HR34 vs. HR44

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inazsully

SatelliteGuys Pro
Original poster
Feb 15, 2010
899
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Sun City West, AZ
My neighbor is now having a new Genie installed (2-22-2012, 12 noon). Since I am also thinking about switching from "E" to "D" I started asking the installer some questions. I asked which DVR he was installing and he said the HR34. When I told him I was interested in switching to the Genie set up he suggested that I wait a week when they will begin installing the HR44 exclusively. When I asked why he said that the HR34 is being phased out and will no longer be serviced. Not sure what he meant by that but it sure sounds like the HR44 is the future for "D". By no longer being serviced I assume he meant that HR34 replacements will not be stocked and if one needs to be replaced it will be replaced with a HR44.
 
I heard here that the HR44 was going into service in late April. If it's sooner, that's good news. I'm sure there are plenty of HR34s in stock, still to be distributed.
 
My neighbor is now having a new Genie installed (2-22-2012, 12 noon). Since I am also thinking about switching from "E" to "D" I started asking the installer some questions. I asked which DVR he was installing and he said the HR34. When I told him I was interested in switching to the Genie set up he suggested that I wait a week when they will begin installing the HR44 exclusively. When I asked why he said that the HR34 is being phased out and will no longer be serviced. Not sure what he meant by that but it sure sounds like the HR44 is the future for "D". By no longer being serviced I assume he meant that HR34 replacements will not be stocked and if one needs to be replaced it will be replaced with a HR44.

Yes it's late April, not a week. The 34 will still be used and both the 34 and 44 will carry the title of HMC and Genie. If you have a 34 that needs replaced you may get another 34 or a 44. The 34 will still be used and they're not doing away with them anytime soon. From what we're being told the 44 will only be used if getting a line to a client will be an issue
 
Yes it's late April, not a week. The 34 will still be used and both the 34 and 44 will carry the title of HMC and Genie. If you have a 34 that needs replaced you may get another 34 or a 44. The 34 will still be used and they're not doing away with them anytime soon. From what we're being told the 44 will only be used if getting a line to a client will be an issue

Are you saying the wireless part of the HR44 is from the dvr to the client? I thought it was for the network connection.
 
Are you saying the wireless part of the HR44 is from the dvr to the client? I thought it was for the network connection.

That's what installers are saying. When I had a tech come out he says the 44 will be a faster install job since they don't have to run cable to each room. Then some people here said that's not the case.

The installer said they just had a meeting about it so I'm not sure who to believe. I guess in time well find out.

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The HR44 will be able to wirelessly stream content to a C41. No cables except the 1 to the HR44. It's a huge ordeal because directv doesn't want to pay installers to install the C41's due to not having to run cable, they want techs to install a 4 box and only pay them for a 1 box
 
Also the 44 has a smaller foot print, no fan, a faster chip, and a much nicer looking smaller remote. I would think that the install time, because of the integrated wifi, would be cut by up to 50% depending on the number of clients.
 
The HR44 will be able to wirelessly stream content to a C41. No cables except the 1 to the HR44. It's a huge ordeal because directv doesn't want to pay installers to install the C41's due to not having to run cable, they want techs to install a 4 box and only pay them for a 1 box

According to Scott K at dbstalk, the clients aren't wireless now, but MAY be in the future. Only the HR44 is wireless to the network.
 
We was running 2 wirelessly and 1 wired at the shop. They're capable of being wireless already

Isn't that going to cause issues with the customers wireless router or does the HR44 have one built in?
 
Isn't that going to cause issues with the customers wireless router or does the HR44 have one built in?

I imagine it is a seperate hidden type network, perhaps even different than traditional wifi. Other than connecting for ondemand content, the Directv network would not do much with a home router.
 
The HR44 will be able to wirelessly stream content to a C41. No cables except the 1 to the HR44. It's a huge ordeal because directv doesn't want to pay installers to install the C41's due to not having to run cable, they want techs to install a 4 box and only pay them for a 1 box
Meanwhile the tech must set up each client and ensure all tv's are working properly. And of course takes responsibility for the functionality...for what, a year?
All that and because in this miserable business pay is predicated on running cable and nothing else.
That's why I left the fulfillment business when Dish stopped paying per tv. We were told that because there was no physical box at a television even though we had to do all the above, it was "no pay".
 
Also the 44 has a smaller foot print, no fan, a faster chip, and a much nicer looking smaller remote. I would think that the install time, because of the integrated wifi, would be cut by up to 50% depending on the number of clients.

Not at all pleased with the absence of a cooling fan. A faster processor means it runs hotter. Someone please explain that logic.
 
I imagine it is a seperate hidden type network, perhaps even different than traditional wifi. Other than connecting for ondemand content, the Directv network would not do much with a home router.

I wonder if one has a large home, a wireless booster can be integrated.
 
Not at all pleased with the absence of a cooling fan. A faster processor means it runs hotter. Someone please explain that logic.

With an exterior power supply, that isn't an issue apparently. I'm guessing the power supply throws a lot more heat than the processor.
 
With an exterior power supply, that isn't an issue apparently. I'm guessing the power supply throws a lot more heat than the processor.
Not really, any well designed Switching Power Supply runs at a minimum of 80% efficiency. That means that 20% of the heat is dissipated by the power supply and the rest, 80% of the heat is dissipated by the entire receiver. Out of the 80% of the heat, most of it (probably 75%) of that heat is generated by the CPU alone. From the pictures I have seen it looks like the CPU is using a heat pipe and a large heatsink on the side of the unit which is probably more efficient than a small fan with a small heatsink in the center of the unit.
 
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Not really, any well designed Switching Power Supply runs at a minimum of 80% efficiency. That means that 20% of the heat is dissipated by the power supply and the rest, 80% of the heat is dissipated by the entire receiver. Out of the 80% of the heat, most of it (probably 75%) of that heat is generated by the CPU alone. From the pictures I have seen it looks like the CPU is using a heat pipe and a large heatsink on the side of the unit which is probably more efficient than a small fan with a small heatsink in the center of the unit.
I still would not pace the thing in anything remotely resembling an enclosed space.
 
Not really, any well designed Switching Power Supply runs at a minimum of 80% efficiency. That means that 20% of the heat is dissipated by the power supply and the rest, 80% of the heat is dissipated by the entire receiver. Out of the 80% of the heat, most of it (probably 75%) of that heat is generated by the CPU alone. From the pictures I have seen it looks like the CPU is using a heat pipe and a large heatsink on the side of the unit which is probably more efficient than a small fan with a small heatsink in the center of the unit.

Good information, thanks.
 
I'm looking forward to a good review. My guess is that the 44 will run cooler and quieter than the 34. They are saying that the new chip results in faster everything. I'm most anxious to see if the new remote works as cool as it looks.
 
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