DECA First Look

ETHERNET COAXIAL ADAPTER

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2 ©2009,DBSTalk.com,allrightsreserved.ReproductionispermittedaslongasallDBSTalk.comcopyrightinformationispreserved.Alltrademarksarepropertyoftherespectivetrademarkholders.

DIRECTV ETHERNET COAXIAL ADAPTER (DECA)

As part of its continuing efforts to improve the HDTV and HD DVR viewing experience, as well as expand access throughout the home, several DBSTalk members recently field tested this new technology through its Cutting Edge program. This is the “First Look” into DECA, including DBSTalk member results. The DIRECTV Ethernet Coaxial Adapter (DECA) technology works in tandem with an installed SWM (Single Wire Multiswitch) to give network access to all connected devices without using Category 5 wiring.

DECA creates a fast and reliable infrastructure for DIRECTV to deliver existing and future services to all connected devices, such as DIRECTV on Demand, Direct2PC, MediaShare for photos, audio, and video streaming, Multi-Room Viewing (MRV), and others. On Demand will only be limited to the speed provided by your ISP.

For the field test, HD-enabled receivers and several different HR2x series HD DVR units were used within each DECA cloud configuration. Qualifying HD devices include DIRECTV H21 series receivers (and soon H23), as well as HR2x series HD DVRs.

While many configurations and setups were tested, this First Look focuses on the migration from 1 wired and 1 wireless conversion to the DECA.

There are several important configuration notes regarding DECA at this time:

• AnSWMLNBDishorSWM8isrequiredtoaccompanytheDECAtechnology (it has been speculated that the two hardwarecomponentsmaypossiblybe“merged”inthefuture,butthisisnotconfirmed)

• AllunitswithinaDECAnetworkgroup(aka“DECAcloud”)mustbefedfromthesameSWMport(ifusinganexternalSWM5orSWM8multiswitch).

• Changeto“OTAcannotbediplexedonaDECA-enabledsystemastheyutilizethesamefrequencies.

• H23receiversarenotyetsupportedforDECA,butlikelywillbeinthefuture.

• HR20-100 units must be connected to a DECA cloud in a“unique”manner,sincetheycannotprovidepowertotheDECAatthesametimetheycommunicatewithaSWM.

©2009,DBSTalk.com,allrightsreserved.ReproductionispermittedaslongasallDBSTalk.comcopyrightinformationispreserved.Alltrademarksarepropertyoftherespectivetrademarkholders. 3

THE DECA TEST “PACKAGE”

The DECA test package itself contained a combination of DIRECTV Ethernet to Coax Adapters (4 in total - 3 for the enabled HD receiver or HD DVR units, and 1 for an Internet bridge connection into the DECA cloud), 1 DECA Power Supply, 1 SWM Filter (that blocks the DECA), and 2-Way SWM Splitter to support one DECA unit connected to both a broadband Internet connection and the DECA cloud concurrently. The components in the test package each had their own box, with only the DECA and Power Supply (also known as a Power Inserter) unit featuring their own serial numbers.

TOP: ThisphotoshowsthebackofaDECACoaxAdapter, with the Network, Power, and C.LINKLEDlights.

CENTER AND RIGHT: The SWM Filter(thatblockstheDECA)isacriticalelementforthepropercreationoftheDECA“cloud”infrastructure.Note:TheSWMFilter(labeledas“StopBandFilter”inthephoto)isinsertedbetweentheoutputoftheSWMunitandbefore any splitter. It is designed to “filter” the propersignal 500-600MHz frequency range used by the DECAadapters.ThisenablesEthernetconnectivityviaCoax. Itisrequiredthat theSWMFilter is installedfirst,prior toanyotherDECAcomponentsbeinginstalled.

