New Member
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3 Messages
DVR Receiver, Genie, Clients in Multi-TV House
My HR24/500 model DVR (this model came out more than a decade ago, and just kept getting refurbished) has been on the fritz.
We have the original Genie for the Livingroom TV (with two clients in two other bedrooms), and 2 HR24/500 DVRs in the other two bedrooms. That's 5 TVs total. To make things more complicated, we are needing to add a 6th TV and will need an additional (client or DVR).
The original Genie shares recording with the two clients, and the other two DVRs have their own recording device (though we have "whole home" and can view any recordings on any TV from the respective DVRs/Genie).
I'm told I can't upgrade my very old HR24/500 DVR because we have an original Genie, and you can only have one Genie. There are no newer DVRs that are compatible. I can upgrade to a Genie 2, and get 4 clients, but with 5 TVs currently (and needing to add a 6th), running and recording different channels, it becomes too difficult. The two DVRs plus the original Genie gives us 1.5 Terabytes of storage and 7 shows can be recorded at once (3 on the Genie and 2 on each DVR).
Why doesn't DirecTV update their DVRs or have solutions for LARGE households with A LOT of TVs?
Can someone please advise me?
detuch254
ACE - New Member
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5.2K Messages
3 years ago
For your system, NEVER upgrade to the Genie 2 (HS17) because that will completely remove all standalone HD and HDDVRs like your two HR24s. With that being said, you are STUCK with one DVR for the whole house and less recording space.
As far as that HR24 goes, they likely want you to replace it with a Genie mini. However, you can try calling (number in my greeting below) and asking for another HR24. The stock of HD DVRs are low and the chances of you getting another HR24 to replace this one are low. Instead, you can pay for one through Solid Signal. Although, you still lease the unit.
If you don’t mind me asking, what’s wrong with the HR24? Is it’s hard drive on the way out?
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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23.4K Messages
3 years ago
As the Genie works as a server, only one can be on the account.
The Genie-2 (HS17) only allows Clients. It forbids all receivers/HDDVRs. That would be an overall downgrade for your setup.
HR24 is the last regular HDDVR made, which is still a good model itself. It is suggested to have these instead of Mini Genie Clients as each one has 2 tuners and 500GB recording space. By doing so that beats out the capability of the Genie-2 (HS17) over your entire setup and gives you more flexibility.
After AT&T acquired DirecTV, they implemented a new account system that hard caps at 8 devices (that is 7 TVs for those that have the Genie-2 as counts as 1 of the devices). They seemed to be moving towards an all-in-one setup for residential and trying to push power users to business accounts (which doesn't allow DVR).
It is my hope that the new co-owner will put DirecTV back on track for flexible customer friendly setups. We need newer HDDVRs that are SWM-only like the Genies to make a better overall setup. Until then, replacing your Clients with HR24s is your best option (for as long as they are available).
Not quite.
The original Genie has 1TB storage. Each HDDVR (since HR22) has 500GB. So Genie and 2 HDDVRs is 2TB recording total.
The Genie has 5 tuners, so that is 9 all together. However, when using a Client it steals a tuner from the Genie.
Having HDDVRs instead of Clients means you get the extra tuners (instead of taking away from the Genie), more total space, individual settings instead of everyone froced to the same one, and if one box has a problem the others still work. Clients cannot work without the main box, so if it goes down, they go with it (a big reason I avoid the Genie-2).
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TicinSD
New Member
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3 Messages
3 years ago
Thank you all so much. I’ll just work with what I have.
Separate note, how does DISH stack up against DirecTV - with DVRs and such?
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Juniper
ACE - Expert
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23.4K Messages
3 years ago
With the Hopper 3 it seems like Dish may have pulled ahead equipment wise. But as they charge per level of box, not simply each additional TV like DirecTV does, the cost seems to get exponentially more expensive. Just look at the end of their Residential Agreement where they show those costs. I also have personally found DirecTV to be easier with navigating the guide.
I have always like DirecTV over Dish setups, but perhaps because of long-term familiarity I may be a bit biased even though there are legitimate reasons for DirecTV to work out better for me. Such as some boasted additional tuners were (don't know if still are) allocated to Prime Time only and couldn't be used for anything else. So some little things felt like DirecTV gave the customer the choice. But after AT&T took over and implemented the Genie-2 that has the fear of changing to more company restrictive.
I really want a HR25 to be invented to work with the Genies, and perhaps a newer model of the Genie-2 that is not restrictive, and I will be happy.
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TicinSD
New Member
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3 Messages
3 years ago
That does sound like the perfect solution. Hopefully DirecTV will catch up with the times. Like you, I have grown used to the line up, channels and guides. I used to have COX, but then moved to a rural part of Ramona, CA where there is only satellite service. So it's DirecTV or Dish. We went with DirecTV (before AT&T bought it). Feels like AT&T really tanked the customer service. But AT&T sold 30% to a new owner. Hopefully there will be some better changes - besides the logo. ;)
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