upgrade

can you list the model # of receivers you have?

One that is easy to get to is a D11-100 and 3 others of that era, not that that really matters because I will upgrade to all new equipment unless you know something that I don't.

Hi, @gbl, it's great to know you're using our Forums to solve any kind of concern related to our services, you're in the right hands.

@gbl 

I know with the upgrade I will have one box that is like "master box" and then wireless boxes for all other tv's (i assume).

This is a very inaccurate assumption. Good thing you checked in the forum first.

DirecTV still wires coax to each receiver. There are optional wireless Mini Genie Clients, but they are not receivers so share tuners of the main Genie receiver. The wireless signal from the wireless video bridge is up to 80 feet under ideal conditions. With your 100 foot, wireless is not an option.

You mention D11, which is a very outdated MPEG-2/SD-only box. DirecTV is shutting down those feeds, meaning you must swap them out to continue using service. So a few details will be needed for proper guidance.

What are the models of every box you have? (you can go into the menu to see it on the TV screen if you can't easily get to the label).

Does the garage have a separate dish?

Are you keeping the same number of TVs?

Is it because your setup will soon no longer work with the MPEG-2/SD-only shutdown, or is there anything else prompting you to look into an upgrade?

Well you know what assume stands for, haha.

I was told by directv that I probably have another year of service left with this equipment, so just trying to get my ducks in a row.

I believe the other three are D10's at least one of them is, to dark to go out to the garage.

I am only using one dish with a inline signal booster after a tee to feed the garage.

I am planning to use the same number of tv's 2 house 2 garage.

The shutdown is the main reason for the upgrade, but I do miss some of the programing the they have taken away over the years.    

Another year was a guess by the agent, probably for best case scenario. The shutdown started as scheduled in April 2019 and would have already completed but the pandemic and some internal challenges slowed it all down. So, your setup is on borrowed time.

When you are ready to call DirecTV and place the order, make sure to say you are requesting an MPEG swap. Do NOT say upgrade at all. This is because your boxes are required to be swapped out. An upgrade would come with a 24-month service agreement.

A direct swap would be for H25s (or H24s if any in stock). These are non-DVR receivers with 1 tuner each, similar concept to your D10/D11s.

However, the swap program may only allow a Genie setup. This would either be a regular Genie (HR44/HR54) on one TV with Mini Genie Clients on the other 3 TVs or the Genie-2 (HS17) which is a server tower that doesn't go on a TV meaning you would get 4 Mini Genies.

Done as a swap the $10 HD service is credited monthly for an indefinite (unknown) amount of time because this is a required order. But the $10 DVR and $3 Whole Home DVR would not be adjusted.

Unless you are wanting recording capability, I would request the MPEG swap be for HD non-DVRs, so you have today's equivalent of your existing setup. Failing that, or if you do want recording, I hope you get the regular Genie. That allows you the freedom of having HDDVRs on your other TVs if you need more tuners or just the reliability of independent boxes. The Genie-2 only allows Clients, making it an all-in-one system that for some is a bit restrictive.

Whichever way this order goes, a new dish will need to be installed along with any cabling updates. This is because D11 and earlier can only use the old setup. Only the D12 (last SD non-DVR made) could work on the newer setup (with limitations).

Once order is placed (which requires tech appointment of course), please read the emailed order confirmation in full. This way you can make sure all is as expected or to address any questions before it is too late.

@gbl It's good to know you want to be prepared in advance for the incoming changes.

thanks Juniper,

so? with the MPEG swap all of the coaxial cable that I have ran in conduit will work with the new dish and receivers.

It sounds like genie would not work for my needs. 

I would really like to not change anything but they are giving me no choice.

Thanks again. GBL  

Depending on the condition, they may be able to continue using a lot of your existing cabling. As long as it is RG6 copper core. Some of the connections may need to be updated. But a new dish will be required.

The Genie would provide all the connections you need. It would just be an update to recording capability, with a small increase to the bill for it. As mentioned, HD non-DVRs would be more comparable. The problem is that pre-Genie equipment hasn't been made in years. Though the H25 is the only box that works exclusively on the new setup like the Genies.

It is a change in an era. SD-only service stopped being offered in late 2015, being grandfathered for those that already had it. Just like audio/video cassettes, floppy disks, and leaded (formally called "regular") gasoline tech moves forward and cannot continue supporting things that are outdated. Keep in mind that non-HD TVs haven't been made in over a decade.

Without updating to current standards for pay TV, the alternative is a regular over-the-air (OTA) antenna to get whatever free locals are within range. Would need a converter box if your TVs don't have the digital tuner built in.

Call DirecTV, request a MPEG swap to H25s (not Genie) and that would be the simplest solution for you. Again, do not say "upgrade" and make sure to read the order confirmation.