Direct TV DVR work with Winegard W2?

Bobbo wrote:

Bill.Satellite wrote:
This would be good information if it were correct, but it is not. If you only connect 1 coax to your DVR you can only watch one channel or record that same channel. There is no way to watch one channel and record another with only 1 coax input. If you want to watch one channel and record a different channel at the same time you must have 2 coax cables connected.

I stand by what I said above. Usually, you are right, but I think you are mistaken on this particular point. The voltage sent on the coax determines which "set" of channels gets sent to the DVR, odd or even, not which individual channel gets sent. Since the whole "set" of channels is sent to the DVR, the 2 separate tuners in the DVR can pick between which channel in that "set" to utilize. The whole point of the second cable is to allow both "sets" of channels to be presented to the 2 tuners at the same time.

However, my main point was that he had to run 2 cables for full functionality. I think you agree with that.

Since are are not talking SWM here, the way the receiver works is one coax to one input gives you only one tuner. No way around that. One tuner = 1 channel. Watch it or record it but not a second one.

Couple of things I haven't seen mentioned are:

1. If you are using a "B" band converter at home you should not use it with the G@ carryout.

2. If your pre-wired Sat hookup is going into a switch box to switch between sat and antenna or aux that should be eliminated also. Sat hookup needs to go directly to the receiver.

Don't quite understand what Bobbo is saying but I run 2 cables from the G2 to 2 separate receivers and get all SD channels at both receivers. As Bill stated I can only watch or record one channel at a time.

Bill.Satellite wrote:
This would be good information if it were correct, but it is not. If you only connect 1 coax to your DVR you can only watch one channel or record that same channel. There is no way to watch one channel and record another with only 1 coax input. If you want to watch one channel and record a different channel at the same time you must have 2 coax cables connected.

I stand by what I said above. Usually, you are right, but I think you are mistaken on this particular point. The voltage sent on the coax determines which "set" of channels gets sent to the DVR, odd or even, not which individual channel gets sent. Since the whole "set" of channels is sent to the DVR, the 2 separate tuners in the DVR can pick between which channel in that "set" to utilize. The whole point of the second cable is to allow both "sets" of channels to be presented to the 2 tuners at the same time.

However, my main point was that he had to run 2 cables for full functionality. I think you agree with that.

Bobbo wrote:
What Bill left out is this.

The Directv antenna sends the channels from the LNB to the receiver 1/2 at a time. Either the EVEN channels, or the ODD channels can be seen on a single cable at any one time. The receiver gets around this by sending a different voltage, 13v or 18v, to the LNB to alternate between the 2 pairs.

The DVR has 2 tuners. If you only run 1 cable, you can only get 1/2 of the channels at a time. If you are not recording anything, and only watching TV, no problem, it sends the correct voltage. If you are not watching TV, and only recording, no problem, it sends the correct voltage. If you are watching 1 channel, and recording another, then they must be on the same half of the satellite since you can not send both 13v and 18v on the cable at the same time. If you run 2 cables, that no longer applies, as it can send 13v on one cable and 18v on the other at the same time.

Also, a comment on your bay connections. If they worked with the non-DVR, they should be fine with the DVR. The receivers have the same requirements as far as the connections are concerned.

This would be good information if it were correct, but it is not. If you only connect 1 coax to your DVR you can only watch one channel or record that same channel. There is no way to watch one channel and record another with only 1 coax input. If you want to watch one channel and record a different channel at the same time you must have 2 coax cables connected.

Thanks for adding the additional info.

I should have some time next week to play. I will let you know how it works out.

Best regards

Bill

What Bill left out is this.

The Directv antenna sends the channels from the LNB to the receiver 1/2 at a time. Either the EVEN channels, or the ODD channels can be seen on a single cable at any one time. The receiver gets around this by sending a different voltage, 13v or 18v, to the LNB to alternate between the 2 pairs.

The DVR has 2 tuners. If you only run 1 cable, you can only get 1/2 of the channels at a time. If you are not recording anything, and only watching TV, no problem, it sends the correct voltage. If you are not watching TV, and only recording, no problem, it sends the correct voltage. If you are watching 1 channel, and recording another, then they must be on the same half of the satellite since you can not send both 13v and 18v on the cable at the same time. If you run 2 cables, that no longer applies, as it can send 13v on one cable and 18v on the other at the same time.

Also, a comment on your bay connections. If they worked with the non-DVR, they should be fine with the DVR. The receivers have the same requirements as far as the connections are concerned.

Thanks Bill

I'll work backwards and start with a direct hook up and then start introducing the bay connections to see what works.
I will be sorely disappointed if the connections are inadequate on a brand new coach with a bay connection labeled "portable Satellite input" !!!
It might take a few days, but I will report back
Thanks for your insight

Bill

You can get by with just one coax connected to the #1 input of the DVR and it must be coming from the Main connection (not the Aux connection) from the G2. I highly recommend that you run that cable directly from the antenna to the receiver (so you might as well run 2) and not use the RV's outside input option. It's very possible that your issue is actually related to that since you are not getting any DirecTV signal.
Once you get the receiver setup and working then you can address what is causing issues with signal reception. If you are trying to use the RVs cable input outside in your connections bay, that will not work unless some wiring modifications are made. Depending upon your RV, it may not work at all.

Bill

Thanks for the response. I should have included all of the pertinent data

The DVR is an HR24-500 that was used in the house. You are correct that the antenna is a G2, not a W2. My bad.

It appears that I need to run a cable from both outputs of the dome to the DVR? If so, do I need to have them both connected once a signal is acquired? I ask, because my RV has only one input location that runs to the DVR. I can run a second cable through the open door if needed for set up, but it would not make the wife happy if it was always there.
I do know about changing the dish type, but I could not get to the menu because of the messages. The DVR just kept spinning and kept repeating "almost there".
(Wife has a LOT of programs recorded that she wanted to watch. I'll be dead meat if I can't get this fixed.)

Your assistance is appreciated.

Bill

Fishbreath wrote:
Hello all knowledgeable Direct TV Experts!

I am getting ready to go full time. Have the RV. Sold the house and I am moving the creature comforts over to the new RV.
I previously hooked up a non-DVR, Direct TV receiver to the Winegard W2 and it worked perfectly.
I then took the Direct TV DVR and hooked it up exactly the same way. The screen keeps repeating "Just starting up" and "just a few seconds more", but it did this for over an hour. (Tried it twice, same result).
So....
My question is......
Will the DVR Receiver work with this set up, or did I somehow break my DVR moving it from my house the the RV?
(The DVR receiver has two SAT inputs and a landline hook up, which obviously does not work. I don't have a long enough cord!)
Guidance Please!

Best regards

Bill

There is no such thing as a W2 so I will guess G2. It sounds like you are trying to use a Genie DVR or you are using a DVR from home that was previously setup for SWM. If so, the Genie simply won't work without modification to your dome wiring. If it's a DVR such as an HR24 you will need to go into the Repeat Satellite Setup routine and change it to 18" round and multi-switch. After that run 2 cables from the G2 to the 2 inputs on the DVR and start over again. It should all work as expected after you finish up the satellite setup routine.