VIP1216 connections

[vmsmanager]

So when my VIP1216 was installed they only connected the ethernet port via the ATT router. No coaxial connection was installed like the other receivers in the house. I need to move the DVR away from the router would like to have the normal video go over the coaxial connection, is this supported? I can keep a network connection but don't want to keep streaming normal tv watching over my home network.

Thanks

[aviewer ACE - Wizard]

vmsmanager - The coax feed contains a network with access to the Internet via HPNA. You can connect a computer to the network port on the STB via cat5.

You can feed the DVR via coax, but it may degrade the TV - especially on recording activities. The DVR should be cat5 to RG on the least used TV.

You should be able to set up your own network with a switch off the RG. I am not up on those details. There are others who should offer help on this setup when they see your post.

[vmsmanager]

With were I am moving the TV to it will be in a different room from the router. The router will be sitting in the basement at a central distribuition point for the network and CATV cabling. Networking will be done via Cisco switches in the basement and each room where required, since you need network for TV/BluRay/Receiver/etc..., which are Cisco SG200-08, 8 port Gb switches. From this central point I have a CATV and CAT6 cable run to various rooms of the house.

Why would the TV signal degrade using RGB instead of network? I have not seen any documentation from AT&T on how they require the network to be configured especially with the DVR, the tech who installed did not know anything. The non DVR boxes all use RGB and playback seems fine on them.

My biggest concern is not loading the in house network with video signals if I don't have to.

[JefferMC ACE - Wizard]

Yes, the DVR can be served by an RG6 coax leg, technically using the HPNA protocol.  In a perfect world, this will work fine.

However, in real homes, it appears that the coax connections and cable are more succeptable to "rot" over time than the Cat 5e cable and connections.  My coax connection between the DVR and RG degraded after nearly a year of service, I suspect due to a rather tight turn in the junction box where it connected to a splitter.  I had already run Cat 5e cable that the installer didn't want to terminate and use (and I didn't argue at the time, since it was working), so I terminated it and switched the DVR to it.  All my DVR problems that had been creeping up went away.  I still have one remote STB fed by coax, and it has few issues, though I did have to go back and tighten all the connections a few months ago.