I just have to get this out there: Lately, I've been dealing indirectly with a horrible sales rep who keeps promising the world in regards to mirrors, especially when talking to existing Dish Network customers:
Mirroring is the act of causing two (or more) TVs to have the same picture by splitting a decoded video signal which is intended to be shown on only one TV.
DirecTV mirroring is horrible. Which is not to say DirecTV is horrible. For starters, none of the high definition receivers being installed for most new customers have the requisite coaxial output ports. To even begin to mirror, the customer must purchase a separate piece of hardware, a composite to coax modulator (usually called an RF modulator) for around $20-$30. Then, this coax signal cannot be diplexed into the existing coaxial cable coming to a given location (at least, not using the newer SWiM technology). A whole new line must be ran. It can be run directly to the TV to be mirrored, but it is better (in the long term) to run the line to the main coaxial junction box. DirecTV does not include mirroring in it’s professional standard installation, and the technicians do not get compensated for the extra labor. This means the customer must pay (either directly or indirectly) for the mirror with up front fees which start at $45 minimum, not including any wall fishing. After all that is done, and the mirror is operational, the user will find that they are unable to change the channel by the mirrored TV because nearly all DirecTV remotes are IR (infra red), not RF (radio frequency). You need a direct line of sight to the receiver in order to change the channels. To get around this limitation, the customer would then need to purchase either an RF remote for around $20 (if their receiver is compatible), or an IR to UHF converter for $50+. All told, for one mirror, you are looking at $85 minimum per mirror, usually more. It’s almost always cheaper, easier, and gives you more control and functionality to just buy an additional receiver unless for some reason you absolutely don’t want to pay the additional $6-$7 a month.
Mirroring is the act of causing two (or more) TVs to have the same picture by splitting a decoded video signal which is intended to be shown on only one TV.
DirecTV mirroring is horrible. Which is not to say DirecTV is horrible. For starters, none of the high definition receivers being installed for most new customers have the requisite coaxial output ports. To even begin to mirror, the customer must purchase a separate piece of hardware, a composite to coax modulator (usually called an RF modulator) for around $20-$30. Then, this coax signal cannot be diplexed into the existing coaxial cable coming to a given location (at least, not using the newer SWiM technology). A whole new line must be ran. It can be run directly to the TV to be mirrored, but it is better (in the long term) to run the line to the main coaxial junction box. DirecTV does not include mirroring in it’s professional standard installation, and the technicians do not get compensated for the extra labor. This means the customer must pay (either directly or indirectly) for the mirror with up front fees which start at $45 minimum, not including any wall fishing. After all that is done, and the mirror is operational, the user will find that they are unable to change the channel by the mirrored TV because nearly all DirecTV remotes are IR (infra red), not RF (radio frequency). You need a direct line of sight to the receiver in order to change the channels. To get around this limitation, the customer would then need to purchase either an RF remote for around $20 (if their receiver is compatible), or an IR to UHF converter for $50+. All told, for one mirror, you are looking at $85 minimum per mirror, usually more. It’s almost always cheaper, easier, and gives you more control and functionality to just buy an additional receiver unless for some reason you absolutely don’t want to pay the additional $6-$7 a month.
Last edited:
