HR-24 vs Genie... New Install

6509 Views 16 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Sea bass, Nov 15, 2012

pdcolemanjr

Discussion Starter · Nov 14, 2012

So I am getting a new install up here in Alaska on Friday... It's actually a reinstall of old service we had disconnected six months ago because the apartment I was living in couldn't get directv due to line of sight... So I had to send the boxes back...

So we are now getting new boxes and have to pay full retail.. we previously had an HR 24 with the whole home setup, which we absolutely loved... I now have the option of paying a 100 dollars more to get a Genie, but yet I hear a lot of people are having problems with them... So if you guys had a choice between paying 199 for an HR 24 or 299 for a Genie.. Which one would you choose? If you guys say HR 24... Which model (100-700) is the best of them.. I tend to remember some were better than others.

I appreciate any feedback, we have to decide by Thursday... Hate paying full retail for either box, but giving the choices for TV in Alaska.. DTV wins by a long shot...

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

jdspencer

· #2 · Nov 14, 2012

Getting three more tuners for $100 is a good deal. And get the C31 for any other TVs.

As for the HR34 having problems, remember that only problems get reported here and DirecTV is working on fixes. Think back when the HR2x series first came out. They also had growing pains and some of those were worse than what's being reported for the HR34.

smitbret

· #3 · Nov 14, 2012

If you need the 3 more tuners, PIP and the "Genie" functions where it recommends programming then it may be worth $100. For me it wouldn't be.

carl6

· #4 · Nov 14, 2012

You don't say how many rooms of service you are going to get, or what equipment/receivers you are planning in addition to the DVR itself.

The Genie is a good unit, and has the advantage of additional tuners. But that advantage goes away if you get 3 additional rooms with the C31 client (as each client will use one of the tuners in the Genie). If you expect to do a lot of recording, the Genie is probably better. If you only record a very few shows, then that advantage goes away.

So the best answer for you depends on a combination of how many tv locations you have, plus your personal use patterns.

pdcolemanjr

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 14, 2012

Theres only two rooms for now .. eventually a third for a guest bedroom... there is only two of us... she does like to record a lot.. every law and order for example. . Buy I guess the wuestion is are the extra tuners worth the headaches?

BAHitman

· #6 · Nov 14, 2012

I can say my HR34 has been relatively problem free, the extra tuners are worth every penny... have had zero conflicts on that box, and now only use the other DVR's for backup recording...

txfeinbergs

· #7 · Nov 14, 2012

A quick question. Let's say I have a HR-34 and 2 C-31s. Are you saying that that will reduce the number of tuners available for recording even if the C31s are not being used (off)?

carl6

· #8 · Nov 14, 2012

txfeinbergs said:
A quick question. Let's say I have a HR-34 and 2 C-31s. Are you saying that that will reduce the number of tuners available for recording even if the C31s are not being used (off)?

No. But when you are viewing live on a C31, it is using one of the tuners from the HR34. If you are viewing live from two C31's, then the HR34 would only have 3 tuners available. Etc.

In your case, it seems likely you would only be using one C31 at any given time, and even then it may or may not be live viewing. So the impact on available tuners would be minimal.

As "extra headaches", I don't hink that is going to be an issue. My HR34 has given me no particular problems.

Sea bass

· #9 · Nov 14, 2012

What kind of dish is needed for Alaska? Does Slimline work that far north? I guess I could Google it...just lazy.

carl6

· #10 · Nov 14, 2012

I think Alaska uses 1.2 meter dishes, not the Slimline.

pdcolemanjr

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 15, 2012

It is in fact a 1.2 meter dish.. Does this affect equipment? If so how?

trh

· #12 · Nov 15, 2012

You said $199 for a 24 and $299 for a Genie. Where are you leasing those from? If DirecTV, they can't guarantee that you will get a 24 for that $199. It will be one of their HR2X series DVRs, but it depends on what the installer has on his truck. With third-party retailers, you can specify the 24.

pdcolemanjr

Discussion Starter · #13 · Nov 15, 2012

They claimed it was the "latest" equipment they had... If anything is less than an HR 24 then it's not latest, and I refuse install as its not what I was promised.

trh

· #14 · Nov 15, 2012

Your initial question was was it worth the extra $100 to go from a 24 to a 34. Since you don't know if you'll even get a 24 (they show a picture of a 24 on their site but under it is the disclaimer that your actual unit may vary), I'd say spend the $100 for the 34. Or order from a 3rd party retailer.

The only thing I see on their site about 'latest' is concerning the 34 where it says 'state-of-the-art'.

But for $199 you can get the 24 from other retailers.

pdcolemanjr

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 15, 2012

Dumb question but can one "refuse" installation if they are not given an HR24? My last install was an HR24 .. But as I said I gave up that box 6 months ago...

I guess we should just get a genie to be safe..no?

TigersFanJJ

· #16 · Nov 15, 2012

pdcolemanjr said:
Dumb question but can one "refuse" installation if they are not given an HR24? My last install was an HR24 .. But as I said I gave up that box 6 months ago...

I guess we should just get a genie to be safe..no?

You can refuse any install. Just make sure to tell the installer before he gets started. He probably won't get paid a dime for any of the time that he spends with you, so try to get him back on the road as soon as possible.

And don't be surprised if he cancels your install all together. No specific model is guaranteed and he has no control over what DVRs are in stock, so it would make no sense for him to continuously reschedule your install.

As others have said, your best route is to either get the Genie or go with a retailer. That is the only way to guarantee you will get what you are wanting.

Sea bass

· #17 · Nov 15, 2012

pdcolemanjr said:
It is in fact a 1.2 meter dish.. Does this affect equipment? If so how?

Good question? Is it a different LNB? Is SWiM available? Almost sounds like 2 dishes are required...multiswitch...anyone?

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.