i got directv setup at my place....wondering what it takes to set it up in my bedroom as well? do i need to pay directv a monthly fee for another setup/signal or can i just buy a directv box off craigslist and plug and go?

6/16/2010 1:23:29 PM

you can put in a splitter and run cable to the other tv if you don't plan on watching something different on it lol

6/16/2010 1:39:16 PM

How far are the TVs from each other and which receiver do you have? On their flagship HD-DVR (and maybe other models) all inputs are live simultaneously. I have my living room TV using component and optical audio and I have my bedroom on HDMI. With the wireless remote it's a painless "here or there" solution but if you want the other option you run some cable from your LNB to the bedroom and lease or buy a receiver.

6/16/2010 1:47:59 PM

the TVs are on direct opposite sides of the same wall. It's a regular receiver, not HD. Right now the composite coming out the back is plugged into the TV in my bedroom. There's also another Composite 2 Out and Coax out. I guess I could ghetto it up and run that around the wall to the TV in the living room and live with not being able to switch channels. or maybe the remote can pick up the signal through the wall. hmmm

i initially thought i could split the incoming directv signal and as long as i have another receiver box, i'd be good to go...guess not

6/16/2010 2:04:24 PM

I think you can split the signal, but I never read enough into it to know what hardware is required. I think it's a special frequency splitter that you need. Is it a DVR, IE dual tuner?

6/16/2010 2:09:14 PM

Depending on the dish that you have, you can split the signal. IIRC, The newest HD dishes already have the Single Wire Multiswitch built into the LNB, and you can use a splitter to split the signal cable off to another receiver. If it's an older dish, a splitter won't work and you'll need to have a multiswitch of some sort installed so that the different voltage and polarity signals sent by the receiver to the LNB don't screw with each other.

In either case, the other receiver will need a subscription, which is only like $5 if you're adding it to an existing account. If all you want is a basic receiver, no HD, no DVR, etc, just pick up a new one for $50 at best buy or somewhere. eBay has new ones too.

6/17/2010 2:44:15 AM

ok so i finally got the bedroom hooked up as well by running the second line out from the directv receiver through the wall to the bedroom tv.....

now is there a way i can control the directv box that's in the living room from the remote while i'm in the bedroom? do i need to get a infrared remote extender/repeater?

8/11/2010 12:09:54 AM

in case anyone cares, i've completed the setup and it's working as planned!
i got one of those IR remote extenders from radio shack and can now control the directv receiver in the living room from my bedroom.

8/12/2010 12:40:02 PM