HDCP FIX BESIDES COAXIAL

AFAIK all HDMI cables are HDCP compatible so you may need to buy a new one.

I have a HR44-700 not working and C61W-700 genie that work and get channels

How would I find out if DTV is providing 4K?  Is it a line item on the bill?

HR44 and C61W means you don't get 4K.

A 4K setup requires the C61K (not wireless, hence no 'W' in model) on the 4K TV. The main Genie must be the HR54. Your HR44 was only for the early testing days of 4K with access to some PPVs, but could not meet the proper requirements so they needed the newer model.

The TV must support HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, and 60 FPS.

You would call DirecTV to do a 4K upgrade to swap both boxes. This would be a tech install as they need to verify that it will work 4K on the TV (especially as usually only one port is 4K compatible). Plus, with the Client being wireless, DirecTV has no way to know if there is a coax connection in that room (and works).

Alternatively, you may be offered a Genie-2 (HS17). If you only have 2 TVs and the other is 4K as well (or you plan to replace it with one), this 'might' be a good option. The HR54 only supports one TV at a time using a 4K channel (even if you had multiple C61Ks), but the HS17 supports up to 2 at a time. The downside is the HS17 forbids other receivers which hard caps capability and shares settings instead of choosing them individually, and as doesn't go on a TV itself putting clients on each TV it cannot have Picture in Picture (PiP) as those Clients only receive a single tuner from the main box.

If you choose either of those upgrades, remember you lose the recordings from the replaced HR44 so suggested to catch up first. Or alternatively, replace the wireless Client with an HDDVR (i.e. HR24) to get 2 tuners and 500GB recording space while keeping your HR44. No matter which way you choose, your monthly bill remains the same as 4K service has no cost, you're not adding a TV, and you already have the highest level of equipment with a Genie setup.

Thanks Shannon02,  I changed the HDMI cable and that was it.  Bad me for keeping old computer sh*#.  Had no idea they were upgraded.

Keeping some old cables is not bad. If nothing else, if something goes out then you have a backup until you can replace it with the proper one. Provided it works, even at limited capability.

Though if that HDMI cable was from an old computer, what happened to the one that came with your DirecTV box? Well no matter, glad you found a good HDMI cable to use.

Thank you Juniper for the 4K equipment details!  Ridiculous, I have been paying for the Pre. Protection plan for years and knew nothing about any of this!  Good customer service is long gone for relying on the corporations to tell you any of this stuff.  I really appreciate all the comments and information here.  So much to learn and hardly any time.

It's always a good idea to try to improve your communication and entertainment setup. When you quickly and easily obtain the information you require, it fills you with satisfaction and adds to the thrill. All you need for your investment to be worthwhile are the appropriate instruments and sufficient technical understanding.

You can connect your antennae to your devices, but the finest coaxial cable for 4K also allows you to do more. Additionally, you get to enhance the caliber of your display.

@daviddarwin 

Interesting philosophy. Though there is no "finest coaxial cable" for 4K from DirecTV. It is satellite service. The receiving dish/LNB and boxes must be 4K compatible. They use the same SWM setup for all their installs regardless if you have 4K or not. Coax is the same either way for DirecTV as they don't change it based on if you have 4K or not.

Did you have a question related to to the prior conversation or just sharing musings?

It should be noted that there is very little 4K programming and just a few 4k channels. Many people prefer the flexibility of a wireless client versus the very limited benefits of 4k. But each person's situation and preferences are different.