How can I hook up more than one TV to my new Directv HD DVR? It doesnt have an "out to TV" port?

Question

With my previous Directv Satellite receiver I could run a cable from the "out to TV" port to a splitter and then to my 3 TV's. The other 2 TVs are in bedrooms and although we couldnt change the chanels we could at least watch tv for no additional monthly charge. However, we just got an HD DVR for our new HD TV and it connects to the TV with either an S Video cable or HDMI cable...there isnt an out to TV port on it that uses regular TV cable and my other TVs are older and can only use TV cable. I don't have a clue how to hook the other TV's into it. The guy who installed the HD DVR said his job order was to hook up one TV so he wouldnt help me at all.

I thought a modulator would work but it looks like they are to hook several componets (like DVD, VCR, & games) to a TV - not to hook TV's together.

Can you give me any suggestions other than getting additional receivers?

Answer 1

If you get a modulator, you can then use a splitter on the modulator output (it is an ordinary TV signal) to feed the signal to several TVs, the same way you did before. If you have the new HR20 DVR from DIrecTV, then the s-video output is active at the same time the HD outputs (component or HDMI) are. If you have the older TiVo HR10 model, the s-video output only works if the output is set to 480i, so everything you watch on multiple sets will be "low def".

By the way, you can get a remote extender and control your DVR from the remote TVs as well. See http://www.smarthome.com/nav/ProductResults.aspx?Ntt=powermid&x=10&y=8

Answer 2

You're right you will need a modulator. Run the HDMI into your new high def set and than you will need to buy an RF coaxial modulator that supports s-video. Than run an s-video cable from the dish box to the modulator. Than simpley plug in the coaxial cable that used to be plugged into the old dish box into the modulators TV out port. Contact if you need more help.