Whole House DVR Clarification

rnpatrick · Oct 6, 2014

Hi Guys,

I currently have 1 TV with an HR24-500 and want to add a second TV in the basement AND upgrade to a Genie system. I have read SEVERAL threads here that advise people to keep their HR24 vs. going to the Genie Minis. I like this approach as it gives me extra tuners and does not force me to lose all my recorded stuff.

So to make sure I fully understand the way this will work, if I use the HR-24 instead of a Genie Mini:

The HR-24-connected TV will be able to watch content recorded on the Genie (important to me)
The Genie-connected TV will be able to watch content on the HR-24 (important to me)

As I have read, the only thing lost in this is that the HR-24-connected TV will NOT be able to control the Genie like the mini can - which as long as I get the whole-house DVR viewing capability above, I really don't care about.

Anything I am not considering before I call DirecTV and order new equipment?

raoul5788 · Oct 6, 2014

Looks like you have it covered.

texasbrit · Oct 6, 2014

Just a warning. You can't actually order an HR44. You can only order a Genie, and it's possible you might get an HR34. The CSR CANNOT guarantee what you will get (whatever they might tell you). lots of posts about this on this and other forums.

steecoe · Oct 6, 2014

You can ORDER an HR44 from a 3rd party, you would be paying out of pocket but it guarantees that you get the model you want. I think some people have gotten Direct to give them credits or something. I found mine pretty cheap on ebay...

rnpatrick · Oct 6, 2014

Chip - thanks for the confirmation.

texasbrit - I have been reading about that issue and had hoped that all the 34's were gone by now. I guess not...

rnpatrick · Oct 6, 2014

steecoe said:
You can ORDER an HR44 from a 3rd party, you would be paying out of pocket but it guarantees that you get the model you want. I think some people have gotten Direct to give them credits or something. I found mine pretty cheap on ebay...

Yeah I did a quick search and can buy one right now for $170 if I had to - not necessarily a deal breaker but I'll take my chances and see what they send for free first.

How does that work, though? If you have an HR34 and buy a HR44, to they make you de-activate the 34 when you activate the 44?

harshness · Oct 6, 2014

rnpatrick said:
If you have an HR34 and buy a HR44, to they make you de-activate the 34 when you activate the 44?

Yes.

The one Genie policy may change in the future but they are holding on tight for now.

Jimbo · Oct 6, 2014

harshness said:
Yes.

The one Genie policy may change in the future but they are holding on tight for now.

I haven't heard anything lately about multiple Genies ... has anyone checked lately ?
I agree that, that is more than likely true, but I don't think anyone has inquired of late, remember, the HR24s were 1 per house when they came out as well, as were the Hr20s' ...
Maybe this new switch will come in use for something like this eventually.

texasbrit · Oct 6, 2014

Still one genie per account.

steecoe · Oct 6, 2014

I would love to have more than one genie, they are just a far superior DVR in my opinion...

Jimbo · Oct 6, 2014

steecoe said:
I would love to have more than one genie, they are just a far superior DVR in my opinion...

Thats probably one reason why they have the 1 per account rule, they have value.

tigerfan33 · Oct 6, 2014

rnpatrick said:
Hi Guys,

I currently have 1 TV with an HR24-500 and want to add a second TV in the basement AND upgrade to a Genie system. I have read SEVERAL threads here that advise people to keep their HR24 vs. going to the Genie Minis. I like this approach as it gives me extra tuners and does not force me to lose all my recorded stuff.

So to make sure I fully understand the way this will work, if I use the HR-24 instead of a Genie Mini:

The HR-24-connected TV will be able to watch content recorded on the Genie (important to me)
The Genie-connected TV will be able to watch content on the HR-24 (important to me)

As I have read, the only thing lost in this is that the HR-24-connected TV will NOT be able to control the Genie like the mini can - which as long as I get the whole-house DVR viewing capability above, I really don't care about.

Anything I am not considering before I call DirecTV and order new equipment?

You could get hdmi splitter and run hdmi cable. The HR24 can run remote in RF mode.
I use it for bedroom tv and saves from getting another dvr.
My cable run is 50ft.

