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Gone a long time...bit of advice needed.

Discussion in 'DIRECTV HD DVR/Receiver Discussion' started by PCHDTV, Oct 20, 2019.

  1. Oct 20, 2019 #1 of 13
    PCHDTV

    PCHDTV Mentor

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    I’ve been a DTV subscriber for nearly 20 years, but I haven’t kept up with the advances of the hardware. I have an ancient HR-24 that I’d like to upgrade - for a better GUI experience if nothing else. I’m a 4K user, but have no interest in DTV’s offerings. All that said, what unit should I politely ask for if I call DTV? Just looking for the latest unit that I can swap right into my system, no installer required. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Oct 20, 2019 #2 of 13
    Rich

    Rich DBSTalk Club DBSTalk Club

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    Really not much wrong with the 24s aside from the old HDDs in them and that problem is easy to fix. The upgrade would be to a Genie. They offer 44s, 54s and HS17s. Not sure about installs.

    Rich
     
  3. Oct 20, 2019 #3 of 13
    jimmie57

    jimmie57 Hall Of Fame

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    We need more information to give you a better answer.
    Do you have other receivers ? If yes, what models are they ?
     
  4. Oct 20, 2019 #4 of 13
    trh

    trh This Space for Sale

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    I don't think the GUI on a Genie is an improvement over the 24.
     
  5. Oct 20, 2019 #5 of 13
    PCHDTV

    PCHDTV Mentor

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    One other receiver in a bedroom. H24 I believe.
     
  6. Oct 20, 2019 #6 of 13
    PCHDTV

    PCHDTV Mentor

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    Good to know.
     
  7. Oct 20, 2019 #7 of 13
    carl6

    carl6 Moderator Staff Member DBSTalk Club

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    The latest hardware is the HS17 Genie 2. If you get one of those, you cannot have any other H or HR units (such as the HR24). The only thing you get are clients for each television location, that are "slaves" to the HS17.

    The next step down is the HR44 and HR54 DVRs. Those are also referred to as Genies. They can be used as stand alone devices (such as the HR24), and can also support clients. The HR54 is capable of supporting a 4K client while the HR44 is not 4K capable.

    DirecTV will almost certainly try to talk you into an HS17. There are many satisfied HS17 customers, it is a reliable unit. The main disadvantage is that you cannot retain any older H/HR units.

    If your HR24 and H24 are serving your needs, there is no real need to upgrade. However, they are getting old and the hard drive in the HR24 will eventually die. So you can choose when to take the plunge and replace it, now or later. If you want 4K capability, then upgrade to the HS17 and get two clients (one for each TV location).
     
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  8. Oct 21, 2019 #8 of 13
    Rich

    Rich DBSTalk Club DBSTalk Club

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    I agree. That GUI sucks when watching sports. What gets me is they had the perfect template and they chose to make something else. They should have left it alone. Nothing wrong with the Genies, I think my 44 is a superb DVR but the software makes it damn near unusable.

    Rich
     
  9. Oct 21, 2019 #9 of 13
    Rich

    Rich DBSTalk Club DBSTalk Club

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    This is not something you get used to. I didn't like it from the get-go and I still prefer to watch TV using a 24.

    Rich
     
  10. Oct 21, 2019 #10 of 13
    Rich

    Rich DBSTalk Club DBSTalk Club

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    Read post #7 of this thread. Good information that you will need.

    If you want to keep your 24 and make it work a lot better read this thread: What happens if I put a 1TB SSD in my HR44-700?
    Let me summarize that thread: The HRs all have internal hard drives that are years older than they should be. They don't work well. You can revive your 24 by using an SSD rather than a hard disk drive (HDD). Doing this will make your 24 run better than it ever has. Read the thread.

    Rich
     
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  11. Oct 21, 2019 #11 of 13
    jones_hdtv

    jones_hdtv AllStar

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    I agree with Rich. I put a SSD on my hr24 a couple months ago and it works excellent so far. Also the software on the genies leaves a lot to be desired in my opinion. I almost always watch my TVs using an HR 24 and use HR 44 as a server.
     
  12. Oct 21, 2019 #12 of 13
    Rich

    Rich DBSTalk Club DBSTalk Club

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    I do use my 44 from time to time. But like you I use it mainly as a server. Damn shame, it's a great DVR hindered by the software. Best DVR I've ever had.

    Rich
     
  13. Oct 21, 2019 #13 of 13
    J Blow

    J Blow Legend

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    This is hilarious and, really, Directv in a nutshell.

    "I've been gone a really long time and haven't kept up with the hardware changes at all - I know technology changes fast so what great things am I missing."

    Ummm, nothing. Almost everyone that has utilizes standalone DVRs uses that unit...except for the people that have older stuff.
     

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