Currently have an HR24-100 DVR and would like to upgrade to current technology.

Many thanks to all who replied......guess I'm better off than I realized.  We do have two additional clients with our DVR (three levels in home) and seldom is there a recording conflict. May consider going with the Genie at some later date.  Meanwhile I may require repositioning of our sat. dish due to Spring growth of tall trees. "Who you gonna call??"

@jgsanford43 for the repositioning of your satellite dish you have to call DIRECTV and request a service visit for lost or degraded signal. But before you do so, check the signal strength readings from your satellite via the HR24-100.

To do so, go to Menu, Settings & Help, Settings, Satellite, View Signal Strength, and let all 32 transponders on satellite 101 to populate. Once done, post the range on that satellite here. It is normal to see a few transponders with zero strength.

After checking the range on 101, press 'OK' on the plus to be sent to 99 (ca), the HD satellite. Record the range here, also normal to see a couple with zero strength. Then press the plus to be sent to 99 (cb), perform the same process you just did. Then, press the plus button till you get to 103 (ca), record on that. Then, go the 103 (cb) and record that. After done, record the 5 satellites and their range on this forum so we can tell you if the dish needs reaiming.

As a side note, you can also reposition the dish yourself as long as it isn't too high up. All you need is a 1/2 inch wrench and follow along with some helpful YouTube videos online. I would be more than happy to provide them if you would like to DIY. 

@jgsanford43 also you wouldn't have two additional 'clients' because those are smaller and dependent on a Genie to work. You must be referring to two additional HD receivers. 

@jgsanford43 

If you don't have a Genie, then don't have clients. I suspect you mean HD non-DVRs. Like HDDVRs they are a receiver as they have their own tuner. A client has no tuner because it is an extension of a Genie HDDVR receiver.

An HDDVR and 2 HD non-DVRs, gives you a couple reasonable upgrade options to consider.

1. Upgrade 1 of your non-DVRs to the Genie. It has 5 tuners and 1TB recording space, allowing it to take advantage of the DVR service. It requires Whole Home DVR which allows all boxes, even the non-DVR, to watch recordings from each of the DVRs you have.

2. In addition to the Genie, replace the other non-DVR with a Mini Genie Client. This allows it to record as well, though the recordings are saved on the Genie. It takes one tuner away from the Genie, but you still have more overall than before. Only the non-DVRs have the Autotune feature. The one concern of a client as it is an extension, if ever the main Genie were not working (such as resetting every once in a while, because a cat got the power cord loose and you didn't find out for some time), then any clients go down as they cannot work by themselves.

With both options you get a 24-month service agreement and add $3 for Whole Home DVR (assuming you don't already have it).

If offered, do not accept the Genie-2 (HS17) or you would replace all your boxes as it is a server tower that only allows clients. You would lose the independent reliability, plus everything you already recorded.

As always if you place the order, read the order confirmation sent before installed. Best to verify for your protection.

Many, many thanks for all the warm, fuzzy feelings all you folks have just provided to me! It's going to take a while for me to digest all this terrific advice.  I really do appreciate it very much! Will let you know how it goes. 

You're quite welcome. I hope I organized my last one for ease of absorption, but I know it was very detailed.

To simplify, a Genie upgrade I think would be a nice option. The key takeaway is do not replace the regular HDDVR (HR24) as it works with the Genie. Replacing just one or both non-DVRs is the choice.

And do not get the Genie-2 (HS17) otherwise you lose the HR24.

Got quite a mixed bag with satellites:  99(ca) all zeros, 99(cb) 22-30, 101 60-89, 103 (ca) 69-76, 103 (cb) 17-24.  Am going to adjust dish as it is mounted atop a 6' metal pole in front lawn about 20' from NE corner of house next to a small tree I keep trimmed.  The dish view is a small opening between the tops of two 90' mature trees back of the house.  I've consulted two tree trimming companies and am waiting for estimates to clear limbs.   Previous home owner said he couldn't use DISH (company) because of trees.  I think topping the trees may be my only recourse. Thanks to all who replied! 

@jgsanford43 thanks for posting those readings. You seem to have got lucky with the trees as a majority of the satellites do come in. However, you did say that 99 (ca) does not come in. 

Try to aim the dish via a YouTube video. This is a link to litzdog911's satellite aiming video, super helpful.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA1krU8eo8E&t=3s

Most of those signals are terrible.  jgsanford43, start with 101. You need to get the signals in the 90s, maybe several even 100. Unless you do that, all the other signals will be poor. 99ca/cb and 103ca/cb should be all in at least the 80s.

All who have replied to my original post have been very helpful in resolving my original post/request.  Last week a local installer for Directv came to the house and was able to move our sat. dish to a place about 90' feet farther back to finally go above all the tree limbs that were in the way.  Our reception is now fantastic and I'm now satisfied with the service we're receiving.  Thanks again to all who helped; couldn't have done this without you folks!

@TexasBrit   is 99ca/cb sat in 2 and 101 are in sat 1?   my ca/cbs are in the 40s and 101 is 90+    just trying to understand.   thx

Hey @merlin88merlin, thanks for reaching us, and bringing this to our attention. We understand how important it is to stay connected.

Let's meet in a Direct Message to take a closer look on this. Please check you DIRECTV Message inbox (it's the chat icon next to the bell icon in the upper right corner of the Forums).

We will be there waiting for your answer.

Adriana, DIRECTV Community Specialist