Networking a DVR

[PhoneMatt]

I've just gotten a Direct DVR. To use On Demand, I need to add it to my network. The box has 2 Ethernet connections on it. I have a wireless router. Besides using a 30 foot Cat 5 cable and drilling holes or crawling under the house (REALLY gross), is there a semi easy way to attach this, hopefully using a wireless connection?

Matt

[Krispy Kritter]

Depends on the model you have. Most of the boxes have the ethernet ports disabled.

[PhoneMatt]

Which box? The DVR has to have them enabled to use On Demand- apparently it downloads shows from the internet. If you meant the router- I know that those ports are working. My desktop is wired to it.

[Krispy Kritter]

The DVR. I don't recall needing ethernet connectivity for my DVR when I had DirecTV.

EDIT: Those appear to only be a feature on the HD DVR and appear to be there for the "media connect" feature where you can share music and photos on your PC.

[Krispy Kritter]

You may also want to check out the forums over at Directv.com. Wireless doesn't appear to work very well, if at all, and it's recommended to only use Cat5 or Powerline.

[PhoneMatt]

I saw that too. After finding something called a Network receiver, and pricing 50 feet of Cat 5, I had a "D'oh" moment. It was much easier and cheaper to put a USB wireless thingy on my desktop and move the router to the same case as the Direct box. Worked perfectly.
I was under the impression that OnDemand needed Internet access. Before I hooked up the router, I had no access to it.