Mini?

Re: 2 >>> Yes, viewing via the Mini will be pretty much the same as if sitting at the DVR, except the Mini only has access to a single tuner, so you won't be able to hop around (channel surf) and maintain a 30-minute buffer across all live channels.

You'll have access to the same guide, same live channels, and the "My Shows" listing of recorded content will be identical. Some system management functions are only available via the host DVR, but those aren't relevant to day-to-day viewing.

 

Re: 1>>> You may be confusing TiVo Minis and MoCA adapters.

All you need for a Mini is a sufficiently fast network connection between the Mini and its host DVR. Ideally everything would be networked via Ethernet; however, if/when Ethernet isn't possible, *then* take a look at the next best option: MoCA via coax.

Some questions to help clarify...

1. You're just trying to install a single Mini at one TV location, correct?

2. Can you get the Mini networked via Ethernet to the router?

3. If an Ethernet connection isn't possible for the Mini, do you have a coax outlet/connection available at the location where you want to install the Mini?

4. How is your DVR (the BOLT) currently networked?

5. What model # BOLT do you have?

6. Are you tuning cable (via CableCARD) or OTA antenna with your BOLT?

7. What model # cable modem and router are you using?

8. How many distinct coax lines do you have available at the modem location? (i.e. Separate coax runs between this location and the central coax junction panel.)

9. Do you know where your various coax lines centrally connect? If yes, please detail the setup and the connecting components.


So the issue is identifying where your devices are located, what can be networked via Ethernet, what coax is available for providing MoCA connectivity, and whether your BOLT DVR can be used as the MoCA/Ethernet bridge. Ideally, everything can be networked via Ethernet; if not, next best (cheapest) is if the BOLT can be networked via Ethernet and can then provide the MoCA/Ethernet bridging function.

Hopefully, the only thing you might need to buy is a "PoE" MoCA filter to keep your MoCA network secured inside the home, but we'd need to know more about your specific setup to provide an authoritative answer.

 

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The context for this question should have been "at its intended location." Will you be able to network the Mini via Ethernet when it's installed at its final resting place? (I'm guessing the answer is "no"; just want to confirm.)

So the BOLT isn't near the router, then, which would allow it to be networked via Ethernet? (Again, just need to confirm.)

Ok, a cable-capable BOLT; then the BOLT is capable of making a network connection as a MoCA client, same as the Mini. (The OTA-only "BOLT OTA" model lacks any built-in MoCA functionality.)

Since you're not using a combo cable gateway with a built-in MoCA bridge to set up a MoCA network, you'll need to add a MoCA adapter at the modem/router location, to act as the MoCA/Ethernet bridge (effectively to act as the MoCA access point).

My recommendation would be the goCoax MoCA 2.5 adapter ($60 at Amazon).

​

As for getting it installed/connected, the aim is to bridge between the home coax plant and the router's Ethernet LAN. So, you can either connect the MoCA adapter's "MoCA" port to the wall outlet, and connect the modem via the adapter's "TV" port; or, you may want to use a 2-way splitter to get both the modem and MoCA adapter connected directly to the coax. (Just cap the MoCA adapter's "TV" port if unused/open.) If you try using the pass-through for the modem's connection, you might want to check the effect on the modem's connection if power is cut-off to the MoCA adapter.

Either way you go with the coax, the MoCA adapter's "LAN" port will need to be connected via Ethernet to a LAN port on the router.

You'll end up w/ something similar to the following:

​

Could hardly be easier. You'll need to get a "PoE" MoCA filter installed on the input port of that splitter, to keep your MoCA signals inside the home (and to efficiently reflect the MoCA signals back onto your coax plant), and you'll want to make note of the splitter model # and its specs. If you have issues getting MoCA working, you may want to upgrade the splitter to a unit recommended for MoCA 2.0/2.5, such as the Holland GHS-3PRO-M.

The final configuration may be similar to the following (YMMV):

​

The BOLT and Mini would simply be configured as MoCA clients once everything's connected.

​

p.s. About that switch in the last diagram, see >this post< for info on extending wired networking via a MoCA-client TiVo DVR's otherwise-unused Ethernet port.

 

With just a single coax run to the router location, you can do it one of two ways, as detailed in the prior post.

The switch is not a requirement, no.

Mostly correct; as stated, ideally it would be installed on the input of your top-level splitter, for maximum performance benefit.

 

I defer to the previous post where the options are detailed.

Whatever the best quality connection supported and available between your Mini and TV ... HDMI, Component or Composite.

 

A couple things...

• Avoid units that aren’t retail models (were leased from a provider), since they can’t be added to your TiVo account.

• Know the difference b/w A92 & A93 Mini’s.

• Be aware of a bug preventing downgrade from TE4 to TE3 for older A92/A93 Mini’s. Not an issue if your DVRs will only be running TE4, or you’ll be buying an A95 Mini. (see this thread)

• Be aware of a rash of old Mini failures that seem to be happening around 5 years of use. We’ve had 5 die within the last year, all about 5 years active. No clue if there's anything one can do to avoid this if sticking to older Mini's, other than praying.
  

 

Seems good enough, newer than my units, and the seller has explicitly stated that the Mini has only ever run TE3, so shouldn’t suffer from the blue dog special.

 

Heed all helpful advice and shun that which is not.

 

All that is needed now is the wisdom to know the difference.

 

I'd suggest a couple troubleshooting steps...

1) Not worrying about the TV signal, temporarily move the BOLT to the Mini location and see if the BOLT is able to make a MoCA connection. And do the same with the Mini, trying it at the BOLT location. Does the problem stick w/ the location or travel with the Mini?

2) Move the Mini to where it can be connected via Ethernet to the router, and see how far it gets. (It's possible that the Mini MoCA connection issue may be due to out-of-date software. Fingers crossed that the Mini doesn't auto-update to TE4, as some "new" Mini's tend to do.)