LOWER LEFT: A21-voltPowerInserter(PI)isusedtopowertheDECAthatconnectsthenetworktotheinternet.ThisisthesamePowerInserterthatiscurrentlyusedbytheSWMLNB’salthoughthoseare29-volts.ThisphotoreflectsthebacksideviewofthePowerInserter,usedatthebroadbandInter-netlocation.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Two-waysplitter,usedatthesameInternetconnectionlocationasthePItodistributethesignalproperlybetweenthatDECAunitandanotherstandardDECACoaxAdapterconnectedtotheHDreceiver/DVR.


THE DECA CLOUD: HOOKING IT ALL UP

AboveisoneofmanywaystoconnectanSWM8uptoaDECAcloud.©2009,DBSTalk.com

AboveisatypicalSlimlineLNB/SWMcreatinganuplinkintotheDECAcloud..©2009,DBSTalk.com

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Router Hook up of the DECA and the Power Inserter

DECA installed on an HR20-700


HR20-100 installation with a splitter and both Satellite Inputs to power the DECA unit.


DECA Adapter 3 connected to SAT 1 port and Ethernet port on HR21-200.

Buffalo wireless Internet unit at the top, the inbound main SWM coax inbound line and splitter in the middle connected to DECA units 1 and 2. The DECAs are then connected to the HR20-700 (at the bottom), as well as the Power Inserter unit located at the middle left of the photo.

PHOTO GALLERY


MIGRATING FROM A WIRED NETWORK(Ethernet and/or PowerLine Adapters)

User Report by dave29

Migrating from wired to DECA set-up was simple. First, I installed the “Stop Band Filter” between the output of the SWM and the first splitter. Next, I installed the first DECA near the router and powered it up using the Power Inserter and ran an RG6 cable from the first DECA to the 4 way splitter at my SWM. This inserts the Internet into the set-up.

A DECA unit may be installed on any SWM connected receiver creating a connection into the DECA cloud. To do this I removed the “SAT 1” in and Ethernet cables. Attach the RG6 pigtail from the DECA to the “SAT 1” input of the receiver and attach the supplied Cat5 cable to the top Ethernet port, and plug the RG6 cable that comes from the SWM to the RG6 connector on the DECA unit. No Power Supplies are needed at the receiver.

HR20-100’s require both Satellite inputs at the receiver to power the DECA, this is expected to change in the near future though as the HR20- 100 will not supply enough power from “Sat in 1” at this time to power the DECA unit. Once connected, the DECA “Power” LED should flash to indicate it is booting up. The C.LINK LED will then flash orange while it searches the house for a network, or until it finds other DECAs.

The search in a DECA-only network is designed to take 3 minutes to complete to ensure all receivers have time to boot up. Once the search is completed, all three LEDs should be lit (C.LINK, NTWK and Power). A good connection will have all three LEDs in a green state. In my network, all four DECA’s found the network instantly.

Although I have done multiple tests comparing DECA, Wired, Wireless, and PowerLine Networked receivers, my original network was a Hardwired Cat5 network. With the DECA Network I could not tell a difference between it and a Hardwired Network, which is obviously good news for the Wireless and PowerLine Networked receivers that get any network-based video feed break-ups.

With 85mbs PowerLine adapters, HD content was unwatchable for me and SD was not all that great either. When the PowerLine was replaced with a DECA unit, it was as if the receiver was now hardwired with CAT5. No more break-ups, no stuttering, it was a night and day difference.


MIGRATING FROM A WIRELESS NETWORK(802.11g or draft 802.11n)

User Report by hdtvfan0001

Migrating from wireless was also simple though it looks harder than it really is. To get ideal results, it is recommended to power down all the receivers that will be on the new DECA cloud, and the SWM Power Inserter (PI). While this is not mandatory, it’s good to start up the network with a “clean slate” upon boot-up.

You will need to keep one wireless adapter available either near the SWM or a receiver, wherever you currently get the strongest wireless signal strength. In my case, I originally had 3 Buffalo WLI-TX4-G54HP Ethernet Converters, and kept one in place next to my HR20. After powering down my entire SWM system and all connected receivers, I disconnected my other 2 Buffalo units, since the entire DECA broadband feed would now originate via the single remaining Buffalo unit.

