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

DCD or anyone else familiar with cat5 pin-outs........I am going to do a "Straight Patch" or "Crossover" for the Cat5 run from the receivers to my router?

Thanks 

These days it seldom matters because in all likelihood at least one end of any connection does auto MDI(X). Straight through should be fine.

I ran two cat5 cables (1 from each DVR) to my DSL router.  I installed a two gang keystone jack at the router, and single jacks at the DVR's.  I ran them from the top ports of each DVR.  I then connected my Blu-ray players via the bottom port of the DVR's.

I called DirecTV, and asked them to activate the MRV.  She said no problem, and that it would take a few minutes for the DVR's to download the info.  I waited 5 minutes and selected menu / set up and there it was...Multiroom.  I followed the on screen prompts and connected both of my HR23 HD DVR's.

Results........I am happy.  You do notice a little difference in speed of fast forward / rewind, ETC......but the video and sound are perfect.  Overall it did not cost me much as I had most of the Cat5 stuff lying around.  As for the pin-out config of the cat5, straight thru worked fine.

I also confirmed that my Blu-rays are connected to the internet too....so far so good.

Thanks for the help and input!!

DirecTV receivers are all 100Mbps.

Samh717,

Here is some info on my router, which is a 2006 Westell 327W provided by Verizon at the time, which is now Fairpoint.

"It has both wireless (802.11g+) and ethernet (4 ports) connectivity. The wired networking LAN interface includes an integrated 4-port 10/100 Mbps Ethernet switch. The VersaLink also offers the mobility of wireless through an 802.11b/g/g+ access point"

I just ordered the MRV installation from DirecTV, but after reading some of the posts on here I don't know if I need someone to come to my house.  I have CAT5 running from my Netgear router to my HD DVR (HR22) and HD (H21) receivers.  Does that mean theya re networked together?  At this point can I just have them turn the service on in my house?  What did you mean when you said you connected your blu-ray players to your receivers?  Do I need the DECAs?  I'm confused at this point as to what you need.  Someone please help!!!

Mike,

If you already have CAT5 available at the receivers and each one is a home-run back to the router, I would call to activate MRV for $3 a month. 

On my HR23 I have two Ethernet ports (Not sure how many you have). I use the top port as the "In" and the bottom as the "Out" like a pass through.  The out is hooked up to my blu-ray.....so now my blu-ray player has internet access.

Since you have the CAT5 already run, this will only cost you the $3 a month.  The install is $150 (I think).

Here is the catch though.  You will notice a little bit slower speeds playing back DVR'd shows from the streaming receiver, not a big deal to me.  Also, DirecTV will not support you for technical problems since its running on "your network".  If you have them do the install it will run through the coax, and the speed will be faster.

I am still having great luck with mine!!

I finally decided to have MRV turned on using my pre-existing network. Before I even got off the phone with customer service it was already up and running. The next day I called to order a third HD DVR, I inquired about the DECA install and was quoted $99, but the rep said "why bother, if your network is working fine?" So, now I have three HD DVRs, all working great, on my home network. No DECA or SWM required.

As an aside, either straight through or cross over Cat5 cables will work.  As Sungam posted, the equipment knows the difference and makes any necessary adjustments. 

As others have posted, a hard wired system works fine for Whole Home DVR.  One caution.  While it's fine to connect BluRay, Games, TV's etc to the lower port, I would not recommend "piggy backing" other receivers or DVR's to the lower port.  

My system works particularly well and I've installed a 5 port Ethernet switch at a central location in my house and all three of my HD DVR's connect to that which in turn connects to my router via a single Cat5 cable.  Although I don't know this for a fact, I believe that the MRV signals between DVR's never enter the router but are directly connected via the switch.  I see no delay whatever in commands, FF or REW.

Update: So my system has been working great for a little over a month now.  Although, I did have one problem that required me to do a red button reset on both DVR's.  I had an error message come up that said it could not recieve information packets from the other DVR.  Everything was fine after the reset.