New Directv HR54 and H44 models

[Jimbo]

Well remember DIRECTV will be using transponder bonding for the live 4K channels meaning it will use two tuners to be able to watch one live 4K Channel. For that reason it would be good to have more tuners.

Thanks for the info, I was unaware of that.

 

[cypherstream]

Is transponder bonding really necessary? They put 6 HD on one transponder now, you mean you couldn't put 2 4k in that same amount of space? I'm saying 2 4k in the space of 6hd which I thought with HEVC it would even be closer (3 or 4 4k in the space of 6 HD).

What's a tp worth these days anyway? 40 - 50 Mbps?

 

[satgirl51]

Is transponder bonding really necessary? They put 6 HD on one transponder now, you mean you couldn't put 2 4k in that same amount of space? I'm saying 2 4k in the space of 6hd which I thought with HEVC it would even be closer (3 or 4 4k in the space of 6 HD).

What's a tp worth these days anyway? 40 - 50 Mbps?

a single transponder could easily carry one more likely two 4k channels, I believe the limitation people are anticipating is directv's swm system, could possibly need 2 swm channels(tuners) to pull down a 4k channel. Again this is all speculation.. If the new HR54 had 8 tuners or more it wouldn't be a big deal but with just 5 tuners that could become a problem.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Is transponder bonding really necessary? They put 6 HD on one transponder now, you mean you couldn't put 2 4k in that same amount of space? I'm saying 2 4k in the space of 6hd which I thought with HEVC it would even be closer (3 or 4 4k in the space of 6 HD).

I hear with bonded transponders they can fit up to 5 channels using 2 transponders.

 

[satgirl51]

Looks like from the FCC spec sheet the HR54-500 is identical to the HR44 in CPU, RAM, and tuners.

HR54 looks like it has less connections in the rear, I just hope its not another lower cost to manufacturer model, similar to the C51 is replacing the C41.

 

[Blackloz]

Triple the HDD space would be nice to accommodate the 4K capabilities.

 

[peds48]

Ive got a HR44 and a one room setup.....I was charged nothing extra ?

that was "then" now is different.

 

[satgirl51]

Well even though the documentation says its a 5 tuner its possible it is incorrect. This pic zoomed in shows clearly it would use 7 tuners on a swm system .

Also looks like 1TB drive though... :-(



inside pic

 

[Hutch1814]

So a new install if it's only one room can't get a Genie ?

I'm going to argue this. I see a 1 box genie, daily. There for a while they stopped doing 1 box genie installs but for maybe the past 6 months or so they're there. I'm not the only one either. Every tech around me gets them. So either customers are willing to pay for them (which I've never heard a customer say or admit they had to pay extra) or my market just happens to be the exception to this rule

 

[Hutch1814]

a single transponder could easily carry one more likely two 4k channels, I believe the limitation people are anticipating is directv's swm system, could possibly need 2 swm channels(tuners) to pull down a 4k channel. Again this is all speculation.. If the new HR54 had 8 tuners or more it wouldn't be a big deal but with just 5 tuners that could become a problem.

We was told it was due to the SWM limitations

 

[satgirl51]

We was told it was due to the SWM limitations

Ya I believe that more than using two transponders.... but time will tell.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Interesting looking at the specs the HR54 does not support bonded transponders.

Also it says it has 6 tuners but only 5 are usable.

 

[satgirl51]

Interesting looking at the specs the HR54 does not support bonded transponders.

Also it says it has 6 tuners but only 5 are usable.

Ya but the specs also don't match what is clearly printed on the back of the box, 7 swm tuners(would be 8 actual)

Also the HR44 has 6 tuners also, and only 5 are usable, 1 is reserved for guide data I believe.

Also looks like they were testing it with an old swm8 and PI-29

 

[satgirl51]

here are some internal pics

Maybe someone better than me could zoom in a see something of value.

 

[Jimbo]

I'm going to argue this. I see a 1 box genie, daily. There for a while they stopped doing 1 box genie installs but for maybe the past 6 months or so they're there. I'm not the only one either. Every tech around me gets them. So either customers are willing to pay for them (which I've never heard a customer say or admit they had to pay extra) or my market just happens to be the exception to this rule

I know if I was signing up for D* and only needed 1 TV, I would EXPECT a Genie.
With the equipment they are using now theres No way I would settle for a 2 tuner DVR in that scenario.

 

[Hutch1814]

I know if I was signing up for D* and only needed 1 TV, I would EXPECT a Genie.
With the equipment they are using now theres No way I would settle for a 2 tuner DVR in that scenario.

I agree 100%

I understand not issuing genies and clients to every new customer due to cost but does a genie and 3 clients really cost less than an HDDVR and 3 HD's?

 

[jcrandall]

I can't add much of value to this, but just wanted to say thanks for the posts on the beta units and the pictures - great to see it is out into people's hands.

Summary of what I read, same specs thus likely same speed / performance. Likely improved from 5 tuners to 7 tuners (based on the writing on back of box).
No extra storage, and access card moved to the side (likely just for consistency with other next-gen receivers (H44 / client boxes).
External appears to be much the same except the removed access door with the access card / reset button moved to the side.

 

[peds48]

I'm going to argue this. I see a 1 box genie, daily. There for a while they stopped doing 1 box genie installs but for maybe the past 6 months or so they're there. I'm not the only one either. Every tech around me gets them. So either customers are willing to pay for them (which I've never heard a customer say or admit they had to pay extra) or my market just happens to be the exception to this rule

'nough said

Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch

 

[Jimbo]

'nough said

Click for large view - Uploaded with Skitch

That's just stupid then.
Simple solution would be to order it by phone, if they give you the same response, tell them you have 1 room and want/need a Genie, if they refuse, go with the 2 room deal, get your Genie and send the 2nd recvrs back.

 

[Jimbo]

Question for you installers, do you set up recvrs in rooms that currently have no TVS ?