skip to main content

Direct TV & on demand

11 years ago

I realize this may not be the correct forum, but thought I may get answers here. I also posted this to the "Electonics" forum.

I have Direct TV & 2 DVRs. I know that I should be able to "connect" to the internet so we can watch a whole slew of stuff from "on demand". The 2 DVR's are no where near the Comcast router, so how do I "connect"? Is it as simple as getting 2 router thingys & HDMI cables? I'd rather not have Direct TV come to the house to do the work, plus pay for Direct's equipment.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

grandms
11 years ago
I'm confused. Are you saying you have both Comcast (cable) and Direct TV (satellite)? Maybe I'm just behind the times?
mike_kaiser_gw
11 years ago
I don't know enough about DirecTV's on-demand service. Are on-demand programs coming through the satellite or through Internet?

If the latter, then the DirecTV boxes need to connect to your router. That would be either via WiFi or a physical connection via a Ethernet cable. No HDMI. In case you don't know a cable modem and a router are two different devices, although Comcast may offer a combination modem/router depending on the equipment you have. Routers typically have Ethernet ports on the back (they look a lot like a telephone jack but a just a bit bigger and wired completely differently).

Doesn't DirecTV have a customer support line or online support pages that offer direction?
Related Discussions
Direct TV & on demand
Q
Comments (2)
You need to connect the 2 DVRs to the Comcast router using 1 of two methods: 1) Wireless connection 2) Wired connection With the wired connection, you'll run Cat5e or Cat6 through/under/around your house to your router. You'll want wall plates w. the appropriate jacks. This often is a reasonable DIY project. For wireless, you'll want to get 2 wireless access points and a wireless router (if the comcast router is not already wireless). Each DVR will connect locally to an access point. The access points will then connect wirelessly to the router. I would suggest Linksys or D-link as good brands. You can expect to spend ~$300 for two N-band access points and a router if you buy new. Comcast may swap out your router to a wireless one for free if you ask (especially if you mention that you want to spend $$$ on their OnDemand & PPV services). The wireless option will be more expensive in terms of hardware but should be fairly painless.
...See More
Trying to hook up tv, dvd, vcr, I have Direct TV
Q
Comments (2)
Short answer; match Outs to Ins. One of the "Out" connectors on the back of the satellite box should connect to an "In" on the TV. If you want the VCR in the middle so you can record from satellite, the Sat "Out" goes to the VCR "In" (or antenna) and the VCR "Out" (or TV) goes to the TV. Much longer answer; It depends upon what different types of connections you have, how picky you are about video quality, and how many inputs your TV can take. Component video is higher quality than S-video, which is higher quality than Coax. You may or may not have to take pictures or describe whats on the back of all the boxes.
...See More
Anyone Out There With DirectTV
Q
Comments (31)
Looks like DTV is trying; they added a Disney Jr channel today; also did something with baseball. I'm liking Viacom less & less every day... On its own page, Viacom took a bit of a cheap shot Wednesday afternoon, posting an image of Nickelodeon cartoon favorite SpongeBob SquarePants with this text: "Who lives in a pineapple under the sea? I don't know. I have DirecTV." DTV If this dispute were over pennies, it wouldnt be happening. We dont think a $1 billion bonus to buy channels whose ratings are faltering is any pittance. Contrary to what Viacom has been saying, they indeed have been at the center of many programming disputes in the past with Time Warner Cable, Brighthouse Networks, and DISH. Do these spots ring any bells? They sound familiar to us A lot has changed in the seven years since Viacom and DIRECTV last renewed their agreement. More than 5.2 million more families have come to DIRECTV, making it the most popular video provider in the Americas with 19.9 million homes in the U.S. alone. Ratings for many of Viacoms networks have plummeted and Viacom has shunned its pay television businesses to become one of the most prolific providers of free Internet video. Sanford Bernstein reports the one out of every five former Nickelodeon families are watching online. DIRECTV will always pay fair market value for any service, but when performance declines, youre not entitled to a huge raise. Just ask the families were trying to serve. DIRECTV will do what it takes to defend our customers when we believe programmers are trying to take advantage of them. Some channel owners feel theyre entitled to get exorbitant raises every year, even when the value of their programming doesnt warrant it. Whether its Viacom or anyone else, when they try to extract more money from their viewers without justification, they shouldnt be surprised when we push back.
...See More
Trying to understand On Demand TV
Q
Comments (15)
We are bad citizens, not contributing to the US economy by buying books or DVD's. We do contribute annually to Friends of the Library! Many of the movies and TV series I read about here -- newly 'discovered' by KT folks -- are ones we saw years ago, from our library. Recently we watch mostly via Amazon Prime. We tried Netflix a year ago and couldn't find anything we would watch that we had not already seen -- from our library. We'll watch early episodes of "Billions" when our library has them available. We've watched all of "Bosch" via Amazon; now watching Series 3. Watched "The Americans" and "Sneaky Pete" and others via Amazon too.
...See More
nelles_gw
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks you for your replies.

