CrossBar AVCast System: How To Share A TiVo With Multiple TVs
Recently I spent some time looking into how to share my TiVo with all the TVs in my house I didn’t want to have to buy another TiVo nor did I want to pay the additional amount for another TiVo subscription. My search for the ideal product, started with the Leapfrog’s Wavemaster 20. This was a decent product however; I had several problems with it none of which I was able to resolve. The next product that I decided to try was the CrossBar MediaKit. The product only cost me $99.95, which I think is cheap considering the fact that I would have had to pay a lot more if I wanted to purchase another TiVo.
The product arrived at my door step rather fast (as fast as UPS can deliver it). My initial thought was that I was extremely happy with how they packaged the product. I don’t think I’ve seen packaging done as well ever before.
As you’d expect, I removed the product from the packaging as soon as I brought it in the door. This reminded me of the days when I would get a Star Wars guy and have to open it in the car :). To my surprise, the product came with a complete manual. When I say complete, I mean complete. The manual includes every little detail on how to setup the system.
My initial setup gave me a couple of problems. 1.) I had to split the signal to my cable modem prior to going into the CableCaster. This wasn’t a big deal infact; I probably should have done this right from the start. 2.) I had to purchase another power adapter (Radio Shack) for the CableCaster. According to the manual, the CableCaster is supposed to be able to receive power over the coax via the power supply that you plug into the IRCaster/IRDetector. This however, was not my experience.
Once I figured out these two issues, I was as happy as I could be with the product. Now I have TiVo in every room of my house! As you can imagine, this is a geek�s dream come true. As a side note, I�ve actually gone ahead and purchased an additional IRCaster/IRDetector for my room upstairs. The initial kit that I purchased only contained one IRCaster/IRDetector.
If you have any questions or comments please let me know. I am extremely happy with this product. I think that anybody who wants to share an entertainment device with other tvs in their house should definitely consider the CrossBar MediaKit.
btw, here is a link to an image that depicts my current setup.
Updated 7/27/04: I went ahead an purchased another IR Caster / IR Detector now I can control my TiVo from my bedroom! Installation was a snap!
Updated 01/05/06: I’ve put together this post which details how my TiVo is setup.
October 3rd, 2004 at 10:31 pm |
Interesting but if you pull HDTV through the upstream (cable, antenna) then the Caster might give you some problems. I had to switch from 1Ghz splitters to 2Ghz to get a clean HD signal.
October 4th, 2004 at 11:42 am |
If I were to use the same installation (1 Tivo, Multiple TV’s) would I be able to play and rewind live TV on the single Tivo while another user on another TV plays and rewinds live TV on the same Tivo?
October 4th, 2004 at 12:14 pm |
Chris,
This setup does not allow for the capability you are talking about. Basically anything that is being viewed on my TiVo is seen by all other people who watch the TiVo channel. In other words, if I am watching a show via my TiVo than every person in my house would see that same show if they turned to the “TiVo” channel. This setup does not allow multiple users to use the TiVo and do different things with it.
November 17th, 2004 at 6:07 pm |
Here’s my confusion. I just bought the Media Kit and an extra IR Caster.
I understand where to put the MediaCaster and the CableCaster.
But if I want to view the Tivo on the kitchen TV, do I have to actually locate that specific cable and connect it directly to the CableCaster? Or once the MediaCaster is connected to the CableCaster, is the signal available everywhere in the house?
And then I would just put an IR Caster in whatever room I want to control the Tivo from?
They also mention that the first IR Caster in the system has to be connected directly to the CableCaster. Don’t know how I’m going to do that, with the rats’ nest of cables in my basement.
November 17th, 2004 at 6:23 pm |
Mitch,
Your TiVo needs to connection directly to the MediaCaster. Once you’ve connected the TiVo to the MediaCaster then you can watch TiVo from any room in the house. So for example, if you have your TiVo in your living room then you will need to hook up the MediaCaster to the TiVo in the living room. Once the MediaCaster has been hooked up, you will be able to watch TiVo in the kitchen or any other room in your house.
I’m not sure what you are referring to with the IR caster setup. My setup has an IR Detector in every room that where I want to be able to control my TiVo. Then attached to the coax near the TiVo is the IR caster. The caster receives the signal from the IR detector and resends it to the TiVo.
The following image should help you setup your system. Let me know if you have any more questions or if you would like me to clarify something. It’s really easy once you figure it all out….
November 19th, 2004 at 1:17 am |
Your diagram shows a 2-way splitter at the TiVo/TV in Room 1. Do I need a 3-way splitter for my Series 2 setup? I want to be able to watch live TV while TiVo is recording on a different channel. I currently use a 2-way splitter with one leg going to TV RF and the other leg to TiVo RF and switch between TV/Video. Looks like I need a 3rd leg to go to the MediaCaster. Right? Thanks.
