General questions about how the external WVB works

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CCK is the wired version that uses DECAs to connect to the internet. It is the CCKW that is the wireless version.

@gregeusa 

Sorry, when you mentioned the 2.4GHz I thought you were comparing the WVB to the CCK.

The wireless Cinema Connection Kit (CCK) is what connects an HDDVR to your home internet. Primary purpose is On Demand and ordering PPVs by the remote.

Previously each HDDVR had be connected individually, but with the introduction of Whole Home DVR/MRV one box services that connection for the rest.

Thanks, so this would be for a non Genie 2 system? Does this just take the place of the old phone line my last DVR (yes up until recently I had a phone line connected).

I get that in a whole home situation it would give an Internet connection to the devices that clearly did not otherwise have an Internet connection.

Am I understanding clearly?

Thanks, Greg

AFAIK CCK was used before the HR44 came out that allowed direct connecting an Ethernet cable to it or using WiFi to provide Internet to all DTV receivers and can still be used on a SWM system.

So it would have no place in a Geni 2 system?

It can be used if it is already installed, AFAIK techs may no longer carry DECAs.

As an aside, I am curious about the networking in the system. I think the system is capable of using multiple paths in it's network, and I'm going to investigate to see if this is true. Just interesting, not having any problems, but of the 4 pieces of DTV hardware, I have multiple paths it seems.

Greg

The CCK has been built-in since the 2nd generation Genie (HR44). You only need the external one if you have the HR34 or earlier setup, or if you have a regular HDDVR on separate cabling (such as detached garage with its own dish).

The internet connection takes place of most of the purpose of the phone line. Software updates now come through the satellite feed. Since DirecTV no longer needs to encourage phone line connection, plus was only compatible with traditional landlines and not newer VOIP types, Caller ID on TV was discontinued.

As for 5GHz vs 2.4GHz, the lower band may have longer reach but the higher one has a faster data transfer over equivalent distance within that shorter reach. As HD takes more data than SD, this appears to be more of a quality vs quantity situation.

DTV only needs and can only use 1 internet connection and that connection is shared with all other DTV boxes.

uhh... the 2.4 gig vs 5 gig... you need to do your homework.... over short distances, 5g will give you more... but definitely not over long distances.

I checked the WVB, it is using 80 MHz bandwidth, 40 would make more sense (read up on it).

Roughly 5 gig wifi has about 1/3 the range of 2.4.  So in many instances the WVB is used to help "boost" the range of the Genie 2 (from what installers said)...

But!!! Wrong frequency range and wrong bandwidth for this application. Having actually produced products with WiFi and having a lab with HP WiFi analyzers in it, I know this stuff, not just what you read on the Netgear web site.

There's no surprise that the Genie 2 ONLY has 2.4 wifi, because it MUST connect well with low error rate.

The data rate of either technology in ideal circumstances is WAY beyond what is needed, but the question is what about marginal distances, or crowded spectrums.

My guess is the WVB (both internal and the external ones) is 5 gig is simple, it's NOT the 2.4 that the Genie 2 uses.

In any case, my WVB for the Genie Mini is just far enough apart not to overload the receivers (radio receivers)

Same goes for my Genie 2 and the Gemini, they are just a couple feet apart. (yeah yeah the spec says 4)... (put your laptop right next to your WiFi in your house and do a speedtest, it works fine)....

Anyway, just interesting, not the choices I would have made, but for sure at least run the external WVB at 40 MHz channel width, the 80 is not good, and it will become a problem for many in the not too distant future.

This is all pretty much beyond the scope, and capability of this forum, just interesting stuff.

Greg

The free air range of a WVB is 80' don't know what if any difference 2.4 or 5g makes.

The MAXIMUM range in free air is listed as 80 feet. But don't know anyone with a house with no walls inside ;-)

But you are neglecting loss of data rate over distance and 2.4 vs 5 GHz is a BIG difference over longer distances... I'll let you google it.

Then the nuances of the bandwidth of the connection used enters into it, there's pretty common knowledge is that the 80 MHz bandwidth is not a good choice for 5 GHz over distance, for multiple reasons, again I'll let you google it.

Range and throughput are not static and fixed in any way whatsoever.

@gregeusa 

My point was in reference to the short distance being preferred to give the maximum data. I completely understand that once you hit enough drop-off that 2.4 would be preferred. Sorry that wasn't clear, but certainly don't need 'homework' on that.

Yeah, my point is (at least the impression from the installers) they have to add the WVB when things are too far apart, but since it uses 5 gig, it would be the wrong choice as compared to 2.4. In addition, the 80 MHz bandwidth is not a good idea and not needed, and you can see that from some googling 80 MHz vs 40 MHz bandwidth.

Again, just fine points, in most cases it must work fine. Luckily I had a coax drop in the garage to support the WVB there and just a few feet away from the Genie Mini.

(This is probably boring the poop out of most readers, I'll stop  ;-)