Split signal to SD TV from solo node 185834

[Mookah]

Hello folks. First time poster, short time reader. We updated to Dish Networks Hopper/Joey recently and lost the signal to one of our three tvs.

Current tvs/locations:
TV1 HD: Living room - Hopper connected to TV1 via HDMI
TV2 HD: Upstairs master bedroom - Joey connect to TV2 via HDMI
TV3 SD: Home office / work out room above partially detached garage - Coax running from basement

We have a Solo Node 185834 in our basement sending the signal to the living room and upstairs bedroom. With our previous dish network setup, the signal was split in the basement, mirroring TV2 to TV3. I tried to split the signal out of the "To Client" side of the solo node with seemingly no success. There is coax cable running from the basement to each tv (one cable for each set).

From what I've read, to mirror TV2 to TV3, it would be ideal to attach an RF adapter to the Joey at TV2 and have coax connect the RF adapter to TV3. However with only 1 coax running from my basement to TV2, attaching TV2 to TV3 won't be easy. TVs 2 and 3 are far apart from each other. The coax for TV3 actually runs underground from my basement.

Is there a way to split/mirror the signal at the Solo Node 185834? While trying to get things to work the way it had in the previous set-up, I do have coax running out of the "To Client" in the solo node through a splitter. The signal still works at TV2 with the Joey, but I haven't been able to see anything on TV3. Perhaps I haven't found the correct channel, or I have something set up incorrectly. I'd like to keep TV2 in HD and I hoping to accomplish connecting TV3 without running any additional coax. Also, I'm competent with connecting coax/composite/component to splitters/devices, but I'd be pretty clueless if I had to open anything up (such as the Solo Node 185834) and make any changes.

Thanks folks. I'd appreciate any feedback.

 

[Rizon216]

As far as I can tell you have two options:
1) Run a cable from the Joey on TV2 to TV3 - this will need to be either HDMI (w/ HDMI splitter) or composite; coax will not work as the only coax port on the Joey is the MoCA/Satellite-In port

2) Get another Joey - for this I believe there will be a $7 fee from Dish. This will require a splitter on the To-Client line; one of the lines will go to TV2 and one will go to TV3. This will also allow you to watch different programs on TV2 and TV3 at the same time, if that adds any additional value to you.

 

[sparc]

put the joey in the basement connected to the node. Then use an RF modulator going out to both TVs.

The only issue might be whether the Joey remotes reach from your TV locations to the basement. They can reach a fair distance, but it might take a little experimenting since i'm not clear on the exact distances. RF modulators only cost $15 at Walmart.

 

[Mookah]

Thanks for the fast responses!

Rizon216 - That's what I was afraid of. I'm hoping to avoid paying for an additional Joey and I'm not sure how much it will cost for all of the cable I'd need. That would be quite the project especially during the winter. Thanks for the info.

sparc - If I put the Joey in the basement and use an RF modulator, splitting the signal for TVs 2 and 3, wouldn't I end up with SD instead of HD on the upstairs TV unless I run HDMI from the basement to the upstairs?

 

[sparc]

sparc - If I put the Joey in the basement and use an RF modulator, splitting the signal for TVs 2 and 3, wouldn't I end up with SD instead of HD on the upstairs TV unless I run HDMI from the basement to the upstairs?

That's correct, it would be SD via an RF modulator. Unless you can run an HDMI cable from TV2 to the basement.

There was some discussion on this forum of using wireless HDMI in situations where you can't run an HDMI cable. Not something i've tried myself though. Might be worth a search on the forum.

 

[Rizon216]

That's correct, it would be SD via an RF modulator. Unless you can run an HDMI cable from TV2 to the basement.

There was some discussion on this forum of using wireless HDMI in situations where you can't run an HDMI cable. Not something i've tried myself though. Might be worth a search on the forum.

They also make HDMI over coax and HDMI over Ethernet options as well. I did a quick search on them and the HDMI over coax is $250+, whereas HDMI over ethernet can be as cheap as $20 + cable (see here: http://www.monoprice.com/ and search for "8009"). Not sure on the quality, though.

Ethernet would be relatively cheap, as you can get either a pre-made cable for $10-$20 or run your own for under $10 if you have the skill and tools already.

 

[Mookah]

Thanks a bunch folks. Too bad there's no easy way to split the signal out of the solo node. Looks like I'll be running some cable whether I like it or not.

 

[kwindrem]

Since you already have coax from the basement/wiring closet to the office, the only additional coax you need is from the TV2 Joey to the wiring closet. An RF modulator would be connected to that Joey's composite and audio outputs and the RF modulator would feed the new coax to the basement. The new coax would then connect to the line running to the office.

Your previous installation used diplexers to combine/separate the satellite signals from the dish (below 2.5 MHz and above 950 MHz) and TV frequencies (50-800 MHz) output from your satellite receiver/off air antenna. MOCA (Hopper-Joey communications) works in the 650-875 MHz frequency range (TV channel 44 and above). No technology can combine/split all TV frequencies (50-700 MHz) with MOCA due to the obvious overlap. Also, frequencies below 650 MHz are marked as "future" in the Hopper training material.


Something to try but not supported and no guarantees:

A VHF/UHF separator splits VHF (50-210 MHz) and UHF (470 - 800 MHz) frequencies. There may be a slight possibility these devices could combine MOCA and a VHF modulator onto a single coax and split them at the other end. It would be an inexpensive experiment, but pay close attention to MOCA signal levels at all Hoppers and Joeys in the system.

 

[Mookah]

Thanks for the explanation kwindrem.

I ordered some coax that should arrive this week. Already started the process of fishing a line from my upstairs to the basement (10' 4", straight shot on my first attempt of dropping a line through the wall!). I'll be putting the RF modulator at the upstairs Joey, running the coax into the basement and attaching the coax to the coax running to my office with a coupler. Not too pricey of a fix.

Thanks for all of the info.

 

[Mookah]

Just wanted to add some closure to the thread I started.

RF modulator and my coax cable arrived today. I was able to hook everything up over lunch (still thrilled that I was able to fish my coax cable up three floors through the wall).

Running composite cables from the Joey to the RF modulator which sends the signal to a coax cable that eventually connects to the SD TV3 to mirror the signal on HD TV2 is working just fine.

If anyone's interested I'm using a Phillips SWS2103W/17 RF Modulator Video Converter.

I couldn't have done it without the helpful folks on this site. Thank you all very much for being so willing to share your knowledge.

 

[dare2be]

Stick around...we could use more knowledgeable and cordial users here like you.

 

[Barry Erick]

Stick around...we could use more knowledgeable and cordial users here like you.

I moved my Joey to a place where the remotes (3 of them) would all work. Did mean moving coaxes around but not having to extend any (weeks before my linking problem) cables. I use a radio shack modulator to the kitchen and spa room, and 50 foot hdmi to the hdtv office tv. (Used extenders over ethernet but that died in one week so I went with a cable solution which works fine, except to go through a switch, I needed a hdmi equilizer at the end of the hdmi cable. Right to the tv it was ok.