Does DVR need ActionTec router or MoCA?

[sweh1]

I've had FIOS since September 2007.  I've been using a TiVo HD since Feb 2008.  And, because I don't need MoCA for the TiVo, I replaced the ActionTec router with a better router of my own (previously a WRT54G, currently a TP-Link).

However this TiVo is getting old and the Verizon DVR is much better than it was 7 years ago.

So I'm thinking of changing.

However, does the Verizon DVR depend on a Verizon supplied router and MoCA?  Or can it work with just standard RJ45 ethernet and coax for video?

[gs0b · Accepted solution]

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@sweh wrote:

However, does the Verizon DVR depend on a Verizon supplied router and MoCA?  Or can it work with just standard RJ45 ethernet and coax for video?

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In short, yes.  A Verizon router is required and the STBs use MoCA.  There are ways to use other routers with the Verizon boxes.  Check out the DSL reports FiOS FAQ for tons of details.

http://www.dslreports.com/faq/16077

Enjoy.

[Telcoguru]

The STBs communicate starting at the 192.168.1.100-150 range using Moca supplied by the Verizon branded Actiontec router.

[SinCara]

I'll add to what others said which is for quantum you need a router, either the Actiontec rev.i or the new Gateway for it to work. You also need a moca 2.0 splitter otherwise you might see issues. 

[sweh1]

That's a shame.  I do a lot of additional stuff with my router (eg openvpn, IPv6 tunnels, etc) and don't like the small NAT table of the Verizon ActionTec router.  (Also don't like "single points of failure"; if that router dies then I have nothing).

I guess I won't get their DVR, then, and will look at the newer TiVos!

[gs0b]

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@sweh wrote:

That's a shame.  I do a lot of additional stuff with my router (eg openvpn, IPv6 tunnels, etc) and don't like the small NAT table of the Verizon ActionTec router.  (Also don't like "single points of failure"; if that router dies then I have nothing).

I guess I won't get their DVR, then, and will look at the newer TiVos!

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The latest Actiontec (rev I) has a decent size NAT tables.  Not sure if it's big enough for your needs, but it is bigger than the older models.

Did you review the various configurations described on DSL reports?  It is possible to maintain DVR/TV service with a different router as a primary; although it does get complex.

I'm not sure what your "single point of failure" complaint is.  If you have your ONT configured for Ethernet, you can use any router you want.  If you use the Actiontec as a primary and it fails, you can install a different router although you would loose DVR/TV service until a working Actiontec is installed.

Good lUCK.

[sweh1]

My ONT is configured for MoCA; I'm using a Netgear MoCA bridge to convert to ethernet.  I have a spare in case it dies.  (I don't want to switch it the ONT to RJ45 'cos that'd need another hole through the wall of my house).  Similarly if my router dies I can replace it with an older WRT54G.  If my primary machine does I have a spare to replace it...

I even have the cabling for Cablevision (I left it in when I switched to FIOS) just in case I need to switch.

I don't like single points of failure 🙂