How many programs can be set up in series manager?

AFAIK all Genies have 100.

Genie-2 (HS17) has a hard limit of 100 (as well as 7 tuners). Only allows Clients, forbidding everything else.

Regular Genies (HR34, HR44, HR54) also have 100 (and 5 tuners). But as they allow HDDVRs which have 50 each (and 2 tuners), then the overall system is more powerful then the Genie-2.

Thanks. What does “only allows Clients “ mean?

The HS17 account only allows clients, you can't have any HR24s or below.

HD non-DVR, HDDVR, Genie are receivers. They can work independently and have 1, 2, or 5 tuners respectively.

Mini Genies are Clients (models start with C like C51). They have no capability of their own (tuners, hard drive, etc.). They are an extension (Client) of the main Genie. As such they each take a tuner away from the main box and anything recorded goes to it as well.

The Genie-2, which is a Headless Server tower (doesn't go on a TV unlike a traditional receiver) does not allow other receivers on the account. So it may only use Clients on each TV. No matter how many TVs you have connected, this hard caps you at 7 tuners between them. A regular Genie allows other receivers. So a Genie and 2 HDDVRs provides you 9 tuners which is more than the Genie-2 is capable of. Plus if main Genie goes down, then all Clients go with it because they cannot work by themselves. But other receivers still work. And per your original question, Clients have no series manager of their own either.

Sorry I probably could have stated all that a bit shorter. Hopefully it answers your question and showcases key pros and cons. Once you are 3 or more TVs, then a regular Genie setup has more potential with no difference in cost. But at 1 or 2 TVs, then the Genie-2 might be ok.

Thank you very much. I appreciate all the info. One of my old HD DVR’s went out so I had no choice, as far as I know, but to replace the whole system to Genie 2. I’ve been fighting it for years. It seems like the only downside for me is the limit of 100 shows in the series manager. Right now, with the extra DVR‘s that I have, I had the capability of setting up 250 shows in series manager. 

HDDVR goes out then you get a warranty replacement. Get an HR24 as that is the last one made.

Genie-2 is NOT required. Sounds like a bad agent pushed you into an optional upgrade to boost their stats. Unfortunately businesses that require their agents to upsell will have some people who go too far. That is why it is very important for the consumer to be cautious and diligent with asking questions and research.

The Genie-2 forbidding HDDVRs and HD non-DVRs is atrocious to me.

They said they don’t have DVR‘s anymore. That’s why I had to upgrade.

Lots of other people with accounts that were moved to ATT are getting the same message, no HR24s available. People whose accounts are still on the Directv account system are getting replacement HR24s. Your "upgrade" is really a downgrade. And you may have been  been forced into a 2-year contract extension as well.

They didn’t say anything about a contract extension. They said I could record 450 hours so it seems like the only downside is that I can set up less shows in client manager. Are there other problems? How would I get back to the DIRECTV account system? I guess you all have genie 1s? What if the genie 1 receiver goes bad, will they replace that?

You can't get back to the old account system. 

I don't know if they will replace a failed HR44/54 with a new one. No-one at Directv has said anything about a change in policy.

That was an upgrade so comes with a 24 month agreement. The Genie-2 is a separate line of equipment, not like for like, so doesn't count as a warranty replacement.

These are the different lines of equipment. If not in the same line it is an upgrade going from one to another.

HR20 thru HR24 are HDDVRs.

THR22 was a TiVO based DVR.

H20 thru H25 are HD non-DVRs

HR34, HR44, HR54 (or revised HR54R1) are Genie.

H44 is the Genie Lite

C31 thru C61 are (regular) Mini Genie Clients.

C41W and C61W are wireless Mini Genie Clients.

C61K is the 4K Mini Genie Client.

HS17 is the Genie-2.

A warranty replacement provides the same model or newer in the same equipment line. For example an HR23 should get an HR24 (as older models are out of stock. A HR44 could get same or HR54 (or HR54R1) depending next on shelf.

Since the HS17 is the only Genie-2 to date, it can only be a warranty replacement for an HS17. A HR24 to HS17 is an upgrade as those are different lines of equipment.

Once installed the upgrade is final and you now have your new 24 month service agreement. And you are forbidden from the full capability of other HDDVRs in the mix which limits your system.

Thank you everybody for all your help.