Networking HR20-100

[neil154]

I just got a HR20-100 from DTV and would like to know about the capabilities of it if I connect to my wireless network (which obviously has internet access).

If connected to the network can I
1) send video & audio signal (from recorded or live programs) to my networked PCs?
2) The manual says that I "enablenthe DIRECTV on Demand feature that lets you browse the thousands of shows from our content providers and download them to your DVR hard drive for viewing". Is there a charge for this service and how do I know what is available? Also, what else (that I did nit ask) is a benefit of connecting the DVR to my network.

 

[jdspencer]

1) You can watch shows on your PC if you have DirecTV2PC installed on the PC. The PC needs to have certain minimum requirements. I personally haven't tried it as I'd rather watch TV on my 48" HDTV.
2) There is no charge to use DirecTV on Demand. However, some shows may have a charge (like PPV).

If you have a second HD DVR which is networked, then you can use Multi-Room Viewing (MRV). This allows you to watch shows on one DVR from the other one.

BTW, the HR20-100 has two ethernet jacks, but the bottom one isn't enabled. Use the top one for connecting to your network.

 

[DodgerKing]

I just got a HR20-100 from DTV and would like to know about the capabilities of it if I connect to my wireless network (which obviously has internet access).

If connected to the network can I
1) send video & audio signal (from recorded or live programs) to my networked PCs?

You can use the Directv2pc software to watch recorded programs, or you can get a Sling box or Hava player to stream live programs. If you have a long enough IR blaster you can also play your DirecTV through Windows Media Center

2) The manual says that I "enablenthe DIRECTV on Demand feature that lets you browse the thousands of shows from our content providers and download them to your DVR hard drive for viewing". Is there a charge for this service and how do I know what is available? Also, what else (that I did nit ask) is a benefit of connecting the DVR to my network.

You can also play your music playlist and view your photo library from you PC on your DVR. Like the previous poster said, you can network all of your DVRs and Recievers together to watch recorded programming from any of them on any TV. This is called MRV (Multi-room viewing). Right now it is a beta software and is free. Eventually the official release will have a fee for its use.

 

[fleetfarmer]

BTW, the HR20-100 has two ethernet jacks, but the bottom one isn't enabled. Use the top one for connecting to your network.

BTW, the HR20 only has one ethernet jack.

BTW, the HR21 and HR22 has 2 ethernet jacks.

I think I remember reading the top one is the ethernet input jack and the bottom one is an ethernet passthru so you could plug your videogame or some other device ethernet connection into it.

 

[neil154]

Thank you all for the responses and I think I understand most of it but have 2 follow up questions. I have set up the HR20-100 on a network and it is operational since I can see the OnDend choices.

1) How do I get the DirectV2PC software to install on my PC (s)?
2) I did not understand the statement "If you have a long enough IR blaster you can also play your DirecTV through Windows Media Center". What does this mean and what capabilities does this give me?

 

[DodgerKing]

BTW, the HR20 only has one ethernet jack.

Nope. It has two. I have an HR20-100 and there are two Ethernet jacks in the back

Courtesy of DBSTalk

HR20-100 on top with two Ethernet Ports
HR20-700 on the bottom with one Ethernet Port

 

[DodgerKing]

Thank you all for the responses and I think I understand most of it but have 2 follow up questions. I have set up the HR20-100 on a network and it is operational since I can see the OnDend choices.

1) How do I get the DirectV2PC software to install on my PC (s)?

http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv-forum/187241-directv-2-pc-software-version-5717-a.html

2) I did not understand the statement "If you have a long enough IR blaster you can also play your DirecTV through Windows Media Center". What does this mean and what capabilities does this give me?

An Infrared blaster is a device that plugs into your PC at one end and has an Infrared device at the other. The Infrared end is placed directly in front of the infrared sensor on the front of your HR20 (this sensor is what picks up your remote control signal). With the IR Blaster you will be able to change the channels on your HR20 through the controls on Windows Media on your PC.

You do not need the IR blaster to view your DirecTV on your PC, but the setup on WMC will not work unless you have one plugged in. There is a virtual IR blaster you can download to fool WMC and allow you to complete the setup. You can then use your remote to change the channel on your HR20 while watching it on your PC.

 

[fleetfarmer]

Nope. It has two. I have an HR20-100 and there are two Ethernet jacks in the back

Really....
Now I'm jealous. My HR20-700 only has one ethernet port on the back.

 

[DodgerKing]

Really....
Now I'm jealous. My HR20-700 only has one ethernet port on the back.

The image I added shows the HR20-100 on top with 2 and the HR20-700 on the bottom with 1.

 

[neil154]

Okay, I am getting a lot of good information. I have installed the DirectV2PC software and it seems to be working fine, so thanks for that help.

Now I also went to Windows Media player and I see DirectV2PC Media Server. I can see the recorded program (I only have 1 just to test) and it plays fine on DirectV2PC software but when I click on it in media player I get "Windows Media Player encountered a problem while playing the file" and the file shows 0 seconds.

