Receiver Upgrade Questions

[ejb1980]

I am thinking about upgrading to Genie w/client from HR24 with H25. The main reason I want to do this is opposite from many people, as I do not really care about having 5 tuners. I like the idea of the client being an exact mirror of the HR34 so the AM21 and VOD channels will appear in the bedroom. I had tended to ignore the discussions about the HR34 until I saw someone mention the clients bringing everything everywhere in the house. I had thought about this before when I first heard about it, but it seemed expensive then. Hannah Davis rekindled my interest for this set up... anyway...

Here are my questions:
1. Are my above assumptions correct? Do you have access to everything that is on the HR34 when watching via the client receiver? Pretty stuff in the guide? VOD? AM21 channels?

2. Assuming yes for 1, does the client get its own favorites lists?

3. I know that the AM21 scans for missing subchannels with the HR34. Do these missing channels appear on the clients, too?

4. From searches of screenshots, the guide seems to be very similar to the the HR24 in appearance. Are there any major differences that I should know about?

5. I have a "moved" account. I assume that I will not be able to have Directv do the install. From where should I get the HR34/Genie and client for best price and service?

5a: If I "move" back to my current, real address, would it cost anything to get the Genie and client installed? Would they install a 5 LNB dish if I asked? The next place I'd like to "move" to would require that dish and I am just lazy and don't want to do it myself.

6. To install the HR34 and client, is it a simple unplug the wires and replace HR24 with HR34, etc? I am not very knowledgeable about all the wires and little boxes (I assume SWM and DECA stuff, but I thought the HR24 doesn't need everything.... oh well) that are connected to the Directv, Internet, etc that the installer did.

7. I assume I then call Directv, they activate boxes, and I then ship them the HR24 and H25.

8. Will the equipment upgrade change any promotions? I currently have the Free-HD for "Life" with Auto-Pay and my statement says "Primary TV Free" with a $8 credit. I am receiving the year-2 new customer discounts on packages.

Thank you in advance.

 

[george99]

You don't get PIP on the client.

 

[Mr Tony]

1. yes
2. yes. You can copy from Genie or do your own
3. yes
4. I dont know of any. They both use the "HD" GUI
5. I'm too lazy to retype it so here is the link with my thoughts
http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/302900-HR34?p=3078145#post3078145
6. see answer 5
7. if you really feel like paying $400 just because you're too stubborn to "move home" and get discounts yeah once you actiavte the HR34 you can turn off the tohers and they'll send you a box to return them. If you have them install it the tech wont take the receivers. You call and drop them off the account and again they send you a box
8. nope. Just a 2 year agreement

 

[tbranan]

I've got a similar issue and plan on "moving" to back my old address to get an HR 34 and I also need a new slimline 5 installed. My question: how long do I have to stay put before I can "move" again? And, when I "move" back, what do I say to keep them from wanting to roll a truck to my new location?

 

[mdram]

i would still vote to keep the hr24 and just replace the h24 with the genie

 

[Mr Tony]

I've got a similar issue and plan on "moving" to back my old address to get an HR 34 and I also need a new slimline 5 installed. My question: how long do I have to stay put before I can "move" again? And, when I "move" back, what do I say to keep them from wanting to roll a truck to my new location?

I waited less than a week.
I called them back and said "I need to change the address on the account. I moved and there was a dish already on the house. I hooked up my receiver and everything works but the locals dont"
I even gave them the "moved" address again (same one I "moved" from a week earlier) and since it was in their system it was easier to change

 

[george99]

I waited less than a week.
I called them back and said "I need to change the address on the account. I moved and there was a dish already on the house. I hooked up my receiver and everything works but the locals dont"
I even gave them the "moved" address again (same one I "moved" from a week earlier) and since it was in their system it was easier to change

You told them that "everything worked but the locals don't"? Well I am assuming that the locals don't work because they are spotbeams and you are far away from where they think you live.
So that begs the question. Why did you say that to DTV? Is there a way/trick to get the locals when you are not within spotbeam range?
Or am I just reading into your post too much?

 

[Mr Tony]

You told them that "everything worked but the locals don't"? Well I am assuming that the locals don't work because they are spotbeams and you are far away from where they think you live.
So that begs the question. Why did you say that to DTV? Is there a way/trick to get the locals when you are not within spotbeam range?
Or am I just reading into your post too much?

you're reading into it too much. I said that because one time I had a rep who wouldnt change the address because "well you said everything works fine"
Saying that makes it sound (to them) that you moved far away from your spotbeam...but you know you didn't. Highly unlikely CSR's google map the new address compared to the old to see how far you moved

Right now I "moved" 60 miles down the road from where I live. Its a area that gets me 2 cities of locals. Minneapolis (main) and Mankato (they only have 2 stations in the market).
I've also moved 180 miles NE of Minneapolis to Duluth, MN (where I use to live)....Had Duluth locals on Satellite and Mpls and Mankato via OTA

 

[george99]

Oh well, I was hoping maybe there was a way.