grandms,Ii have Direct TV for TV & Comcast is our internet provider.

Mike, I'm guessing that the on-demand is through the internet, otherwise the need for connectivity (is that a word?). I have a modem & router from Comcast in a room nowhere near the 2 DVRs. I guess I need something for them that would receive the wireless signals from the modem/router.

Yes, Diect TV does have customer service. I just wanted to avoid dealing with it.

Thanks again.
sushipup1
11 years ago
Can you do a wireless router for internet connection??? (I am really clueless, we have DSL and no available cable, but don't people with cable install wireless routers?
acraftylady
11 years ago
Hmm I have time warner cable and their internet. We get all our on demand stuff right on the TV from the cable box on certain higher up channels. Are you saying that with direct TV they don't supply it that way? I am curious because my husband is always wanting to change and that would be a deal breaker for him as he is not a computer person. Mary
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
11 years ago
I have direct tv all the on demand shows are offered through the direct tv connection, and available immediately by selecting them with the remote from the on demand channels list. No need to have any connection to computers or routers.
If you wanted to go with one of the streaming video options they do require a connection to the Internet, usually by using a wireless router. You can check out netflix, this article explains how.

Here is a link that might be useful: Streaming video
acraftylady
11 years ago
Ok I thought it should work the same as time warner for on demand, good to know. Mary

Related Stories

MOST POPULAR Exclusive Video of Wright’s Jaw-Dropping Hollyhock House

By Annie Thornton

Immerse yourself in the stunningly restored Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz TV: See a Modern Family Farmhouse That Can Pick Up and Move

By Vanessa Brunner

In the latest episode of Houzz TV, watch California architect build a beautifully practical cabin to jumpstart his parents' new farm

HOUZZ TV Houzz TV: Fun Family Living in 980 Square Feet

By Mitchell Parker

In a place known for going big, a family of 4 opts for creative space savers and subtle luxuries instead

DECORATING GUIDES Decorate With Intention: Helping Your TV Blend In

By Laura Gaskill

Somewhere between hiding the tube in a cabinet and letting it rule the room are these 11 creative solutions

MORE ROOMS 5 Ways to Decorate Around a Flat-Screen TV

By KitchenLab Interiors

Color, Placement and Accessories Help that Big Black Screen Blend In

LIVING ROOMS Living Rooms That Don’t Revolve Around the TV

By Simon Farrell-Green

In these spaces, the television takes a back seat to conversation, relaxation and aesthetics

PETS Incredible Home Catwalks Make for Purr-fectly Happy Felines

By Mitchell Parker

Walkways and tunnels custom built to the tune of about $35,000 keep a homeowner’s 18 cats on cloud nine

HOME TECH Now Playing in Homes Everywhere: TV, the App

It's easier than ever to beam streaming content from mobile devices to your TV screen

BEFORE AND AFTERS Houzz TV: See Recycled Walls and Cool Cassette Art in a Woodsy DIY Home

By Annie Thornton

Walnut countertops join hardwood floors and pieces made from leftover framing in a bright Spanish colonial

DECORATING GUIDES TGIR: The Case of the Disappearing TV

By Mary Jo Bowling

They Got It Right: If you can’t beat it, camouflage it. See how these designers made TV screens almost unnoticeable

Sponsored

Studio M Design Co

We believe that great design should be accessible to everyone

More Discussions

UPS needed - which ones?

9

sound missing on Dell

3

Problems with Outlook 2013

0

Upgrading Windows 11 from Home to Pro

2

Any suggestions for a very secure non-web-based email?

3