Using Media Share on DIRECTV's HD DVR
Before I begin, I would like to point out that getting your DIRECTV HD DVR to see your personal photos, music and videos requires the following:
- A DIRECTV Subscription
- A working DIRECTV HD DVR model HR21, HR22, HR23 or HR24.
- A wired local network (LAN) connection to your DIRECTV HD DVR.
- A fairly modern computer that is also wired to your local network.
- Media server software such as TVersity, Twonky, EyeConnect, Mediatomb, etc.
- Patience.
As I pointed out above, a wired local network between the computer running the media server and the DIRECTV DVR is a must. I know that some people have done their research and bought the latest and greatest wireless router capable of saving man from his sins, however, my experience is that getting the right wireless router to stream video without the occasional to constant stuttering that can happen with streaming is a black art. As such, I highly recommend working with a system that works first and then experimenting with the voodoo that is wireless streaming later.
I'm also going to assume the computer you want to use as a server is already working on your local network.
Therefore, your first order of business is to make sure you have configured your DIRECTV DVR to work on your network. The instructions to do so are on page 158 of the DIRECTV HD DVR Combo Guide.
Once you have your DIRECTV HD DVR receiver working on your network you need to choose the media server software. The media server software you choose depends on roughly two main things: your operating system (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc.) and your comfort level with community supported software (free) as opposed to commercially supported software (pay).
Below is a list of more popular media servers:
| Software | OS | Type | Website | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EyeConnect | Mac | Commercial | www.elgato.com | Easy to install & use. |
| Mediatomb | Linux, Mac, Windows | Free | mediatomb.cc | Very difficult to install. |
| Twonky | Linux, Mac, Windows | Commercial | www.twonky.com | Inexpensive. A little hard to install. |
| Tversity | Windows | Free & Commercial | tversity.com | Powerful but more complex. |
| Windows 7 | Windows | part of Windows 7 | Windows 7 Blog | Easiest choice for Windows. |
All of the listed media servers work reliably. Generally, I wouldn't include a product like Mediatomb, but it's my personal favorite. Why? Because it transcodes (converts) videos on the fly and works flawlessly with Mac. However, unless you're comfortable compiling source code for various required programs including Mediatomb on your Mac, I don't recommend this solution.
After you have installed your media server software on your computer the last step is the simplest- you convert your videos on Pluckie to the DIRECTV HD DVR HR2x format. To my knowledge, only Tversity and Mediatomb can transcode (convert) on the fly to the correct video and audio format understood by the DIRECTV receiver.
"So, if I install Tversity or Mediatomb I don't have to convert my videos?"
Correct. However, setting up transcoding on Mediatomb is not easy. Check out the instructions for Mediatomb transcoding for the DIRECTV HR2x here. Tversity is a little bit easier but I have run into issues where Tversity does not install the right codecs to do the transcoding.
So, if you still don't know which media server to use I'll point out the easiest solution:
- On Linux, use Twonky and convert your video on Pluckie.Com.
- On Mac, use EyeConnect and convert your videos on Pluckie.Com.
- On Windows 7, use Windows 7 media streaming and convert your videos on Pluckie.Com.
- On Windows Vista, go back to XP if your computer originally came with it or upgrade to Windows 7.
- On Windows XP, use TVersity and convert your videos on Pluckie.Com.
Good luck.