Insane price increases never stop

Yes I'm aware of not needing a DECA dongle for the Genie. Mine is hardwired via Ethernet.

And of course yes, Jan~Jan was the biggest price increase. Then likely the Feb was a another discount dropping.

Yes sir, it was indeed January. But *some* of the discount that dropped was for "auto pay" as well as "paperless billing". My problem with that is I'm STILL doing both and those discounts shouldn't be something that comes and goes. Not unless AT&T/DirecTV wants to start sending a paper bill and waiting on a check in the mail again. ;-)

The message: "TV server incompatible with DirecTV Genie is a TV set error message when trying to use a RVU Built-in Client (otherwise known as a DirecTV Ready TV), not Mini Genie Client. In that case the TV is on the wrong input setting as it is trying to use an option that wasn't setup. Though it is normally better to have an HDDVR instead of a Client (Mini Genie or RVU)." was not on my system, it was coming up on their screens.

FWIW I do have a RVU TV, 77" high end Sony, along with 11.2.4 surround. :-)

And yes, of COURSE it's an upgrade of equipment. But considering their own system said I couldn't have a Genie, although I've had one for years, that's the direction the conversation went.

I got to thinking after getting off the phone that they *might* have been trying to enter me having a *second* Genie in my home, and ended up with an error message. Considering I can't have 2 Genie's, but as many 2 tuner DVR's as I want. I have no idea what caused it on their end.....

Still confusing though with the 1 Genie limitation to the system architecture. You'd think by now DirecTV would have caught on, and allow customers to have as many as they want. OR at least have a box designed that is capable of working with another just like it.

That or come up with a box that'd at least TRY and compete with the now 3 year old 16 tuner DISH DVR.

I'll admit... I never cared for DISH, never had any temptation to go that direction, and always felt DirecTV offered both superior service as well as a superior product. Of course that was before AT&T took over. Not to mention refuses to allow anyone else to broadcast HBO. Needless to say I've not looked at the products DISH offers in YEARS. But a 16 tuner, 500 hour box, with built-in apps, ability to do a 4 channel split screen, Google voice control, find my remote, and automatic commercial skipping features, to name a few.... that's been reviewed as the baddest thing since sliced bread for 3 years now... that's something to get one's attention.

Then of course today, middle of the day, the Genie decided it can now see the playlist from the other machines. SMH - LOL

@gaboy

Discount completing does not change how you are billed or how you pay. If you want to opt out of paperless and/or auto bill pay, that is up to you.

With the error message it was suggesting your TV is on the RVU setting/input instead of using the one where the Mini Genie Client is connected to. So that is just trying to exit out of the TV's menu or changing input to the correct one (HDMI-1, HDMI-1, etc.)

Correct only one main Genie may be on the account as works as a server. Even just 2 Genies fought against each other in testing which is why only 1 on the account.

HR34, HR44, HR54 are all "Genie" so considered warranty replacements. It is only an upgrade because of the C61K as that is to get the couple 4K channels. Remember you will lose all your recordings on your Genie with replacing it as they don't transfer. Personally I prefer the added capability of an HDDVR (2 tuners, 500GB recording space, and can work even if the Genie ever doesn't) over a Client.

They came out with the Genie-2 (HS17) which seems to be an intention moving to a Client only system. It forbids receivers, only allowing Clients, which hard caps it at 7 tuners. A regular Genie and 2 HDDVRs is 9 tuners, so more than the Genie-2 allows. Because of the restrictive design, I am against this model. I will stick with Genie and regular HDDVRs. But I do hope one day they come out with an updated HDDVR that is SWM-only like all the Genies (and H25), but also has 4K output so not restricted to a Client connection.

For me, DirecTV is still the better option. Though I am not a fan of Dish (especially particular things in their billing model), I have been concerned with DirecTV's progression of hardware in comparison. Something I will be keeping an eye on.

With the error message it was suggesting your TV is on the RVU setting/input instead of using the one where the Mini Genie Client is connected to. So that is just trying to exit out of the TV's menu or changing input to the correct one (HDMI-1, HDMI-1, etc.)

See that's what I'm trying to tell you. I don't use RVU. I use the Genie. This isn't a simple TV to DirecTV system it's mounted in. More like 2 racks of AV gear, multiple audio and video sources, audio selection, as well as power control, networking, battery backup, and of course amplifiers.

HR34, HR44, HR54 are all "Genie" so considered warranty replacements. It is only an upgrade because of the C61K as that is to get the couple 4K channels. Remember you will lose all your recordings on your Genie with replacing it as they don't transfer. Personally I prefer the added capability of an HDDVR (2 tuners, 500GB recording space, and can work even if the Genie ever doesn't) over a Client.

I'm a retired home theater design company owner, I'm well aware of the capabilities of at least the DirecTV gear I have here. It's a shame one needs a 'client' running just to VIEW 4K, rather than it being native to (a) Genie. At least DirecTV has 3 channels of 4K. It looks like the Saturday night concerts are something I'd get some use out of. Another shame is the inability to record 4K (as they tell me). I'm told it's only available to watch live (stream).

Dish however is ambiguous as to how you'd receive 4K. The absolutely don't offer any 4K channels, but of course you can stream it via Netflix (and some apps are built-in).

I too much MUCH prefer multiple DVR's. I'm always having a HDD fail in one every 2~3 years and have lost plenty of archived recordings because of it. In fact, I have a couple HR44's here out of the data stream with old concerts on them that I can still watch. :-)

They came out with the Genie-2 (HS17) which seems to be an intention moving to a Client only system.

For MY money... the HS17 is the biggest uhhhhhh..... (insert descriptive adjective here) that they've ever had. Or MAY EVER have!

As far as the billing model, I'd say Dish is a bit clearer these days. Packages are part of it at a preset price. HD isn't an add-on. I mean the only thing NOT in HD these days are old reruns that are still being broadcast in 640x480. Although they're all now digital, and some survive the telecine process rather well. Especially those that were shot on film like Hogan's Hero's and Gunsmoke for instance.

I know for what I'm getting now, at over $250 a month, and God help them if indeed it goes up to $284 a month like the e-mail said I can get quite a bit more in storage space as well as almost doubling the amount of tuners and even after the 3 month discounts apply I'd save $105.00 a month. For another $10, or maybe it's $15 I can get another 2 tuner DVR in the mix.

Only thing missing would be HBO, which I can then pay $15 a month for and stream via the TV. (Don't know if their receiver has the app built in. But considering it'll do Google voice control I'm thinking it might indeed.) ;-)

Westworld is the only reason I keep HBO now. (Now that GOT stopped.) But is it worth $15? Maybe, maybe not. I can also stream for free and watch a season after it's over.

@Juniper Emails can fake the return address, just like someone can spoof caller ID and make it look like they are calling someone else. Not saying the exact email you got was fake, only that it is possible to "spoof" email info as well.

Agreed. And although this one surely looks real, as in proper grammar, spelling, punctuation etc. I took the reps word for it that it didn't come from AT&T.

That is... until I got the confirmation e-mail from the exact same address. Hmmmmmm.

Thing is, it was to confirm a CHANGE to my account. A change however that I DID NOT MAKE.

Then it goes on to show a bunch of pro-rated charges for 28 days. *Which is where the extra $34 comes from.*

Then there's the below verbiage. That sure looks official to me. Even going out of their way to nickel and dime based on dates you became a customer. If there's anything out of sorts with billing at other providers, maybe they learned from the best. LOL

I mean how is it an "HD DVR: Advanced Receiver" is $10 a month, then it's $23, $25, AND $15 a month? For the SAME receiver! Really guys... charging more (or less) depending on date of connection is like "being a little bit pregnant". You either IS, or you AIN'T!

If you have the following equipment and your account start date is 2/8/12 or prior, the service fees are as follows:

– HD Receiver or HD DVR: Advanced Receiver- HD ($10/mo.)

– DVR or HD DVR: Advanced Receiver- DVR ($10/mo.)

– HD DVR: Whole-Home DVR service ($10/mo.)

If you have the following equipment and your account start date is between 2/9/12 and 2/6/13, the service fees are as follows:

– HD DVR: Advanced Receiver ($23/mo.*)

– DVR: Advanced Receiver- DVR ($10/mo.)

– HD Receiver: Advanced Receiver- HD ($10/mo.)

If you have the following equipment and your account start date is between 2/7/13 and 7/23/14, the service fees are as follows:

– HD DVR: Advanced Receiver ($25/mo.)

– DVR: Advanced Receiver- DVR ($10/mo.)

– HD Receiver: Advanced Receiver- HD ($10/mo.)

If you have the following equipment and your account start date is between 7/24/14 or after, the service fees are as follows:

– HD DVR: Advanced Receiver ($15/mo.)

– HD Receiver: Not applicable

* Advanced Receiver increase of $3.00/mo. applicable only to customers with Advanced Receiver service, an account start date after 2/8/2012, and will be reflected as $23.00/mo. after a $2.00 offsetting bill credit for each month that Advanced Receiver fee is active during its promotional period.

As for my date of connection. First one was 1995, just months after the first bird went up. Second one was 2004 when moving here. Funny how there is no record of connection before 04.

I understand you use a Mini Genie Client. But the error message means for some reason the TV is trying to use the RVU Client instead. Normally I would expect that to be cause of being on the wrong input.

I agree that is a shame that 4K only works with the Client connection. The HR54 was too far into production when the 4K requirements changed (HDMI 2.0), and with the Genie-2 (HS17) going forward they seem to be pushing a Client only system. So there was no incentive to go back and provide new motherboards for all HR54s.

True 4K content is so limited, I wouldn't sacrifice capability for it. Until it becomes more common place, I feel 4K equipment is more for those who like to brag about having the special prototype equipment and service. But that is just my perspective.

The Genie-2 (HS17) to me was a failure from the get-go because of the restrictive design. If it allowed receivers, then it could be considered. I will keep to a more flexible system with the regular Genie line.

That receiver service information is listed inaccurately, but I can clear up what that info should actually pertain to. The billing model for DirecTV changed in late 2015.

Old way: Primary TV $0, HD $10, DVR $10, Whole Home DVR $3 = $23

(some old accounts apparently show Advance Receiver $25 for all 3 combined, so this was only for a short time before they transitioned to the new model)

New way: Primary TV $7, HD Included (not listed on bill), Advanced Receiver (DVR and Whole Home DVR together) $15 = $22

So those are the receiver services for the account. You only pay $7 for each additional TV no matter what kind of box or no box at all (RVU Client).

That change in billing model is when SD-only service was no longer offered. So my understanding is they rearranged it to show that HD was basic service as people would complain about why they were paying for HD when it had been out for so long. The end result is total cost is essentially the same, but gives new customers the perception that HD is not an additional service.

As for no record before 2004 is odd. All I can think is that instead of Moving your existing account, they closed the old one and opened a new one. Some bad agents have done that to get a new account commission. Not too many can say they have been with DirecTV since the beginning without being acquired from the older Primestar.

@azbobs

Well companies don't offer discounts proactively. If you don't like the cost then you call to discuss your options and they might find a discount for you. So any time after the initial 24 months completed you call and see what might be available. I myself have had several discounts over the years.

Unfortunately because there are customers out there who have had too much in discounts, they have cut back at this time. They are weeding out those who are operating at a loss. Hopefully after those customers have been paying regular cost, or canceled service, then discounts are expected back though more within reason.

Though networks raise their costs year after year to the TV providers that nobody can get away from (including Dish), I would say hardware progression (like the 4K setup we discussed long ago) has slowed. I may still not be a fan of Dish, but I am cautious with DirecTV going forward.

I see where they have the ability to use a coupon code. But considering the pricing, free installation etc. it's pretty much a non issue.

• As for my date of connection. First one was 1995, just months after the first bird went up. Second one was 2004 when moving here. Funny how there is no record of connection before 04.

Thanks for that reply!

Good info to know. :-)

I'll have to tell them that today, when AGAIN I'll have to spend 2 hours on the phone trying to get them to do their job correctly.