Instructions to get MRV (whole home DVR) activated for ethernet

[jcrandall]

The option to activate on internet is only available to SWiM installs with DECA equipment. In other words, they want you to call, they are supposed to sell you a DECA install for $99. Everything I have ready indicates the DECA works noticably better than most wired installs. The install also gets you upgraded to SWM.

 

[TigerpounceTN]

And that's the bottom line. I'll have to do this if my install tomorrow isn't capable of MRV out of the box.

I had to delay my install to Wednesday to get the supported version of MRV, but it should be worth it. This way I'm starting out without the need to do it through ethernet. I'm excited to get my setup installed, so it was hard to tell them I'd rather wait.

 

[george99]

Well an install for me is out of the question, unless they let me do it myself, since I have "moved".

 

[ChrisK114]

I already have a SWiM setup so I have a little problem with paying $99 just for the DECAs when my wired setup works just fine, thank you. I do have two H21 boxes that are not wired that the DECA might come in handy, but we seldom watch those TVs so I don't know if it is worth it.

 

[charper1]

Tried viewing remote programs tonight; have never ever had MRV issues and it worked SUN night. But tonight it appears that the functionality is gone. All menus and such are still there, but can't stream DVR content to remote unit. Can stream via TVersity and can also do on-demand so network is A-OK. Even tried resets. So they may have started disabling units without the set flag..

 

[charper1]

Late last night after I noticed the loss of MRV a NAG screen started popping up saying that my DEN unit was being disconnected from the network and the playlist was no longer avail.

 

[charper1]

Hey Stone; can you update an acct with this flag? If not, can you advise when the CSRs are up to date? Thanks

 

[cfb]

I emailed customer service about 4:30 yesterday and got a response back just a few hours ago that they enabled it and all was well. In looking at the directv web site, its on.

So that might be the easiest way to go. I just sent an email through 'contact us', picked services/whole home dvr and made the subject "Want to activate MRV unsupported" and in the main message body said I had been using MRV via a variety of beta test programs on my wired gigabit ethernet network, didnt need or wish to buy any additional products or services, and just wanted MRV enabled as an unsupported feature. I understood I'd be charged $3 and be responsible for my own troubleshooting of networking issues.

Seems to have done the trick.

I've said from the beginning of the MRV testing way back last year that the implementation was going to be very difficult if not impossible to implement on most customers average home networks which mostly feature 802.11g and powerline gear. Its too bad Directv had to cobble together their own separate subnet to make this work the way it was implemented. At least they're eating a lot of the cost for the DECA gear.

 

[charper1]

Thanks CFB; I am in no hurry and this will be well worth a try!

 

[cfb]

Heres the message I sent and what I got back. I borrowed part of the text from another guy who successfully got his mrv enabled by email.

Subject
---------------------------------------------------------------
Requesting "Unsupported" activation of multi room viewing


Discussion Thread
---------------------------------------------------------------
Response (Barbara S ID 402850) - 05/18/2010 11:06 AM
Dear Mr. ,

Thank you for writing. I understand your interest in having the Whole Home DVR Service added to your account.

I have added the service at your request for the DIRECTV Whole Home DVR Service at $3 monthly.

The changes to your account will be reflected on your next DIRECTV bill, or you can see them immediately by signing into your DIRECTV account online at directv.com/mydirectv and clicking on "View Recent Activity" in the My Account column.

Thank you again for writing. I appreciate your patience and understanding.

Sincerely,

Barbara S. 402850
DIRECTV Resolution Specialist

P.S. Have a question? Anytime, any topic, instant answers - support.directv.com The Answer Center provides you helpful information, 24/7, all at your fingertips.

Customer () - 05/17/2010 04:00 PM
Hello -

I have been a tester of multi room viewing for about a year now and have it working very well on my wired home network. I don't want or need any new equipment or service. I simply want to have MRV activated for my account before the May 20 beta cutoff.

DirecTv recently created an account option just for people like me, where you set the account attribute "MRV capability" to "U" for unsupported and push it to my receivers. MRV is activated on my account, $3 per month is added to my bill, no service call is required, and no tech support is provided for MRV or networking.

I hope you know what I'm talking about. Some CSRs do, some don't. If it's news to you, please ask around. . . . Or, please do this: go to DORIS. keyword mrv service Adding Whole Home DVR Service.
click on: "3: If customers insist on adding Whole-Home DVR Service without the upgrade: "

Then please just follow those instructions.

Hope this isnt too much trouble. Thanks!

 

[charper1]

GREAT! I sent mine and if I get no results I will tweak using some of the points in this letter. Thanks again.

 

[cfb]

No problem!

Err...that'll be $3 please.

 

[cts33fan]

Ok something isn't clear to me.
I have been using the beta for a while now on 3 of my receivers (2 htdvrs and 1 hd).
I see that the beta is ending on the 20th.
I went to directv's website and saw that they offer it for $3.00 as mentioned here, but it won't let me order it, and it says that I am not eligible.
Why not?
It seems a little awkward to me that I have to call DTV and tell their CSR how to use their own system in order to activate. What does the average joe that doesn't read this forum supposed to do if you want to have the multi room deal.
I have the receivers all connected to my router with cat-5 cable.

What's the deal?

They really want to push the SWIM/DECA system (figure they get $250 from everyone that takes it). It took me 3 calls to do it, and I told them flat out, I do not want somebody out to re-wire the house (if it ain't broke, why fix it?) and the eithernet connection works fine. I now have it turned on, and they knocked 10 bucks a month off for the next year. You just have to be patient and friendly with them.

 

[JAG72]

They really want to push the SWIM/DECA system (figure they get $250 from everyone that takes it).

How do they get $250 from everybody that takes it?

 

[Ronnie-]

Thanks cfb. I am going to try that as well.

 

[Bodo Fenrirsson]

Yeah,I just sent my email as well.

 

[charper1]

No problem!

Err...that'll be $3 please.

Check is in the mail.

 

[charper1]

working again WOOHOO!

 

[Ronnie-]

Well, the email idea worked for me with no problems. Thanks again.

 

[cfb]

Check is in the mail.

Excellent! If I can get on a roll with this I'll have free MRV for years!

Hey...wait...I didnt give you my address. How do you know where I live?!? :tux: