What current receiver models do you have and what are you trying to upgrade?
If you have old SD equipment and an SD dish, you’ll be able to get a free upgrade to HD.
In any case, you need to call DIRECTV (number in my greeting below) and ask an agent to schedule an upgrade for you. Be SPECIFIC about what you are upgrading, why, and what new equipment you would like. That way, the work order isn’t messed up. I’ve seen this happen too many times where foolish agents mess up orders and technicians on the job can’t do the work.
Why are you looking to upgrade the HR44? The only available upgrade is the HR54 (same as HR44), or the HS17 receiver which forbids the use of standalone HD and HDDVR receivers like the HR24 and H25. You are only allowed Genie Mini clients.
I just had my satellite dish moved and they gave me the ultimate protection plan brochure that talked about an upgrade every 2 years. If there is no real upgrade I guess I'm good for now. Thanks
Hello @Keriann10 we're glad to know you're considering to upgrade your equipment. Let's meet in a Direct Message to take a closer look on this. Please check your DIRECTV Message Inbox (It's the chat icon next to the bell icon in the upper right corner of the Forums) to start working on it.
Careful, the protection plan is not a good value (in my opinion). And there is no "ultimate" version. It is Equipment Protection Plan (EPP), EPP Premier, and EPP Premier with Accidental Damage Handling (ADH).
You are eligible for a free upgrade if it has been at least 2 years, with account in good standing, since your last upgrade (adding a TV counts). The protection plan just means the agents get to see an exact date. But they aren't pumping out new lines of equipment ("upgrades") every year. You can go years between an actual upgrade being available.
Service calls ($99), delivery of replacement boxes ($19.95), and remotes ($15) are covered by the protection plan. Paying $8.99 (the base tier) a month ($107.88 a year) forever whether you use it or not is not a good way to go. And if you need repair that often, you have a bigger problem.
If the HR44 is your only box, then essentially there is no upgrade. You already have the Genie which is DirecTV's highest level of equipment. However if you wanted to add a 2nd TV on your service, then a free upgrade would apply as you get the equipment at no charge, but still add the $7 additional TV fee to your monthly bill as normal.
If you were to go from the Genie to an HD non-DVR, that technically would be an "upgrade". It is a different line of equipment and different features. You lower your bill by removing receiver services for DVR and Whole Home DVR. And gain the feature of Autotune that DVRs do not have. I mention as once in a blue moon I see a post about someone wanting Autotune instead of DVR.
Upgrading to a Genie2 HS17 will give you twice as much recording ability as it has double the hard drive size. It also has 7 tuners available for recording vs. 5 you have now. It does not hook up directly to your TV so you would choose either a wireless or 4k mini Genie (client) to go with it. Some folks like the flexibility of being able to move around a wireless client. You would need a 4k TV to take advantage of the 4k client but there is very little programming available. With the HS17 you would also be able to eliminate the swm power inserter, one less thing to plug in. A couple of possible disadvantages are there is no picture in picture available and if you happen to have a local channel connector (device that connects OTA antenna to your Genie), it will not work with Genie 2.
@Good4u you can also use a Wireless Genie client with any GENIE HD DVR as long as the Wireless Video Bridge is present. Also, the regular HR54/H44 doesn’t need a power inserter either. Furthermore, the HS17 prevents the use of standalone HD and HDDVR receivers, which is a very BAD restriction for several RV-ers, those who camp, or those who like even more space than the HS17. Personally, I think the OP should just stay with the HR44 for the time being
@detuch254 I was under the understanding that the OP had the HR44 as a standalone receiver. So while the HR44 of course has the ability to do wireless with the video bridge that's irrelevant if they doesn't want to add another TV. It's also irrelevant that he can't add a standalone HD DVR or HD receiver. So there is really no downside to the benefits they would gain from a upgrade to the Genie 2 other than the contract extension. It's up to the OP to make an informed decision on an upgrade
It is relevant as letting the OP know they have the best model for them currently. This keeps them informed for future upgrade considerations that their 2nd generation Genie (HR44) keeps their setup flexible. Afterall upgrading is the topic of this thread.
The Genie-2 (HS17) doesn't have the eSATA port (except for the 1st run of them). It forbids standalone boxes which removes flexibility for future upgrade considerations. They lose all the recordings on their existing DVR as they don't transfer. There is no Picture in Picture (PiP) as the Client on the TV only takes one tuner so cannot use the feature. You have two boxes instead of one, which clutters the setup plus putting another point in the chain increasing parts that could have issues. And the HS17 is known for not being the most reliable (better than when launched for sure, but not to the point I would trust it).
So unless they desperately need 2 more tuners for their single TV, I say their current box is still the best. And if recording space is a concern, then an external eSATA hard drive could be considered. There is no official hard cap so can go to 4TB or more (some up to 16GB though I find that excessive) which is beyond the hard cap the HS17 has.
