Using a splitter to add TV

I tried a new in the box splitter,,,, no difference,,,, I ran the the mini Rec. output to TV,, it is fine,,,then ran Rec. to splitter,,, to one TV,, it is all fuzzy, and signal cuts out,, even using an HDMI coupler [  with no splitter ] from Rec to TV, it is fuzzy and choppy,,, tried several different HDMI cables also,,,,,I am thinking something in that Rec. is not 100%,,, could swap mini Rec.ers ,,, even if that proves the one Rec is funky,,,,,, then what,,,,been with DTV since the mid 90-s   , maybe long and faithful customer will shake something loose,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,'''sigh''''  P.S.  Thank you for the help,,,,,,may try more tricks ,,,

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I have reset my receivers,,,, as mentioned,,,, both my c51 500 receivers,,, have worked great using an HDMI splitter, for several years,,,,,,. One of c51 500 receivers is 'still' working great while connected to an HDMI splitter. But, one all of a sudden, no longer will connect to a splitter, and 'new' splitter. So I have two identical receivers, that behave differently,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, As you say, you would like a receiver in every room,,,, but that is cost preventative for any household,,,,,,I guess I will have to continue the way I am ,, until the receiver fails totally,,,, then it will be replaced, and I can go back to using the splitter again. There was a time when life was so simple,,,,

Just like  detuch 254 says: [DIRECTV's rule is that each TV requires a DIRECTV receiver so they, unfortunately, will not work with you on that. When you tell them that you used one of your Genie mini clients (C51) to watch on two TVs, they will be confused and offer you another receiver for the extra TV. This way, you are charged $7 per TV. ]  

I have a main Rec. HR54-200,, and two slaves or whatever, both are C-51-500 units. I use a splitter on both hdmi outputs of the C-51-500 units,,, has worked well for many years, until this morning. The one slave unit will not pass signal through an hdmi aftermarket splitter. The other slave works fine with a splitter. The one slave, will only work connected from itself to TV. Tried different cables, different splitters. So,,,, the shop receiver has lost 'something' in it's circuitry,,,, or ???? Again used splitters for years,,,,,so,, will D-TV send me a new receiver, or do they say one receiver, for one TV  ?? Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,

I have a main Rec. HR54-200,, and two slaves or whatever, both are C-51-500 units. I use a splitter on both hdmi outputs of the C-51-500 units,,, has worked well for many years, until this morning. The one slave unit will not pass signal through an hdmi aftermarket splitter. The other slave works fine with a splitter. The one slave, will only work connected from itself to TV. Tried different cables, different splitters. So,,,, the shop receiver has lost 'something' in it's circuitry,,,, or ???? Again used splitters for years,,,,,so,, will D-TV send me a new receiver, or do they say one receiver, for one TV  ?? Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,

I have a main Rec. HR54-200,, and two slaves or whatever, both are C-51-500 units. I use a splitter on both hdmi outputs of the C-51-500 units,,, has worked well for many years, until this morning. The one slave unit will not pass signal through an hdmi aftermarket splitter. The other slave works fine with a splitter. The one slave, will only work connected from itself to TV. Tried different cables, different splitters. So,,,, the shop receiver has lost 'something' in it's circuitry,,,, or ???? Again used splitters for years,,,,,so,, will D-TV send me a new receiver, or do they say one receiver, for one TV  ?? Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,

Hey @ptownbubba, we want to make sure that the service is working properly.

Let's meet in a Direct Message to take a closer look on this. Please check your DIRECTV Message inbox (it's the chat icon next to the bell icon on the upper right corner of the Forums)

Sergio, DIRECTV Community Specialist

It turns out,, the Receiver "is" defective,,,,,, it blips out after a time when connected to a single TV,,, I have been splitting HDMI signals for many years,,,,,,with great results,,,,,, so, when it no longer worked,,, I was confident the receiver was not 100%,,,,,, DTV has stepped up,,,, so all will be good. I pay for DTV service, I do not run signals to the neighbors,or set up a theater in the back yard,, just to another TV in my bedroom in my home. I pay for 3 receivers,,,, and run 4 tv-s.  The 4th TV is connected to both Mini receivers. As far as the multiple posts,,,,,, I am not sure how that happened,,,,,, that was a goof up not  intended to make any kind of gesture,,,,,Again, sorry for any problems my question may have created.

Hi @ptownbubba it was definitely a pleasure to be of help. 

Remember we'll be here whenever you need us, thank you for choosing DIRECTV, and have a great rest of your day!

David, DIRECTV Community Specialist

You can use the splitter on your own setup. But you do not pay for receivers. You pay for authorized TVs (Clients when a Mini Genie or no box at all if it is a TV with it built-in as they don't have an access card so have to be listed differently). That is DirecTV's billing model.

Though you pay for authorized TVs, DirecTV doesn't force the issue with splitters as you are tuned into the same channel on each TV. Because it is custom work, DirecTV would not support it. As the Mini Genie Client (not a receiver) went bad, that they do support as that is before the custom setup itself.

If you ever need to replace a splitter, just make sure it meets the minimum requirements for HDCP as that is something the networks have cracked down on. I wonder how long it will be until they increase those requirements.

Regarding the other post, I figured the triple was a goof. Though I would advise against copying/pasting your entire opening post anyway as just fills up space with what you've already said. Just a caution or suggestion for anything you need help in the future.

General question not answered here:  Is splittng the incoming coax cable/signal OK before it connects to the TV box?

Trying to help my 93 year old father set this up at his nursing home... it's taken the home literally 6 months to do this for him, and I'm 3000 miles away...

He has 2 smart TVs and (I think) 2 Direct-TV boxes. I don't know (yet) if he has an LNB on the dish split to 2 coax cables, or if it's just one cable coming into the apt.  If only incoming one cable, can we split it to both TV boxes?  If he only has 1 TV box, can another cable be run from that box to his 2nd TV -- he will never be watching 2 TVs at the same time.

Thanks for any help!!

@rlevy1 

Splitting the satellite coax is not trivial. It's different than splitting the DVR/Receiver's video output signal. And it's even more difficult if his room is set up by the nursing home (Multi-Dwelling Unit) provider, or if he has his own satellite dish dedicated to his equipment. 

@rlevy1 

If the LNB on the directv dish is a SWM LNB, the single coaxial cable coming in can be split using a SWM splitter, yes. However, if the LNB on the DIRECTV dish is a legacy dish or an LNB with four outputs, then it is a non-SWM LNB that must utilize a dedicated satellite multi switch in order to send coaxial cable to two rooms. 

Does your father get directv through the apartment, or does he subscribe to DIRECTV on his own? I ask because the apartment may have a dedicated directv dealer that can assist your father in his services.