Blackloz · Oct 6, 2014

I know a guy that has 2 HR34's on his account since the first day they were available from local dealers. I don't know how he does it, but his setup is two 34's & two 24's.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

harshness · Oct 7, 2014

Blackloz said:
I know a guy that has 2 HR34's on his account since the first day they were available from local dealers. I don't know how he does it, but his setup is two 34's & two 24's.

It seems likely that this person is a tester. Others have activated a second Genie and had it subsequently deactivated.

rnpatrick · Oct 7, 2014

Thanks for the help, guys - I called last night and ordered the new receivers. I decided to actually add to TV's, going from 1 to 3 with a Genie, a mini and the 24.

Now I want to make sure I have the correct wiring in place so the installer does not have to hack apart my house ;-)

Followup Question - I have a Slimline 3S dish - as I understand this dish essentially has the SWM-8 functionality built into it, right?

I have 2 wires coming from the dish into a wiring closet (all wires are RG6)
One wire from dish is not connected
Other wire from dish is connected to a 2-way splitter

One splitter output goes to receiver (24)
Other splitter output goes to SWM ODU

ODU connected to DECA
DECA connected to internet

So to add the Genie and Mini - is it as simple as changing the 2-way splitter to a 4-way and connecting the 2 new receivers to the outputs? If that is the case I am set for wiring since the other 2 receiver wires are already run to the wiring closet. If I am going to need something else, I would like to pull the wires myself through some wire chases I have before the installer gets here.

satgirl51 · Oct 7, 2014

rnpatrick said:
Thanks for the help, guys - I called last night and ordered the new receivers. I decided to actually add to TV's, going from 1 to 3 with a Genie, a mini and the 24.

Now I want to make sure I have the correct wiring in place so the installer does not have to hack apart my house ;-)

Followup Question - I have a Slimline 3S dish - as I understand this dish essentially has the SWM-8 functionality built into it, right?

I have 2 wires coming from the dish into a wiring closet (all wires are RG6)
One wire from dish is not connected
Other wire from dish is connected to a 2-way splitter

One splitter output goes to receiver (24)
Other splitter output goes to SWM ODU

ODU connected to DECA
DECA connected to internet

So to add the Genie and Mini - is it as simple as changing the 2-way splitter to a 4-way and connecting the 2 new receivers to the outputs? If that is the case I am set for wiring since the other 2 receiver wires are already run to the wiring closet. If I am going to need something else, I would like to pull the wires myself through some wire chases I have before the installer gets here.

Yes that would be easiest and would work.

The Genie could provide internet via coax to the other receivers(be a deca adapter for you whole system) and then you could remove the DECA adapter, but I suggest leaving as is since its working fine

Jimbo · Oct 7, 2014

Not so sure about that ...

It was mentioned (post 9) that there are 2 wires coming from the dish ... If thats the case, it's Not the right dish ... A SWM LNB has only 1 output unless it's in conjunction with a SWM Multiswitch.

harshness · Oct 7, 2014

Jimbo said:
Not so sure about that ...

It was mentioned (post 9) that there are 2 wires coming from the dish ... If thats the case, it's Not the right dish ... A SWM LNB has only 1 output unless it's in conjunction with a SWM Multiswitch.

Probably a remnant from an earlier legacy LNB with a DVR. The TS noted that one of the cables isn't connected.

Jimbo · Oct 8, 2014

harshness said:
Probably a remnant from an earlier legacy LNB with a DVR. The TS noted that one of the cables isn't connected.

Yes, however, a SWM lnb wont have more than 1 lnb output.

rnpatrick · Oct 8, 2014

harshness said:
Probably a remnant from an earlier legacy LNB with a DVR. The TS noted that one of the cables isn't connected.

Exactly - the wiring was run back in 2001 or so when 2 wires off the dish was common

Jimbo said:
Yes, however, a SWM lnb wont have more than 1 lnb output.

I went up on the roof and the LNB says SWM on it, so I think I am set there - the installer's job should be easy ;-)

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