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

You need RG6 solid copper coax from the dish to a SWM splitter then the HR54 is connected to the red power pass through port then coax to any other DTV receiver that can connect to any open port or if you want to go wireless then you have to buy a WVB and connect it to the SWM splitter.

@drjimmy64  you have a legacy setup, you'll need a swm setup for a genie system , after reading this entire thread I would suggest just doing a swap order to replace the D12 with an h25 since you stated that you don't really need an additional hddvr which essentially that's what a genie is. The current swap offers should allow the D12 to be "swapped" with a h25 so no need for a genie you're better off letting a DirecTV tech do this instead of spending money on required swm equipment the swap order will give you all the required equipment and NOT have a commitment and yes all the reps you have spoken to are clueless especially about legacy accounts/setups. I am a former DirecTV tech support representative so I know how clueless they really are.

I would definitely recommend upgrading that hr 24 to a Genie.  The hr 24 is old and best to replace before it fails.  If it does fail, customer service is unlikely to send you a replacement and techs often will not even have one on their truck so you will have to upgrade at that point but it may require a 2nd tech visit. The Genie is a far superior product, you should be able to get it at no charge but will require a new contract.

@nabukl  Thank you for taking time to explain that to me.  In fact,  everyone I haven't mentioned that wrote for me and gave a hoot that I understand better,  THANK you.  I can tell by reading that I am no where close to the intelligence I read here. I do have a destop support IT background so I am KIND of in the game,  but no real satellite / dish install intelligence.   And I was taken, apparently, by 2 customer service reps who both insisted on different days that all is "swap out,  plug n play, call to activate"  easy.   None of them mentioned needing  a tech or SWM technology due to 5 channels etc.   I did say I have a 12 year old machine so I know I didn't lead them to believe I had a broken Genie 54 and need a new one  ( because these boxes came with instructions for replacing "current broken Genie by unplugging from old and plugging into new" instructions )     - None of the instructions mention "If you happen to end up with a Genie and have something like a HR-22 - call back and reverse everything and ask for a tech because you cannot do this yourself".    That would be nice.  Even the  Directv webpage doesn't mention it - and if it does, it's hidden in small print Goodness knows where!  

@nabukl   So  just leave my  HR-22 alone and ask them for a H25 to replace the  D12 so I can watch HR tv in the den ?   Is that what you're saying in a nutshell ?   So they over-killed me with the Genie big and mini  and neither of them knew what you know about the  H25 being all I needed to take advantage of  hi def ?   Yes that's all I called to ask them about - upgrading that one box so I can see hi def - I didn't know it would be such a head ache, to be honest.    BUt even if they have H25 ( do they have them or are you saying to ask if they do ?   I am not sure how old/new  this model is,  not as savvy about it as you sound

thank you

Signed,

Frustrated !   

@Good4u 

If they only have a single TV, then replacing a working HR24 with a Genie is not the route to go. That would increase their bill for a service they cannot use, Whole Home DVR and get a 24-month service agreement.

Yes, the Genie would be an increase in tuners and recording space. But unless they want to raise their bill along with that and get a new service agreement, then it is too much for too little gain.

And if they have other TVs, then KEEP any HDDVRs (HR20 thru HR24 or even R22) as they work with the Genie.

A Genie-only setup, with nothing else, is restrictive. Might be easier for the company but destroys the individual and reliable options you can have per TV. Sounds like a country where all citizens must fit one mold doing it that way.

@drjimmy64 

You request a MPEG swap of your D12. Ask if they can provide an H24 or H25 for a straight swap. If not available a Genie (HR44 or HR54) would be fine, as long as they schedule a tech.

Do not accept the Genie-2 (HS17) or you lose your HR22.

Too many agents (new and/or outsourced) who apparently lack training to understand the needs of people with pre-Genie setups.

@drjimmy64 as @Juniper  already replied you want a swap order for the D12 to either an h24 or h25 whatever they have in the warehouse the ordering system does not show the csr what's in inventory at the time an order is placed. Please make sure you stress that you want to place a SWAP order for the D12 and not an upgrade order and also please please please read the email confirmation after order is placed to make sure it's a swap order. Believe me I know how incompetent most csrs are especially when it comes to legacy equipment and billing 

@nabukl   I don't mean to ask dumb questions - I am just trying to learn - is the HR-24 something I can just swap the D12 for ?  No need to change cables, dishes, etc..?    Or is a tech still needed for HR-24.

