DIRECTV C41W-100 Wireless Genie Client FIRST LOOK SERIES

DIRECTV C41W-100 Wireless Genie Client FIRST LOOK SERIES

DBSTalk.com is proud to present the C41W-100 RVU Client and the Wireless Video Bridge. Manufactured by Technicolor the C41W-100 is the latest RVU Client from DIRECTV. And yes, it does wirelessly connect to a Genie so no coax or Ethernet cable is needed. The Wireless Video Bridge (WVB) stays where it s installed regardless of where your TV is. Put the C41W-100 in the garage, on the patio, or out by the pool. All you need is power. The Wireless Video Bridge is the key to wireless TV viewing. The WVB bridges the DECA cloud to the C41W-100 via Wi-Fi so enjoy your favorite DIRECTV channels or On Demand anytime, anywhere. As with the previous RVU clients the C41W-100 uses the RC71 as well as the current full size DIRECTV remotes. The RC71 remote uses the RF4CE Standard using less power than the standard DIRECTV RF remote for longer battery life. Are you on the Cutting Edge? DBSTalk.com is home to the Cutting Edge forums, where users actively participate in testing prerelease software for DIRECTV receivers. The resulting rapid-deployment development method allows for faster fixes and abundant new features. Click here to learn more at DBSTALK.com! Please note that some DBSTalk.com testers and staff members may have received free equipment from DIRECTV or its partners for the purpose of evaluation and testing.

C41W & Wireless Video Bridge (WVB)

Top: C41, Center: C41W, Bottom: H25

So... How does it work? The C41W does not use the wireless feature of the HR44s, that is used for connecting to the internet only, it works with the Wireless Video Bridge (WVB). The WVB and C41W communicate wirelessly using a 5.0GHz wireless connection. Results vary among our group and that s no surprise considering all of the variables in home construction and potential interference. Here are a few of the real world uses. In my case the WVB is on ths second floor of the house and the C41W is on first floor. There is one floor and one wall in between with no signal drop outs. -afulkerson When I started testing it was 5 feet away in the same room, no problems. Since then I ve had it 20 feet away through one wall up to 50 feet away on separate floors through multiple walls and it still work, even with the network LED being orange meaning I have a less them optimal connection. -RAD I am running 100% reliability 45 feet between the WVB and client. Through 2 interior walls and all on the same floor. Includes mpeg2 OTA content. -NR4P I moved the WVB into my wiring closet from being just 12 to 15 inches from the C41W. The receiver is now about 25 feet from the WVB, through two sheet rock walls and a wooden cabinet. Initial results are good. Another test, I moved the C41W to the opposite end of the house where I currently have a C31. This is about 60 feet from the WVB and through about 5 walls, including a bathroom mirror. Good picture. In about 10 minutes of watching on two different channels, I had one instance where the video got pixilated for a second or two. -Groundhog45 In my case, the WVB is upstairs toward the front of my house. I have successfully used the C41W downstairs in the family room and outside on the deck in the back of the house. Maximum distance about 60 and 4-5 walls/floors separation. - Smuuth I moved the C41w from the second floor to the first floor. The distance is about 40 ft away through three walls and the ceiling/second floor joists. I was able to get a decent broadcast. During setup, the signal strength screen was green, but once it connected, the network signal LED went to amber. System info indicated fair as the signal strength. -azarby I normally use the C41W in the theater area, which is just one wall (lath and plaster) away from the WVB. I moved the C41W to the dining room this morning, which is 18 feet away from the WVB, with an interior block wall and closet in between. No issues/breakups. I then moved the C41W to the service porch, which is 23 feet or so away from the WVB, with the closet, two hallway walls and a built in cabinet in between. The led on the C41W was red, but the picture was fine, without any issues/breakups. -David Ortiz

From the HR34/ HR44 Settings & Help Menu, select Settings > Whole-Home-> Add a Client. A PIN will be displayed. Power up the Wireless Video Bridge and the C41W to complete the setup. Choose the Whole Home Server from the displayed list. On the next screen, enter the PIN that was displayed on the HR34/HR44 from step one.

On the Create Custom Name screen enter a name for your C41W then select Save Name. Next is the Copy Location Settings screen where you can copy settings from your HR34/HR44. Select Copy and all the settings are transferred to the CW41W from your Genie. The next screen will allow you to program a remote. If you have more than one DI- RECTV receiver in the same location simply follow the directions. Otherwise Select Setup Remote Later to move on to the next step.

Guided Setup is Complete and you are ready to watch DIRECTV on your C41W RVU client. You can now go back to HR34/HR44 and select Done. The C41W is an amazing addition to the DIRECTV Line Up of Equipment. It is a Wireless N client that works in conjunction with the DIRECTV Genie. Where ever you want a TV with DIRECTV content, you can place a C41W Client. You can roll a TV with a C41W Client attached around the house from room to room, to your Patio, to your garage and be able to keep enjoying your entertainment as if you were sitting in your living room. Nothing makes placement of your DTV Enabled TV easier than adding a C41W to your Genie System. ~DBSTalk.com member Jim Mariner Thank you to the entire C41W-100 test team at DBSTalk.com! Photos : hdtvfan0001, NR4P, dettxw & Draconis Text and descriptions: Mike Bertelson Layout: Scott Kocourek