Genie box?

What's the model number?

@Mon8710 

What are the models of each box you have? If you've had service for about 5 years, there is a good chance you have the Genie as has been standard for new installs for several years.

Genie is the name given to DirecTV's Advanced Whole Home HDDVR. The main line is a 5 tuner HDDVR with a 1TB hard drive.

The Gemini is a Client, similar to a Mini Genie. Since clients have no tuners they cannot work without a Genie.

The model number HR54-500 does that help?

HR54 is a Genie.

A simple answer: the word "Genie" can be applied to several different pieces of hardware:

"Genie" compatible DVRS

Genie 1

Genie 2 server

Genie Mini (client)

They should stop it with the names, or use unique names for different pieces of hardware...  really a mess created by DTV

They like to make things confusing, didn’t even know they different boxes.

THE HR44/H44,HR54 are Genies and the HS17 is the Genie2

Genies are a traditional receiver and server in one, while the most recent doesn't go on a TV itself and only supports clients.

Genie: HR34, HR44, HR54 / HR54R1

Genie Lite: H44

Genie-2: HS17

HR = HDDVR

HS = Headless Server

H = HD receiver (but Lite has optional DVR upgrade kit to function similar to HR44)

@Juniper

so can you confirm which Directv is install?

Genie: HR34, HR44, HR54 / HR54R1

Genie Lite: H44

and is H44 the mini?

The H44 is a Genie lite as it has no hard drive but there was a hard drive kit to turn it into an HR44, it didn't go over well.

@merlin88merlin 

At this point, DirecTV would most likely be installing either the 3rd generation Genie (HR54) or the latest version of the Genie-2 (HS17). Though not impossible to get a HR44 as someone recently posted they got that (as a warranty replacement I believe).

The H44 is not a Mini Genie. It is the Genie Lite. It is a Genie without the DVR capability. But as mentioned there is an optional DVR upgrade kit, which is basically a proprietary external hard drive, to turn it into a full Genie.

Mini Genies are Clients, not receivers. They have no tuners so cannot receive the service themselves. They cannot work without a main Genie. The models start with C for Client (i.e. C31).

@Juniper..with all the reading, I probably would be leaning to the HR54 if i just look to get the one box upgrade/replacement and perhaps add a mini genie as they are no connectors to connect to RF modulator to other TVs, etc.   thx.

The HR54 would need a composite 10 pin din cable to connect to an RF modulator.

All boxes connect by HDMI.

They can use A/V plugs to connect to older TVs. Latest models may use a 10-pin connector A/V cable to the traditional A/V plugs on the other side.

They can use an RF modulator if you have an ancient TV that doesn't even have A/V ports. But with a TV that old it should be replaced.

today use the coax in the walls to connect to 2 other TVs - showing same prog on primary tv.   not old TVs - just a way to use them in other rooms without spending all the extra #s for minis.   :)