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My Genie Upgrade. Not!

6K views 114 replies 17 participants last post by  PDXDirecTVFan 
#1 ·
Been with directv for 10 years and each time I've had to deal with installers it turns out a frustrating experience. A few years back when we upgraded to hd the installer never could figure out how to run a 2nd line to our bedroom So we were left with a dvr that could only watch/record on one channel

Today I was scheduled to upgrade to a genie/mini. Wanted the hr44. No can do. Maybe in 4-5 months. Then I was told I would need a new dish and it would have to be installed on the roof (no). Or on a pole. But I would have to get ms utility to mark the area. Bottom line. No install.


At this rate ill be on rabbit ears before the end of the year. They make it too hard.
 
#55 ·
Update to my genie upgrade...

Installer came this PM and was very nice and knowledge. Here's what I found out:

  1. Although they (MASTEC) didn't have the HR44, the installer said he was told by his supervisor they should have them the first week of August.
  2. I rescheduled my install/upgrade for August 8.
  3. Although the previous installer wanted to move my dish to a pole or roof, the installer today was OK where it was. He confirmed all he needed to do is swap put the LNB. He added that he would not have installed it where it is, but with the 2 slides poles/arms, it's probably pretty solid. I agreed.
  4. He also made me breathe a bit easier when he said the neighbors tree won't be a problem for a long while,

So it looks like I'm in a hold pattern until August 8. Now that I think about it, I think I read here on the forum where someone mentioned first week of August as when the HR44 would be out in masses…?
 
#56 ·
If you already have a Slimline , Why on earth does everyone keep saying you need to change lnb?
 
#59 ·
VaJim said:
...because the genie uses the swim (single wire muti switch) and I still have the previous technolgy
Well they could put in a SWiM-8. This way if you ever go over 8-tuners, it would be a simple swap of the SWiM8 for a SWiM16. Wish they did that at my home when I went Single Wire because I went over 9-tuners less then a year later.
 
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#60 ·
VaJim said:
...because the genie uses the swim (single wire muti switch) and I still have the previous technolgy
Yea, and they would bring a Swm 8 or Swm 16 multiswitch.

I've yet to see a Swm LNB installed.

Swm LNB still requires a power supply, so why go through an LNB swap when you can easily start your upgrade install closer to your cable runs in a central location.
 
#61 ·
Laxguy said:
Jim, just two weeks, then!

As to some one mentioning "the masses", I believe some localities will be doling out '34s for a bit longer, while others now have nothing but the '44s.
Yes. I can do 2 weeks standing on my head. And if its still not available I'll just reschedule again. I was glad to hear my slimline in its current location is fine

One thing I'm still confused is how we use the word 'tuner'. How is it different from 'receiver'?
 
#62 ·
VaJim said:
Yes. I can do 2 weeks standing on my head. And if its still not available I'll just reschedule again. I was glad to hear my slimline in its current location is fine

One thing I'm still confused is how we use the word 'tuner'. How is it different from 'receiver'?
Every receiver has 2 tuners. This is why you can watch 1 show while recording another, or record 2 shows at a time.
 
#63 ·
twilburn said:
Every receiver has 2 tuners. This is why you can watch 1 show while recording another, or record 2 shows at a time.
Actually every DVR IRD (Integrated Receiver Decoder) box has two satellite tuners except the Genie/server which has 5. All non-DVR IRDs have one tuner.

SWIM sees the aggregate number of tuners which is not necessarily equal to the number of IRDs.
 
#64 ·
VaJim said:
One thing I'm still confused is how we use the word 'tuner'. How is it different from 'receiver'?
A SWM LNB supports 8 tuners. That means that you can connect four DVR's (which each contain two tuners) or eight non-DVR receivers (each of which only have one tuner in them), one Genie, one DVR and one non-DVR receiver (5 tuners, 2 tuners, 1 tuner respectively) or any combination of receivers where the number of tuners inside all of those receivers add up to 8 or less.
 
#66 ·
damondlt said:
Yea, and they would bring a Swm 8 or Swm 16 multiswitch.

I've yet to see a Swm LNB installed.

Swm LNB still requires a power supply, so why go through an LNB swap when you can easily start your upgrade install closer to your cable runs in a central location.
Cheaper? Looking at Solidsignal.com it's about $0 cheaper for the SWiM LNB, compared to the SWiM 8 multiswitch.
 
#67 ·
damondlt said:
If you already have a Slimline , Why on earth does everyone keep saying you need to change lnb?
Because "Slimline" refers to the reflector not LNB!
 
#68 ·
and installing a SWM LNB is just DirecTV policy.
 
#69 ·
Thanks for all the good info…

I do have another (can you believe it) question and I apologize if this has been coved before.

I currently have 3 receivers. 2 - HR21-100 and 1 older standard receiver (non-recorder). If I keep one of the HR21-100's and move it to the non-HD TV (JVC digital) using RCA plugs, would it be a part of the genie and the mini in the other room (bedroom)?

My plan is at some point, (possibly by Christmas) to upgrade the JVC set to HD. I understand that if I wait that long and then want to get a mini I would have to pay for it and possibly the installation..?

What if I change my upgrade order now set for August 8th and ask for 2 minis instead of 1. Can I hook a mini to the non-HD (JVC digital) set?

Just trying to plan for the best way to go about the possible upgrade for the non-HD set.
 
#71 ·
Yes, I agree with Carl. you (I would) keep the HR21 and they be part of the WHDVR. you can share the Genie and HDDVRs recordings among the DVRs. Basically you would have 3 DVRs with one unified playlist
 
#72 ·
You should have all the wiring done to all locations you'll want for the foreseeable future to avoid a possible future install fee. I'd keep one DVR and have the one Genie client (mini!) myself, for a total of seven tuners...... Diff. strokes!
 
#73 ·
You should have all the wiring done to all locations you'll want for the foreseeable future to avoid a possible future install fee. I'd keep one DVR and have the one Genie client (mini!) myself, for a total of seven tuners...... Diff. strokes!


of course, this is something that an installer would not do unless is compensated "on the side" by the customer
 
#74 ·
Thanks again for the great ideas and support...

So this the way I think my setup will look:

Living Room - Genie (HR44)
bedroom - mini
other room - HR21-100 running the JVC (non-HD/digital) until HD upgrade.

This would mean I would deactivate and possible send back to Directv - one HR21-100 (I don't think they want it) and the standard receiver (I doube they want that one either)
 
#75 ·
if the set up is being installed by a tech, and the WO is accurate, he will be taking those receivers
 
#76 ·
VaJim said:
Thanks again for the great ideas and support...

So this the way I think my setup will look:

Living Room - Genie (HR44)
bedroom - mini
other room - HR21-100 running the JVC (non-HD/digital) until HD upgrade.

This would mean I would deactivate and possible send back to Directv - one HR21-100 (I don't think they want it) and the standard receiver (I doube they want that one either)
...with the above setup...would the HR21-100 be a part of the Genie 'network'? Meaning, would it have access to all the recorded programs performed by the other 2 machines or would it only have access to the programs that reside on its harddrive, but yet still have Internet access..?
 
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