Why connect your DIRECTV DVR to the internet?
If your DIRECTV DVR isn’t connected to the internet, you’re losing a lot. A lot of folks don’t bother to connect a new receiver, and that’s a real shame. Here’s just a short list of what…
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NICE AND EASY: What’s the difference between DIRECTV Cinema and DIRECTV On Demand?
OK so they don’t make it easy. DIRECTV Cinema refers to movies on DIRECTV. It mostly refers to movies that are on traditional pay-per-view but it can refer to on-demand as well. DIRECTV On Demand refers…
What is that ring of LEDs around a security camera used for?
They’re invisible light bulbs. Wait, did I just blow your mind? When you see a security camera like the one above, there is often a ring of what appear to be light-emitting diodes around it, but…
What is “cord shaving?”
Maybe you’ve heard the term before. If you haven’t, it refers to people who don’t want to ditch cable TV completely, but who choose to cut their cable bill to the absolute minimum. These are people…
What is “over the top” (OTT)?
Other than, well, a Stallone movie about arm wrestling, of course. You’l hear this term used from time to time, and because the concept is becoming more popular, you’ll probably hear it more. “Over-the-top” refers to…
What should you do to get ready for a DIRECTV installation?
You’re finally doing it! After all these years you’ve decided it’s time to break up with the cable company and you’re going with DIRECTV. There’s never been a better time, because DIRECTV is offering more free…
WEEKEND PROJECT: Homemade wireless Genie Client?
I’d heard for years that it could be done. Rather than get the C41W Wireless Genie Mini and the Wireless Video Bridge, it’s supposedly possible to connect a regular C41 Genie Mini Client in such a way that it could be…
Will fireworks mess up your TV or satellite reception?
Believe it or not they could, at least for a very short time. But only under very specific circumstances. Here are some specific ways that fireworks could cause problems while they’re actually occurring: Shaking your mast. If…
HDBaseT – the answer to so many problems
Send your HD signals everywhere. Well not everywhere, but everywhere within about 300 feet. HDBaseT makes it easy. It’s always been a bit of a drag getting HD where you wanted it. Component cables were expensive…
Can you use a powerline adapter on a smart TV?
The better question is, “should you?” Powerline networking kits like this one from Tech Choice will help you get a network connection where none exists. Wired networking is necessary when your Wi-Fi doesn’t reach, or in the…
NICE AND EASY: Can you use an SSD with a DIRECTV DVR?
The better question is not “can you…” but “should you.” And the answer is “no.” By now, you probably know that you can use an external hard drive with a DIRECTV DVR by connecting it…
SWM 101: Why does SWM need a return path?
DIRECTV SWM technology is a very different way of distributing signals than traditional satelllite TV. It was developed in order to help installers take advantage of existing cable television wiring. In the mid-2000s, as DIRECTV was…
SAY WHAT? Surveillance cameras don’t have sound?
You heard that right. Or, if you’re reading this by pointing a surveillance camera at a monitor, you didn’t hear that at all. Most surveillance cameras don’t record sound. They’re video only. The conventional wisdom is…
NICE AND EASY: Can you use PIP with recorded programming?
Yes, one of the two programs can be recorded. Just start watching a recorded program as you normally do and then enable PIP as shown in this tutorial. The recorded program will go into the PIP window…
Cell Booster or Wi-Fi Extender: Which do you REALLY need?
So, you want to improve reception in the house. That makes perfect sense… it’s frustrating that you can use your phone anywhere but in your own home. Yet, the construction of a lot of homes isn’t…