Also, I do have an IR blaster available but I don't see any way to view "live TV" on Media Player or DirectV2PC. I would appreciate your help once again.

 

[harshness]

1) send video & audio signal (from recorded or live programs) to my networked PCs?

What you can send is an encrypted stream that can be viewed exclusively using the DIRECTV2PC software.

Provisions have been made so you can't "scrape" or otherwise capture the the stream and save it to the computer.

 

[DodgerKing]

Also, I do have an IR blaster available but I don't see any way to view "live TV" on Media Player or DirectV2PC. I would appreciate your help once again.

You need to set up Windows Media Center, not Media Player

 

[rad]

Also, I do have an IR blaster available but I don't see any way to view "live TV" on Media Player or DirectV2PC. I would appreciate your help once again.

With DirecTV2PC the only content you can view is something recorded, no live TV. But there is a way around that to a certain extent. You can view a recording in process so just tune the HD DVR to the channel you want, start recording it and then on DirecTV2PC you can view it. Not the greatest way to do it but a work around.

 

[harshness]

I can see the recorded program (I only have 1 just to test) and it plays fine on DirectV2PC software but when I click on it in media player I get "Windows Media Player encountered a problem while playing the file" and the file shows 0 seconds.

DIRECTV2PC is the only way to view content from the DVR on your computer (outside of some sort of video capture solution). WMP lacks the necessary security measures.

Your computer-based viewing needs would probably best be served by a Slingbox or Hava if you require live programming.

 

[neil154]

Okay so I don't use Windows Media Play but use Windows Media Center (I have Win 7 64 bit). I started up Windows Media Center but don't see how I can watch live TV from the HR20-100 and would appreciate instructions

 

[harshness]

Okay so I don't use Windows Media Play but use Windows Media Center (I have Win 7 64 bit). I started up Windows Media Center but don't see how I can watch live TV from the HR20-100 and would appreciate instructions

WMC cannot grab content from your receiver via your network.

WMC must use RF (SD only) or a capture device to obtain the video and audio streams.

 

[DodgerKing]

Harshness is correct. I forgot about that part. I have a HAVA box that captures the stream through the network; you can also use a Sling box. Otherwise you would have to use an external or internal video card or TV tuner with a cable that runs directly from your HR20 to your PC.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Set-up-a-TV-signal-in-Windows-Media-Center

Many cable or satellite subscribers have a cable box (sometimes referred to as a set-top box) or satellite receiver. You can set up your TV signal to pass through one of these devices on its way to your Windows Media Center PC.
Cable boxes and satellite receivers can include channels that are either standard or high definition. In Windows Media Center, a digital high-definition signal that is transmitted through one of these boxes will be converted to an analog standard-definition signal.

1. Connect the cable from the cable source (wall jack) to the cable input jack on the cable box or satellite receiver.
   If you have two cable boxes or two satellite receivers that you want to use with Windows Media Center, you can use a splitter to divide the TV signal from the wall jack to the boxes. Each cable box or satellite receiver must have a TV signal connected to the cable input jack.
2. Connect a cable from the cable output jack on the cable box or satellite receiver to the TV-IN jack on the appropriate TV tuner on your Windows Media Center PC.
   If your PC has more than one TV tuner, make sure each tuner has its own TV signal connected to the TV-IN jack. (This means that you'll need one cable box or satellite receiver for each TV tuner on your Windows Media Center PC.)
3. Connect an IR blaster to your computer and your set-top box. (An IR blaster is a small, infrared device that is packaged with many Windows Media Center remotes and TV tuners. For more information, see the documentation that came with your IR blaster.)
4. On the start screen, scroll to Tasks, click settings, click TV, and then click Set Up TV Signal.
5. Follow the steps to connect a TV signal, depending on the type of tuner or tuners that the cable is connected to, as well as the type of programming to which you subscribe.

Note
Cable boxes and satellite receivers can include channels that are either standard or high definition. In Windows Media Center, a digital high-definition signal that is transmitted through one of these boxes will be converted to an analog standard-definition signal.

The best thing to do in order to watch live programming is to record it as you watch and do it through your DirecTV2PC software

 

[jdspencer]

Really....
Now I'm jealous. My HR20-700 only has one ethernet port on the back.

Don't be jealous, the bottom port on the HR20-100 isn't enabled for anything.

 

[Rey]

Don't be jealous, the bottom port on the HR20-100 isn't enabled for anything.

it should be like the second port on my HR21-100. the second port allows you to connect another device to your network like an xbox 360 etc etc........ i have my 360 hooked to the second port. very useful

 

[jdspencer]

I think the chassis for the HR20-100 was made in anticipation of future models. It has been reported that using the second port on the HR21-HR23 may cause a problem in that it uses processing cycles from the CPU.