Considering DirecTV Genie system

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Jim5506

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I see JonBlack has asked a very similar question.

I currently sub to Dish Network's AT120+ with 5 HDTVs supported by a 722K and 3 211's (all with EHDs), the 722k and one 211 are leased all 4 have EHD plus Starz net monthly bill is $89.99 plus tax. One HDTV is an old component input only 34" Philips 16X9 CRT type that my grandson uses, so HD there is not critical - it gets the TV2 out of the 722k.

If I upgrade to the Hopper/Joey, I'm probably looking at $100-150 up front for 2 Hoppers and 3 Joeys plus my monthly bill will go up $11, so that's a minus - but I do Get 6 tuners, all my EHD's from the 722k will still work with the hoppers and I can get 2 OTA tuners one on each Hopper.

Yesterday by chance I looked at a DirecTV setup for my situation and with the new HR34 Genie System and 4 of their C31 mini clients for only $49 up front and $76.98/month for the Entertainment package for the first year, then $91.98 per year the next 12 months. Bill goes down $13 first year, then up $2 the second year.

I lose is my RSN (no biggie) and also my EHD's for my 722k become useless but I gain BBC America HD, National Geographic HD and Velocity HD plus DirecTV has my Locals in HD and Dish does not.

There are 4 of us living in the house, so that is probably the maximum number of viewers at one time.

I would get $45/mo. in discounts the first year then $15/mo. the second year, then I could totally re-evaluate my situation.

I have been with Dish since 2003 and like their hardware and am not as piqued by occasional channel disputes as many are - bottom line is I am satisfied where I am.

What are the unpublished gotchas with the Genie system?

What usability will I sacrifice by jumping from 4 independent DVR receivers to the DirecTV whole house system?

How does the Genie system integrate OTA and how much does the module cost?

My research seems to indicate that we can only actually view 4 tuners at a time which we rarely if ever do, what are the other recording/viewing limits if having a Genie + 4 clients?

I have read on the DirecTV forums that performance is an issue with the HR34 (Genie) it sometimes taking 5-10 seconds to change channels especially if you do not reboot it often (reboot - sounds like Dish issues).

I would hate to switch to DirecTV and then hate the system and be stuck with it for 2 years, what do you recommend?
 
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i would not do the system you are suggesting, possibility of recording issues will come up
id think about 1 genie, 1 hr24 and and the rest h24/25's

forget the clients, with no tuner they are limited.

you can still record with the system i set up, just have to this th record button prior to pause/rewind/ff ect
 
I don't have any problems with the HR34. I have 3 h25 boxes with it though, which are HD boxes, non DVR, but they have their own tuners. That way, I have no recording conflicts, and the H25's can access the HR34 DVR, set up and watch recordings.

The only downfall with the H25's is that you can't just pause and rewind live T.V. with them. If you want that ability, you just hit record, then pull up the program from your list of recorded programs, and now you can pause and rewind. For my house the benefit of them having their own tuners, instead of it taking one from the HR34, is the much better setup.

I don't have any problems with my HR34 and switching channels. It is just as responsive as my 722 with Dish was. It didn't record a show that it was supposed to, but that was about 3 months ago. I reset the box, and haven't had any problems since.
 
I HAVE HR34 AND TWO H24 700 AND HR24.I KEEP WHAT I HAVE NO INTENDED TO SWITCH TO THE C31 ALSO HAVE MRV.NO PROBLEMS.
 
To answer your OTA question, if you need it the AM21 is $49 and connects to the HR34 via USB. If you have C31 cleint boxes they could view OTA stuff from the HR34. If you go with the H24 method mentioned above, they would not (unless you put an AM21 on it, but that would look very weird). Would you need OTA much with your locals in HD? You could use it for the sub channels etc.
 
Would be the best decision if you went with the HR34 and go with what the people said above me :)
 
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