Exploring Equipment Requirements for DirecTV Streaming

[GRB1959]

I am currently a Dish Network subscriber, however I have been having several issues since a recent firmware upgrade to the Dish Hopper 3 and am looking at potentially switching to DirecTV streaming. I am not sure what equipment I would need to make this happen. I really like the idea of getting rid of the satellite dish with a live TV streaming option.

Here is my current configuration setup with Dish Network for TV viewing:

4 TV's
2 Joey 3's
1 Hopper 3
1 TV uses the Dish Anywhere application which is via Amazon Fire TV stick so it uses WiFi

From what I understand DirecTV streaming allows recordings to be saved to the cloud until the recordings are 9 months old at which point they are deleted. This is fine.

I need to be able to watch multiple TV's at the same time in different rooms. I assume I would need a Genie as the main DirecTV receiver with a couple of remote receivers (Genie Mini?) which would take care of 3 of my TV's. The fourth TV which uses an Amazon Fire TV stick via WiFi could be used with a DirecTV app like it is currently used with the Dish Anywhere application.

I am guessing that there is a monthly leasing fee for the Genie and the 2 remote boxes (Genie Mini) for DirecTV? I want to keep this as simple as possible for my wife so that when she is in the master bedroom and turns the TV on that it goes directly to DirecTV and she can then use the DirecTV (Genie Mini) remote to bring up the channel guide and select her programming.

Also, am I better off leasing the DirecTV equipment or purchasing it outright and where would I purchase the equipment if I go that route?

Any and all comments are welcome. Please correct my terminology where applicable so I can reference it correctly going forward.

 

[KyL416]

switching to DirecTV streaming.
...
I assume I would need a Genie as the main DirecTV receiver with a couple of remote receivers (Genie Mini?) which would take care of 3 of my TV's.

There is no Genie or main receiver involved with DTV streaming. You can use the Geminis or use your own compatible devices that support the DTV app. It is also available for some smart TV brands like Samsung, LG and Vizio, but you'll likely have better performance with an external device.

 

[b4pjoe]

I am currently a Dish Network subscriber, however I have been having several issues since a recent firmware upgrade to the Dish Hopper 3 and am looking at potentially switching to DirecTV streaming. I am not sure what equipment I would need to make this happen. I really like the idea of getting rid of the satellite dish with a live TV streaming option.

Here is my current configuration setup with Dish Network for TV viewing:

4 TV's
2 Joey 3's
1 Hopper 3
1 TV uses the Dish Anywhere application which is via Amazon Fire TV stick so it uses WiFi

From what I understand DirecTV streaming allows recordings to be saved to the cloud until the recordings are 9 months old at which point they are deleted. This is fine.

I need to be able to watch multiple TV's at the same time in different rooms. I assume I would need a Genie as the main DirecTV receiver with a couple of remote receivers (Genie Mini?) which would take care of 3 of my TV's. The fourth TV which uses an Amazon Fire TV stick via WiFi could be used with a DirecTV app like it is currently used with the Dish Anywhere application.

I am guessing that there is a monthly leasing fee for the Genie and the 2 remote boxes (Genie Mini) for DirecTV? I want to keep this as simple as possible for my wife so that when she is in the master bedroom and turns the TV on that it goes directly to DirecTV and she can then use the DirecTV (Genie Mini) remote to bring up the channel guide and select her programming.

Also, am I better off leasing the DirecTV equipment or purchasing it outright and where would I purchase the equipment if I go that route?

Any and all comments are welcome. Please correct my terminology where applicable so I can reference it correctly going forward.

As was already mentioned there are no Genie's involved in streaming. There is a Gemini or a newer Gemini Air. The Gemini is the older one while the Gemini Air is newer. The biggest difference between the 2 is the Gemini Air does not have an Ethernet port so it has to connect to the internet wirelessly. If you lease either from DIRECTV there is a $10 monthly fee for each one. But you don't have to get them from DIRECTV. You can find the Gemini's on eBay or Walmart and I have seen the Gemini Air on eBay and Solid Signal I think. There is no monthly fee if you get them from someone other than DIRECTV. The nice thing about Gemini/Gemini Air is they come with a fully functional remote for direct channel entry and a Guide and List button (DVR). Or as was mention you can just use the DIRECTV app but you cannot directly enter channel numbers with it. You use the remote for the device where the app gets installed.

I believe it allows unlimited streams inside your home network and you can also do 3 streams out of your home network but only 2 on a TV. The 3rd outside the network has to be to a mobile device (tablet or phone).

 

[GRB1959]

As was already mentioned there are no Genie's involved in streaming. There is a Gemini or a newer Gemini Air. The Gemini is the older one while the Gemini Air is newer. The biggest difference between the 2 is the Gemini Air does not have an Ethernet port so it has to connect to the internet wirelessly. If you lease either from DIRECTV there is a $10 monthly fee for each one. But you don't have to get them from DIRECTV. You can find the Gemini's on eBay or Walmart and I have seen the Gemini Air on eBay and Solid Signal I think. There is no monthly fee if you get them from someone other than DIRECTV. The nice thing about Gemini/Gemini Air is they come with a fully functional remote for direct channel entry and a Guide and List button (DVR). Or as was mention you can just use the DIRECTV app but you cannot directly enter channel numbers with it. You use the remote for the device where the app gets installed.

I believe it allows unlimited streams inside your home network and you can also do 3 streams out of your home network but only 2 on a TV. The 3rd outside the network has to be to a mobile device (tablet or phone).

Thank you so much for taking the time to educate me about DirecTV streaming. It is much appreciated.

 

[GRB1959]

There is no Genie or main receiver involved with DTV streaming. You can use the Geminis or use your own compatible devices that support the DTV app. It is also available for some smart TV brands like Samsung, LG and Vizio, but you'll likely have better performance with an external device.

I appreciate your helpful advice.

 

[navychop]

You might want to consider DTV MyEntertainment. No DTV STB required.

 

[b4pjoe]

You might want to consider DTV MyEntertainment. No DTV STB required.

No DTV STB required on any packages on DIRECTV Stream.

 

[rad]

Using either of the DIRECTV boxes is nice because you can use channel numbers to tune to a channel, just like you could with the DBS solution.

 

[I WANT MORE]

Long time D* Stream user, and Sat customer before that.
I highly recommend getting the Gemini or Air if you are used to the Sat experience.
You can lease one from D* and get as many as you want elsewhere with no lease fee.
In my opinion using the App is a PIA.