How Can I set this up myself?

Here are the basic fees:  HD, $10, DVR $7, added receiver $5, Whole Home DVR service $3.   If you deactivate the old receiver, the same single $5 fee will apply to only the new one.

If all you want is to share the programming and do not care about connecting to the Internet for Cinemaplus (on demand) then all you need is a pair of Ethernet cables connected to the top port of each receiver and both terminated in an Ethernet switch.  If you want Internet service, then you'll need another Ethernet from your DHCP router to in input of the switch.

This would be an unsupported installation and Directv service would not support it.

I appreciate the prompt response. 🙂

I already pay for something listed on my statement as "HD Access - Charge $10.00" I also pay for "DIRECTV HD EXTRA PACK - Charge $4.99" so does that mean I will get an additional 10$ charge? for the HD fee?

With the added receiver fee, I guess I figured since I was not technically adding another receiver like I did when I added my second & third receivers, they were put into new locations, and the existing receivers stayed in use..

Right now out of the three I am only charged extra for the additional two, one is a leased receiver fee, and the other an additional receiver fee, I imagine both fees are basically the same type of fee, because I did not buy any of the receivers I have...

If you buy the receiver for 200$ as a replacement for an old one do they still make you pay the additional 5$ every month for as long as you remain to have service?

I know these are billing related, and this is a tech section, so for the off topic questions I apologize, I just want to make sure I can fit what all I am trying to do into my budget...

All I mainly want to do is share the programming, I have also thought about being able to send things to my PC if I want, I have a router, and can run a cat5 cable to it if that is what I need to do.

If I do that with the main DVR unit I should be able to have cinemaplus?

As for running cat5 from each receiver to an ethernet switch, I have a linksys BEFSR41, it has 2 ports left, can both connect to that instead of the ethernet switch, or am I going to need to purchase one?

If I need to purchase one do you know of a reliable cheap one that would work?

Also, if I go this route is that the route directv supports?

For the internet services you mention, do you mean there is some sort of interactive features that require it?

I already plan to hook the cat5 from my DHCP router to the main DVR receiver, that is the only place I may want to use Cinemaplus..

I read somewhere that you have to get something from the whole home kit & hook it up, I forget what it is, but it may have been something somebody had to do for multiple receivers talking to one another separately....

Sorry for so many questions, I really appreciate the help, I tried to do the research myself, but could not understand enough to feel i could get it setup...

Only one HD fee applies.  The HD extra pack is a programming package, not a use fee.  If you replace a receiver, the $5 on that receiver will transfer to the new one, but you'll need to deactivate the old one.

To have Cinemaplus, you only need the DVR networked, but for Whole Home DVR you must network both the DVR and the HD receiver.  You can connect both to the open router ports, the use of a switch is optional but it does enhance the setup.  I use the one at the link.  This setup would not be supported by Directv.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?rlz=1T4GZAZ_enUS402US403&q=linksys+5+port+switch&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=6935468566331435688&ei=OfPzTILnBMWblgeZq8GsDA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCgQ8wIwAA#

That was what I was thinking about the HD Fee, good to know I will not have an additional 10$ fee.

I will make sure to call & deactivate the old when I hook up the new.

Can I have Cinemaplus on both, & still be able to use WholeHome DVR as long as I network both receivers?

If I cannot by the way you mentioned, is there a way supported by DirecTV that would allow both services to work?

If I network both receivers, I'll cut both off, then run cat5 from both to the router, or ethernet switch if I have one at the time, then all I should have to do is cut the receivers on right?

Will they set them selves up, or am I going to have to do some network configuring?

One other question, I noticed recently that I can no longer order movies that are listed as 1080P, when I could order them a few weeks ago, I imagine my receiver was able to convert it to 1080i, with the new DVR I will be able to order these movies again, but will I be able to record those with my DVR, and then send them to the HD receiver, as long as both are networked?

The Directv supported system is the Whole Home DVR with Cinema Connection Kit.  All of the signals travel over the coax cable and they will install the system complete.  You'd need to call then for a price to install this.

