Need a web link to the current list of DIRECTV of available receivers.

AFAIK there is none, DTV is only installing their HS17 Genie2 tower that is a client only system that is capped at 7 tuners and has a 2TB hard drive and most likely a C61mini but C41/51 minis maybe still be installed.  HR44/54 Genies maybe available at additional cost.

Information, even 3rd party sources, on those boxes is more for the supposed perks to make them attractive for customers.

And latest equipment doesn't always mean greatest, or an actual upgrade, depending on your exact setup.

What are the exact models of each box you have now? Are you looking at getting another TV, or just comparing how to optimize for what you already have? Best to get guidance from experienced customers, as opposed to an agent focused on sales or just not knowledgeable about older models (common for AT&T agents that are not legacy DirecTV agents).

Currently have a HR44-200 with three C41-100's (hit the limit) and one H24-700 and may need to add one more client (5 going to 6 rooms).  SWM8 Wired system. KA/KU LNB SWM 3.

No interest in 4K at this time. I do have the Basic Protection Plan

Was hoping there is a solid upgrade path from the HR44-200 so either it allows more C41's (or newer mini clients) or makes the H24 work better in a whole house DVR setup. 

The H24 seems to run the old Pre-2015 DIRECTV style of software (which is way nicer) but does not play well with the HR44 DVR.... keeps telling me that someone is using the HR44 and will not play recorded shows where is used to play just fine in the past.  I'm not wanting to keep the H24 since a bunch of C41 (or newer mini clients) would make a nicer unified system.

What would I gain or miss from upgrading to the HS17 from my current topology?  Did they fix the bugs and issues when it first came out?  How many mini-clients can I use?  Is the 30 second skip integrated instead of an add-on code?

The new software started on the 2nd generation Genie (HR44). It will not apply to earlier boxes.

Do not get another Client. Though it can pair, as you know only 3 Clients may be in use at one time. So you are already taxing the system as is as they share resources.

The best upgrade would be a regular HDDVR (last model HR24). Get 2 tuners and 500GB recording space. As it is a full receiver, not a Client, it will not add more load onto the Genie. If you weren't adding a TV, I would have suggested replacing a Client with an HDDVR. I use a HR44 and 2 HR24s without issue as they have their own processing.

I keep hoping they will come out with a regular HDDVR that is designed to be SWM-only and on the new software. But equipment direction is unknown as they have not put out anything official as to where they go from here.

With the issue you mention, there may be a way to take care of it.

Unplug power from all boxes (Genie, Clients, and the HD non-DVR) for a minute.

Verify coax to every box is finger tight.

Power up boxes, but only one box at a time and only move to the next when fully on.

Preferred order is Genie > Client > HDDVR > HD non-DVR.

I would also refresh service authorizations: www.directv.com/refresh

That specific order is important. Though Whole Home DVR is possible without a Genie, the Genie model is design to only work with it and as such becomes the brain. So main box working correctly, the extensions of it (Clients) are synced, HDDVR sharing info (if you had one), and HD non-DVR just to receive info from any DVR that you have.

If you ever need to replace the HR44 for warranty, you would receive either an HR44 or HR54 depending on stock. The later model has some improved performance, though not quite the giant leap from the original HR34 to HR44.

Do NOT get the Genie-2 (HS17). It is restrictive by design, and though improved, it still deals with post launch bugs. Newer than the HR44, it is not better. That is my opinion, but here are the details so you can make your own decision.

Genie-2 (HS17) is a Headless Server tower.

Does not go on a TV itself so is one more box than you have TVs.

Not supposed to count towards TV fees, but has been a bug in their new system.

Can pair with up to 7 Clients (per account limit of 8 devices which it counts as 1)

Has 2TB hard drive and 7 tuners.

Only allows Clients, forbidding everything else.

Main box goes down, then you lose all your TVs.

Your Genie goes down, the HD non-DVR still works (and HDDVRs if you had any).

A regular Genie and 2 HDDVRs is 9 tuners, more than the Genie-2 allows.

Clients only use a single tuner each, so no Picture in Picture (PiP) feature.

Even if you use an external hard drive, that is still a single drive for all boxes.

As you know Clients cannot have full different settings from the main Genie.

But Genie and full receivers can have different parental controls.

Comes down to if you want unified but restrictive, or more flexible but with 2 different GUI software. I use the latter and it works fine for me. My main concern is Clients pull from the processing of the main box, which can lead to issues. The HR54's improvements help that but not perfect with Clients.

Fantastic replies and  information!   I thank you greatly!

On the existing HR24, I did try the power sequence you recommended and now the Whole House-DVR works with this receiver.  However, I've noticed that pausing live TV is not working.  Is it supposed to be able to pause live TV?  I never really personally used this receiver too much in the past so I cannot recall if it ever did.