December 1st, 2004 at 1:21 pm |
Hi - why did you have to split to go to Media Caster and Cable box (no picture or picture quality)? I have installed avcast but have ‘grainy’ appearance (loss in picture quality) and artifacts (pixelated). My cable picture w/o Avcast is perfect throughout the house. Any help is appreciated.
December 1st, 2004 at 3:34 pm |
I didn’t have to split to go to the media caster and cable box. I had to split before the CABLE MODEM. My setup is the same as the image that I referenced. I can’t image why you would be getting poor quality. I’ve never experienced that. Maybe you could try giving crossbarmedia a call? Sorry I couldn’t help you more. It’s just that I haven’t had any problems with my setup.
January 25th, 2005 at 2:00 pm |
I’ve been having problems setting up my Avcast system. I have a digital cable box in one room and a cable modem in another room. I currently have Comcast Cable in the SF Bay Area. I’ve tested out numerous configurations but still have the same problem. What appears to be happening is as soon as I connect any device or connection to the cable going to Comcast, the picture goes fuzzy to the point that you can’t tell whether or not it is receiving the video from my source. I’ve tested this out by wiring everything as required minus the physical connection to the cable company, so it’s basically just my own private cable network at this point. The picture is perfect at least in one room, good enough for another. I’ve tried many different splitters and cable amplifiers. I couldn’t find the DOCSIS reverse channel amps suggested but did end up buying two different bi-directional amps to see if that would work. The splitters are DC passing. The only thing I’m not sure if it would make a difference or not is a notch filter but Comcast isn’t using channel 78-80 which I’m using 80 for the media caster. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on how to get this to work? I’m really interested in using Coax to view my media center pc on my living room tv.
Thanks.
January 28th, 2005 at 1:08 am |
I’m looking at going with Avcast. I have two DirecTiVo’s and want to feed a better signal through my house. All of my wiring is just internal (not connected to a cable system). Do I really need the Cable Caster (I already have powered splitters), or would just having the Media casters and the IR casters be enough?
January 28th, 2005 at 6:55 am |
I’m pretty sure you would need the cable caster even in your situation. The cable caster uses some kind of filter that I think you would need. I might want to double check with the company before you buy the product. Good luck!
January 31st, 2005 at 11:19 am |
I have hooked up my Avcast system and my TiVo signal has been severely weakend with snow on all channels. I have a splitter from the wall to my TiVo and my cable box. Could that be causing the problem? Or is it where it is coming in to the house at the filter, I have a red notch filter. Please let me know how to fix the problem.
Thank you.
January 31st, 2005 at 9:21 pm |
I’m not exactly sure how you have things setup however; I would try and start from the basics and connect y TiVo directly to the device. Then I would get my cable box hooked up.
I haven’t had the same kind of problem that you are referring to. If you continue to have a problem, you might want to contact crossbarmedia or head on over the TiVoCommunity and see if somebody can help you.
Good luck!
October 30th, 2005 at 11:33 pm |
[...] Updated: 10/02/2004: I’ve decided to move my review of the CrossBar MediaKit from my family website to this site. Click here for the complete review. [...]
December 19th, 2006 at 6:20 pm |
What about controlling the TIVO from another room? Most remote controls require a line of sight to the device. Is this not the case with TIVO? Are you able to use the remote TV as a terminal for controlling the remote TIVO. Or do you have to go to the room with the TIVO to start the TIVO rolling then access the TIVO chanel in the remote room?
November 6th, 2007 at 9:04 pm |
I am looking at the image with your current setup:
http://www.crossbarmedia.com/assets/images/Room_with_VCR_or_PVR__TiVo_or_R.jpg
I see that the cable between the “CableCaster” and the “splitter
going to MediaCaster and Tivo box” is playing both input and
output role. Did I get that right ? i.e One cable from the
splitter is going as input to Tivo and the cable from the Media
Caster to splitter is a output cable. If so how can a single
cable play both input and output role ?
November 7th, 2007 at 9:44 am |
Chandra,
I wish I could help you but I honestly don’t use the Crossbarmedia solution any more. My current setup uses TiVo’s MRV capability.
December 7th, 2007 at 1:38 pm |
Why did you switch to TiVo’s MRV capability instead of the Crossbarmedia solution?
December 7th, 2007 at 1:41 pm |
No real reason. I purchased a second TiVo so there really was no need for my crossbar media setup. I guess I could have kept it for the TV upstairs but I really don’t need it. Other then that, I’m not sure that CM would be able to support HD and eventually I would like to replace my s2dt with a TiVo HD so that I can share HD content with my Series 3.
December 7th, 2007 at 6:54 pm |
Thanks! This site and you feedback are a great help.
December 8th, 2007 at 12:09 am |
I’m glad that I am able to help…
April 3rd, 2008 at 3:44 pm |
[...] Avcast Media Kit: This device will allow you to watch your TiVo from any room in the house. As a matter of fact, I did a review on it a while back. [...]