POE Filter Fails with MoCA

Where are you placing the MOCA filter. It should not be between any TiVos. It need to be on the line going to the outside connection.

 

Can you sketch out a wiring diagram?

Also, what model number is the Xfinity connected Router/Gateway?

-KP

 

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Random guess, this is the exact symptom you get if it's installed at the ingress point backwards

 

If the splitter only feeds the router+TiVo in the office, and you have a Roamio and Premiere in other rooms, then those other TiVo's are probably connected to a splitter in a junction box outside the house. You need to move the PoE filter to the input of the splitter that is in the junction box.

 

Think of the splitters and coax as forming a tree that branches downward so that each TiVo/Mini is a "leaf" of the tree. A MoCA device can only communicate with another MoCA device if both are "downstream" from the same PoE filter. The PoE filter blocks MoCA signals from going upstream, while reflecting/enhancing signals from the MoCA devices that are downstream. So, the PoE should usually be attached to the root of the tree, where the Comcast feed connects to the first splitter.

The PoE filter can be positioned at a point other than the root only if all MoCA devices are downstream from where the PoE is placed. Placing the PoE at the lowest point in the tree that is still upstream from all MoCA devices will give the strongest MoCA signals throughout the MoCA network.

Please ask for clarification if that explanation was confusing in any way.

 

Good question. You may be able to get by without a PoE filter. I have a brother who uses MoCA without a PoE filter, without any issues. It depends in part on how long the coax runs are, and how well the splitters play with MoCA signals.

The PoE has two distinct benefits. The first benefit is that it confines the MoCA signals to your own network. Without a PoE filter, it is possible (but not necessarily likely) that your neighbors could spy on your MoCA network, so this is a security benefit.

The second benefit of the PoE filter is that it boosts the strength of the MoCA signals by preventing signal energy from "leaking" to the outside world. This can make a big difference, especially if your splitters are not specifically designed to support MoCA.

You could try removing the PoE completely to see if your network will work without a PoE. However, I always recommend using a PoE filter because using one will usually provide a significant improvement in the MoCA signals, which minimizes the chance of having problems.

One last caveat: having a splitter in an external junction box may cause your MoCA signals to be relatively weak. So, if you have problems even though you have a PoE in place, you might need to upgrade to MoCA rated splitters both inside the house an in the junction box.

 

I don't have anything to add except I'm shocked at how much POE filters cost now. I bought some just last year for less than $2. I wonder what's going on?

I got rid of all my Tivos a few years ago, but still use Moca everyday. It's a great networking solution for us with old houses prewired for coax. I personally use satellite diplexers in lieu of splitters and POE filters. While diplexers don't attenuate quite as well as POE filters, they're close enough for all practical purposes, plus they have much lower losses than traditional splitters.

 

You should get a “PoE” MoCA filter properly installed, both to secure your network and improve your MoCA network’s performance/efficiency, but also to preclude issues from neighboring MoCA networks, which may spring up.

Depending on your provider, they may install one for you at no cost (Comcast typically does so).

 

MoCA can be used beyond just TiVo connectivity if you have other devices that would benefit from wired network connections, in lieu of direct Ethernet connectivity to the router LAN. (The more traffic redirected from the wireless spectrum the better.)

You can use standalone MoCA adapters connected to network switches to get multiple devices connected, and, where suitable, you can even leverage the built-in MoCA bridging of MoCA-capable TiVo DVRs that are configured only as MoCA clients to network co-located Ethernet-capable devices. (see here for more on networking add’l devices via a MoCA client-only TiVo DVR)

 

Diplexers aren’t really a simple substitute for splitters, of course.

As for a diplexer substituting for a “PoE” MoCA filter, I’d be interested in whether the diplexer offered the same reflective properties supposedly valued in MoCA filters.

 

I came across this thread when researching connectivity issues with 2 of my Minis--The problem proved to be unrelated to MoCA directly, but it got me to rethinking my network setup in general....
I have a pair of MoCA adapters (Tivo/Actiontec 2.0), an I am only using one with my Apple TV--When I purchased them, I was unsure whether I needed 1 or 2, and the pricing was better for the pair.

In addition to the Apple TV, I have two Roamios, as well as several Minis--one of which is a Mini Lux. During my research process, I thought I read somewhere where you alluded to the fact that it is desirable to use separate adapters to form a MoCA network, as opposed to the ones in the Tivo boxes. If that is true, what are the advantages, other than the availability of MoCA 2.0? (I currently have the Mini Lux connected via ethernet, but coax is available, and the Apple TV is currently connected to an older spare TV and does not require the higher speed.)

 

Availability. That is, a stand-alone MoCA adapter is less likely to require a reboot than a TiVo DVR. (And I’d say “function as the main MoCA/Ethernet bridge,” rather than “form a MoCA network,” since it’s the main bridge in question.)

The case for a stand-alone bridge improves as the use case for MoCA grows beyond TiVo-to-TiVo streaming.

 

Makes sense--Thanks!

Regarding your suggestion above regarding leveraging the built in MoCA bridging of Tivos configured as clients:

My two Roamios are in the same room--If I configure both as clients, could I connect them to each other via Ethernet, or should I leave them both connected separately to my router?

 

You would NOT want to have them both connected and configured as MoCA clients and then also linked to each other via Ethernet, as the loop created would confuse your networking. In that setup, you’d need to disable MoCA on one of the DVRs.

Really, since both need to be connected to the coax, regardless, for the TV signal, having them both configured as MoCA clients is simplest, then you can use one or both to provide Ethernet connections for *other* co-located devices.