Gemini disappointment

How does the Gemini compare with the Firestick Max 4K??

Firesticks can't use DTV satellite service.

Thanks, but I actually meant quality, reliability, user experience. 

I, too, am very disappointed in the Gemini.  I responded to an email offer for the 'free' device, no charge to my account, no charge for the additional services.  To me, this is AT&Ts attempt to stave off losing customers to the 'cut the cable' trend of going back to standard attennae and streaming services.   I have had nothing but trouble getting it installed, then getting it to perform properly.  Sound distortion, visual disruptions.  Yet other TVs in my house which run off Genie 1, and I have 2 mini-Genie's, were doing fine with the same program.  There was no reason to discard the HDMI cable from the TV to the Genie 1.  Also the Ethernet cable caused most of the problems.  That was a lot of unnecessary work, especially for me since my Smart TV is in a built-in entertainment center so it is awkward to move the whole TV out to access the cables.   I ended up having a tech come out a week ago and he was here 2 hours working on trouble shooting mostly with his 2nd-level help on the phone.  One of the mini's ended up being disabled in the process of trying to get the Genie 1 and Gemini working, so that mini was replaced.  The other complaint is the buffering of normal satellite channels which were now going through the Gemini.      Now, you'd think that simply unplugging the Gemini and moving the HDMI from the Gemini back to the Genie 1 would put things back to right.  NAH.  I'm now faced with an error code 651, and waiting for on-line tech to respond to my DM for accurate instructions.        Keeping in mind my comment about the HDMI cable .... the tech who was here used my former cable, one which I'd bought myself because I needed the length, when he was trying to diagnose and get the mini-Genie working.  He did not return it.  SO, on-line customer service sent a new one to me and it arrived this afternoon.    Being tired of have a limping system, and because all the techs I talked with or DMd with said "an HDMI cable is an HDMI cable" and there is no difference between the one which was packaged with the Gemini vs any other cable.    SO, I decided to proceed with unplugging the Gemini, switching the HDMI still attached to the TV, and assuming the equipment would figured it out.  NAH.  There are apparently configuration settings which were automatically changed during the process of starting up the Gemini 1.5 weeks ago. I have no clue what to inspect and then change.   Probably I'll end up being told to use the red RESET button on the receiver .... but I'm waiting for the DM team to respond to my HELPPPPPPPPPPP.       

Nice idea, folks, but sucky performance.  OH, let me add that the remote for the Gemini does NOT turn off the Genie 1.  It is hard to read the smaller buttons with wee tiny white letters - especially in the evening when lights are low.  Yes, the remote buttons will light up in the dark, BUT YA GOTTA PUSH ONE OF THE BUTTONS TO GET THE LIGHTS.  That, too, causes problem because if you mistakenly press the wrong one, you have goofed up what you are watching.  So, out comes the mini-flashlight and or turning on the side table lamp, which annoys my spouse trying to watch when we both simply want to find the INFO about a program.   And, where is INFO???  It's hidden behind the "..." button.  Why that button could not have been labled as INFO beats me.  Maybe there are future functions planned for that 'icon'.   

And, so I'm still waiting to hear from DM Tech while I've been writing this up, in Ohio. 

You'd think by 2023 this stuff would have been worked out. 

I too have better things to do than figure this out myself. 

I have an AT&T pop3 email account. Two months ago, they did something to mess it up but no one knows how to fix it. I have spent hours trying to fix it. 

It makes you want to junk it all and watch OTA television and use a landline phone. 

How often did you have to fix those?

First of all HDMI have different versions and the one that comes with the Gemini is meant for 4k. The one I had one my one tv wasn't right. 

How is you Gemini connected to your master receiver? I have a Genie 2 HS17 receiver and coax to the Gemini adapter with a cat5 line to the Gemini. 

My Gemini still spontaneously reboots itself. No idea why! Apparently ATT do not know why either. This is my 3rd Gemini by the way. I am willing to ride it for now since is a new system and they might provide some updates that might fix the issue. Another issue is when sometimes the video stutters and the only way to fix it is to restart the Gemini couple times. It is ridiculous that no one knows what is going on. I've tried everything, wired, wireless, second Genie 2...no fix. The only thing different is that the Gemini is connected to a surge protector and not directly to the power outlet in the wall. However, I am not sure that that makes any difference. All my HDMI cables are the last standard etc.

My Gemini rebooted twice yesterday during prime time.

My initial install had stuttering, but it went away when I straightened out the wifi connections.

Greg

Thanks for the post.  I was going to order the Gemini and you just convinced me not to bother.  I stream with Roku and Fire Cube when I want to stream.  I'll keep my Genie mini clients.  

I must be a lucky one. Except for HDR all the time, my Geminis work fine. 

The streaming works fine once you get used to the different controls for each site. But you have that problem with the Firestick too. 

Some sites like Paramount Plus actually work better than my Firestick  

I "lost" HDR a few times, until I realized that my "zone 2" HDMI output was forcing lower resolution and nixing the HDR. (I was told it was the fault of my 8 series Samsung, HAH!).

But I put up with the Gemini because of the single integration of the TV apps and the DTV, it's worth it. I'm down to a single remote for everything. (SofaBaton).

Greg

We are sorry you are having these issues with the Gemini device. Let's meet via PM, so we can further investigate and assist you. Juan, DIRECTV Community Specialist

I fixed it by setting output resolution for the zone 2 HDMI on my Denon receiver. It's a "detection" problem... now i only get an occasional lack of audio, but turning receiver off and on re-detects the hdmi, and all is well. My new Denon receiver allows 4k on both the main and zone 2 HDMI outputs, my older one did not.

Greg

took a while to read thru, but glad I did.   I still have the old HD DVR receiver, and had been thinking about upgrading due to slow responding from the remotes (new or old) and the satellite.  I detest streaming, and used Roku when I had to be out of town at my old house where I kept the internet for security and TV.  I've tried, just don't like streaming... so looks like i'll be staying w/my old receiver until it dies.  

thanks to all sharing their experiences.