Whole Home System Configuration

No.  Wireless networking connections are not suitable for Whole Home DVR service.  Best to call DirecTV and order their supported WHDVR Upgrade.  The installer will ....

• Replace your dish/multiswitch with a Single Wire Multiswitch version so that you can use the coax-based DECA networking
• Replace older SD Receivers with SWM-compatible Receivers
• Install DECA network adapters on your HD DVRs
• Install a Cinema Connection Kit to "bridge" the DECA coax network to your home ethernet network for internet access to both HD DVRs. 

Note that you currently cannot setup new recordings from one DVR on another DVR.  You'll need to set those up using the local DVR, or an iPad app, or DirecTV.com.

And, pausing of a live TV program is not possible on a HD receiver, only on a HD DVR.

OK, now I'm really confused.

Prior to receiving this forum reply I was able to reach a technician who explained;

1) The Whole Home network is handled entirely through the SWIM system via coax (between the antenna and DVR's).

2) Internet access is only needed IF you have the Cinema Direct, AND it can connect wirelessly to your router.

So, based on replacing my existing SD receiver with an HD-DVR, which will be in addition to the existing HR21-700, adding the Whole Home network and Cinema Direct, can this be done using a wireless connection to my router? There is no ethernet connection in the vicinity of either HD-DVR, so if an ethernet connection is required, then I cannot proceed with the upgrade to add the Whole Home and Cinema Direct - so please confirm (I don't want to order this upgrade only to have the installer come out and explain it can't be done).

Yes.  Review my first response again.  The fourth bullet describes the Cinema Connection Kit.  Ideally the installer will run a coax cable (SWM) to a location near your home network router.  That's the best and most reliable approach.  But if it's absolutely not possible to run a coax cable near that location, you can use the Wireless version of the Cinema Connection Kit.  Typically  installers don't provide the wireless version, so you would have to order and install it yourself.  

And note that Whole Home DVR service using the supported coax networking (DECA) has nothing to do with your home network.  It's up to you if you also want to bridge the WHDVR network (DECA coax) to your home network (ethernet or wireless) for internet access.  

I must be missing something; "But if it's absolutely not possible to run a coax cable near that location, you can use the Wireless version of the Cinema Connection Kit."

Does this refer to the Cinema Connection to the internet? I ask because I have never seen an internet router with a coax connection. Instead, it's either ethernet or wireless. Was this instead meant to say; "But if it's absolutely not possible to run an ethernet cable near that location, you can use the Wireless version of the Cinema Connection Kit."

From a practical standpoint it's not possible to run an ethernet connection from the router to the are of the HD-DVR (where I understand the Cinema Connection is located). I do have, however, a Powerline ethernet connection available adjacent to the HD-DVR location. Is it possible/preferable to use this in lieu of wireless connection for the Cinema Connection?

Finally, if it does end up having to be a wireless Cinema Connection to the router, is there some reason this version of the Cinema Connection Kit can't be ordered with the upgrade and installed by the installer when they install the new HD-DVR and Whole Home network?

No, the installer will run a COAX from the main splitter or anywhere in the DirecTV coax tree to connect the Internet Connection Kit to your router.  this kit has a Broadband DECA which is used to bridge the DirecTV coax network to your Ethernet network. the upgrade comes with the free wired version, and the customer can purchase the wireless version if that is what they want.

As mentioned previously, there is no good way to run a cable from the area of either of the HD-DVR's. There is an ethernet connection (via Powerline) adjacent to one of the HD-DVR's and the router has WiFi as well.

So, can the can the Internet Connection Kit use an ethernet via Powerline connection?

If not, is there some reason the installer cannot install the wireless option to insure everything is working before he leaves?

is not recommended tp use the power lines adapters.  as stated before, the WHDVR upgrades includes the wired connection at no added cost, you can request however the wireless option.  there is an extra charge for this option, and most times is a DIY job for the customer.  call DirecTV and see if they can include the wireless option in the WHDVR upgrade

Installers typically don't carry the Wireless version, so be sure to request that in advance of your appointment. 

DECA stands for Directv Ethernet Coax Adapter.  The system creates a ninth channel (the other 8 carry programming to the tuners) within the coax cable which carries Ethernet signals between the boxes.  When it comes time to connect to your router, a DECA BB adapter converts the coax back to straight Ethernet which in turn connects to your router.  I see the "my router is in a different room" reasoning dozens of time each day.  Then a few weeks later I see quite a few of those same folks in the Directv2PC forum complaining about broken playback.  Sometimes they show up in the Cinema forum complaining that the Whole Home system drops the connection.

I can run a cable to the router in almost any home.  The installers will be very cooperative if you don't want the cable run, but believe me, you'll be happy if you insist on a wired connection.