I was thinking if they checked and didn't have HR-24- or 25 and I was to buy from the respected Solid Signal,  would Directv  activate it ?   That's all I need is a box that I can swap out easily and just watch.    I hate to think I need a tech to come for everything,  but  if I have to, I have to. 

If you have SWM, where it is one cable to each box (DVR or not), then it should be a swap you can do yourself.

However, if he old multiswitch then a tech would be needed for the update if an HDDVR. This is because the 2nd tuner wouldn't be connected without another cable or updated.

Agent over the phone has no way to see of specific model, only line of equipment in their system. They can only order Genie, Genie-2, Mini Genie Client (only if you have a main Genie of course), HDDVR, or HD non-DVR.

There is no HR25 (so far). HR24 is the last HDDVR and H25 is the last HD non-DVR.

Getting from Solid Signal is a one-time lease cost, not purchase to own. HDDVR would be $199 or non-DVR $99. Still comes with a 24-month agreement. Though normally a good retailer, there have been issues with DirecTV activating boxes from those legitimate 3rd parties since moving to the new account system.

Just call DirecTV and request MPEG swap. Read order confirmation to be sure there are no Mini Genie Clients or Genie-2 on the order. You get either Genie or HD receiver (non-DVR). As long as order is correct, tech is fine.

Thank you @Juniper - I appreciate your time,  and your patience with me.  I wish I could speak and be as clear and precise as you.  I am starting to be a daily problem for everyone involved in this thread, I sense.  I apologize. I think I am unintentionally asking the same thing mulitple times and do not realize it.   I guess it's because I do find the technology with satellites very  fascinating.   I actually thought I had a good idea even though I would be paying cash for  a box instead of making time for a tech to come install and getting for free ( at least that's what they say at the other end of the phone )  for being a long time customer.   Hey @Juniper ,  if in a perfect world I leased this HR-24 AND Directv said "sure,  not a problem"   and activated it - does the dish need to be replaced ?    I remember one of the 2 CSR's I was speaking too saying that only the tech that comes would know if they need to adjust or change the satellite to a newer one  ( Same answer - "to keep up with latest technology" ).    To avoid having to wait and have  a tech call saying "sorry can't make it today"  after taking a day off to be home,  would be paradise.   As I mentioned I love doing stuff like this  ( sounds like you do as well ) but I was curious about the dish.     Hypothetically,  if I did go for the Genie and Genie Mini,  just to make converstation,   would that change involve the dish as well ?   I never took that into consideration,  I assumed ( I know, I know...)   the dish just stayed and it just was cables that changed "from"  the dish and then specs changed I assume when activating ?  ( I know the tech would do this, I just recall when I had to replace the HR-22 like for like back in approx  2012 I had to call some number and either speak to or listen to directions ( or maybe they came with the new box..) 

But yes,  I'd actually pay Solid Signal for a 99 dollar Hi Def box if all I needed to do was plug and play... but I know nothings as easy as it seems in your mind.     Thanks Juniper !  

@Juniper Replacing the HR24 with a Genie is absolutely the way to go and should be able to be done with no increase in the bill. It is unlikely to even be able to get one from DirecTV and even if you do it is going to be a more than 10 year old "refurbished" box that is unreliable. Techs can even replace an HR24 with a Genie now on a service call, no upgrade needed. The HR24 had a good run, but its over.

@Juniper   You know what,  I just remembered the D12-700  only has 1 coaxle "in"  and one "out" to goes to the old Hi Def TV that I am trying to take advantage of,  which I have a feeling means that the set up for the SD can't just be connected to an HR-24 even if I leased through Solid Signal.   The HR-22 has 2 cables ( and each cable has a silver colored what looks to be a splitter for each cable,  I don't think splitter is the right word if each independent cable has one )   This all makes me think that even in that perfect world I mentioned,  the   HR-24 still wouldn't help me because I have one cable.       Anyway.....I'll wait for you to have time to answer, I know you have a life away from this forum and don't expect answers in 10 minutes.  I appreciate your time and I am glad there are people out there that love technology AND have patience with people like me.   ( I was in the desktop support 16 years and experiences lots of angry techs over the years with minimal patience,  even for each other !) )

@drjimmy64 

Quite allright. The technology of satellite equipment can be intimidating. And when you get conflicting and bad info from agents compared to what you receive here, I can certainly understand going over the same info again or second guessing.

