Networking HR20-100

[harshness]

1) send video & audio signal (from recorded or live programs) to my networked PCs?

What you can send is an encrypted stream that can be viewed exclusively using the DIRECTV2PC software.

Provisions have been made so you can't "scrape" or otherwise capture the the stream and save it to the computer.

[DodgerKing]

Also, I do have an IR blaster available but I don't see any way to view "live TV" on Media Player or DirectV2PC. I would appreciate your help once again.

You need to set up Windows Media Center, not Media Player

[rad]

Also, I do have an IR blaster available but I don't see any way to view "live TV" on Media Player or DirectV2PC. I would appreciate your help once again.

With DirecTV2PC the only content you can view is something recorded, no live TV. But there is a way around that to a certain extent. You can view a recording in process so just tune the HD DVR to the channel you want, start recording it and then on DirecTV2PC you can view it. Not the greatest way to do it but a work around.

[harshness]

I can see the recorded program (I only have 1 just to test) and it plays fine on DirectV2PC software but when I click on it in media player I get "Windows Media Player encountered a problem while playing the file" and the file shows 0 seconds.

DIRECTV2PC is the only way to view content from the DVR on your computer (outside of some sort of video capture solution). WMP lacks the necessary security measures.

Your computer-based viewing needs would probably best be served by a Slingbox or Hava if you require live programming.

[neil154]

Okay so I don't use Windows Media Play but use Windows Media Center (I have Win 7 64 bit). I started up Windows Media Center but don't see how I can watch live TV from the HR20-100 and would appreciate instructions

[harshness]

Okay so I don't use Windows Media Play but use Windows Media Center (I have Win 7 64 bit). I started up Windows Media Center but don't see how I can watch live TV from the HR20-100 and would appreciate instructions

WMC cannot grab content from your receiver via your network.

WMC must use RF (SD only) or a capture device to obtain the video and audio streams.

[DodgerKing]

Harshness is correct. I forgot about that part. I have a HAVA box that captures the stream through the network; you can also use a Sling box. Otherwise you would have to use an external or internal video card or TV tuner with a cable that runs directly from your HR20 to your PC.


http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...s-Media-Center

Many cable or satellite subscribers have a cable box (sometimes referred to as a set-top box) or satellite receiver. You can set up your TV signal to pass through one of these devices on its way to your Windows Media Center PC.
Cable boxes and satellite receivers can include channels that are either standard or high definition. In Windows Media Center, a digital high-definition signal that is transmitted through one of these boxes will be converted to an analog standard-definition signal.

1. Connect the cable from the cable source (wall jack) to the cable input jack on the cable box or satellite receiver.
   If you have two cable boxes or two satellite receivers that you want to use with Windows Media Center, you can use a splitter to divide the TV signal from the wall jack to the boxes. Each cable box or satellite receiver must have a TV signal connected to the cable input jack.
2. Connect a cable from the cable output jack on the cable box or satellite receiver to the TV-IN jack on the appropriate TV tuner on your Windows Media Center PC.
   If your PC has more than one TV tuner, make sure each tuner has its own TV signal connected to the TV-IN jack. (This means that you'll need one cable box or satellite receiver for each TV tuner on your Windows Media Center PC.)
3. Connect an IR blaster to your computer and your set-top box. (An IR blaster is a small, infrared device that is packaged with many Windows Media Center remotes and TV tuners. For more information, see the documentation that came with your IR blaster.)
4. On the start screen, scroll to Tasks, click settings, click TV, and then click Set Up TV Signal.
5. Follow the steps to connect a TV signal, depending on the type of tuner or tuners that the cable is connected to, as well as the type of programming to which you subscribe.

Note
Cable boxes and satellite receivers can include channels that are either standard or high definition. In Windows Media Center, a digital high-definition signal that is transmitted through one of these boxes will be converted to an analog standard-definition signal.

The best thing to do in order to watch live programming is to record it as you watch and do it through your DirecTV2PC software

[jdspencer]

Really....
Now I'm jealous. My HR20-700 only has one ethernet port on the back.

Don't be jealous, the bottom port on the HR20-100 isn't enabled for anything.

[rey_1178]

Don't be jealous, the bottom port on the HR20-100 isn't enabled for anything.

it should be like the second port on my HR21-100. the second port allows you to connect another device to your network like an xbox 360 etc etc........ i have my 360 hooked to the second port. very useful

[jdspencer]

I think the chassis for the HR20-100 was made in anticipation of future models. It has been reported that using the second port on the HR21-HR23 may cause a problem in that it uses processing cycles from the CPU.