What is DIRECTV's new GENIE?

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Scott Greczkowski

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For the last few months I have been hearing buzz about the DIRECTV Genie, the word I have been getting from a number of contacts was that it was DIRECTV's answer for the DISH Hopper AutoHop commercial skip feature. However I was sent something last night that shows this MIGHT not be the case.

So what is it?

Take a look and tell me what you think the new DIRECTV Genie is...
 

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Just a WAG, but it looks to me that it will be a rebranded system consisting of the HR34+RVU clients, making it a direct competitor to the Hopper/Joey setup in ads.
 
Considering that I might be switching over to Directv due to loss of BTN, I'll certainly be keeping my eye on this thread.
 
Just a WAG, but it looks to me that it will be a rebranded system consisting of the HR34+RVU clients, making it a direct competitor to the Hopper/Joey setup in ads.

I am thinking the same thing, still perhaps with am auto skip type feature. Scotts info still may yet have been accurate.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
 
More info on what the Genie is...

SO WHY ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS GOING TO LOVE GENIE™?

Just take a look at the new features and benefits your customers will get:

GENIE™ SERVES YOUR ENTIRE HOME WITH ONE HD DVR — With Genie™, enjoy a full HD DVR experience on every TV in your home. Now you can record, pause, fast-forward, rewind and delete pre-recorded shows from any room. You can even start watching in one room and finish in any other. Plus, your family can watch the same pre-recorded show simultaneously in up to 4 rooms.

GENIE™ ELIMINATES RECORDING CONFLICTS —
Genie™ lets you record any 5 shows you want - all at the same time - all in HD - and all with one central HD DVR.

GENIE™ STORES ALL YOUR FAVORITES —
Genie™ has more than enough room, so you'll never have to delete your favorite shows to make room for new ones. Genie™ comes with 1 terabyte of HD DVR storage and up to 3 times more HD recording capacity than cable.

GENIE™ IS SUPER SMART — Genie™ even recommends new shows you might like, based on the ones you typically watch. It’s never been easier to discover new favorites.

With Genie™ leading the way, this first-time ever combination of instant rebates, incredible new hardware and DIRECTV programming has everything your customers will love. And the best bonus of all… it’s an offer designed to bring even more high-value customers to you.Based on one Genie HD DVR setup (model HR34 Advanced Whole-Home DVR only).

Requires a C31Client or an RVU-enabled TV/device for each additional room. Additional fees apply. Access to programming based on package selection. Blackout restrictions apply to sports programming. Program must air in HD to record in HD. 1-Requires C31 Client or an RVU-enabled TV/device for each additional room. Additional fees apply. 2-Access to programming based on package selection. Blackout restrictions apply to sports programming. Program must air in HD to record in HD. 3-Based on one Genie HD DVR setup (model HR34 Advanced Whole-Home DVR only). Actual recording capacity varies based on type of programming being recorded. Program must air in HD to record in HD. Additional required legal: Remote viewing requires a model C31Client, H25 HD Receiver(s) or RVU-enabled TV/device in each additional room, a SWiM network and Advanced Receiver Service ($20/mo.). Visit directv.com/genie for complete details. To access HD programming, HD television equipment also required. Number of HD channels varies by package. Limit three remote viewings per Genie HD DVR (model HR34 Advanced Whole-Home DVR) at a time.
 
No mention of the commercial skipping feature. But I was told (and have reported) that the commercial skipping feature is ready to go and may be added in based on the results of the DISH -vs- The Networks lawsuit.
 
Looks to be. Everything about it looks to be good except for the hard drive. With 5 tuners they need to crank it up to 2 GB. :D
 
Will it just be a software updated added to existing units or will it separate unit all together?
 
Plus, your family can watch the same pre-recorded show simultaneously in up to 4 rooms.

I would like to know if there is a software upgrade that would let you do this with the H25 that would be great if it would
 
Smart idea, its easier for a consumer to say "I want a Genie" then I want a HR-34. :D

After reading your followup with the ad content, it is just a marketing ploy. And yeah, it is much easier to say it that way and is in keeping with direct comparison/competition to the Dish Hopper/Joey. I can tell you that while few of my friends can tell me which model of DirecTV receiver they have, all the ones that have Dish's Hopper/Joey setup know the name. That has marketing value!
 
After reading your followup with the ad content, it is just a marketing ploy. And yeah, it is much easier to say it that way and is in keeping with direct comparison/competition to the Dish Hopper/Joey. I can tell you that while few of my friends can tell me which model of DirecTV receiver they have, all the ones that have Dish's Hopper/Joey setup know the name. That has marketing value!

true, but people i have talked to wtiht h/j say "I can record 6 shows at once"
directv has to push the 5 tuner vs 3 tuner issue
 
I can tell you that while few of my friends can tell me which model of DirecTV receiver they have
For the last 5 years I have been helping my friend with his satellite booth at the big 6 state fair called the Big E. All of those years I helped him sell DIRECTV, but this year for the first time he is selling DISH at his booth because DISH provided him the booth, and staffing for the booth which is a godsend as the fair is 3 weeks long and booth must be open from 10am to 10pm each day rain or shine.

Anyways this year if the first time ever a lot of the people who go by the booth and yell "Da Hoppa!" I cant remember any other receiver having more name recognition then the Hopper. Before you could tell a person they were getting a 722k and they wouldn't care... but tell them they are getting a Hopper and they know exactly what your talking about.

I think its good that DIRECTV is making this move.
 
Yeah, reads like a marketing push for the HR-34, could signal a big push to get it more recognizable and perhaps more accessible to customers (read: price incentives). Hope existing customers have some opportunities mixed in there somewhere. Only 2 TVs in our house but we are in recording conflict hell on many nights. One of the bigger reasons we almost switched to Prism for a bit just to try out their service. On a 1 year contract for now, but will reconsider our options in ~9 months with price and recording conflicts being the priority.

As for the 'hoppa' marketing, some guys at work bark that out from time to time, but couldn't tell me what the product actually was or what company it was from... brand recognition was so poor in the initial round of commercials. It's gotten better though.
 
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