How to set up Whole-Home DVR with a pair of HD DVR-HR23-700

The best connection is to run an independent cable to both DVR's from the router.  Alternately, install a 5 port Ethernet switch at one of the DVR's, wire that to your router, and connect the two DVR's to the switch.  Using the lower port on one of the DVR's as a pass through may work but many say the signal between the two boxes is compromised.  The switch works particularly well.  I have this setup with three DVR's connected and the flow between them is absolutely flawless.

Your setup you posted will not be supported by Directv and that is probably why no one has responded to you yet. As long as you feel like doing the work yourself connecting each DVR to your router will work, but like I said NOT SUPPORTED and still would cost $3 extra monthly fee for access. DECA will be the real way to go and you don't need the internet connection to make MRV to work. The cost alone for the upgrade will be worth the investment for a much reliable connection to your receivers.

DIY=cost of CAT 5 cable, along with connectors, tools, time and headaches when trying to diagnose personal network system.

DECA upgrade= $149, Installer comes out converts system to SWM/DECA, routes 1 DECA to router internet connection, and covered by Directv for issues.

The DECA method is for sure the best way to go as irishtn suggests.

DCD & IRISHNTN, thanks for the responses.  I am going to go with the Cat5 route for now because I already have one of the DVR's hooked up with cat5, so I just need to do another run for the other DVR. 

After reading your posts, I too agree that the DECA route would be the ultimate best way to go, but I enjoy making my own cat5 cable and connections and such.  So I am going to run the other cat5 now and give them a buzz when I am done to have the MRV enabled.

If I have too many problems with the network method I will call for the install.

Thanks again for the help, I appreciate it.

You're welcome, keep us posted as to your results.

Honestly it is a rip off for the people that have everything except the DECA's and a band stop filter. $150 is crazy for a tech to connect two things in my house. That is why there are so many "unsupported" setups running around. I have an HR23-700 and a R22-700 and I can't get a decent answer as to how this is to be setup.

Already pay way to much for this service why do I want another Incompitent contractor screwing up my setup for a Fourth time?

If you would like assistance or merely want to vent it might be more courteous to start your own thread rather than piggy back onto this one.  The decent answer is that you only have one HD DVR and you'll need two for the feature.  The R22 is a SD DVR.

Honestly you might get a better response on a upgrade after offering to trade out the R22 for either a HD/DVR or a standard HD receiver. You have to have at lease 2 HD equipment in order to get the service activated, even unsupported. I would call and see what kind of deal they are willing to offer.

Called and all I got was try to find the parts online and call us when you get it connected then we will turn on the MVR service for you. No discount on install or anything, no instructions on what I need to get it connected or even how to connect it.

No both recievers are fine for the service that has been the answer between 4 techs on the phone over a 3 week period. So now you are contradicting everthing that has been said. No I am not venting I am upset that I have to pay $150 for two DECA'S and one Band Stop Filter though. I am fully aware that an R22 is a SD reciever but in the presence of a HR23 it become's an HD DVR.

Heres a little help, but all and all its cheaper for you to get them from Directv.

You will need 2 of these as long as you have the SWM setup, 3 if you want to connect them to your internet.

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=02&p=DECA1MR01&d=DIRECTV-Ethernet-Coax-Adapter-DECA--(DECA1MR01)&c=Satellite%20Components&sku=

You will need one of these if you connect the 3rd DECA up to the internet, needed to power the DECA

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=02&p=PS18DER0&d=DIRECTV-DECA-Power-Supply-(PS18DER0)&c=Satellite%20Components&sku=

You will need 1 of these for every recevier that doesn't have a DECA connected to it, Example SD receviers without a Ethernet connection on the back of the receiver.

http://www.solidsignal.com/pview.asp?mc=02&p=BSFR01&d=DIRECTV-Band-Stop-Filter-(BSFR01)&c=Satellite%20Components&sku=

Thanks for the Info I have attached a rough drawing of my setup(as soon as the page will let me) if you could let me know if I could do with out the third DECA for the internet and just piggy the extra port off the router to the deca and keep the internet connection from the Router to the HR23-700 and have it feed that way?

The thing about connecting your internet to the receiver and then using DECA to communicate to the other receiver will have issues. DECA is designed for only DECA to be used. Like I said before the best bet for you is to call Directv for the upgrade, it will save you the money and the headache in the long run. If the current SWM isn't compatible with the MRV/DECA then that would also need updating as well.

DIY Cost = $145.00 w/out S/H cost. That also doesn't include changing out SWM equipment that is not compatible with MRV/DECA as well.

Directv upgrade =$149.00 for everything.

The choice is the most obvious.

Thanks bummer though but will continue to try and see what deal I can get.

In DirecTV's eyes it is an SD DVR with HD, not a true HD DVR; a subtle but important difference. The initial cost was that of an SD DVR and that's what it remains to them.