MRV over SWM?

[nsayer]

I have an HR21 and an HR22, both on a SWM and both connected to the Internet. They were both connected to a phone line, but I'm trying to get rid of phone lines and wiring.

It would be more convenient if only one of the DVRs were connected to the Internet and the SWM used for everything on DVR #2.

So far as I know, MRV over SWM has not been in a CE, but has anyone heard any noises that suggest that MRV over SWM might be coming?

 

[DJ Rob]

It is here. Almost. Directv is planning on introducing it soon!
You just need to get ethernet over coax boxes (DECA) that are compatible with Directv. The ones for catv will not work since the SWM uses different frequencies than catv.

You need one per receiver and one to hook up to your internet if you want VOD.

More about the technology here:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv...hnology-directv-ethernet-coaxial-adapter.html

 

[nsayer]

I have Ethernet runs already to where the receivers are, so that's not a problem. It would just be slightly more convenient (I could decommission a switch) if one of them didn't need it. If the DVRs were able to network via SWM and share one Ethernet connection, well, FTW.

I went to the linked page, and that looks interesting, but it's not quite the same thing as what I'm suggesting. One of the DVRs we have is in the living room with Ethernet right there for the whole pile of living room entertainment devices. The one in the bedroom has Ethernet going to it, but it'd be nicer if I didn't have to light up that Ethernet port at all. I would think the DVRs could network over the SWM without any extra equipment and share a single Ethernet Internet connection.

No?

 

[Bob Nielsen]

The way I understand it, DECA works exactly like MoCA (which I have used), except for the frequencies used. Since MoCa isn't compatible with the satellite frequencies, I connected over the OTA lines which feed my HR20 and the AM21 connected to my HR21. The MoCA adapter has an ethernet port which I connected to the HR21's ethernet port. I connected the ethernet port of my other adapter to my router (the HR20 is also connected to the router). If I had a third MoCA adapter, I could have used that to connect the HR20, but that wasn't necessary.

The same procedure would be used with DECA, except that it would be over the satellite cables instead of those I use for OTA. It will only work with SWM, since everything is connected together via a splitter, as opposed to the separate ports used with a non-SWM installation.

The MoCA connections works much better for me than either powerline or wireless, and I think the net speeds are as good as with direct ethernet connections (limited by the 100 Mbps ports on the DVRs).

Since the connections look just like ordinary ethernet to the DVRs, it probably isn't dependent on having CE firmware installed.

 

[nsayer]

Again, DECA and MoCA isn't what I'm asking about.

Receivers on SWM can already network to pass PPV purchase info. Are there any prospects of expanding that capability to MRV? Expanding it to also encompass DoD would be nice too, but SWM MRV is really what I'm asking about.

 

[rad]

Again, DECA and MoCA isn't what I'm asking about.

Receivers on SWM can already network to pass PPV purchase info. Are there any prospects of expanding that capability to MRV? Expanding it to also encompass DoD would be nice too, but SWM MRV is really what I'm asking about.

No, what you're asking for isn't going to happen. DirecTV's plan is DECA for a supported networking solution, which needs SWiM to function. As for MRV with nothing else then using SWiM isn't in the cards.

 

[DJ Rob]

I have Ethernet runs already to where the receivers are, so that's not a problem. It would just be slightly more convenient (I could decommission a switch) if one of them didn't need it. If the DVRs were able to network via SWM and share one Ethernet connection, well, FTW.

I went to the linked page, and that looks interesting, but it's not quite the same thing as what I'm suggesting. One of the DVRs we have is in the living room with Ethernet right there for the whole pile of living room entertainment devices. The one in the bedroom has Ethernet going to it, but it'd be nicer if I didn't have to light up that Ethernet port at all. I would think the DVRs could network over the SWM without any extra equipment and share a single Ethernet Internet connection.

No?

The SWM is not a networking device. And it does not pass PPV info. The whole thing is really based on ethernet over coax. So what you are saying you want is never going to work.

 

[nsayer]

The SWM is not a networking device. And it does not pass PPV info.

What? I thought it was the case that you could have multiple SWM receivers share one phone line connection basically by networking through the SWM. If what you're saying is true then *every* receiver that does PPV would need either a phone line or Ethernet connection.

 

[rad]

What? I thought it was the case that you could have multiple SWM receivers share one phone line connection basically by networking through the SWM.

That is true, but reporting small amounts of data for PPV purchases is a LOT different then streaming megabytes of data in realtime between multiple receivers.

 

[DJ Rob]

I've been told that the SWM does not pass any IP data or act like a networking device between receivers AT ALL - including sharing a phone line connection. If you have a receiver with DECA built-in or a DECA module, then those will talk to each other if they are on the same coax lines. Or if they are networked via ethernet a different way - ie via their ethernet ports.

 

[twizt3dsist3r]

I've been told that the SWM does not pass any IP data or act like a networking device between receivers AT ALL - including sharing a phone line connection. If you have a receiver with DECA built-in or a DECA module, then those will talk to each other if they are on the same coax lines. Or if they are networked via ethernet a different way - ie via their ethernet ports.

SWM setups share callbacks, and ppv info over 1 phoneline, but that is all, not sure on Caller id either.

 

[DJ Rob]

SWM setups share callbacks, and ppv info over 1 phoneline, but that is all, not sure on Caller id either.

I was told by a Directv upper level tech they do not. Do you have a link to official info that it does?

 

[cfb]

It does. There is a low speed data connection included in SWM that allows inter receiver communications and is used for stuff like ppv. It was intentionally designed in to help alleviate the need for a phone line at each receiver drop.

Definitely not even close to having the speed to do anything like MRV. The throughput is in the the low kb/s range, not the mb/s range.

But thats what DECA is for. Lots of the newer receivers will have DECA built right in to the box, so if you connect them to a SWM you'll automatically have >100Mb/s of networking between receivers. Older boxes will need an outboard DECA box.

 

[Bob Nielsen]

No current receivers have built-in DECA, but they should be coming soon. The outboard DECA adapters are not yet available either.

 

[harshness]

What? I thought it was the case that you could have multiple SWM receivers share one phone line connection basically by networking through the SWM. If what you're saying is true then *every* receiver that does PPV would need either a phone line or Ethernet connection.

Don't confuse simple SWiM messaging with a full-blown networking system. SWiM uses a rather low (relative to TV) frequency communications channel (2.3MHz IIRC) that doesn't leave much room for bandwidth.

 

[DJ Rob]

No current receivers have built-in DECA, but they should be coming soon. The outboard DECA adapters are not yet available either.

It looks like by April according to this article:
EETimes.com - DirecTV adopts MoCA for home networking


Should be a fun year for this technology!