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I N T H E B E G I N N I N G . . .
There was Ethernet.
Before 2006,
DIRECTV receivers didn’t have any network
connections. However, almost every receiver
made since then has had a jack for a plain old
ethernet cable. The following receivers can
all be connected via ethernet:
CONNECTING VIA ETHERNET
If you already have networking experience, you might be tempted to connect all your receivers and
DVRs using Ethernet. The procedure is easy: connect all the receivers to your home network. Then,
on each receiver follow these steps:
• {MENU}, then Arrow down to “Settings and Help” then press {SELECT}
• Make sure “Settings” is highlighted and press {SELECT}
• Arrow down to “Network Setup and press {SELECT}
• Make sure “Connect Now” is highlighted and press {SELECT}
You need to be aware
that DIRECTV no longer supports Ethernet networking for whole-home
viewing. You can still access on-demand content, TVApps and IPTV features like Pandora and
YouTube, but without paying $2.99 for Whole-Home service, you will not be able to share content
between receivers.
If you want to use your Ethernet network for whole-home
be aware that it’s technically possible
but be prepared to spend hours on the phone with DIRECTV getting this turned on. The front-line
DIRECTV CSRs won’t be able to do it for you, and you will be told over and over again that it can’t
be done. If you spend enough time on
the phone you can get Whole-Home activated for your
Ethernet-connected receivers, but they sure don’t make it easy.
• HR20
• HR21
• HR22
• HR23
• HR24
• HR34 Genie
• HR44 Genie
• THR22 (TiVo)
• H21
• H23
• H24
The only receiver that’s been made in the last three years without Ethernet is H25.
Due to its small size, there just isn’t room for an ethernet jack on the H25.
