Yes, however an SL3 LNB is also capable of 4K  so it isn’t just exclusive to the SL5 SWM LNB.

Here is the SL3 Reverse Band LNB that does 4K:

https://www.solidsignal.com/directv-ultra-hd-4k-digital-reverse-band-3-satellite-lnb-3d2rblnb

Do be aware that in order to enjoy those four or five 4K channels, you’ll need a 4K capable TV, an HR54 or HS17 receiver, and the C61K client.

Thank you for the fast reply.  I have a HR44/500 receiver and Genie extensions.  How can I find out what kind of LMBs I have.  I have two dishes because I get some international content.  I have the Directv protection plan so I am assuming upgrades are discounted.

Hi Charlie, We want to check into your equipment details and your upgrade options.  Let's meet in a Direct Message to take a closer look at this. 

Santiago, DIRECTV Community Specialist

@Charlie_Milhans FYI it’s LNB and not LMB, just so you don’t get confused.

To figure out the LNB you have, you’ll need to look at the dish LNB on the front. If there are three eyes, that would be an SL5. If there is only one eye, that would be an SL3. Also, I’m sure you have a SWM LNB since you mention the HR44-500 receiver.

If you happen to have an international dish, those are no longer needed as all international content has been moved to satellites 99, 101, and 103. In the past, customers needed the additional World Direct dish (satellite 95) but times have changed. If you happen to have the world direct dish on your roof (you said you had two dishes), then that has a linear LNB. Linear LNBs are useful for FTA satellite TV (free-to-air).

Now, what upgrades are you looking to get?

and remember your HR44 won't receive 4K anyway. You need an HR54 or an HS17, plus a C61K client.

Why do you want to "upgrade"?

I would like to upgrade to be able to receive my international programming on one dish.  My international channels will go out when we get either heavy rain or snow in the winter.  I also would like to be able to record more simultaneous programs.  My wife watches and records a lot of Korean and Japanese content.  In addition to American content, I watch a number of European channels.  I am continuing having to erase recorded content on my HR44-500 system.

What do I need to do to get all of my international content to one dish and migrate from the. One main dish and a dish for international content?

@Charlie_Milhans unfortunately there is technically no upgrade from the HR44-500. Five programs is the most you can record at a given time with DIRECTV. As far as storage goes, you are able to get one of those external e-SATA drives. It plugs into the e-SATA port on the HR44. You can get any storage amount you want. 16TB has been reported to work. Do be aware that by doing this, the internal drive is disabled. Therefore, you can’t use both the internal and external drives at the same time. 

As stated before, international programming is already on satellite 99, 101, and 103. You are using one dish by default to receive European, Japanese, and Korean content. The reason it goes out is because the signal on 99/103 is more susceptible to rain fade being that it is on KA-band. However, since satellite 101 is on KU-band, it doesn’t usually go out as often. Although, heavy cloud cover cannot be avoided. All satellite services that use KA/KU- band have rain fade.

Hi Charlie, thank you for sharing this details in advance.

We'll work on your upgrade request, so you can continue enjoying your favorite international content. To proceed, let's meet in a Direct Message to get started. Please check your DIRECTV message inbox (the chat icon next to the bell in the upper right corner of the Forums). We'll be waiting for you.

Santiago, DIRECTV Community Specialist

Santiago you are wrong. There is NO upgrade in international content. It is what it is. 

So, I need the second dish to receive international content?

No, you don’t need the second dish. All international programming is available on 99, 101, and 103. The second dish gets 95, which is no longer needed.

@Charlie_Milhans 

I have the Directv protection plan so I am assuming upgrades are discounted.

Good thing you checked as your assumption is not correct.

The protection plan "boasts" a free upgrade every 2 years. However, without the plan you can still get a free upgrade. Just has to have been over 2 years since your last upgrade (adding additional TV counts).

What the protection plan is for is covering service calls ($99), delivery of replacement boxes ($19.95), and remotes ($15). This is a small, guaranteed cost every month to help those who cannot keep reserve funds saved up.

As you pay $8.99 every month, so $107.88 every year, unless your system is so broken you need a tech out constantly then not only is this not discounted but you are paying more in the long run.

I also would like to be able to record more simultaneous programs. 

The Genie is 5 tuners, that is why you can only record up to 5 at most. Clients have no tuners themselves. The regular Genie line, like your 2nd generation HR44, supports regular HDDVRs (2 tuners, 500GB) to use instead of Mini Genie Clients. Problem is they haven't been made in years. Through a 3rd party such as Solid Signal, you could see about getting the last model made (HR24) for the one-time lease cost of $199 (still 24-month agreement as you don't own the box).

Be aware only one model of Mini Genie Client (C61K) delivers 4K. It requires either the 3rd generation Genie (HR54) or the Genie-2 (HS17). Only a few channels (and some PPVs). There is no international programming delivered in 4K.