DIRECTV Wireless Video Bridge

Let me preface this review by saying that: (1) both this product and the C41W (wireless mine) work great, (2) DirecTv really doesn't want you to perform the installation yourself.I tried to do the 'right' thing by calling DirecTv and speaking with a CSR about adding a new location to my setup. I just installed a new TV in my office location that unfortunately the coax is located on the opposite wall. Thus I was interested in the C41w, the wireless version of the mini. After speaking with the CSR about my requirements, I was quoted $318 dollars for the install ( $100 WVB, $100 C41w, $100 installation + tax ). After I pulled my lip off the floor I asked the CSR if she would pay that amount just to add a new drop. No response. I decided at that point that there must be a less expensive option. On Amazon I found both the WVB and C41w, both DirecTv products, for $142 total. And as a Prime member, 2 days free shipping. While I waited for the shipment to arrive, I did a bit of research on the installation process. There are plenty of videos, whitepapers and presentations online about how to install these devices.Once I received all of the equipment, the physical installation was literally 15 minutes. I installed the coax feed within my wiring closet that runs to my office to the SwIM splitter and then installed the WVB in my office equipment rack. The WVB booted up and in 5 minutes was automatically connected to my main DVR, no configuration necessary ( I verified this by reviewing the configuration on the DVR ). I then turned my attention to the C41w. After I connected the HDMI and power cable, it also booted right up and waited for me to proceed with the initialization procedure. This part was a bit unclear. You have to go back to your main DVR and in the menu settings, choose 'Add Client' upon which the DVR will set the WVB in beacon mode ( flashing green/blue light ). Afterwards the network link on the C41w will light up and proceed with the installation. However this is where I ran into my stumbling block; the initialization would not complete as the DirecTv network would not allow me to add a new unrecognized client.Long story short I was on the phone with a DirectTv CSR for about 45 minutes. You need to have your story straight regarding how the equipment was installed ( I told them my next door neighbor was a professional satellite dealer ) and have your S/N and Model #'s of both devices. It took three attempts to activate my equipment. I was told that they could not activate it initially because I did not have a Work Order; apparently they expect you to go through their channels to generate a work order, purchase the equipment through them, etc. In the end I finally got it activated. They asked me no less than 4 times during the call who installed the equipment; just be vigilant and if you have your facts together and sound intelligent about the process you should be able to work your way through this process. Once the CSR added the equipment to my account, I was then able to repeat the pairing process mentioned above.I was glad that I was able to save well over $150 by purchasing and performing the installation myself. It's too bad that DirecTv wants to gouge you on equipment cost and installation. In the end I now have my new drop working.

Purchased a wireless receiver and the Direct TV wireless video Bridge. Devices were working perfectly. All I had to do was call Direct TV and get them to add it to my account. Long story short after well over an hour with them - they refused to activate and said they had to send me a their video bridge and receiver since they have had "customer satisfaction issues" when people tried to install them.Therefore to ensure I was "satisfied" they refused to activate my perfectly functioning boxes. Also worth noting they want to extend your contract by 24 months to add a receiver that you purchased. It makes no sense to pay them more money with a receiver you bought and extend your contract with nothing in return from them. I am now satisfied that I will be discontinuing my Direct TV service in 9 months when my contract is up.Nothing against seller - not entirely their fault. However, they should not be selling an item that cannot be activated.

Ok, so here is the scoop with this. It works as it should. WIth that said, there are some things that came up during my install. My setup was like this:Living Room: Main DVR GenieBedroom: Mini Genie hooked up directly to the coax in the wallSince I was eliminating TV in the living room and setting up a TV in my basement, I decided to move my DVR Genie to the bedroom and then basically swap the wired mini Genie that was in the bedroom, to the wireless Genie and install it in the basement. I unplugged everything, took it to my bedroom. For two hours, I couldn't figure out why I was getting 775 Error - Problem Communicating with the Dish. Finally, I called Direct TV and I was told that the black "power" SWN needs to stay plugged in to the coax cable in the living room. Basically, that device gives power to the dish. As soon as I plugged it back to the outlet in the living room, I got a signal. Good to go.Now, setup of this thing was super easy. I plugged it in to the SWN box (the one in the living room). Waited about a minute and message was displayed on the TV in the bedroom saying that the Wifi Bridge was found and configured. Awesome.Total distance: About 60-70 feet, going through the floor and about 3 walls. The signal strenght on the wifi mini Genie in the basement shows as Excellent. I was told that this Wifi Bridge needs to be AT LEAST 4 feet away from the DVR genie. For the hell of it, once I have everything setup completely (TVs hung on the wall) I will place it on top of the DVR genie to see if it would work.I did call DirectTV and started the activation process. They asked me for MAC addy and serial number and model number, but I don't think I needed to do that since I was basically replacing the location and not adding the new one.

This is exactly what I needed to watch TV on a wireless genie mini outside. Follow the tips others have given regarding setting up and it is pretty straightforward. The biggest hassle is calling DirecTV AFTER you have this connected and recognized by your system (it is under "Whole Home") if you have that on your account. Once your system recognizes the WVB, you have to call DirectTV to have them activate this onto your account. There is no way around that. They will ask where you bought it and I just told them I got it from an authorized reseller, and they didn't give me any hassle. They will try to set up an appt for a tech to come out, but if you can get them to activate it onto your account, there is no need for a tech to come. Once activated, the WVB will have a solid blue LED on the bottom, then your wireless mini genie should find it. I already had a wireless mini genie on the account, so I did not have to activate that through DirecTV. Works great.