Can I connect through a Wifi-installed DVD Player?

no.  it would not work.

Darn.  Thanks for your reply.

So even if the Sony DVD player connects to the internet wirelessly and I plug an ethernet cord from the DVD player into the DirecTV HD DVR, it wouldn't be able to share that internet connection?

no

Thanks again.

Well that's too bad.  DirecTv really needs to take aim at this problem.  Especially since they don't provide internet (to the best of my knowledge). 

Paying nearly $90 for a special adapter only for this type of use is ridiculous to receive an OnDemand package that Comcast and Charter offer for free.  Yes, I know I'm in a special situation where my internet doesn't allow for it to be plugged in, but it's still ridiculous. 

May be time to switch over.  My rates skyrocketed recently with DirecTV (the whole less channels for more money "deal"), where now it's almost worth switching over.

But thank you for your help.  Let me know if you know of any other situation where I could use community WiFi to receive DirecTV Cinema without paying $90 for their stupid setup device.

peds48......please explain WHY it won't work? I have a Sony WiFi Bluray player and was wondering the same thing. I see that you can connect the cable directly to the router (if you have one) and it will work but won't do Whole Home for some reason. It shouldn't matter how it's connected to the internet for ALL the options to work. Seems to me DirecTV is trying to force us into buying the $90 connection kit that should not be needed.

the reason why it does not work is because the ethernet port on these devices are not meant to share the wireless connection.  is NOT direcTV fault that this method does not work.  best to contact the manufacturer of the blu ray player and demand that the make available internet sharing through is wireless connection.  the reason why connecting an ethernet  cable disables you WHDVR is because the receivers have built in DECA circuitry for networking and connecting an ethernet cable will disable that and enabled the ethernet port.  since the other receivers are using DECA, the ethernet receiver cannot "see" the DECA network receivers.

illniguy82.  sorry to break you the bad news.  somebody had to, right?  your comments about switching over, do not hold any wight here.  I am a customer like yourself trying to make thou your life a bit easier by answering your queries.  you can always buy an ethernet wireless adapter from eBay if you get to find one cheaper than the one priced from DirecTV.  note that the only wireless adapter that works with WHDVR, is the one provided by DirecTV

These comments both demonstrate your lack of understanding of the issue.  The Ethernet port on the backs of BluRay players and other devices are intended for use with an Ethernet cable that is in turn connected to the router and this connection takes the place of the built in WiFi system.  No device plugged into that port would ever "see" a connection to the router.

Of course if you still wish to switch, I bid you farewell and good luck.

Hi Peds48_Installs - thank you very much for your insight.  Please understand, I'm not upset with you but with DirecTV.

I agree completely with joboosal.  DirecTV is forcing us into buying a $90 device that only works with their equipment (no other valuable use) just to get a service that Comcast, Charter and almost every other cable company provides for free.  If DirecTV wishes to retain customers, they might want to look into providing DirecTV Cinema for free rather than a $90 cost. 

I'm going to get my DVD player and if it doesn't work as you say, then I'm going to maybe look into switching over.  I hear Apple is coming out with Apple TV soon so that could be cool.

Hi DCD,

Thank you for your clarification.  I definitely lack knowledge on the technical issue as you mention, and it's good to have people here like you to answer questions.

For a followup question - is there a way I can avoid spending $90 (btw which is the same cost as the aforementioned bluray DVD player) for a device with a sole use of obtaining DirecTV Cinema?  Comcast and Charter give you their OnDemand services for free - no $90 device required.  I actually like DirecTV a lot, but am getting fed up as my bill recently skyrocketed and this whole issue with DirecTV Cinema.  Now I'm basically stuck paying more for less, since I'd need to spend an extra $90 just to get the SAME services already offered by competitors. 

Again - can I avoid spending $90 and somehow receive DirecTV Cinema when I only have a wireless internet connection?  Someone earlier mentioned something about using a laptop.

Comcast and other cable providers already have an Internet connection to their set top boxes so no added connections are required.  Just as background, until relatively recently Directv had no On Demand system at all.  When they introduced this those of us who had been around thought it was great.  I personally don't like wireless for streaming of programming so I have all of my devices wired to the router.  Wire is cheap and if you're willing to spend an hour or so in the crawl space/basement/attic you can have a connection for about 10 bucks.  Note that currently with all Whole Home DVR systems and other new HD installs, Directv is running the necessary cables and furnishing the boxes at no added charge.  That doesn't do you much good but it does demonstrate that Directv recognizes the problem.  Did you call Directv and see if they would cut you a break on a Connection Kit?  Here is where I get my cable.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10208#1020812

Thanks DCD, very good advice.

I absolutely agree with you that $90 OnDemand is better than No OnDemand.  And I absolutely hate Comc@st for so many reasons lol.  Which is why I came to DirecTV in the first place.

I'm with you on wired streaming vs. wireless.  However, I don't want to sign up for internet service when my building already provides it for free (I'm trying to cut expenses in this lousy economy, not add more).  But if I move, I'll definitely keep your helpful advice in mind.

I'll give DirecTV a call and see if they can do anything.  I think you can see my dilemma (DirecTV raised their price on me bigtime, and now it's almost the same as other providers who offer free OnDemand).  However, up until the recent price increase I was very satisfied with DirecTV and their services. 

since you don't have WHDVR, you can use any ethernet based wireless adapter.  doing a QUICK eBay search, I found the following:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NETGEAR-WNCE2001-Universal-WiFi-Wireless-N-Ethernet-Network-Adapter-/350495020896?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item519b219760#ht_2732wt_1413

I also remember seeing a few post with folks using this adapter with successful results.  Note that this adapter MUST be set up using your PC first before it can get connect to your HDDDVR.  the DIrecTV provided WCCK can be configure using your HDDVR.