The next step was to install the (red) SWM Filter (that blocks the DECA) between the output of the SWM and in a location prior to the first splitter. This location configuration is critical.

I then connected the other 2 DECA adapters from the main inputs (originating from the SWM) to the DECA input ports, and then out again with the attached coax connectors to the receivers, as well as the DECA Ethernet cable to Ethernet port connections. My 3 devices are located on 3 different floors.

I took the coax that went to my HR20, and connected it to the 2-way splitter, single entry port side. One of the two splitter output ports was then connected via coax into another DECA, and then into my HR20. The other output was then connected to my second DECA, which was connected to the 21-volt PI.

Note: All DECA’s have must have their Ethernet ports connected. The HR20’s DECA was connected via Ethernet cable into Ethernet Port 1 on the HR20. The single Buffalo wireless adapter was then connected to the Ethernet port on the second DECA (as the broadband DECA entry point). The remaining 2 DECA Ethernet cables were connected to their respective HD DVR and receiver Ethernet ports.

Finally, I took one last look at all the connections to make sure everything was correctly connected, and firmly in place. It was now time to (first) power up the main SWM Power Inserter, followed by the each DECA connected receiver/DVR one at a time. The Power Inserter connected at the HR20 (powering the Internet-connected DECA) was powered up just prior to that DVR.

Once everything is properly connected to the each receiver, each DECA should respond with the “Power” LED flashing. The C.LINK LED will then flash yellow/orange while it searches for the network. Once all units are powered up completely, all three LEDs on each DECA adapter should be green in color (C.LINK, NTWK and Power).


RESULTS

SUMMARY

CREDITS (DBSTalk Usernames)

Written and Photographed by by HDTVFANOOO1 and DAVE29 Art Direction by Stuart Sweet • Diagrams by Spanky_Partain

DECA Test Team: 66stang351,69hokie,AlanGordon,carl6,chewwy420,dave29,Davenlr,DavidOrtiz,dettxw,DJPellegrino,dmricke,DougBrott,hdtvfan0001,jasonki32,

jettech737,johern,litzdog911,MichaelD’Angelo,RAD,RunnerFL,Sixto,Spanky_Partain,TomRobertson,veryoldschool,webby_s,Zepes

Since its inception in 2001, DBSTALK.com has grown to represent the satellite communities for DIRECTV, Dish Network, Sirius/XM and Free-to-Air satellite reception. We provide user-to-user support for tens of

thousands of users and are read by millions across the Internet, giving us the title of “The Internet’s Satellite Resource.”

DBSTALK.com is the home of the DIRECTV Cutting Edge program, where users actively participate in testing pre-release software for DIRECTV receivers.

The resulting rapid-deployment development method allows for faster fixes and abundant new features.

Results: In any DIRECTV network-based presentation, greater bandwidth and faster speed equals a better experience at your receiver. While the SWM coax configuration distributes the HD signal to all connected devices, DECA takes it one step further, by leveraging that same coax connectivity to deliver network-based content via the same coax infrastructure, such as streaming video, DIRECTV Cinema, DIRECTV2PC, and other future new services.

In the first location, the migration was from a wireless set-up with mixed “G” and “N” adapters. Prior to DECA, previous tests resulted in “good” viewing (but occasional video “hiccups”) with H21, HR20, and HR21 units. After a DECA installation, the contents were rock solid (at least as strong as any other direct-wired presentation). The difference between my previous wireless and new DECA cloud configurations was immediate and obvious – WOW!

At the second location, the wired to DECA migration results were much less dramatic; however, since part of the infrastructure included PowerLine adapters there was still a noticeable improvement.

With a DECA cloud network in place, video breakups are virtually non-existent and audio is flawless. HD viewing (including 1080p) is a joy to behold at any location, which is the end target for DirecTV to deploy it to its mainstream customer base.

DIRECTV ETHERNET COAXIAL ADAPTER (DECA) technology sets the stage to deliver coax-based content well now, and also to provide new video services to all DECA network-connected locations in the future.

DECA First Look

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