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HR44 and C41 clients now have a launch date

19K views 107 replies 41 participants last post by  goinsleeper 
#1 ·
So the HR44 and C41 clients are now set to launch on February 7, shocker...

Anyways, not sure how much of the country will be able to get one around that date but at least it's official.
 
#77 ·
woj027 said:
back to the question of would I get an HR34 or HR44 or is a Genie a Genie?
As far as DIRECTV is concerned it will probably be a Genie is a Genie, just like a HR21/22/23 is a HD DVR. Maybe though for replacement purposes if a HR44 is installed and using the built in wireless DECA it will be flagged on the account a replacement would also be a HR44?

woj027 said:
Why continue to make an HR34? Why not have the current vendor making the HR34 (if it's different from who is making the HR44) just start making HR44's?
Don't know if they are still making HR34's or just going through inventory. It has been noted here that there are three companies that will be making the HR44, one of which is Pace that makes the HR34.

woj027 said:
To me the "x" in HR2x or HRx4 should be more like a model year. Are they still making HR21's HR22s? HR23?
I don't know for sure but I'd doubt it, why should they? Remember DIRECTV gets a bunch of these back all the time from customers that cancel service, upgrade service or a broken one that gets fixed and sent back out. IIRC a recent financial call said they now have a four year life expectancy on HD DVR's before they write them off.

woj027 said:
I understand that there might be a volume of HR34's that need to be sold and there might be some contractual agreement to produce a certain amount, but to me it makes sense to start manufacturing the newest model.
Again, who says they aren't? Could be there are warehouses around the country with palets of HR44's sitting around waiting to be released.
 
#79 ·
I don't know what else you would want to know. DIRECTV products don't have model years like cars. All HR2x are considered equivalent unless you have a specific need for OTA compatibility. I believe that all Genies will be considered the same way.

I can tell you this, manufacturing contracts start and stop. For example, DIRECTV made the R15 from 2005 until about 2008. Then they stopped, and started making the R16 and R22. They stopped making the R22 and, believe it or not, started making the R15 again. Now, I believe that if they are making anything at all it is the R16. I have reason to believe that they have made all the SD DVRs they will ever make, and anyone who gets into an SD DVR now will be getting "new old stock" (to borrow a term from the auto biz) or refurbished gear.

If you have specific questions I will answer them to the extent that I am allowed and able.
 
#80 ·
Stuart Sweet said:
I don't know what else you would want to know. DIRECTV products don't have model years like cars. All HR2x are considered equivalent unless you have a specific need for OTA compatibility. I believe that all Genies will be considered the same way.

I can tell you this, manufacturing contracts start and stop. For example, DIRECTV made the R15 from 2005 until about 2008. Then they stopped, and started making the R16 and R22. They stopped making the R22 and, believe it or not, started making the R15 again. Now, I believe that if they are making anything at all it is the R16. I have reason to believe that they have made all the SD DVRs they will ever make, and anyone who gets into an SD DVR now will be getting "new old stock" (to borrow a term from the auto biz) or refurbished gear.

If you have specific questions I will answer them to the extent that I am allowed and able.
Thanks. I must admit that after I hit "submit reply" I'm seeing weaknesses in my thoughts.

I understand that the model year theory doesn't hold true, but like you said there is probably some overlap between one version and the next of a R, H, HR2x and HRx4.

I was thinking out loud that most likely the odds of getting an HR44 in the near future are pretty good because there are only 2 models compared to the HR21, 22, 23, and 24 you could get (HR20 no longer sent out?)
 
#81 ·
woj027 said:
I was thinking out loud that most likely the odds of getting an HR44 in the near future are pretty good because there are only 2 models compared to the HR21, 22, 23, and 24 you could get (HR20 no longer sent out?)
My guess is that it will likely be just like the HR2x's, with the newest model being sent to the installation people and a mixture of new and refurbished equipment used when they ship directly to a customer.
 
#83 ·
Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any reliable information on how many active receivers are currently in use? Any info on the split between standard, HD, and HD DVR's?

It would be interesting to know what the "average" number of receivers is per customer.

This kind of information might help inform the discussion on when multiple Genies might be allowed.
 
#84 ·
Notthecableguy said:
Just out of curiosity, does anyone have any reliable information on how many active receivers are currently in use? Any info on the split between standard, HD, and HD DVR's?

It would be interesting to know what the "average" number of receivers is per customer.

This kind of information might help inform the discussion on when multiple Genies might be allowed.
IIRC previous threads on the subject it was rumored that most folks have three or less receivers and only one DVR, which is supposed to be why the one Genie and three concurrent clients max.
 
#85 ·
spartanstew said:
I think it'll be very hard to get D* to reimburse you for an HR44 that you buy from somewhere else.
Yeah I'd be curious to see if D* reimburses someone who paid for a leased receiver through a 3rd party vendor:lol:
 
#87 ·
Just confirmed with both a D* tech and a trainer with MASTEC - tomorrow is when the field techs start training on the HR44. National release is NOT 02/07 - but the new pricing goes into effect on 2/07 I believe.
 
#88 ·
To continue with what Woj027 was saying:

With a Genie being a Genie, the 34 has not been out all that long so almost everyone who has one is still under contract, so returns due to a customer leaving Direct would be seem to be pretty low. If Direct stopped production of the 34 and just producted the 44 - the supply of 34's doesn't figure to be that large and it would seem that you would be more likely to get a 44 once they go national.
 
#89 ·
shuye said:
To continue with what Woj027 was saying:

With a Genie being a Genie, the 34 has not been out all that long so almost everyone who has one is still under contract, so returns due to a customer leaving Direct would be seem to be pretty low. If Direct stopped production of the 34 and just producted the 44 - the supply of 34's doesn't figure to be that large and it would seem that you would be more likely to get a 44 once they go national.
Sadly, using logic rarely works with D*.. :nono2:

Rich
 
#91 ·
ryman said:
Just confirmed with both a D* tech and a trainer with MASTEC - tomorrow is when the field techs start training on the HR44. National release is NOT 02/07 - but the new pricing goes into effect on 2/07 I believe.
Official launch date does not mean the entire country will begin installing at the same time. Chances are it will begin in Colorado and branch out. No set criteria as to what parts of the country will be receiving it first after that. Might as well add the tag at this point.
 
#98 ·
boukengreen said:
think it will make a difference of which model you will get if don't have a CCK to access online content
Highly unlikely. If it's being installed by a technician, he would come with the connection kit if it was needed, or just connect directly to the router. If it's being shipped out, they will just ship a wireless kit with the genie(assuming it was an HR34). The only difference here is whether they need to include a connection kit with the receiver or not. I don't see that being important enough to warrant a specific model.

Just my $.02
 
#100 ·
studechip said:
I heard it from an installer friend of mine. He said the HR44 is being beta tested in two markets in Ohio and will be in general release in late April. He said he was told this in a recent meeting.
I've got a buddy who beta tested the genie for 6 months before its release. He asked about beta testing the HR44 and was told the beta is finished. I would add, he was not told if it had ended entirely or just based on our area.
 
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