As you allready have an HDDVR, the dish shouldn't need to be replaced. If you only had D12s or earlier, then it would have been needed.

The big question is if you are on SWM or not. The D12 is the only SD non-DVR that can use either the old multiswitch or the new, so is not absolute which one setup you have. Do you have 2 completely separate cables comming into your HDDVR for the 2 tuners? If so, then getting an HDDVR would absolutely require a tech for the SWM update.

Short staffing on techs is rough right now. I would schedule on a day you have off already instead of taking time off work just in case. Even in normall staffing conditions this would be my suggestion.

You can replace the D12 with a Genie and keep your HDDVR instead of going with a Mini Genie. Keep the 2 dedicated tuners, recording space (including what you've already recorded), and you don't make the whole setup dependent on one box to work. If you have SWM, then perhaps an update to the LNB on the dish as well as making sure you have at least a SWM-8 to cover your 7 total tuners between both boxes.

If you go the Solid Signal route for a non-DVR, to be safe get the H24 as uses both the old and new multiswitch. The H25 is SWM-only. My concern is if they will activate that over the phone with the recent issues. If there are any problems with doing so, request the Access Card Distribution Team. The ACDT was the department that handled activation issues of replacement boxes or those gotten from elsewhere. As a note, you do not swap the access card itself as is paired to a single box.

@Good4u 

It absolutely would be an increase in the bill.  Both the OP and later poster have older accounts where receiver services are itemized, not hidden in today's model. One has a single TV with service from 2008, the other who has 2 has a D12 as their 2nd box (menaing service since before late 2015). This means that neither have Whole Home DVR. They would INCREASE their bill by $3 for that service. May not be a lot, but that absolutely is an increase that you deny. And for the OP on a single TV that is a service they cannot use.

For a single TV the Genie is a waste. For an HDDVR and D12, you only need to replace the D12. No reason to lose tuners, recording space, reliability, as well as individual settings. I have the Genie with two HDDVRs. We each have our own settings, don't have to worry about shutting off all TVs if there is a power problem (like power cord got lose). And more capability than the atrocious Genie-2 has.

If the HR24 (or other HDDVR) is not having issues, then why replace it for no benefit? That makes no sense unless you are embarrassed that you don't have the newest model number.

Techs replacing HR24 with Genie not being an upgrade is suspect. Those are different lines of equipment. The only time it is not an upgrade is MPEG swap, such as D12 to Genie (if ordered correct) as DirecTV is shutting down the MPEG-2/SD-only feeds.

HR20 thru HR24 are regular HDDVR.

THR22 is TiVO DVR

HR34, HR44, HR54, HR54R1 are Genie

HS17 is Genie-2

R22 is SDDVR (though MPEG-4/HD capable in right setup).

D12 (SD line) or R16 (SDDVR) and older must be replaced by MPEG swap per the MPEG-2 shutdown. But some agents and techs use upgrades on those in error.

Going from one line of equipment to another is an upgrade, outside of the MPEG swap.

There can be valid reasons to replace a regular HDDVR. But as long as they are working fine, then for the OP keep the setup the way it is and for the later poster just swap out the D12.

Are you offended by the age of the HR24? Why are you so set on replacing something that doesn't need replacing?

I haven't heard of anyone being charged whole home for one TV but if there is such a charge it would likely be credited back in the interest of customer retention. The Genie is most certainly not a waste on one TV since you doubling storage space and gaining two tuners as well as having a much more responsive box. In the case of a Genie and D12 you are still gaining two tuners with a client so I don't know why you think you are losing tuners. They are having techs replace 24s on service calls with Genies because they no longer have HR24s available. The reason to replace them even if working fine is because they are reaching end of life and to avoid down time. A hard drive that has been spinning for 10 years isn't likely to last longer.