Using DECA to get an ethernet connection with no set top box present

[david78]

I just had MRV installed today. In addition to the other message I posted about my issues with HR24, I had another question:

I have some satellite outlets that currently have NO set top box connected. I was hoping to use one of the DECA boxes to get an ethernet network connection in those rooms, but it appears that that DECA box requires a set top box connection to be active - you can't just plug the satellite connection into DECA and use ethernet out.

Is there any way around this issue? Another type of DECA box perhaps that doesn't require the STB for power?

[JohnL]

The Deca adapter is not just routing IP traffic over RF bandwidth (on the Coax feed, but also bits from the MRV stream). The Deca switch is designed to work with a DirecTV receiver, end of story. If you just want an Ethernet/IP network connection (or network feed into another room you need to run a Hard Cat4/5 cable or use a Wireless signal).

The Deca adapter was never intended to provider a Network connection to anything other than a DirecTV receiver.

John

[david78]

Thanks. I did a little more reading on this - is it the case that simply installing the DECA power adapter wouldn't solve this problem?

DIRECTV DECA Networking Components for MRV

[JohnL]

David,

Like I said if you intend to try to use the DECA to do anything other than connect a DirecTV receiver it will not provide connectivity to anything else. If you want a network connection to a Computer, IPTV device, TV, BluRay player etc... It will not work.

[ybe4094]

David,

Like I said if you intend to try to use the DECA to do anything other than connect a DirecTV receiver it will not provide connectivity to anything else. If you want a network connection to a Computer, IPTV device, TV, BluRay player etc... It will not work.

Yes it will. While the DECA is not supposed to be used with anything else but DirecTV equipment, technically speaking it will work just fine since it's nothing else but a coax to Ethernet converter. Make sure your DECA adapter is powered. Your non-DirecTV device will be "stealing" bandwidth from your DirecTV MRV connected receivers.

[david78]

Thanks, all clear now. I'm the only person in the house so I think bandwidth shouldn't be a problem for me...I think DECA's a good poor man's solution to wiring up the house even if not officially supported.

[ybe4094]

Thanks, all clear now. I'm the only person in the house so I think bandwidth shouldn't be a problem for me...I think DECA's a good poor man's solution to wiring up the house even if not officially supported.

No problem, glad to help. Actually, I wouldn't call DECA a poor man's solution. The DECA connection supports transfer rates almost as high as 200Mbps. A network configuration very similar to DECA is used in many FIOS installations. They simply have more sophisticated coax to Ethernet cable-modems.

[dishrich]

Yes it will. While the DECA is not supposed to be used with anything else but DirecTV equipment, technically speaking it will work just fine since it's nothing else but a coax to Ethernet converter. Make sure your DECA adapter is powered.

Wow, so what you are saying is, if I had a location where I wanted a connection off my router, (which normally would be with a CAT5 cable) but I already had a coax run instead, I could just use a DECA adaptor on each end & be all set?

What about utilizing one between 2 HD Tivo's, instead of having to run CAT5 cabling?

[ybe4094]

Wow, so what you are saying is, if I had a location where I wanted a connection off my router, (which normally would be with a CAT5 cable) but I already had a coax run instead, I could just use a DECA adaptor on each end & be all set?

What about utilizing one between 2 HD Tivo's, instead of having to run CAT5 cabling?

Yes, it will work as long as you have the SWiM installation and a coax run is part of the DECA cloud.

[dishrich]

Yes, it will work as long as you have the SWiM installation and a coax run is part of the DECA cloud.

Well no, I was thinking you meant I could just put a DECA on each end of the coax run (w/a power supply on each as well) & in essence, I am now using the coax run as a "CAT5" cable run??? (NO D* equipment involved at all)