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Are there new receivers? Should our old ones get replaced?
Can't seem to find anywhere on the ATT/DirecTv support or account pages where I can tell if our equipment is outdated and there are newer models out there. One receivers are an HR44-700, an HR21-100, HR20-700, and a couple C41-500's. I suspect ATT is hoping the satellite business will fade away with it POTS copper, but until it does - and as long as we're paying for the 'Protection Plan' already - is there newer equipment? Is it worth the effort to swap out or are we better off going full streaming instead?
shannon02
ACE - Expert
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21.3K Messages
5 years ago
There is only the HR24 to replace the HR21/HR20 and is the only one you will get for a replacement if DTV still has any in stock.
The HR44 is a Genie and the only newer one is the HR54 and it may still be possible to get another HR44 as a replacement.
The C41 are the oldest with the C51 and C61 being the newest AFAIK the C41 is still available as a replacement.
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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23.4K Messages
5 years ago
HR44 is the 2nd generation Genie. Still a good model and a Genie is the highest level of box currently. The only benefit of an HR54 is supporting a 4K Client, but there is little 4K content to be of high value. Those 2 models are like for like, so not an upgrade but a possible warranty replacement (depending on stock).
HR20 and HR21 are a bit dated, but decent models. A warranty replacement would result in a HR24 (while still in stock). The key difference is larger hard drive as they went from 320GB to 500GB starting with the HR22.
Your C41s are Mini Genie Clients, not receivers. They have no tuners or recording space of their own being extensions of the Genie. A upgrade would be to a regular HDDVR, of which the HR24 is the most recent one in stock. That would gain 2 tuners, 500GB recording space, and independent processing. There is no difference in monthly cost between Client and HDDVR (or even HD non-DVR).
You get free upgrades even without the protection plan. All it does it guarantees an exact date. Without it, traditionally you get your free upgrade if it has been over 2 years of active service with account in good standing since your last one.
Service calls are $99, delivery of replacement boxes $19.95, and remotes $15 (or cheaper through other retailers). So it is my opinion those one time costs when needed is cheaper than paying $8.99 a month ($107.88 a year) forever whether you use it or not.
Short answer:
Consider warranty replacing HR20 and HR21 and upgrading C41 to regular HDDVR which should net HR24 as the box installed. No change in monthly bill. Recordings of any HDDVR replaced do not transfer, so be caught up first.
Upgrade itself comes with 24 month agreement. If you are still considering switching to streaming-only, just do warranty replacement for now until you are sure. Just verify order confirmation is for replacement and not upgrade.
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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23.4K Messages
5 years ago
@shannon02
The oldest Client is actually the C31, just like the HR34 is the oldest Genie.
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