 

[dbmet]

I just moved back and placed an order for the Genie. Directv came and installed the Genie yesterday. The tech changed out the lnb and added a swm spitter. He installed the Genie and checked everything before leaving. He was great. I haven't moved back cause it still show my old address as my installation address in my account. I only had to pay 49.99 for installation.

 

[Mr Tony]

sounds like you got a good deal

 

[tbranan]

Ok, I called last Friday afternoon and started out with "cancel---cancel----cancel" to get to retention. Told the rep that I was thinking about canceling because I was "moving"(not a TOTAL lie, I was considering it for 6.4 seconds and the rep couldn't SEE the quotes around "moving") and he assured me he was going to do every thing he could to keep my business. Said he would move me and put new slimline on the roof. He then noticed I hadn't called since 2006 and looked at my equipment list. I had a HR24, HR21, 2 OLD HR20's, and an old SD box that I can't even remember the model number on. I told him I had one too many boxes, and the HR20's were the oldest and could go away. He said if I return the 2 HR20's and the old SD box, he would GIVE(no charge) me a Genie and a client. I informed him that I would rather get another SD boit likes to go camping and tailgating from time to time) because I didn't want a client because my sis had one and it was slow and he said that was fine. He then gave me a $20 credit(Premiere) for 12 months and a $10 credit(HD "Free") for 12 months. The only charge I would incur is $19.95+tax for "shipping and handling".

He then asked if they could do the install on Monday, January 28, between 8-12. I had shock in my voice. "Wow, that is fast!" To which he replies, " I can do it tomorrow (Saturday) if that is better for you." To which I reply, "Yes please!" I couldn't believe they could install NEXT day. Impressed.

The installer shows up Saturday with the Slimline, Genie, and an H24 to replace the old SD box. I told him it wasn't supposed to be an HD box, and he said that it was all they had. They don't make SD boxes anymore. So, I got that free, too.(I know they are leases, but I didn't have to come out of pocket with anything.) The install went great. No problems, complaints, nothing.

After 48 hours with the Genie, I can say it is a very solid box. The only complaint I have is when rewinding or FFing a show recorded in another room, the video stalls and you sometimes overshoot your target. I can live with that. Thanks for all the info!

 

[Mr Tony]

very cool to hear!

But they do make SD boxes (I see D12's come through the apartment complex all the time)

 

[tbranan]

I agree, but I wasn't going to argue with the guy! I'd much rather have the H24. This guy didn't know the Genie could do PiP either. He actually thought I was pulling his leg. I showed it to him and he said, "We just got these boxes. I have only installed 4 or 5 of them."

And, for the record, the D12 is still available on the Directv site....I am guessing he didn't have one on the truck and pulled the trigger, or retention just put the H24 on the order to sweeten my pot. Either way, as long as I don't get a $99 charge on my bill next month, I am happy.

 

[Mr Tony]

I know in some markets where the locals are on the HD sats only (mainly new markets launched) the only thing you can get is a HD box even if you only want SD. You dont need to pay the $10 charge for HD (but then the only thing you get in HD is locals) but you mentioned an older SD box so your locals (in SD) must be on 101 or 119

What local market are you in?

 

[tbranan]

Hattiesburg/Laurel, MS. And, yes, they are HD only. But, the ABC affiliate says its HD and it is NOT. One of the worst pictures I have ever seen on a digital signal. Thankfully, I still have a waiver for ABC and Fox and those are STILL on my account. (I expect them to disappear any time now....)

A move may be in play if they do go away.

 

[Mr Tony]

Hattiesburg/Laurel, MS. And, yes, they are HD only.

Thats why then. In those markets if you order a SD receiver you get a HD instead (saving money when you order them)

But, the ABC affiliate says its HD and it is NOT. One of the worst pictures I have ever seen on a digital signal. Thankfully, I still have a waiver for ABC and Fox and those are STILL on my account. (I expect them to disappear any time now....)

ABC is in SD only as its a subchannel off NBC.

I thought if you had distants before locals became available you could keep both

 

[tbranan]

I hope I can keep both. I hadn't heard the rule on distants. And, yeah, the ABC subchannel thing just happened here in the last year or so. It is awful.

 

[MI_SAT]

Not sure what all the "move" talk is about, but I'm hoping you all can assist with this question: Is it possible to get a free or discounted Genie in place of my HD-DVR I have now? I've been a customer for years and am presently out of contract. Certainly willing to re-up as necessary. May need additional wiring since Genie is a "whole home" box as I understand it.

Any input is appreciated!

 

[mdram]

its possible, just call and ask
if you have a swm setup no new wiring would be needed
do you have a normal non dvr receiver? replace that with the genie