Upgrade to HS17 Sanity Check

The Gemini will stream 4K content from the internet but as you say will not get the satellite 4K channels.

The HR44 doesn't need a DECA BB is it can be connected to an Ethernet cable or WiFi to your home network.

DTV only allows one Genie per account so you can't keep the HR44 also the HS17 account will not allow anything but clients so you will lose any H or HR receivers.

Doubtful DTV will allow you to self install an HS17 and there is no way to connect it to any TV you need to add another client.

@BobHobbs 

DirecTV only permits a single main "Genie" on the account. So of HR44, HR54, and HS17 you can only have one of those.

The HS17 forbids other receivers so if you went to it you would lose the other HDDVR (HR22 or HR24?) as well. It is a Client-only system.

Ideally you would have done a 4K upgrade which would swap out the HR44 for HR54 (as the 3rd generation is needed to feed the 4K Client) and you get either the C61K or Gemini for the 4K TV. As you've already used an upgrade to get the Gemini you may have to pay for a 4K upgrade.

A 4K upgrade, or a Genie-2 (HS17) without 4K, is tech install.

Thanks for the replies.  I am not always pleased with the answers I get when calling in and I have probably contributed to a degree of confusion.  DTV just sent me a Gemini but that's only half the solution.  At one point I asked for a HR54 and I could get one for $154.  A different time they absolutely insisted on the HS17 and I thought the only location available to me was in front of the TV and blocking 6 inches of the screen.  The third phone call resulted in a Gemini being shipped to connect to my HR44.  Found a shelf in my TV cabinet is moveable so either HR54 or HS17 will fit.  Time to call again and probably just punt and go with the HS17.  Anyway, thanks for the replies.

If you order a 4K upgrade to add the 4K Mini Genie (C61K) to an additional TV, or replace an existing Mini Genie, then tech would have to on-site swap the HR44 for the HR54. That way you keep the dedicated tuners and recording space of both your Genie and other receiver/DVRs.

With either the preferred order that swaps HR44 to HR54, or a Genie-2 (HS17) upgrade which replaces every receiver/DVR you have (as it only allows Clients), you lose recordings on any DVR replaced. This is because they are encrypted to the exact box that recorded them. So be comfortably caught up before using either option.

He only has 2 TVs and already has a 4K mini client,

With the HR44, HR24, and now Gemini I thought the OP was adding a 3rd TV.

If only two TVs, then I would keep the HR44 with HR24 to avoid any kind of downgrade.

Keeping the HR44 isn't an option as I want Satellite 4K on my primary TV.  It would be nice to just replace the HR44 with a HR54 but someone indicated that both switching to the HR54 or going to the HS17 will require a tech installation.  Something about some differences between the the divices.  My second TV is not 4K capable and I only have the two TV's.  My wife and I are both in our 80's so expanding to more TV's is not on the schedule.

Due to the actors strike, I have almost nothing recorded on either DVR so undertaking so this is a good time to do this.

There is very little 4K content, only a few channels. But if you really want to be in the 4K early days, then you must have the HR54 or HS17 in your setup. The HR44 only supported some early 4K PPVs until it was determined it didn't have the hardware to keep up.

Option 1: 3rd generation Genie (HR54) on non-4K TV. Then having either the 4K Mini Genie (C61K) or Gemini (C71WK) on the 4K TV.

Option 2: Genie-2 (HS17) that doesn't go on a TV and then 4K Mini Genie or Gemini on 4K TV and any other model of Client on the 2nd TV.

Both options are tech install. There is not a self-install option to get satellite 4K. This is so the tech can verify on site that your TV meets DirecTV's 4K requirements and activate the 4K service on the account. The requirements are HDMI 2.0 , HDCP 2.2 , and 60 FPS. Comes down to 4K equipment is low supply and it is in the early days so it seems they want to make sure that equipment doesn't go to someone who cannot use their 4K.

Just got off the phone with DTV.  Seems there are no specials available for the Genie 2 so it's full price.  $495 for the HS17 and another $99 to replace the HR24.  The service call wasn't mentioned and not sure about Gemini on top of the Genie 2.  So much for being a long term Directv customer.  I think it's been over 15 years and DTV just barely survived the loss of the Sunday Ticket.

Strange Solid Signal leases them for $400. It is possible that the Gemini you got counted as your free upgrade for every 2 yrs of service so you need to wait another 2 yrs or pay it.  You don't need another mini for the other TV use the Gemini.

The DTV rep. said she couldn't get anything to work since I had a Gemini order in process so she cancelled the Gemini order.  The next obstacle was the Gemini would not work with the HS17, only with the HR series of boxes.  I question that and next it was the HS17 would not work with the HR24.  It was a 45 minute phone call where nothing was changed with my account however I suspect the order for the Gemini sitting on my desk was cancelled.  Later I may connect the Gemini to my HR44 and see if I can activate it.  Not terribly impressed with DTV at this time.

The Gemini will work with the HS17 and HR54.

The Genie-2 (HS17) forbids other receivers on the account. This means your HR24 cannot work with it. Only Mini Genie, Gemini, or DirecTV Ready TV (built-in RVU) clients will work with the Genie-2.

I am not a fan of the Genie-2 because of those restrictions. But it is a solid model for some.

I know about the receiver issue with the Genie 2 and told the woman the HR24 needed replaced with a mini but she went off on a tangent and it took another 20 minutes before that issue was resolved.

Why would there still be an order for the Gemini that is sitting on your desk?  DTV support needs better training.

Maybe Gemini order remains open until unit is installed and activated.  Who knows and concur with need for training.