Hi @Vik2. No, the wireless devices have a maximum range of no further than 80 feet apart, and several factors can impact the maximum distance possible. Walls and other barriers can degrade the signal, and concrete, brick, stone, or other high-density materials can limit the range of the wireless signal.

@Vik2 

The wireless video bridge (WVB) built-in of the Genie-2 (HS17), or additional external WVBs, have a range of up to 80 feet under ideal conditions. There is no way to boost the signal outside of relocating the HS17, or installing an external WVB, close to the Gemini.

Sorry but that setup wasn't built for such a distance. If this were an external garage or something on the same address I would have suggested a dish installed to run directly to the receiver (not Client) there. Unfortunately the HS17 only allows Clients on the account.

?So you are sure a wi-fi repeater could not do this? (you'd need power of course)

Or you could get a moca repeater maybe... although that takes a bit more knowledge.

Maybe lay some coax... get the WVB to get 80 feet, then see how much more you can get from coax length....

Get an electrical engineer buddy... how far are you trying to go?

Greg

If

No, the WVB and the minis setup their own network that no other devices can use.

Yes, you have to run coax from the SWM splitter to the WVB the closer the better.

DirecTV system was set proprietary so does not allow, or is incompatible if your prefer, with repeaters and the like. The WVB, whether built-in or the external, must connect to the Client directly.

Running coax to an external WVB, or doing the full run to connect to the Gemini wired, are the options.

How do you know the WVB is incompatible with repeaters? Have you tried? You do know it runs standard Wi-Fi 5GHz, with a separate IP range?

A smart guy can do a lot. Remember the guy who got the password to log into his WVB "home page" with a browser?

Not everyone would have the networking expertiese to understand this, that is why I said get a smart engineer friend.

I've already used a wi-fi repeater into my Gemini to get more than the paltry 40 megabit it's wifi is limited to (wifi to ethernet repeater).

So, yes not for everyone, but I believe you are stating "facts" which are not only not true, but you have not experienced.

Greg

@gregeusa 

Perhaps you can share with others how it's done?

@gregeusa 

If you've manage to get a workaround that hasn't worked for the rest of us, please share exactly how you were able to do so. Don't respond with a "are you sure" if you have personally succeeded where others have not, otherwise it comes off snarky and not productive.

And I was going off personal experience. Sometimes even couldn't see the signal, let alone connect with it. So if something has changed, on DirecTV's side or the extenders, that is great. Benefit of the forum is sharing knowledge and experience to help others.

But if something requires an "engineer buddy" to get it done, then that becomes impractical for most people, and possibly expensive if they look into hiring someone if they don't have a personal connection.

So, exactly:

I puchased a couple of wifi to ethernet "repeaters" to increase the speed to the Gemini.

The Gemini is limited to 40 megabits/sec on 2.4 gig (the old firmware let you connect 5gig). That is marginal for 4k movies.. for example it would not stream Dune 2, and the Plex server is in my house...

The repeater let me get to 96 megabits/second by feeding the Ethernet port.

Unfortunately, the system does not like this a lot and interrupts the 5 gig wifi from my Genie 2 tower.

I'm working on a workaround so I don't have to disconnect this bridge to get the server back. It's weird, but it happens.

I also used a 5 gig wifi to ethernet repeater, but same thing, so perhaps it is a routing issue. 

The best solution for the Gemini is hardwired, even though it only has a 100 megabit Ethernet port.

The repeaters used were from Amazon:

BrosTrend AC1200 WiFi to Ethernet Adapter

VONETS VAP11G-300 WiFi Bridge 2.4GHz

both worked...

I suspect making an extender for the WVB would be even easier, but I have no need now, so again, if someone was in need, they should get their local "computer buddy" who understands WI-FI...

The SSID of the WVB "network" is easily found with any of the cell phone apps that scan wifi.

The ip address is easily found by the menu system and/or looking at the connected devices in your router.

Again, it's also worth trying a long coax from the wvb to the client... so you get 80 feet from the Genie 2, and then see if you can make up the rest with a piece of coax.

Anyway the point was that there's many ways and ideas, but to just come out and say it's impossible is what I am arguing with you about....

Your statement:

DirecTV system was set proprietary so does not allow, or is incompatible if your prefer, with repeaters and the like. The WVB, whether built-in or the external, must connect to the Client directly.

is clearly not true, and this is similar to another argument I got into when first joined, that the MoCA that is used on the coax is also proprietary...  and it isn't...

I'm not saying the average Joe can experiment and make it work, but just stop the assertions that DTV has some magic voodoo that they invented over Ethernet, or coax or wifi...

Greg

Not saying they have magic voodoo. Only that by design it wasn't supposed to work and in the past hasn't. That is our (or at least my) assertion. So letting us know it has changed or you've figured out a workaround is great.

Workarounds and changes can be communicated without being insulting was my point. I detest the "are you sure" when you have a contradicting answer making that question pointless and snarky.

Following question would this solution be technically allowed or end up being a non-authorized workaround? I would also caution when you get into territory that is not for the "average joe" (or close to them) as we don't want to suggest jury rigging options and by some accident have their system break because someone thought they would try something risky from the internet on a whim.

I feel the age old mechanic vs engineer concept in this discussion.

I guess you missed my point.

You stated something as fact when it's only something you heard.

That's my objection. Many times on this forum the "experts" state things as fact when they are just passing along someone else's opinion, or nothing more than an assumption.

If I had not been called on the mat several times over this same situation I would say nothing.

But it's just more of the same, and I already gave examples of this. You can call me snarky or whatever you want, but the facts stand for themselves.

Greg

(a nicer way would have been: oh, I was not aware you could do such and such, or how does that work?)

You stated something as fact when it's only something you heard.

No, I said from personal experience. I respect others can have different experiences that may change the information that I have seen (first hand) as fact.

You can call me snarky or whatever you want, but the facts stand for themselves.

If you disagree with information, then why ask "are you sure"? What was the point other than to be snarky (or other similar term)? 

a nicer way would have been: oh, I was not aware you could do such and such, or how does that work?

I simply responded in a straightforward manner. Yes I did point out my issue with the "are you sure" question and suggested a more productive way about it. You are complaining about how one responded after you (verbally) poked them which personally I find a bit hypocritical.

Again, I have no issue with learning that something has changed or someone found a solution to something that hasn't worked for me or others. I ask that in such situations that we politely disagree and leave any attack (even minor) at the door.

I will again mention my concern with suggestions that are too in-depth or theory crafting as want to be sure the solutions and guidance are reasonable for the majority of posters. Perhaps for more intensive suggestions to let those who want them ask first or see if someone wants the info without going straight into full detail. That way we minimize overcomplicating it for others.

To be clear, yes I am blunt but straightforward so do strive to keep everything direct and polite. Yes, I acknowledge I may have been a bit abrasive in my response this time as responding to an answer with "are you suuure" (extended for tone) when you disagree is something I find only used to irritate or to be smug. I answer when I am sure of something. If I have a possible answer, but am not sure, I will say as much. Giving an answer as fact, when I am unsure, makes no sense so I will not do that.

In any case, perspectives given. Let us move on and not derail the original discussion any further.