@Juniper For you to to say the OP has the best model for them is your opinion not fact. There are advantages to the HS 17 which you seem to prefer the OP not know about. Lack of aSATA port is not a factor for the vast majority of users. Why go to the expense and hassle of an external drive when you can just upgrade the receiver? If the OP has only one TV now it seems unlikely they would have a need for standalone boxes in the near future. The Genie 2 actually reduces clutter in many cases because it can be out in an out of the way place such as a utility room with only the client box at the TV and also eliminating the swm power inserter. Again, it is for the OP to decide, but there are significant benefits to upgrading to the HS17 with minimal downside.
Some users prefer more than 2TB of space (as there are users who have gone up to 16TB).
I make no judgement on whether they will or will not get another TV in the 'near' future. I gave the pros and cons between the systems and why I personally would suggest their HR44 is the more reliable and flexible option. If they choose to go the HS17 route that is up to them and I would not stand in their way. Though I would at least suggest catching up on recordings before going that route as they do not transfer.
Not all of us have a fancy home with a utility closet. I would love one but I am an average citizen so don't have something like that.
Yes it is up to the OP to decide. Your opinion on pushing the HS17 and my suggestion on sticking with the HR44 are moot. They have the pros and cons.
But as the OP's only mentioned interest for upgrading is hearing the words "free upgrade", then that leans towards sticking with current equipment. Don't upgrade just for the sake of upgrading ("ooh, new and shiny!") without having an actual tangible reason to do so.
I hope that a newer model of regular HDDVRs would come out. One that would be SWM-only to work from the ground up with the Genie so we do not have the hard cap and restrictions of the HS17. If I wanted to get rid of freedom of choice and instead go with where everyone is forced into the same mold, I would need to move to another country for such treatment.
detuch254
ACE - New Member
•
5.2K Messages
2 years ago
What current receiver models do you have and what are you trying to upgrade?
If you have old SD equipment and an SD dish, you’ll be able to get a free upgrade to HD.
In any case, you need to call DIRECTV (number in my greeting below) and ask an agent to schedule an upgrade for you. Be SPECIFIC about what you are upgrading, why, and what new equipment you would like. That way, the work order isn’t messed up. I’ve seen this happen too many times where foolish agents mess up orders and technicians on the job can’t do the work.
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Keriann10
New Member
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3 Messages
2 years ago
RID 0238 4658 6909
Model HR44 200
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detuch254
ACE - New Member
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5.2K Messages
2 years ago
Why are you looking to upgrade the HR44? The only available upgrade is the HR54 (same as HR44), or the HS17 receiver which forbids the use of standalone HD and HDDVR receivers like the HR24 and H25. You are only allowed Genie Mini clients.
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Keriann10
New Member
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3 Messages
2 years ago
I just had my satellite dish moved and they gave me the ultimate protection plan brochure that talked about an upgrade every 2 years. If there is no real upgrade I guess I'm good for now. Thanks
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detuch254
ACE - New Member
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5.2K Messages
2 years ago
No problem. At this time, your HR44 does not need to be upgraded.
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DIRECTVhelp
Community Support
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21.3K Messages
2 years ago
We appreciate your reply @detuch254
Hello @Keriann10 we're glad to know you're considering to upgrade your equipment. Let's meet in a Direct Message to take a closer look on this. Please check your DIRECTV Message Inbox (It's the chat icon next to the bell icon in the upper right corner of the Forums) to start working on it.
We'll be waiting for you.
Johana, DIRECTV Community Specialist
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
•
21.3K Messages
2 years ago
@Keriann10
Careful, the protection plan is not a good value (in my opinion). And there is no "ultimate" version. It is Equipment Protection Plan (EPP), EPP Premier, and EPP Premier with Accidental Damage Handling (ADH).
You are eligible for a free upgrade if it has been at least 2 years, with account in good standing, since your last upgrade (adding a TV counts). The protection plan just means the agents get to see an exact date. But they aren't pumping out new lines of equipment ("upgrades") every year. You can go years between an actual upgrade being available.
Service calls ($99), delivery of replacement boxes ($19.95), and remotes ($15) are covered by the protection plan. Paying $8.99 (the base tier) a month ($107.88 a year) forever whether you use it or not is not a good way to go. And if you need repair that often, you have a bigger problem.
If the HR44 is your only box, then essentially there is no upgrade. You already have the Genie which is DirecTV's highest level of equipment. However if you wanted to add a 2nd TV on your service, then a free upgrade would apply as you get the equipment at no charge, but still add the $7 additional TV fee to your monthly bill as normal.
If you were to go from the Genie to an HD non-DVR, that technically would be an "upgrade". It is a different line of equipment and different features. You lower your bill by removing receiver services for DVR and Whole Home DVR. And gain the feature of Autotune that DVRs do not have. I mention as once in a blue moon I see a post about someone wanting Autotune instead of DVR.
