7000 titles/shows. About 2/3 are free. There are 2 types: Wired - usually installed next to router that you can get a co-ax to. Or wireless which is usually installed next to a HD-DVR. Both use 1 of the 8 tuners avail in SWiM.
* Netwk streaming between computers & DirecTV rec'rs. Enables pics on computer to be seen on TV connected to rec'r & DVR content to be seen on computer.
* Connects DVR to Internet for remote scheduling

The whole premise for MRV in a DirecTV system is Streaming between rec'rs is dependant upon the content being saved on a HD-DVR. Either current shows being watched on time delay (hit pause went to kitchen-bathroom) or shows previously recorded. *Be ware that shows being watched time delayed will disapear if you accidently change channels. Did this in my dark Lvrm once & lost 1/2 of Royal Pains.

DirecTV parts available to config DECA:
DECABB = wired Cinema Connection kit
DECAWIF = wireless Cinema Connection kit
DECA1MR01 = adaptor that allows older HD rec'r to get IP thru co-ax. It has a co-ax input & output plus a cat5 connection that connects between it & rec'r. Newer rec'rs have it built in & thus not needed to hang off back.
Bandpass filter= required at each low def box connected to a DECA so that IP doesn't interfere with signal.

I searched net & found this to be helpful: [Link: weaknees.com]

In summary: you need DECA for MRV & VOD to work. With 1 exception. This is: If you take & connect the Internet directly to the cat5 jack on the back of an HD-DVR it will do VOD but you can't MRV it around house.
You need Swim for DECA to work
MRV will work with out VOD
VOD will work with out MRV
AND... PLEASE NOTE: If you connct a VOD Cinema Connection kit to a SWiM system without Internet. Such as Internet provider has not installed yet. The entire DirecTV system will do strange things. Like searching for signal, audio drop outs, & freeze ups.

Nice job on DirecTV info.

I think by newer receivers he means HR24 and beyond. Also, if you have a HR20 in the system you must use both the SWM input and Sat 2 input (either by wiring 2nd lead from main splitter or 2-way split behind DVR. The SWM input gets the DECA and Sat 2 gets a band stop filter.

I wish that they would throw in the towel and go straight IP like FIOS/U-Verse, but then again I remember holding the DirecTV installers hand while they fumble with the installation. (Shudder Shudder Ironwood)

Only on the HR20-100. The HR20-700 does not have this requirement.

To further answer Ernie's question, you do not need DECA or MRV if all you want is VOD. If you have a way to connect each DVR to the internet via a home network, then you will be good to go.

If you do this, you can also enable MRV which will work, and does not require a SWM. But MRV works better over the DECA network

I want to thank Ernie for the invite, via personal email, to post on this subject. With my busy life that includes this business, a 2nd job, volunteering at the fire house for a retirement, & a sometimes high maintenance family; I don't always have time to visit remote central. That why sometimes I here for a stretch & sometimes not.
Anyone out there, in the business, need DTV situations solved or answered send me an email. We have been a very active dealer since 1999 & do our best to know the technology so that we easily rise above the local HSP techs. We can also help you get your customers promotional upgrades & new account promo installs OR possibly have a hard to find part.
It is my pleasure to assist since you guys have helped get me out of some hard to solve jams. Thanks to all the wisdom many remote central members possess.

Chuch, jr,
You are completely welcome for the invite. I was impressed by other things you wrote to help us with other DirecTV issues. This increases my appreciation of your understanding and writing ability.

The people who write descriptions and instructions for DirecTV can only wish to be as good and as clear as you are at this! Wow! I’m sure that I’ve heard every bit of this information, but it’s never been put together clearly. And, of course, some of what I’ve heard was misinformation from a DirecTV installer or two. And even from a “supervisor” on the phone at DirecTV.


WARNING indeed, in three parts, to anyone watching delayed shows:
1. Change channels, lose the program.
2. Sooner or later you will change channels when watching delayed programming.
3. So if you’re watching something that’s delayed, hit RECORD even if you don’t want to keep it, thus assuring that you have it when that mistake comes along.

I might have to take you up on that.

I was DTV independent installer for little over 2 years until last November when DTV decided that I didn't meet their minimum new activations per month/quarter, and dropped my account.
I don't understand why they would do that, it's not like it cost them anything to keep dealer active.
Needless to say, I miss being able to purchase (P10) receivers, install them properly, activate them and get paid.
I wish there was a buying group that would do this; then again that would probably take away from what little profit there is in new installation/activations.

Once we start doing new homes, I'll have to partner with someone locally and work together on new setups.

DirecTV is crazy. The Forbes article on how Best Buy will slowly go bankrupt due to stupid policies like this of DirecTV was quite an eye opener.

DirecTV has done a similar thing on the commercial side. See, the market is well penetrated, so there are not huge numbers of new installs; DirecTV sees this not as market penetration and a constant market but instead as dealers not doing their jobs signing up all those new startups.  So they're cutting back on dealers, unilaterally cancelling profit-sharing agreements as they go. This leaves LOTS of customers without anyone who know their installation detail, and few dealers with too much territory to cover.  And DirecTV thinks this will be more profitable for them.  Frakkin' idiots.

I couldn't agree more. Funny thing is Comcast is worse. I worked with them internally on a project and they are so into denial. It took me three hours on the phone with several reps to get Internet activated on the client's account. The client paid me for the phone time but I felt awful for the client.

I have stayed away from being a dealer on DTV because I see they chargeback at the drop of a hat. Mario, maybe we should get a group together to coop DTV installes/commisssions...

||

If you get any new customers contact me. I can get equipment sent to you & squeeze enough out of commissions & PPC to make it worth your wild. View my profile for contact info. If you don't get me, my staff will be able to help you too. We currently have an arrangement with 6 local custom AV guys that used to be DTV dealers but fell into same status as you. When ever they bring us a customer, we compensate them with a sales commision & some install money & shield them from the charge back that may result from a cancelling customer.

this offer is open to a Custom AV "guy" that we are able to verify as a quality & reliable dealer.

I will keep that in mind.
I originally got into the DTV installation in-order to keep everything in house. I had too many conversations with clients because the idiot DTV guy scared my client when they didn't see coax (or only 1 coax) behind TV. None of them knew anything about distributed A/V, nor did they understand the concept of having boxes in closets, away from TV.
Dealer showroom account didn't hurt either :-)
Now my HR23 is sitting there unplugged and sad, and I still have 1 standard receiver that never got unboxed :-(