How to go Wi-Fi with your Hi-Fi

[Daylightdon]

These instructions were written with my AV Home Theater setup in mind.
My AV system is located Downstairs on the other side of my house from where my PC is located, which precludes any thought of easy hard wiring of my computer/internet to my Direct TV HR-22 Receiver. I installed the wireless modem next to the HR-22 Receiver and connected the High Speed DSL (6mps), phone line to the wireless modem. The wireless modem feeds wirelessly, a signal to my computer for my normal high speed internet service. So far it all is working well!

READ ALL INSTRUCTION MANUALS
THAT COME WITH EQUIPMENT!

At each phase of the install it may be necessary to call
TECH-SUPPORT for what ever device is causing problems!

1. Arrange for High speed internet service with ISP. (Internet Service Provider)
2. Purchase High Speed Wireless Modem, (4 Ports.)
3. Purchase Wireless PC adapter. (High Speed)
4. Purchase interface Cat-5 cable(s). (you’ll need about 3 or 4.)
5. Install ISP software on PC if supplied.
6. Install any PC adapter Software if supplied with PC adapter.
7. Do physical install of PC adapter with PC, AC Power off and unplugged from wall socket.
8. Follow instructions for setup of PC Adapter - write down or print out ANY registration numbers/codes or IP Addresses that show up on screen during these setup phases. You may need them.
9. Do a HARDWIRE install of wireless modem.
10. Install/Register Modem. Do initial setup following instruction manual.
11. Call ISP Tech assistance to verify High Speed connection and correct operation.
12. Surf the internet, going to known sites. If this is your first try at High Speed, you’ll notice the difference. I was LOW SPEED DSL.
13. Disconnect the hard wire and go Wireless! There may be some setup issues here. If you are unsure, call Tech support.
14. Connect one of the wireless ports to your Direct TV Receiver.
15. Go to the MENU and got to the network setup page. Follow the instructions there.
16. The correct phone number to call for Tech Assistance for Direct TV is: 800-347-3288.
17. GOOD LUCK!!!

What follows is a narrative of my day doing the install:

It was a SIX hour ordeal.

First my equipment list:

• Direct TV HR-22 DVR
• Denon AVR 3808 receiver
• Panasonic 42 inch Plasma HDTV
• Dell Computer

The Computer is located on the second floor of my home. My AV system Home Theater is on the first floor on the other side of the house. No easy way to hard wire.

I needed to have the internet available for the AV system for the DVR and for the Denon Receiver, and future purchase of a Blu-ray player when Panasonic releases the new models.

Solution: Call my DSL Internet provider and order their wireless router along with a speed upgrade to 6MPS, which is their max. Also purchase an adapter for the computer to be able receive wireless signals from the wireless router which will be installed in the AV system downstairs.

Had all hardware and cables in hand and started the install. I hardwired the wireless router to the computer to get it registered and linked to the computer.

The installation software was a bit ambiguous and took me in circles.
Had to call the tech support department of my service provider. I spent over an hour speaking to someone one on the other side of this planet who did not have a good command of the English language. I/we eventually, (1 hour and 10 minutes), got things going and I was once again "ONLINE".

Next came the install of the wireless adapter into the computer. First install the software on the computer, then not sure which slot to put the board in??? Fortunately, I have a "TECHIE" Daughter who is the head TECH computer support person for the company she works for. Donna got me through that part and the board was installed with no smoke coming from the computer when I powered it up.

Now the computer is asking for some information but did not tell me where to find it. First, called the wireless adapter board manufacturer and spent some time trying to explain my situation to someone in a foreign country what I needed to get their board up and running to no avail. They told me to call my service provider or the wireless router company. Good idea!! I called the wireless router company and (WOW!!!), I was able to speak to someone in Arizona, who spoke fluent English. In ten minutes I was up and running! He knew exactly what I was talking about and what I needed.
OK!! now I was wireless. Time to install the wireless router in the AV system and hardwire it with CAT-5 cables to my HR-22 DVR and my Denon receiver. (The wireless router has 4 ports on it).
That was the easy part.

The purpose of the connection to the DVR was to utilize the VOD, (Video On Demand), feature of Direct TV.

Got into the menu and scrolled to the network setup page. Again I went "Round and Round"!

I entered the IP address +1 and the DVR setup screen said "Connected" to the network. Did a system test several times and intermittently got an error message saying 'Connection to the internet was lost".

Went through the setup procedure several times to no avail. "Error #22". Called Direct TV Tech Support. After explaining my problem to 4 different people I was connected to someone who fully understood their system and walked me through the setup procedure button press by button press. Once I had him on the phone it took ten minutes.

Well after 6 hours I finally had VOD. I downloaded 8 movies overnight!

I have not accessed the network on the Denon receiver yet but at this point I'm fearless! After yesterday I can handle it!!!

[MrBoylan]

Thanks for posting this Don! Hopefully it will prove useful to other poor unfortunate souls who need to connect their satellite receiver, Blu-ray player, A/V receiver or other CE gear to the internet or home network without the convenience of a wired connection.