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Beam it or Stream it… same programming. That's what DIRECTV's been all about since it spun off from AT&T. They doubled down on that promise this year when they introduced the Gemini for Satellite. Using the same hardware as their popular "Osprey" box, which was renamed Gemini for Internet, they gave users a choice. It doesn't matter whether you get your TV over the internet or from the sky. You get a great experience with channel numbers in the guide, a voice-activated remote, and a very similar channel selection. The only issue is when people get "the wrong Gemini."

This was a very common problem until recently. DIRECTV's new Gemini Air makes it much easier to tell the satellite product from the internet one. Satellite users get a traditional-looking box that sits in the place of their old client box. Internet users get the Gemini Air, a Chromecast-style dongle that connects to the back of the TV with nothing more than a power cable to prove it's there. Gemini Air isn't available for satellite customers yet, although there's probably not a reason that it couldn't be. But for now, it's great that there are two different devices — Gemini and Gemini Air — so there's less confusion.

But, confusion still happens

There have been lots of instances where customers report having gotten "the wrong Gemini." In other words, they wanted the one for satellite and they got the one for internet. Or they wanted one for internet and they got one for satellite. Even though the only difference between the two is the software, it's not possible to convert one to the other. This has made for some tense conversations with customers.

How do you know which Gemini you have?

When you unbox your Gemini, there's really no indication of whether or not you have the satellite one or the internet one. Now that streaming customers get the Gemini Air, it's a little easier to figure. But, that's a recent development.

If your Gemini asks you to call for activation, that means it's a satellite one.

If your Gemini asks you to scan a QR code or log in with your DIRECTV account, that means it's an internet one.

What you can do

Here's where it gets to be a bit of a problem. If you have the wrong Gemini, the only option you have is to send it back to the people you got it from. If you got it straight from DIRECTV, unfortunately the folks at Solid Signal can't help. You'll have to go back to them. That can be a mess if the device has already been associated with your DIRECTV or AT&T account. This is a case where you definitely want to do it right the first time. Don't let the problem happen, and you won't have the problem.

Instead of getting your Gemini or Gemini Air from DIRECTV, get it from Solid Signal. We're DIRECTV dealers and we have access to the same deals and the same systems that the large call centers do. The difference is that when you get a Gemini or Gemini Air from us, we'll make sure that you have the right thing before it's attached to your account. A trained expert will review your purchase and make sure that they're sure what service you're using, based on our access to DIRECTV computer systems. If we're not sure, we'll contact you before anything is connected to your account.

Get your Gemini or Gemini Air from Solid Signal. The best way to do it is the old-fashioned way: call us. Call 888-233-7563 during East Coast business hours. If it's after business hours, no problem! Fill out the form below and we'll get right back to you!


The post What can you do if you get the "wrong" Gemini? appeared first on The Solid Signal Blog.

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