Gemini -- Multiple Disappointments

Hi @looknsee . We appreciate your feedback on the Gemini device. We understand your concern about wanting to have a convenient device, and we're sorry that you didn't have access to the website for months. In the meantime, you can check https://www.directv.com/support/article/000075734 for troubleshooting steps. DIRECTV appreciates your insights.

Carryl, DIRECTV Community Specialist

Been a DirectTV customer for years, thought I'd give the Gemini a try. Set it up with my HR54R1/500. Worked ok, but I ended up disconnecting it. The remote for the Gemini would not power off my HR54. After a couple calls to tech support I was able to uninstall the Gemini and revert to my original HR54 setup.

  The reason I went with the Gemini was an attempt to eliminate a remote control. As this was not possible I will be returning the Gemini.

Gemini uses a brand new remote. Was not intended for other boxes.

Granted in general TV boxes were intended to each have their own as having the same thing playing on every TV wouldn't be considered common.

The ability to have multiple remotes on a Genie Mini, but each a different TV "code" would seem that the use on multiple TV's was at least envisioned.

I believe the Gemini, while having multiple remotes paired, they all must be the same TV, but have not explored that yet.

Just as another example of use... I have a Gemini that is in the main viewing room, and the output shared with an outside TV, I have a his and hers DTV remote inside, and a SofaBaton outside (since it is wi-fi and reaches futher), and that remote is programmed for a different TV of course.

A Genie Mini is in the garage, and it feeds other "incidental" TV's through the house. 4 remotes are paired, all to different TVs. In addition, the output is streamed over my internal network to various computers running VLC, and finally the old coax cable in the house is backfed from the Genie Mini via a modulator on channel 3.

So we do indeed watch the same thing on every TV at times, or sometimes my wife does and watch something else.

Just an example of what you consider an "outlier" of usage, but an example nonetheless.

Greg

Thank you for taking the time to share feedback with us. DIRECTV continues to improve the quality of your viewing experience by adding features and content that add value across platforms. We'll forward it to our team, so they can review it and/or add to the demand of customers like you wanting the enhancement and determine the next steps. You can also visit https://www.directv.com/support/article/000093679 for some troubleshooting steps to fix picture issues. DIRECTV appreciates your patience. Raymund, DIRECTV Community Specialist

I think that the Gemini as a whole is a major disappointment, the remote control is not designed ergonomically, the receiver itself is constantly freezing up. The only reason I keep it is because I have it connected to a non smart tv set with amazing definition otherwise I would had swapped it for the original mini. ATT/Directv don’t do much to advance their technology. They are lagging behind Xfinity and maybe Dish as well

I have to agree to a point. I have to reboot the Gemini several times a week, the video stutters, it loses sound when switching sources, and the mute gets confused.

But I take heart in that they are finally using a standard that is by a bigger and more professional software development team, the Android TV part. That part will progress and will get bugs fixed.

The integration of AndroidTV and the DTV recorder and satellite has simplified my experience and made it much better, no switching of TV inputs, different remote for Netflix, etc.

Not perfect, but the best I can find, and I can live with the quirks.

Greg

Y'know -- I don't like being negative all the time.  There are a few things I like about the Gemini -- it's the only way I could have 4K resolution without losing my caller ID, and I like the integration of streaming apps.

Since this thread was pulled recently:

Caller ID on TV is a very outdated feature. The 2nd generation Genie (HR44) was the last to have a phone jack but first to get the new software that removes the menu option. DirecTV has no use for the feature anymore. As mentioned previously it was just a way to get people to be plugged in as it was needed for the service. Since DirecTV no longer needs to be connected to a phone jack, and doesn't support anything but old POTS lines, it became a waste of money for them putting in outdated features.

The Gemini would not be a way to have 4K and Caller ID on TV. To get 4K from DirecTV (from the satellite channels) you need the 3rd generation Genie (HR54) or Genie-2 (HS17) neither of which have a phone jack. The Gemini (C71KW) or 4K Mini Genie (C61K) can be used with the earlier Genies that had phone jacks, but those old models don't get you 4K. Remember whether Mini Genie or Gemini, they get their programming from the main box. Gemini is special in that is supports streaming apps, but that still doesn't get 4K channels from the satellite from HR34 or HR44.

I have/had the Gemini for two days and have abandoned it already. Here's why:

1) Basically, it's awfully slow. The BT remote (Edited per community guidelines). The RW-FF buttons have to be jump-started a lot to get to work again. When they do, there's often a lag time of 3-5 seconds (or more) between jumps. I watch multiple recorded football games this way. Gemini is unworkable for this.
2) My DTV IF universal remote does a 30-second FF or 10 sec rewind almost instantly. It's 3-5 seconds using the Gemini remote - or to be fair - the 'newer' DTV RF-only remotes
3) Accessing Apps is clunky, and slow. I have to drill back in to Amazon Prime, or Youtube TV, or whatever if I hit the wrong button on the Gemini remote. There is no easy way to move around in the interface(s)
4) My YouTube library of college/NFL games does not even show up under the YouTube app. It does from my computer, under my YouTube account

Summary .. DTV needs to fix ALL of these issues - and FAST. Piled on to the Disney/ESPN/SEC/ACCN channels mess, we're talking another million subscribers lost they can't afford to lose. Given the astronomical AT&T/DirecTV pricing we are paying for, DTV subscribers want and deserve a much better product than is currently being delivered.

I have/had the Gemini for two days and have abandoned it already. Here's why:

1) Basically, it's awfully slow. The BT remote (Edited per community guidelines). The RW-FF buttons have to be jump-started a lot to get to work again. When they do, there's often a lag time of 3-5 seconds (or more) between jumps. I watch multiple recorded football games this way. Gemini is unworkable for this.
2) My DTV IF universal remote does a 30-second FF or 10 sec rewind almost instantly. It's 3-5 seconds using the Gemini remote - or to be fair - the 'newer' DTV RF-only remotes
3) Accessing Apps is clunky, and slow. I have to drill back in to Amazon Prime, or Youtube TV, or whatever if I hit the wrong button on the Gemini remote. There is no easy way to move around in the interface(s)
4) My YouTube library of college/NFL games does not even show up under the YouTube app. It does from my computer, under my YouTube account

Summary .. DTV needs to fix ALL of these issues - and FAST. Piled on to the Disney/ESPN/SEC/ACCN channels mess, we're talking another million subscribers lost they can't afford to lose. Given the astronomical AT&T/DirecTV pricing we are paying for, DTV subscribers want and deserve a much better product than is currently being delivered.

I agree with everything that you say plus I have to reboot my Gemini  sometimes 6 or 7 times a day.  Sometimes it won’t reboot so I have to call DirectTv, which is a hassle.

absolutely agree about the terrible remote functionality on the "improved" Gemini. The black/white curvy remote was significantly more user-friendly.

And now - my Gemini will only play a recording for a few minutes before the screen blanks for 5-8 seconds and then displays the live TV signal. This is happening more and more often and essentially makes the device unusable. I want my GENIE back !