Can I plug my DECA directly into the SWM?

That should be fine. See the attached dwg...

The "SWM unit" is actually a power inserter (see pic) and it's best when connected to a dedicated outlet of the splitter (see pic). As to the DECA module. You can connect it to an unused splitter port and connect a Ethernet cable from the module to your router. There is one more essential piece you need though, and that's a 18 volt power supply (see pic) to attach to the tail of the DECA module, otherwise it will not work.

After you connect the system to your router, you'll need to "reset network defaults" and run "connect now" in the network setup menu on each receiver.

Sorry, when I was referring to the "SWM unit" I meant the SWM splitter.  The DECA unit I have running now is complete with the power supply.  Basically we will be moving rooms around and it makes more sense to place it in the box with the splitter in it rather than have it hanging off a wall for everyone to see.  

One last question: does it matter what outlet on the splitter I use?  Are they labeled for specific uses, or will any outlet do?

The SWiM Power Inserter must be connected to the red, Power Passing output when it is 'downstream' of the splitter. Beyond that one restriction, the splitter outputs are all the same. Note that in the photo linked above, the port in the upper left corner has red insulation while the others are white.

I will avoid the red output and place the deca/powersupply combo on an open outlet.  Thank you for all the help.

That's not correct.  The red port of the power inserter must be connected to the red port of the splitter.  The other port of the power inserter can have the coax leading to the router deca package attached.

I am on the schedule for complete MRV set up next week. Now that I know how the hardware works, I have one problem. My ROUTER is located in a 2nd floor office next to my broadband modem with my MAIN computer plugged into the router. My MAIN desktop computer doesn't have wireless capabilities right now. This 2nd floor location is perfect for the wireless router to reach all areas of my home for the various wireless devices I have. My two HR20-100's are on wireless bridges for On Demand, Media Share, etc. I have one SONY big screen with Internet aps that is on a wireless bridge. I also have a cctv system, IP cameras and a laptop that also use this network. I DO NOT want to relocate my router to a board in the basement then I will have to move my broadband modem and I just don't want the headaches. Plus my router doesn't have the "reach" from the basement it does from my 2nd floor office.

I see that the main DECA unit that is connected to the SWM LNB needs router access via Cat 5 cable. I am not going to try and fish cable all over this house and running something outside, up the side of the house and into a wall is out of the question. If I have to do that I will cancel the MRV installation and live without it for now.

I understand that the DECA connection to the router is to establish connection for the On Demand services as well as Media Share, but has nothing to do with MRV capabilities. As an option, since the wireless bridge(s) I have for the HR20-100's will no longer be needed when the HR24's are installed, can't I use one of those devices to connect to the DECA unit in the basement to the router rather than the Cat 5 connection for On Demand, etc?

Thanks

Walter Fisher

That should work, but it probably isn't officially sanctioned by DirecTV so I don't know if the installer will have a problem with it or not. You might just have them install the broadband DECA where convenient, without the Ethernet connection, and then connect the wireless adapter yourself later.

Sounds like a winner to me. It makes perfect sense to me and that scares me when I can figure something out. It's just that everything works very well now so I don't want to take four steps backward and one forward. I really appreciate your fast response to my question.

Note that a Whole Home DVR installation is best done when a live router connection is available at the time each receiver or DVR is powered up the first time.  The reason being that the box depends on the router for proper IP etc info.  If it were me, I'd assure that one of my Ethernet adapters was fully configured to my router and I'd relocate it and power it on in it's new location.  Then I'd ask that the installer make that his first connection.  If you don't do it thus, and install the whole system and then attach the adapter you'll be doing lots of troubleshooting to get the boxes configured.  Your installation would consist of a short coax from the splitter to the BB/DECA module (with it's 18 volt power supply connected) and a short Ethernet jumper from the module to your wireless adapter (also powered on).  After that as each receiver is connected, it will see your router and get appropriate configuration.  You can check each box as it comes on by pressing and holding the "info" button on the remote and then selecting "more system info".  Scroll down and it should indicate Internet connected.  I'm attaching a copy of a Directv field manual regarding this issue in the event the Installer is unfamiliar with the sequence issue.

You might also note that Directv has determined that the SWM power inserter is best when attached to a dedicated line rather than acting as a pass through which was the original protocol.  Note the difference in the power inserter wiring on the attached schematic and the original setup as posted by Sungam.

The power inserter should be inserted into the red port already should it not? 

 I have a DECA power supply, and DECA unit connected to a coax outlet in a room that has no television.  So the coax from that room is being fed to one of the SWM unit's ports (don't know which one).  Are you telling me that it has to/does correspond to the red port on the SWM?  I'm completely confused.  I guess I'm not understanding why I cannot plug the coax end of the DECA into an unused port on the SWM and then plug the ethernet cable into the router that is located in the same box.  That seems to be what is happening when I have it plugged into my wall right now.

Ok, after re-reading I think that I may have given wrong or misleading information possibly.  The unit that is on the non-TV outlet is strictly to give internet access to the boxes I have.  MRV would work without it.  So it's possible I've been using the wrong term for this piece of equipment.  It basically functions to take the internet connection I have, and allow the boxes I have internet access via coax.

I think the discussion got derailed a few posts back and having someone else jump in in the middle didn't help.

To help keep things straight, the 'SWiM' is on your roof and is part of your dish. The SWiM splitter or simply the splitter is what we're concerned with... that and the broadband DECA which connects your DIrecTV system to your home network.

The red port on the splitter is where the SWiM Power Inserter connects (if it is located after the splitter). Usually it sits behind one of the TV/receivers, inline with the satellite coax leading to the splitter. The PI has two coax connections and an AC line cord. Receivers without the PI attached, or the broadband DECA can connect to any port on the splitter.

If I'm following everything, then there is no reason why you can't move the broadband DECA adjacent to the splitter and connect it directly to the splitter, its power supply and your router. The only catch is that if you aren't going to have anything connected to the cable that currently serves the broadband DECA, then you should terminate that splitter output properly. You can do this either at the splitter itself or at the end of the unused cable, using a 75 ohm terminator.

I would not advise connecting the DECA to a wireless connection.

I had the installer do that. I had wireless A connection out to an eithernet switch, then the switch was connected to the DECA, XBox 360, and my Samsung TV. It worked, for a bit...

I would get a pop-up message on the TV's connected to the non-DVR receivers saying that the playlist (name) had disconnected.

I could normally go in and use the instructions found in this forum to reset the playlist and get it going again, but it would only last maybe 10 or 12 hours, then disconnect again.

Finally, after looking at the illustrations, and reading here, I found that the DECA should ONLY be connected to the router, not via wireless.

The installer came back, ran a piece of RG6 from the SWM to the router, and connected the DECA to the router and the SWM, not via wireless

Since then, the playlist, recording and playback from the non-DVR receivers has been flawless.

I should also add that I purchased a new router, just in case it was a router problem. It made no difference which router I used, when the DECA was connected via Wireless, it would lose it's connection.  I even tried extending the DHCP lease time, no luck.