Upgrading my equipment

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@MannyW239 wrote:

I recently received a letter that my equipment was outdated and due for an upgrade and that I could call and set up an appointment to have the new equipment installed. Is it possible for me to have the equipment shipped to my house so that I can install it myself? I would prefer to do that. My mother is older and vulnerable to germs and infection so I would rather install it myself. Thank you for any help that you can give!

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No, that's not possible. 

Swapping your old SD equipment for newer equipment involves more than just replacing your existing boxes. The dish will likely need to be changed as well. 

Ok I was mistaken, the letter actually said that they needed to update SOME of my current equipment not a full upgrade of all of my equipment in order to avoid service interruption. I don't know if that makes a difference. 

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@MannyW239 wrote:

Ok I was mistaken, the letter actually said that they needed to update SOME of my current equipment not a full upgrade of all of my equipment in order to avoid service interruption. I don't know if that makes a difference. 

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What are the model numbers of your current boxes?

The three boxes: HR24-500, H25-700, and D12-100

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@MannyW239 wrote:

The three boxes: HR24-500, H25-700, and D12-100

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You have an H25, so you must already have a SWM dish setup.

It should be an easy swap of your D12 for another H25.  Call them again and request that .... 1 800 531 5000

The free sd to hd upgrade requires upgrading to a Genie system and genie minis and will require installation by a tech .

Actually I do have that dish, thank you for your help!

Do I have to get a genie or could I just get an HD box and install it myself and get a Genie later?

The only free offer for sd to hd upgrade requires upgrade to genie. If you want to pay for the upgrade and start a new programming agreement then you may be able to order a regular hd receiver. That also may require installation

Ok I didn't know that. I do have a protection plan that gives me an upgrade every 2 years.

Just to add we have a Slimline Dish.

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@MannyW239 wrote:

The three boxes: HR24-500, H25-700, and D12-100

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Reason for the notice is the D12 is the last MPEG-2 / SD-only box and those feeds are shutting down.

H25 confirms you have current cabling and dish as is the only non-Genie to be SWM-only.

HR24 is fine as uses old and new setup.

Call DirecTV for the MPEG swap. Since you already have a HDDVR system, the swap would be Genie (and possibly Mini to replace H25 so all 3 TVs could use your DVR service). Genie requires tech install. As you have a full SWM setup, it should be fairly quick.

You can certainly ask if your MPEG swap could just be an HD non-DVR as that might be able to be drop shipped. But is unlikely as the Genie has been their swap option (plus sounded like non-Genies are low stock or completely out).

Protection plan does guarantee an exact date on when qualified for a free upgrade, but you don't absoutely need it to get a free one if it has been a couple years or so since your last upgrade. And remember optional upgrade comes with 24 month agreement, but MPEG swap does not.

Curious about genie assuming I get it, is it possible to install myself if I have to the equipment or does it require professional installation?

I don't know if they'll let you self-install a Genie. 

As long as you don't get the newest HS17 Genie Server, it's possible to simply add an HR44 or HR54 to your existing setup. The HS17 will disallow your other boxes since it only supports Genie Mini Client boxes. 

Supposedly DirecTV is offering free updates to Genie equipment when they replace your D12. 

They did send me a HR44. Is that a replacement for the HR24-500? My HR24 went out on me and I'm wondering if I should just hook up the HR44-700 instead of getting a replacement HR24 and if it would be the same price as the HR24 monthly?