I'm scheduled for an upgrade to the Genie/w minie next week. Do have a couple of questions:
I currently have a 2 HR21=100. My thought is the Genie and mini would replace both of these. Reading around it sounds like some keep the old receivers..? Is this true and if so why?
No way I would be without a HD DVR as a back up. If all you have is a genie and a client and the Genie goes down you have no tv. The monthly cost is the same for a client, a HD receiver or a HD DVR. So you may want to keep one or more of your DVRs.
Keeping your old DVRs allows you to watch any recordings on them, as well as use them to do additional recording (more recording space/time). With a DVR you retain the "trick play" control of live tv, and they can share in whole-home.
Client is smaller, cleaner installation. Gives you full control at the viewing location just as if you were using the Genie at that location.
So there are pros and cons, and only you can decide which is best for your situation. Either way will work just fine.
Unless you don't own a dvd player (or any other source of tv like OTA), and your life ends if you cant have tv for a day or two in case of some sort of failure of your directv receiver, Id get the genie and one client for your system. It only adds more function to what you have now. A lot more. The ONLY thing you lose is if the Genie itself dies, you are without either tv having the ability to pick up sat tv until it gets replaced. That is the ONLY thing you would lose over your current system. The other positives so far out weigh that IMHO.
RVU is the same idea as whats built into some tvs, but the outboard genie mini clients are generally reported to respond better.
Any HR can be considered a client for playback of recordings on another tv, but only the mini genie clients give you full access to all menus and series recordings, same guide data, etc as the main genie.
People leave them hooked up and use hrs instead of mini clients all the time.
Bill wise, it really doesn't matter which way you go, as it all works out the same pricing wise, except for some instances if they update how your billed you could see a change of $2-$3 MAYBE.
I'm getting a Genie + Client next Tuesday (though I'm keeping my HR24) and was curious about your comment that you retain trick play control of live TV with a DVR. Can you not pause and rewind live TV with the client? I thought the client gave you access to everything on the Genie including live TV.
carl6 said:
Keeping your old DVRs allows you to watch any recordings on them, as well as use them to do additional recording (more recording space/time). With a DVR you retain the "trick play" control of live tv, and they can share in whole-home.
Client is smaller, cleaner installation. Gives you full control at the viewing location just as if you were using the Genie at that location.
So there are pros and cons, and only you can decide which is best for your situation. Either way will work just fine.
I'm getting a Genie + Client next Tuesday (though I'm keeping my HR24) and was curious about your comment that you retain trick play control of live TV with a DVR. Can you not pause and rewind live TV with the client? I thought the client gave you access to everything on the Genie including live TV.
I'm getting a Genie + Client next Tuesday (though I'm keeping my HR24) and was curious about your comment that you retain trick play control of live TV with a DVR. Can you not pause and rewind live TV with the client? I thought the client gave you access to everything on the Genie including live TV.
I think Inkahauts and Laxguy answered this, but just to clarify:
A C31/C41 client gives you full control, as if the Genie itself were at that TV. You can use all trick play, set and manage recordings, etc.
An HR2x DVR can participate in whole-home, can set recordings on itself (but not on other units), can play recordings from any unit, and has it's own tuners, buffer, and trick play.
An H2x receiver can participate in whole-home, can set recordings on any DVR/Genie, but has no trick play capability (no buffer).
You can have a system that is comprised of almost any combination of the above units. A genie, a C31, an HR2x and an H2x for example. The H2x would not have trick play capability for live tv.
Re: Trick Play (aka FF, RW, Pause, etc.) on the H25.
After a bit you get used to hitting R for anything remotely interesting, so you have all that available. And live TV is behind by several hundred..... milliseconds.
Thanks for all the replies. I thought the mini was just like having the Genie there, with all of its functionality. I hadn't thought about receivers as clients. That makes sense. Can't wait to play around with this stuff next week!
On my H24 receiver I can also record and assign the recording to any of my networked DVRs. I cannot view the to do list, season passes etc...my selection priority would be Genie, HD DVR, HD receiver, Mini genie. Some DVRs can be a noisy in a bedroom. If that is a problem a receiver or mini genie is a good option and if size matters the mini genie wins. I would also need to research reports of problems with the mini genie to see it they are isolated or significant.
The install tech should upgrade your system to be whole home ready. The HR44 has built in wifi, the HR34 does not. All you need to decide is where you want your DVRs located. For me the extra DVR serves as a back up for important recordings, rarely has it been needed. Some users asign DVRs to another family member for their recordings...you decide what works for you. You will be able to view the playlist for all DVRs on the whole home system if you desire or you can select to not share the playlist and keep the list private.
The install tech should upgrade your system to be whole home ready. The HR44 has built in wifi, the HR34 does not. All you need to decide is where you want your DVRs located. For me the extra DVR serves as a back up for important recordings, rarely has it been needed. Some users asign DVRs to another family member for their recordings...you decide what works for you. You will be able to view the playlist for all DVRs on the whole home system if you desire or you can select to not share the playlist and keep the list private.
The HR21 stays connected like it is now (other than they may switch you to the SWiM system) but it's a fully functioning the DVR along with the Genie. . .and MORE recording space.
I've got 6 DVRs and a Genie (7 DVRs in Total) I wouldn't replace a DVR with a client (31/41) as long as it costs the same monthly. (which it does)
Via your network the tech will connect all units to the network thru the coax lines that also carry the satellite signal. Some models require a separate adaptor to connect the tech should install what ever is needed. Just let them know you want all units to be on the whole home system.
Our house was pre-wired for cable. When we got DVT they used the same basic wiring. The closet area that contains the wiring brain. Looks like a war zone
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
DBSTalk Forum
3.6M posts
112K members
Since 2001
A forum community dedicated to digital bit streaming enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about programming, content, and reception, home theaters, displays, models, styles, satellites, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!