Swap with Hardware given to me?

Wow. 

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All Genie and Mini Genie boxes are 'leased'. There was never an owned option as DirecTV went to a lease-only model upon launch of the 1st Genie (HR34). This means your sister must return equipment back to DirecTV. If any boxes are old enough models to not be returned, all she can do is recycle them. You cannot give equipment customer to customer. The HS17 is absolutely returnable, though the C41W might not be anymore and if so, would be recycled instead.

C41 is a wired Client. C41W is the 1st generation wireless Client. Only the Genie-2 (HS17) has the wireless video bridge (WVB) built-in. If you went the wireless route with your 2nd generation Genie (HR44) you would need to purchase the owned accessory WVB for $99.

Already having a Genie setup, changing equipment would not increase the bill as you have the maximum receiver services already. Only if you were to add another TV would your bill go up ($7 each additional TV).

The Genie-2 (HS17) being a server tower that doesn't go on a TV itself, is not friendly for RV setups. It was designed to stay put. This is one of a few reasons why this may be considered sub-standard to a regular Genie seutp.

Personally, a regular Genie (except HR34) with a regular HDDVR on any additional TVs is the best setup.

Going to the Genie-2, wireless Client, or even HDDVR are all an upgrade as they are different lines of equipment for any boxes you change out, which comes with a 24-month agreement. Only if you had a warranty replacement, which is like for like (so same line of equipment), would there not be a new service agreement.

My sister was told by DirecTV not to return the equipment. Seems a waste that it can’t be reused. 

We never recommend connecting a DTV receiver to a capped internet as the first time data download and the backround data usage will eat up your data allowance.

The Genie-2 (HS17) is the most recent model. It should be returnable. Only exception I can think of is if it is the 1st run of them that had the eSATA port.

She can try taking to a FedEx or The UPS Store (corporate location, not annex/shipping center) with her account number for the free return. Keep receipt showing they took possession.

At the very least hold onto the boxes for a few months. The normal time frame to be returned is 21 days. The non-return fee that would bill for the Genie-2 (HS17) would be $135 and $45 for a Mini Genie Client.

@shannon02,

As mentioned in my original post, AT&T/DirecTV sold me a bundled package.  They never should have sold it, mainly because OnDemand cannot be used to it's fullest capabilities.  Someone should tell them this.  Also, I have never used more than 100gb in a month, so I'm fine on data usage.

Juniper, my sister said they specifically told her not to return the equipment.  It's been at least a couple of years.  Thanks.

Doesn't matter if it is bundled or not and you are only using 100GB because On Demand isn't working.  Don't be surprised when the NRF shows up on your sister's bill.

A couple of years? Sorry, though she just recently canceled. Well then, those boxes are just wasting space. Even if she had gotten an NRF, it would be too late to get it reversed now.

Though the leased model overall is better than 20 years ago when purchase to own was the only option, it would be nice to be able to hand off non-returnable ones as some are still good backups.

On Demand doesn't work like a traditional streaming service. It downloads directly from the network owners at full resolution with no adjusting for bandwidth along the way. That is why I prefer to download a program first before watching, instead of trying to stream or use the restart from beginning feature which will then stream the program instead of from the satellite. On Demand works the same regardless of who your internet provider is. The only caution is making sure you don't connect to an ISP that has a concern with being data capped/metered (commonly mobile internet/hotspot or satellite internet) as high risk of eating through your data allowance.

Getting a "bundled" package doesn't change how On Demand works. DirecTV has always been optimized for satellite service and having streaming perks be secondary. It was hoped upon the acquisition by AT&T this would be improved, but those options have remained the same. Now that there is a new co-owner, we shall see what changes might be down the road.

@shannon02,

I'm fully aware what I can and cannot do with my current package.  As I said, AT&T/DIRECTV NEVER should have offered it.  My sister cancelled appx 2 years ago.  Not an issue now.  End of subject.

Juniper, I know a bundled package doesn't change how OnDemand works.  Duh.  It's not MY fault what this company sold me.  How would I have known they weren't compatible?  What kind of company does this?? You assume when a company offers you a bundled package that it all works well together. Stupid me for expecting them to provide what the customer needs.

I do know how not to go over my data. I learned that the hard way in the 4th month of this package.  I've been using the plan for at least 5 years now.  The ONLY reason I haven't canceled ATT or DirecTV is because having the ATT Homebase box & a DirecTV satellite dish on my RV works perfect for me.  Once one of those changes, I'll be gone, just like most motorhome people who have switched to Dish.  They are way more accommodating for RVers.

Sorry but you guys telling me what I can or can't do with a package that was SOLD to me this way is very frustrating.

A "bundle" gives you an extra starting discount. DirecTV equipment has the same compatibility with all ISPs regarding how it works. The only difference is if data is unlimited (or a high enough cap) or if your overall usage is too much to use On Demand on top of it.

Even before AT&T acquired them, DirecTV still partnered with other providers including HughesNet, ViaSat, WildBlue which are metered satellite ISPs. I agree too many agents didn't clarify that the bundle doesn't give you exempt data. As for how it differs from traditional streaming was something many of us learned over time. It is not the same experience across the entire country.

I didn't want to assume what you understood or not about On Demand, so I apologize if I went over what you already knew. And since the acquisition agents from the AT&T side were not very knowledgeable about DirecTV services compared to legacy DirecTV agents. I wonder how many of them remain after the integration. As you say you got the bundle about 5 years ago, sounds like it was in the early days of the acquisition. Those were rough times, and a lot of bad info came out at those days as agents seemed to have been thrown into the job (for the DirecTV side) with little up-front training and instead train as you go.

However, more and more networks not allowing FF/REW with On Demand, including the restart feature, has lowered the value of that perk. Since it comes from online instead of the satellite, they have control over it like their own websites where commercials are forced.

We can't change how it was "sold" to you. This is one of those situations where all we can do is provide guidance on how it actually works, clarity on the reasons and differences from what might be expected, and anything that can be suggested to get the most out of it. Sorry the responses didn't give you the ending situation you truly wanted.

Regarding the other main topic, I would hold off on any equipment changes until we see if the new co-owner comes out with a new generation of HDDVRs and/or Genies. Regular HDDVRs haven't been made since the HR24 (which is still a fine model to work with the regular Genie line), and AT&T was (in my opinion) pushing too hard on a simple all-in-one but restrictive system with the Genie-2 (HS17 which forbids HDDVRs, only allowing Clients).

Juniper, sorry I got frustrated. Thank you for the additional info. 

My original plan with DirecTV was thru my phone company ISP (like you said, they partnered with many).  When they offered the bundled package & I changed, it was an unbelievable nightmare (as you also explained why). It took months before my billing was correct & they never did pay me what I overpaid. 

I’m glad to hear changes are coming because I’d love to see improvements made. I’ve been with ATT & DirecTV for many, many years. I’d prefer to stay with both as long as they can continue to provide what I need at an affordable cost. 

Thanks again for all of the details. 

From what has transpired over the last 5 years, it is my belief that AT&T bit off more than they could chew with the acquisition of DirecTV. And then of course the couple years with the global pandemic that compounds any issues.

Having a new co-owner with DirecTV and the other TV services spun off into their own side group, has already happened. As for any changes coming, I don't know of any personally. I am just hoping that DirecTV will get more specialized help (instead of agents being required to handle most all providers under the AT&T umbrella. And certainly, I would love to see them focus into an equipment setup that is once again flexible for the customer.

Time will tell. With both an acquisition and the attempted recovery worldwide, it probably will not happen quickly.