Genie upgrade question

You can upgrade to our Genie 2 (HS17), paired with a 4K Genie Mini (C61K) or Gemini, and a 4K TV ready, @roughnut4980. These receivers are internet-capable too, so you can unlock 4K features requiring an internet connection, and a new dish isn't necessary! Additionally, there are no additional costs, but it requires the correct equipment and package. Connect with our specialists at DIRECTV Customer Service - Phone Support & Chat if you need more help and for us to process your equipment upgrade! 😉 John, DIRECTV Community Team

Could  you be more explicit on needing an internet connection?

like what does not work?

Hi @DIRECTVhelp ,

I was asking if the receiver required internet to function and want to make sure what you are saying. You say "4K features", but what does that mean? Would I be able to watch TV as I do now without an internet connection? Does it need internet to watch anything in 4K, but would still work in 1080 without internet?

I don't want to run internet to where this setup is. If none of this works without internet I'll just keep what I have.

Thanks

4K live broadcast do not require broadband connection, as the signal is delivered directly via Satellite. Internet will only be needed when accessing 4K On Demand from the Library and 3rd party apps such as Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, etc. John, DIRECTV Community Team

Thanks, so only streaming/on demand needs an Internet connection to the Genie 2?

I've never run my Genie 2 without an Internet connection, but seem to remember it complained when I first got it and did not have an Internet connection.

To the poster: you don''t have Wi-Fi that can reach the Genie 2 server? Wi-Fi is cheap nowadays.

@roughnut4980 

With DirecTV (satellite) there is no requirement of internet. It is simply for optional features (On Demand, order PPV by the remote, restart from the beginning, Signal Saver).

To get 4K you either need the 3rd generation Genie (HR54), or the Genie-2 (HS17) with a 4K Mini Genie Client (C61K) or Gemini Client (C71KW) on the 4K TV itself.

The Genie-2 is not a complete upgrade of features, as you may have to sacrifice some capability. So depends on your current setup which 4K upgrade would be best.

What are the models of every box you have?

Do you use any external hard drives?

Do you have any TVs with a box on a separate dish (detached garage, guest home at address, or even traveling in an RV)?

How many TVs total on the service, and of those how many 4K?

Do you use Caller ID on TV (legacy feature) or Autotune (only available on non-DVR receivers)?

You do not need a new dish. Only if you still had MPEG-2/SD-only service would you have needed a new one. The Genie requires a MPEG-4/SD and HD capable dish, so that is covered.

And there are only a few 4K channels, and some 4K PPVs. Most HD content is still 720 with some high end 1080. And there are still a few channels out there that only provide a SD (480) broadcast to DirecTV.

@Juniper

Thanks for the very detailed response. This is what I was looking for.

What are the models of every box you have?

HR54/200

Do you use any external hard drives?

No (but thinking of adding one)

Do you have any TVs with a box on a separate dish (detached garage, guest home at address, or even traveling in an RV)?

No

How many TVs total on the service, and of those how many 4K?

1/1

Do you use Caller ID on TV (legacy feature) or Autotune (only available on non-DVR receivers)?

No

My receiver is an HR54/200, but it doesn't seem to support 4K. The channels are grayed out, but also when the receiver does a resolution test there is no option for 4K. Does it need a software update by connecting it to the internet?

@gregeusa 

I prefer not having it connected to the internet. I don't order anything On Demand, and I despise my TV being used to advertise to me. Plus the bonus of not having my watch data being sold or leveraged against me.

Ok so the Genie is your only box. That greatly narrows down what to consider.

The HR54 doesn't directly output 4K. The 4K requirements updated too late in that model's production, so they came out with the 4K Mini Genie Client (C61K). They now have the option to co-locate that on the 4K TV itself (so you don't get billed as if you have a 2nd TV).

Genie (HR34, HR44, HR54) supports eSATA external hard drives. Though at launch up to 4TB was suggested, there is no official hard cap. Many have used up to 12TB without issue (though that amount seems overkill to me). Be aware when connected the internal is disabled, and as always recordings are encrypted to their exact DVR so they cannot be transfered.

The advantage of the Genie-2 (HS17) is that it can support up to two TVs using a 4K channel at the same time (HR54 only supports 1 at a time) and has a 2TB hard drive (HR54 has a 1TB). However, after the initial run the eSATA port was removed so the Genie-2 does not support external hard drives (your genie has a revised version HR54R1 that did the same thing). The Genie-2 only supports clients, where as the regular Genie line still supports HDDVRs for additional TVs.

DirecTV doesn't have an option to transfer recordings for upgrade or warranty replacement, so if you go with the Genie-2 make sure you are comfortably caught up first.

If you feel double your current recording space would be enough and don't plan to have more than 2 (maybe 3) TVs long-term, than I would consider the Genie-2. Sticking with a single TV and retaining option of using an external hard drive, than I would keep with your HR54 and request a 4K upgrade where the client is co-located.

With either option, stick with the 4K Mini Genie (C61K), not the Gemini (C71KW), as the later box is built with internet streaming options (similar to Roku, Firestick, etc.) that you wouldn't get value out of.

4K does require your TV to be HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, and 60 FPS. TV must be there for tech install as they verify compliant and it works once hooked up.

@Juniper 

I don't plan on adding TVs in the future and actually still have a C41 that I haven't used for a couple years now. It sounds like keeping my Genie is probably what I want.

You say that they won't charge for a second TV with the 4K client, but does that require that a technician comes to install it, and it there an additional equipment rental fee?

I see there are tons on ebay for next to nothing, but wasn't sure if they are even possible to use which would explain the price.

As for the TV requirements, I'm not 100% positive. It's a Bravia XBR-48A9A, but I'm not seeing the actual HDMI version or FPS specs listed on Sony's site.

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/televisions-projectors-oled-tvs-android-/xbr-48a9s/specifications

Thanks!