DVRs failing

With only having R22s you are in a unique situation. They are HD capable (MPEG-4) but cannot use the function without a dedicated HD or HDDVR on the account. Because of the MPEG-2 shutdown and R22 cannot function as MPEG-4 by itself, there is a special swap you will need to do.

Call DirecTV and request their complimentary MPEG swap (not an upgrade). This is free equipment provided to continue using the service and without a 24 month agreement as well. This would default to a Genie and 2 Mini Genie Clients. However as one of your R22s still works, do not replace that one with a Mini Genie. This is because the R22 works with the Genie. The Genie is a 5 tuner HDDVR with a 1TB hard drive for recordings. The Mini Genie is an extension of it so uses 1 tuner and anything it records goes on the main box. All 3 TVs can view the recordings of the others. End result is you have more tuners than before (7 vs 6) and recording space between them. You could consider upgrading from the Mini Genie to a full HDDVR (2 tuners and 500GB recording space, which is no difference in monthly cost from a Mini, but would come with an agreement.

Yes you have to pay for HD, it wasn't built free. Even new customers pay about the same for it, even if they don't see it on the bill as they reorganized it making it 'look' like HD was free. Though with the MPEG swap there have been promotions to credit it for so many months, so definitely ask about that.

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

New way Primary TV $7, HD "included service" (not listed on bill), Advanced Receiver services (DVR and Whole Home DVR together) $15 = $22.

So the cost is still essentially the same in the end.

If you do keep an R22 and change the settings to receive the HD (once on the account), remember it does take more space then SD.

What you might try before the swap is to call for a warranty replacement for one of the troubled boxes. Just $19.95 delivery, or covered if you have the optional equipment protection plan. If they are able to ship you any old R22s they 'might' have in stock, then with 2 working boxes you don't need to replace either with a Mini Genie which would be better as you keep dedicated tuners and recording space. You could still see about upgrading to full HDDVRs to get the most out of it. But R22 though older, and unique because of MPEG-4, is a little better than a newer Mini Genie because of being a full receiver and not a Client.

Thank you!  I will try the warranty replacement first, then see how it goes.

@blueink007 

You're welcome. Remember you will still need to replace at least one of them eventually with a proper H model because of their unique place in the system. But for that use the complimentary MPEG swap if you can (though if warranty replacement gets an HR model by chance, then that would be awesome). Also recordings still do not transfer from one box to another, so if you can be caught up on any key shows first.

Be aware that many agents, even before SD service was grandfathered, are not familiar with the R22's full capability. So to recap:

It is a MPEG-4 capable box, but only if there is one H or HR model on the account.

Does work with Whole Home DVR so can be on the setup with the Genie (HR34, HR44, HR54).

Also one caution; Do NOT let any agent upgrade you to the Genie-2 (HS17) as that forbids other DVRs from being on the account as it is a Client only system which would be a downgrade for your setup. A Genie with 2 HDDVRs is 9 tuners, more than the Genie-2 can have.

As always when the order is placed, look over the order confirmation they email you to be sure everything is as expected.