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ETHERNET COAXIAL ADAPTER

 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) There are several important configuration notes
technology works in tandem with an installed SWM regarding DECA at this time:
(Single Wire Multiswitch) to give network access to all
connected devices without using Category 5 wiring. • An SWMLNB Dish or SWM8 is required to accompany the DECA
technology (it has been speculated that the two hardware
DECA creates a fast and reliable infrastructure for components may possibly be “merged” in the future, but this
DIRECTV to deliver existing and future services is not confirmed)
to all connected devices, such as DIRECTV on
Demand, Direct2PC, MediaShare for photos, audio, • All units within a DECA network group (aka “DECA cloud”) must
and video streaming, Multi-Room Viewing (MRV), be fed from the same SWM port (if using an external SWM5 or
and others. On Demand will only be limited to the SWM8 multiswitch).
speed provided by your ISP.
• Change to “OTA cannot be diplexed on a DECA-enabled system
For the field test, HD-enabled receivers and several as they utilize the same frequencies.
different HR2x series HD DVR units were used
within each DECA cloud configuration. Qualifying • H23 receivers are not yet supported for DECA, but likely will
HD devices include DIRECTV H21 series receivers be in the future.
(and soon H23), as well as HR2x series HD DVRs.
• HR20-100 units must be connected to a DECA cloud in a
While many configurations and setups were tested, “unique” manner, since they cannot provide power to the DECA
this First Look focuses on the migration from 1
at the same time they communicate with a SWM.
wired and 1 wireless conversion to the DECA.

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 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: This photo shows the back of a DECA Coax

Adapter, with the Network, Power, and C.LINK
LED lights.
CENTER AND RIGHT: The SWM Filter
(that blocks the DECA) is a critical element for the
proper creation of the DECA “cloud” infrastructure.
Note: The SWM Filter (labeled as “Stop Band Filter” in the
photo) is inserted between the output of the SWM unit and
before any splitter. It is designed to “filter” the proper
signal 500-600MHz frequency range used by the DECA
adapters. This enables Ethernet connectivity via Coax. It
is required that the SWM Filter is installed first, prior to
any other DECA components being installed.

LOWER LEFT: A 21-volt Power Inserter (PI) is

used to power the DECA that connects the network
to the internet. This is the same Power Inserter that
is currently used by the SWM LNB’s although those
are 29-volts. This photo reflects the back side view
of the Power Inserter, used at the broadband Inter-
net location.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Two-way splitter,
used at the same Internet connection location as
the PI to distribute the signal properly between
that DECA unit and another standard DECA Coax
Adapter connected to the HD receiver/DVR.

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 THE DECA CLOUD: HOOKING IT ALL UP

AC

AU-9
Power
Inserter

SWM 8
AC

Power inet
Inserter

DECA
DECA
Filter
DECA

DECA

DECA
Above is one of many ways to connect an SWM 8 up to a DECA cloud. ©2009, DBSTalk.com

Slimline AU9-
SL3-SWM
AC

Power Inserter

AC
DECA
Filter
inet
Power Inserter
8 Way Splitter

DECA
DECA
DECA

DECA

Above is a typical Slimline LNB/SWM creating an uplink into the DECA cloud.. ©2009, DBSTalk.com
4 ©2009, DBSTalk.com, all rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted as long as all DBSTalk.com copyright information is preserved. All trademarks are property of the respective trademark holders.
 PHOTO GALLERY

Router Hook up of the DECA and the Power Inserter

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

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

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),
DECA installed on an HR20-700
as well as the Power Inserter unit located at the
middle left of the photo. DECA installed on an HR20-700
DECA installed on an HR20-700

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 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.

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 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).

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 RESULTS
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.

SUMMARY
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.

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, Alan Gordon, carl6, chewwy420, dave29, Davenlr, David Ortiz, dettxw, DJPellegrino, dmricke, Doug Brott, hdtvfan0001, jasonki32,
jettech737, johern, litzdog911, Michael D’Angelo, RAD, RunnerFL, Sixto, Spanky_Partain, Tom Robertson, 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.

8 ©2009, DBSTalk.com, all rights reserved. Reproduction is permitted as long as all DBSTalk.com copyright information is preserved. All trademarks are property of the respective trademark holders.