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Good4u
Contributor
•
177 Messages
2 years ago
Upgrading to a Genie2 HS17 will give you twice as much recording ability as it has double the hard drive size. It also has 7 tuners available for recording vs. 5 you have now. It does not hook up directly to your TV so you would choose either a wireless or 4k mini Genie (client) to go with it. Some folks like the flexibility of being able to move around a wireless client. You would need a 4k TV to take advantage of the 4k client but there is very little programming available. With the HS17 you would also be able to eliminate the swm power inserter, one less thing to plug in. A couple of possible disadvantages are there is no picture in picture available and if you happen to have a local channel connector (device that connects OTA antenna to your Genie), it will not work with Genie 2.
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detuch254
ACE - New Member
•
5.2K Messages
2 years ago
@Good4u you can also use a Wireless Genie client with any GENIE HD DVR as long as the Wireless Video Bridge is present. Also, the regular HR54/H44 doesn’t need a power inserter either. Furthermore, the HS17 prevents the use of standalone HD and HDDVR receivers, which is a very BAD restriction for several RV-ers, those who camp, or those who like even more space than the HS17. Personally, I think the OP should just stay with the HR44 for the time being
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Good4u
Contributor
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177 Messages
2 years ago
@detuch254 I was under the understanding that the OP had the HR44 as a standalone receiver. So while the HR44 of course has the ability to do wireless with the video bridge that's irrelevant if they doesn't want to add another TV. It's also irrelevant that he can't add a standalone HD DVR or HD receiver. So there is really no downside to the benefits they would gain from a upgrade to the Genie 2 other than the contract extension. It's up to the OP to make an informed decision on an upgrade
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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21.3K Messages
2 years ago
@Good4u
It is relevant as letting the OP know they have the best model for them currently. This keeps them informed for future upgrade considerations that their 2nd generation Genie (HR44) keeps their setup flexible. Afterall upgrading is the topic of this thread.
The Genie-2 (HS17) doesn't have the eSATA port (except for the 1st run of them). It forbids standalone boxes which removes flexibility for future upgrade considerations. They lose all the recordings on their existing DVR as they don't transfer. There is no Picture in Picture (PiP) as the Client on the TV only takes one tuner so cannot use the feature. You have two boxes instead of one, which clutters the setup plus putting another point in the chain increasing parts that could have issues. And the HS17 is known for not being the most reliable (better than when launched for sure, but not to the point I would trust it).
So unless they desperately need 2 more tuners for their single TV, I say their current box is still the best. And if recording space is a concern, then an external eSATA hard drive could be considered. There is no official hard cap so can go to 4TB or more (some up to 16GB though I find that excessive) which is beyond the hard cap the HS17 has.
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Good4u
Contributor
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177 Messages
2 years ago
@Juniper For you to to say the OP has the best model for them is your opinion not fact. There are advantages to the HS 17 which you seem to prefer the OP not know about. Lack of aSATA port is not a factor for the vast majority of users. Why go to the expense and hassle of an external drive when you can just upgrade the receiver? If the OP has only one TV now it seems unlikely they would have a need for standalone boxes in the near future. The Genie 2 actually reduces clutter in many cases because it can be out in an out of the way place such as a utility room with only the client box at the TV and also eliminating the swm power inserter. Again, it is for the OP to decide, but there are significant benefits to upgrading to the HS17 with minimal downside.
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detuch254
ACE - New Member
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5.2K Messages
2 years ago
@Good4u it’s also your opinion to say that the OP should upgrade to the HS17. All of us have our opinions.
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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21.3K Messages
2 years ago
@Good4u
Some users prefer more than 2TB of space (as there are users who have gone up to 16TB).
I make no judgement on whether they will or will not get another TV in the 'near' future. I gave the pros and cons between the systems and why I personally would suggest their HR44 is the more reliable and flexible option. If they choose to go the HS17 route that is up to them and I would not stand in their way. Though I would at least suggest catching up on recordings before going that route as they do not transfer.
Not all of us have a fancy home with a utility closet. I would love one but I am an average citizen so don't have something like that.
Yes it is up to the OP to decide. Your opinion on pushing the HS17 and my suggestion on sticking with the HR44 are moot. They have the pros and cons.
But as the OP's only mentioned interest for upgrading is hearing the words "free upgrade", then that leans towards sticking with current equipment. Don't upgrade just for the sake of upgrading ("ooh, new and shiny!") without having an actual tangible reason to do so.
I hope that a newer model of regular HDDVRs would come out. One that would be SWM-only to work from the ground up with the Genie so we do not have the hard cap and restrictions of the HS17. If I wanted to get rid of freedom of choice and instead go with where everyone is forced into the same mold, I would need to move to another country for such treatment.
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