I looked at a bar the other day that wants to do some updates. They have about 25 displays that all appear to have a DTV box behind them. I'm assuming they all run Moca. They currently use the DTV app to control each box. Occasionally, a few of the boxes will fall off or disappear and they have reboot that box at that TV.

Of course the install is a bit of a wreck. Basically, it's a rack in the corner of the kitchen, caked with dust and grease. Overall though, it works for the most part.

My question is, what is the next logical step to make it work better? To start at least, my gut says move to some sort of matrix setup, 8x32 let's say. Then use RTI or something for a real control system while saving them a fair amount of money each month on all the DTV boxes.

Thanks,
Tom

Check out Just Add Power. There is no need to do any sort of set input/output matrix. You buy the inputs and outputs that you need to match the system. Get super fast video switching and a bullet proof video distribution platform.

They aren’t paying per receiver on a commercial DirecTV account. The fee is based on occupancy not receiver count.

another alternative would be modulation.

Visionary Solutions has a HD over IP with a great RTI driver. Less set up and compression than JAP.

Didn't even think about that. So if they go from 25 receivers to 5 there would be no change in billing?

Unless their commercial account is different than my commercial account, yes they are

The major tech problem with today's systems.... Do you make things easier for them by adding a control system? Or does adding that control system and distribution also fail from time to time and having them questioning why they spent all of that money with you??? LOL

I would say that adding a matrix is only good if you can respond to their calls at 11pm. Then there is the cost. Most bars are always wanting the best setup and to pay the least amount of money. To move the equipment out of the grease zone, setup a matrices, program, and test everything will be at least a couple of weeks for one guy. Can they live without TV that long? Tell them it will be 20-40k and wait for their response.

Otherwise, you could just sell them 25 IP outlets and the ability to power cycle them. Only give access to the app to the managers and see that will help minimize how often someone needs to climb on a ladder to hit the reset button. Just an alternative thought.

This.

I would look at Ethereal’s M3B system.

I put in a snapAV MoiP matrix in my bar.

If your client has Sunday Ticket then they need 9 directv receivers and 2 at school tuners. You can just leave the Atascadero tuners set to the local channels that carry a NFL game.

I”m paying $15 per receiver per month for every receiver past the first two. You need to see a copy of the bars directv bill to calculate ROI from eliminating receivers. I have 8 DTV receivers and 2 AtSC tuners feeding 20 televisions.

RS232 control of the tuners through MoiP (or JAP)

I’ve already written a scalable CF remote control app for Multiple Directv tuners;televisions and the matrix.

My bar is controlled by CF on an IPad Pro mounted on a wall behind the bar. Which has a “roof off” top down 3D view of the bar with the TVs correctly positioned. It also shows on the TVs in the app what each tv is looking at and what program is on each tuner

It is extremely reliable. With MoiP you can remotely firmware update and do resets if needed.

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*edit* where the word tuner appears preceded by gibberish that was my phone being an ass with spell correct. ATSC tuner

Has anyone here done an analysis of the cost of a matrix versus one receiver per TV? Or modulators and good old RG6?

Sure, but it all depends...

Modulators would be cheaper.

All of these discussions seem premature without understanding the customers budget. Bar owners are Notorious for wanting to spend as little money as humanly possible and cut every corner they can to save a dollar to make something work. From what was stated the only known problem is a couple of boxes that fall off or loose connection. The term “updates” can have fast financial consequences. Is he willing to completely re-engineer his whole system that basically already works? If so at what cost?

Thus the ROI number on eliminating tuner mirroring charges.

He currently doesn't have an "engineered" system. A tuner at every TV is a nightmare and it's a always a shitshow at every bar I've ever been in to watch football. Que up the waitress carrying an armload of Directv receivers and then changing the wrong tuner mid game. Ask for a game on a TV and it when it happens depends upon customers being served first and the server remembering second.

My bar remote (before my most recent building addition. too lazy to take a screen grab of the current remote)