Does my DirecTV HD-DVR need to be connected to my router for Whole Home?

Also, I don't want to run a ethernet cable throughout my house to connect my HD-DVR to the internet. Is it possible to use a USB wireless card to pick up the wireless signal off my router?

Press the remote's Dash (-) button.  Does it echo "SWM connected ...." on your TV?

Also, What model Receiver do you have?  Look for the label on the rear panel or behind the front panel access card door. 

SWiM is connected... HD-DVR Receiver is HR20-700    HD Receiver is H21-200

Then you're not quite ready for Whole Home DVR networking.  It's a shame that the DirecTV rep thought you were.  Your HR20 and H21 require DECA network adapters.  And if you want your HR20 connected to the internet, you'll also need their Cinema Connection Kit.  

Best bet is to call DirecTV and insist that someone come install this stuff for you. 

Yes, I have the DECA network adapter for the HR20. As I did my own research I found out that I needed a DECA on the HD receiver (H21) as well. When I was talking to the sales rep at DTV she said I didn't. I asked for technical support, we went through all the different tests to make sure my satellite was working correctly and I told her I did not have a DECA network adapter on my H21 receiver she said thats the problem. DirecTV is shipping me one at no charge. Can I just connect the DECA and go? Also, I am wanting to connect my HR20 to the internet and I know you cannot use the ethernet if your doing Whole-Home DVR. Does the DECA that comes with the Cinema kit come with a DECA that has an ethernet port on it to connect to the wireless access point DirecTV offers? This all seems very easy to me, I work as a computer/server salesman and have always been familiar with TV's and computers/networks.

Thank you for your help.

Also do you know of any other way to pick up the wireless connection on my HR-20 without using DirecTV's access point and DECA with ethernet? Wireless USB cards came to mind but a lot of those you need to download a driver and you wouldn't be able to do that with HR-20

The ONLY way to connect a Whole Home DVR network to the internet is with DirecTV's Cinema Connection Kit. No USB networking devices are supported.   It's great that you're trying to do this all yourself, but it's not really designed for self-installation, and DirecTV won't support it.  

Directv has a wireless Cinema Connection Kit (referred to a the self-installation Cinema Connection Kit), which performs the DECA function as well as wireless access to your router.

This whole situation is not right in my view.  An installer should have been sent to this persons home and the system installed.  I'm wondering if the poster rejected the Directv installation and is trying to do it at less expense.

Personally I wouldn't consider installing a Whole Home system with a wireless connection to the router.

When originally installed roughly 1 1/2 years ago, a DECA adapter was installed with my HR20-700. My H21-200 did not come with a DECA. I just called the other day to activate Whole-Home. The technician said I had everything I need and ran some tests. Well I researched more and found out that my H21-200 needs a DECA as well. So I called DirecTV back (I have the Protection Plan that has customer support) told them that I need a DECA for the bedroom (H21-200) no one at DirecTV offered to come out and install it. But if there was a charge, yes I would install it by myself. And my question about the internet connection was just wondering the possibilities. I am going to use the DirecTV Cinema Self-Installation Kit.

dcd: Why would you recommend NOT using Whole-Home and DirecTV Cinema Kit?

Also I have a brother-in-law looking to use DirecTV Whole-Home and he's having issues as well. Does he need the DECA on each receiver?
HD DVR- HR23-700         HD-H23-600

Thank you.

The DECA adapters are required for (supported) WHDVR with the H21, H23, HR20, HR21, HR22 and HR23 models.  The H24, H25 and HR24 have this capability built-in.

dcd and myself included, do not recommend using the WIRELESS cinema connection kit.  we always try to advice customers to get the wired version, the DECA BB.  this is due to the unreliability of the wireless signal.  

getting back to you topic, as you are aware you need a receiver DECA for the H21 receiver, and your brother needs two for this two receivers. plus your brother would also need the cinema connection kit.

I don't have one, but thought that the wireless CCK can also be used as a wired adapter (it has an ethernet port).  I agree that a wired connection is preferable, but it is not always practical.

While it may be possible (I don't know this to be true) to jury rig the WiFi CCK to an Ethernet cable there is no plus in doing so.  The BB hard wired adapter is cheaper if purchased at retail, is designed specifically for that purpose and best of all is provided free with all Whole Home DVR installations.  Note that the Ethernet port on the WiFi is designed to be connected to a non SWM HD DVR.  It is not designed to connect to a router.

The BB adapter http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=DECABB1R0&d=DIRECTV-DECA-Broadband-with-power-supply-(DECABB1R0)

The WiFi CCK http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?p=CCK-W&d=DIRECTV-CCK-W-Wireless-DECA-Cinema-Connection-Kit-(CCK-W)