You should be able to record and share 1080p programming.

Ahhh ok, I did read something about coax....

Will they not allow you to get the kit and perform the installation yourself?

If they will allow you to is it much more than running some more RG6 coax & maybe attaching an inline splitter or something?

I think I read that you could get the kit yourself, but if you did you do not usually get a power adapter for something...

Do I still have to pay the 3$ Home DVR service fee if I network them via cat5 as previously mentioned?

Pretty sure that is the route I am going to take, I actually already have 100ft of cat6 on the way, found it cheaper than the cat5, it was 13.99 with free shipping, I'd say I got a decent deal...

Going the cat5/cat6 method, will I still be able to resume, or watch a program in the the room via the same way you do if it was installed via coax?

I mean can you still start the program from the second location through whatever menu you use when hooked up via the coax method.

Yet one last question, again I am sorry for so many questions, and I really do appreciate your help.

If, & most likely when I get an Ethernet switch, can I run a cat5 from my router to the Ethernet switch that will be terminating the 2 cat5 cables from both receivers, would that somehow allow access to cinemaplus on both receivers?

EDIT: I think I see that you already answered that question, so when I get a ethernet switch I'll run an ethernet cable from my router to it, and then run the ethernet cable from both receivers to the switch...

Thanks again for all your help, without it I never would have ordered the new receiver, nor gotten more out of my DTV viewing pleasure. 🙂

After you connect them you will need to contact Directv to activate the service, E-mail is best. When activated it will appear in your menu. Then you need to give each unit a name and allow it to share it's listings with the other. I use a switch because I have 6 units connected. I think with just 2 you can connect them directly to each other but have never done it that way so I'm not sure. I know that dcd could tell you if that would work.

Thanks for the quick reply joed32, once it is all hooked up I'll e-mail them then,, I read about the issues people had trying to get it activated over the phone when they did not come out and set it up..

I was not going to run the cat6 from receiver to receiver, but from each receiver to my router for now, since it has 2 open ports left, eventually I will get the ethernet switch, and then see if I can run a cat6 from my router to the input on the ethernet switch, then hopefully I can have cinemaplus work on both, and also have the whole home dvr service as well...

Eventually I will add my third HD receiver to the others, but I will have to buy an ethernet switch first...

I did some more research here, and it seems I found an answer to one question, I can only have DirecTV Cinema plus on the DVR receiver, since the other has no HDD to download anything to...

Can you use the DVR set to record whatever you want to see on Cinemaplus, and then watch it from the other networked receiver?

Yes. 

And, if the Cinemaplus program is a PPV, then you need to begin watching it on the DVR before it becomes visible on the networked receivers.

Sounds like I should be pretty happy in a few days. 🙂

To be totally clear, you do mean a few minutes after starting the PPV movie it will be available, not after it ends right?

Only other question I have is about how fast the movies are ready to play when you select them on the other receiver?

I am hoping you do not have to wait too long....

And again, many thanks for the help everybody, especially you dcd, you have been most helpful!

When you record a PPV program, you do not pay for it until you begin to watch it.  When you select the program to play, a notice comes up on the screen instantly asking "do you want to purchase?"  The moment you answer yes, the program becoimes available on the other Whole Home receivers.

How fast the DOD downloads and plays all depends on the speed of your internet. Lower speeds of 1.0 mps to 3.0 mps will take longer to allow instant playback. 3.5 mps to 10.0 mps will allow playback allot faster. As far as Cinemaplus watch now will be able to access it just as watching live TV. The Watch Now Cinemaplus PPV movies will have a green check mark on them to seperate them from the ones you have to start downloading before watching.

Glad to hear that it becomes available on both as soon as you select yes to order it. 🙂

Thanks dcd!

Irishntn, normally my network speed is 8-10 MB down, so I should be ok, as long as I do not start downloading too many movies, my stupid cable provider has a cap on how much bandwith you can use, I am pretty sure mine is at 30 GB's right now, which is nothing really, lol

Thanks again for all the help guys, I think I should be getting my router & DVR receiver today, I cannot wait!  😄