HD Satellite Question

[Road Hawg]

Well, I thought I was ready to go. I upgraded my obsolete dome for a Winegard Traveler Slimline. Upgraded the TVs to LCD. Called Direct TV and made arrangements to upgrade my reciever/DVR to a HD/DVR and hung around all afternoon today waiting on the guy who was coming out between 12 and 4. He showed up a little while ago and informed me that coax connections would not work. In order to get HD programming from Direct TV you must have the coach wired with HDMI cable. So, while I'm pleased with the upgrades I've made I am very doubtful that this guy knows what he's talking about. Is there anyone out there who is getting Direct TV HD with coax connections?
Thanks.

[RustyJC]

On our "sticks and bricks" DirecTV installation, the connection between the dish (LNBs) and the receivers is coax, but the connection from the receivers to the TVs is HDMI, although on one older TV with no HDMI input the video is connected with 3 RCA-plug-terminated cables carrying YPrPb component video signals.

Rusty

[Route 66]

Rusty is correct.

Coax from dish to DVR/receiver, SD and/or HD.

HDMI (1 cable) or component (5 cables, red, blue, green cables for the HD video, red & white cables for the audio) is required for HD from DVR/receiver to TV.

Composite cables can only deliver SD. (red, white, yellow cable)

[RickO]

Is your DirecTv receiver an HD DVR? I believe they only have HDMI outputs. I had to run a 50' HDMI cable to my rear TV when I did the upgrade you're attempting.

[RickO]

Just re-read your post and it looks like you are using the new DVR. I think HDMI is what it's gonna take.

[Route 66]

From the DirecTV website about the HD DVR,

Video Outputs



1 HDMI (standard)
1 Component (YPbPr)
1 S-Video
2 Composite (RCA)

Note that there is NO coax output.

[RickO]

Yep, I guess you could use component cables but I sure wouldn't unless your TV doesn't have an HDMI connection. Here's the link to download the HR21 HD DVR manual. DIRECTV DIRECTV HR21 Receiver Manual

[RV LYONS]

HI We have Direct TV at our stick house in Cenrtal PA. Direct TV came out last Mon. (on time 8am-app. for 8/noon) They changed the 2 converter boxes in house and gave my wife one for the R/V. I didn't see hookups for in house,the 2 TV's are tube types one has RCA jacks. The TV in the R/V is only 3 years old, I used RCA jacks to make connection, the setup was easy,I lined the dish up to the setting off their web site,(have manul dish on rear ladder mount) and in a few minutes I was watching TV.

Rick & Robin

PS: TV in R/V does not have HDMI hookup, has S Video & RCA jacks

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RV LYONS HI We have Direct TV at our stick house in Cenrtal PA. Direct TV came out last Mon. (on time 8am-app. for 8/noon) They changed the 2 converter boxes in house and gave my wife one for the R/V. I didn't see hookups for in house,the 2 TV's are tube types one has RCA jacks. The TV in the R/V is only 3 years old, I used RCA jacks to make connection, the setup was easy,I lined the dish up to the setting off their web site,(have manul dish on rear ladder mount) and in a few minutes I was watching TV. Rick & Robin PS: TV in R/V does not have HDMI hookup, has S Video & RCA jacks

Hi R&R... I think the issue here is the High Definition connections which can't (or at least don't) come through a coax from DTVs HD DVRs.

[paz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66 From the DirecTV website about the HD DVR, Video Outputs 1 HDMI (standard) 1 Component (YPbPr) 1 S-Video 2 Composite (RCA) Note that there is NO coax output.

Right on!

Even the newer SD DVR (R22) no longer has coax outputs. Couldn't run the signal through the Winegard switch box without buying an RF converter. RF converters are even getting harder to find nowadays.

[Road Hawg]

Thanks for the responses. Looks like you are all correct. The new Direct HD recievers have no "coax out to TV" connections.
My coach has the satellite controls/receiver connections in an overhead cabinet on the passenger side. In my coach it's located behind the co-pilot seat over the recliner. My video switch is located in a cabinet over the driver's seat.
So, is there a video switch out there that will accept HDMI connections?
That's assuming I can route the HDMI cable through the ceiling over to the switch. Then, would the current coax connections from the switch to the TV's (1 up front, 1 in the bedroom, 1 outside) be functional? Or, would I need to run the HDMI to each TV?
I have four TV's in my home that are connected to HD receivers through coax connections. But, that's through our local cable provider.
At this point I'm thinking I could make all this work with a lot of effort.
Or, I could just sit under the awning with a refreshing beverage and watch the grass grow. I can watch HDTV when I get home.

[RickO]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Hawg Thanks for the responses. Looks like you are all correct. The new Direct HD recievers have no "coax out to TV" connections. My coach has the satellite controls/receiver connections in an overhead cabinet on the passenger side. In my coach it's located behind the co-pilot seat over the recliner. My video switch is located in a cabinet over the driver's seat. So, is there a video switch out there that will accept HDMI connections? That's assuming I can route the HDMI cable through the ceiling over to the switch. Then, would the current coax connections from the switch to the TV's (1 up front, 1 in the bedroom, 1 outside) be functional? Or, would I need to run the HDMI to each TV? I have four TV's in my home that are connected to HD receivers through coax connections. But, that's through our local cable provider. At this point I'm thinking I could make all this work with a lot of effort. Or, I could just sit under the awning with a refreshing beverage and watch the grass grow. I can watch HDTV when I get home.

I know it stinks Road Hawg. We're all really going through a major technology rollover and it's rolling over a pebble at a time. Hopefully mfgs will soon be putting out coaches which are wired for the digital age but until then it's going to cost us all time and money to get the latest technology.

You've just invested big bucks in one fine satellite dish so I wouldn't give up on HD in the coach. But I don't think there's a shortcut to running the HDMI to each TV.... except, I think there are some trick that some play with stackers/destackers but that's way over my head and the heads of many people. I can tell you from experience that you learn a LOT about your coach when having to route 50 foot HDMI cables!

[Route 66]

A friend with a 2000 DSDP has the same equipment location and ran a HDMI cable to the TV.

You cannot use your video switch box with HD.

You cannot use coax for HD. HDMI or component only to each TV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Road Hawg Thanks for the responses. Looks like you are all correct. The new Direct HD recievers have no "coax out to TV" connections. My coach has the satellite controls/receiver connections in an overhead cabinet on the passenger side. In my coach it's located behind the co-pilot seat over the recliner. My video switch is located in a cabinet over the driver's seat. So, is there a video switch out there that will accept HDMI connections? That's assuming I can route the HDMI cable through the ceiling over to the switch. Then, would the current coax connections from the switch to the TV's (1 up front, 1 in the bedroom, 1 outside) be functional? Or, would I need to run the HDMI to each TV? I have four TV's in my home that are connected to HD receivers through coax connections. But, that's through our local cable provider. At this point I'm thinking I could make all this work with a lot of effort. Or, I could just sit under the awning with a refreshing beverage and watch the grass grow. I can watch HDTV when I get home.

[ernieh]

Hdmi switches as well as splitters are available. Prices for the cables, splitters, and switches can vary widely. The cables all perform about the same under 50', so don't pay more for something that doesn't do any more.

BTW, I send the HDMI signal to my front TV, and convert the RCA outs to coax for the rear bedroom. It's not HD in the rear, but it's good enough for a little late night viewing before bed. I have used the $15 RF converters from Walmart in the past, but the ones from Radio Shack ($25) seem to work better.