Multi-Room Viewing stops working every few days

This occurs because of the situation described in my previous post.  That Internet connection must be in place before your receivers and DVR's are powered up or you'll get the interference and conflict you describe.  The reset sequence is very simple.  First, assure that the DECA box with the blue Ethernet cable connected to your wireless router has a power supply like the one in the picture.  Then, leaving all cables and Internet connections in place, un plug the AC power from you HD receivers, then the power supply to the Internet DECA (only the AC power) and finally the SWM power inserter (see picture).  Then plug the power inserter back in, then the DECA router power supply and then each receiver (DVR's first).  That should stop the conflicts you were having.

For future reference, each of these devices are communicating with each other via a multichannel signal set up inside the coax.  Every time you plug or unplug anything, you disrupt that setup, so once it's reconfigured, avoid disturbing the setup.  A good insurance is an uninterruptible power supply for the SWM power inserter.

Hello,

Thanks for your help. This  fixes the problem for about 24 hours then my lap top cannot detect the internet. Says network settings changed cannot join network. if i power off the router i can get the internet but my guess is the direct tv will start to malfunction ( room to room) any more suggestions? 

thank you

heather

Yes.  Rather than unplugging the Whole Home router connection, reconfigure your Laptop. 

(Back to original issue...)

Final Update.  Going on a week and everything is solid.  Infact my issue with the H24 playlist going stale has fixed itself.  So to summarize:

1. First go into "Network Settings" and do "Restore Defaults" on all receivers (this is only necessary one time.  You don't need to do this every time.)

2. Power down (i.e. unplug) all receivers, SWM power inserter, and BB-DECA (DECA attached to router).

3. Power up SWM power inserter

4. Power up BB-DECA (DECA attached to router)

5. Power up each HD-DVR one at a time and wait for each unit to be completely power up before moving on to the next

6. Power up each HD receiver one at a time and wait for each until to be completely power up before moving on to the next

Enjoy!

I've also learned that the receivers don't "play nice" with some of the advanced DHCP settings.  For me I made sure my router was using basic/automatic DHCP settings.  (I have read that if you use address reservations you also need to use "Advanced Network Settings" on the receiver to define a static IP -- don't do one without doing the other.)

I experienced a loss of power on the BB-DECA and one HD-DVR.  This caused the system to stop communicating across all receivers.  I just followed steps 2-6 above and was back in business.

Thanks for your help dcd!

Kudos to you for sticking with it.  Pretty well proves that configuration is critical.  Hope the system continues to perform, and you're quite welcome.

I had this problem for several weeks.  I believed it was related to my home network, not the Direct TV system.  I had an older 8 port gigabit switch that occasionally locked up and I suspected it was the problem.  I ordered a new switch 2 weeks ago, replaced the one I thought was bad and I have not had any issue since.  

I have DSL, the modem is running in Bridged mode to a Linksys router, the router is connected to a 16 port SMC EZ Switch, 3l the Receivers and the DVR are connected straight from that switch.

Good for you.  For a Ethernet based system, a switch is the way to go, it allows the streaming of programming between DVR and receiver without ever entering the router.

Of course, this thread dealt with a Whole Home DECA system installed by Directv and your system is a Beta style DIY project.  Different mode of operation and different causes and effects.

i have had all the same problems, re- booting everything would work for about 24 hours then everything would not work. My friends boyfriend who is a computer geek came over and set each component to a static ip address ( laptop, and 2 dtv recievers all have static ip addresses and system has been working great for about 5 days) i would have not been able to do this myself as it was way too technical but this seems to have solved the problem. whole home dvr is working as well as on demand as well as well as laptop. so if this helps anyone great

heather

A decaBB at your router will fix the problem.  It is a problem with the 24's and a using a reciever deca at the router.  I am 100% positive this is the problem.  I have and HR22 and HR23 and a reciever deca at the router and no problems.  My neighbor had HR24 and H24 and had reciever deca at router and nothing but problems. I replaced it with Deca BB and has been working ever since

Where do i get at decaBB. My system has been running fine since we gave everything a static ip address. almost 10 days now with no problems.

Thanks 

heather

I have seen no notification that a DECA module won't operate properly where a BB module will.  Replacing one DECA module as the previous poster stated may well have corrected that particular situation but there is no indication that this situation is system wide.  The BB modules are just now coming down the supply line and I don't think they've reached the retail market as yet.

Note that the system was designed around the BB module, but a DECA was considered an acceptable substitute for months.  All of that being said, the HR24 is turning out to be a bit stubborn and is having a number of growing pains, so who knows.

What is a decaBB? I take it this is something different than the standard white deca with the green lights, etc.

The "white" module you refer to is a DECA unit and is used with it's power supply as a substitute to connect the Whole Home system to the router.  The BB module was designed specifically for this purpose but was not available initially.  Attached are pics of each.

OK...now I get it. Thank you!

I have the deca set up now which seems to work well for whdvr service (after removing the band stop filter from the h24 the installer put there for some crazy reason). Do you see any real benefit to me purchasing a BB at this time (currently only using 1 hr24 and 1 h24 and will be adding a 2nd h24 soon)?