getting direcTV genie for free!!! update, gave me the newer genie HR44 instead

[hclarkjr]

couple months back i called and asked about getting one and how much it would cost. the CSR told me it would cost to much at that point but that there was an upcoming promotion for me starting in march.
i called last friday to see about getting one and was told there was no promotion for me and that he was not sure what the other CSR was talking about. i was not happy about that and remember that somebody posted an email in the direcTV forums at satelliteguys for the office of the president of direcTV.
i emailed them and explained what had happened and received a phone call today. person was very nice and gave me a free genie at no cost with free install!! coming next Wednesday to install it for me, never got this kind of service from dish network or comcast.

 

[Josh123]

So will this renew your contract with them?

I've yet to upgrade any of my equipment since my contract has been up.

 

[hclarkjr]

yes that is automatic with any equipment they give you. the contract doesn't bother me as i am very happy with the service i am getting from them. i have no plans on switching as i get sunday ticket and extra innings every year.

 

[KLin]

DirecTV retention gave us a genie for free, hbo/cinemax for price of 1, NFL sunday ticket for free this coming season, and 20 bucks off the monthly bill for the next 6 months. Genie gets installed tomorrow. w00t

 

[SunnyD]

I'm about to drop them. I can't see paying $50/month just to watch the 3 or so channels we watch (and that's $50 AFTER haggling all the discounts that I can wring out of them).

I'll miss Sunday Ticket, but meh. Without discounts AND referral credits, my bill would top over $100/month and that's without any premium channels or Sunday Ticket. No thanks.

 

[DaveSimmons]

I don't watch sports, so for me $2 an episode from Amazon for a few shows and discs or streaming from Netflix for the rest is a lot cheaper than dish or cable.

I canceled my cable almost 2 years ago and haven't regretted it.

 

[hclarkjr]

they came today instead and gave me the newer genie the HR44

 

[LookBehindYou]

Whats the dif between the HR34 and the 44? I ask because I've had directv for a month and got the 34. No issues with it, just curious of the differences.

 

[Imported]

I've had the 34 for a while.. looks like the 44 would be a nice upgrade, but I don't plan on paying for it. http://www.engadget.com/2013/01/08/directv-hr44-whole-home-genie-hd-dvr-hands-on/ I really like the size.. the 34 just fits in the TV console slot I have for it.

 

[CPA]

DirecTV retention gave us a genie for free, hbo/cinemax for price of 1, NFL sunday ticket for free this coming season, and 20 bucks off the monthly bill for the next 6 months. Genie gets installed tomorrow. w00t

I can guarantee that if I call I will not get any of this and I've been a customer for 15+ years. It pisses me off to no end.

Also, I'm still confused as to how the Genie works. Do the smaller boxes use wireless to connect to the main?

Does it use only one line or does it need multiple (like the current systems) did get and record more than one channel at a time.

I know that Directv has another lesser-known SWM device that will let you use more than one receiver per line. Does it utilize that device?

 

[iamwiz82]

Somewhat unrelated, but the girl who plays the genie was born in 1990. I feel old.

 

[Imported]

I think it uses wireless to connect to the main for recording/retrieving shows off the DVR. They installed what appeared to be a wireless adapter of some sort that needed to connect to my router. The smaller box is connected to a line though.

 

[LookBehindYou]

They connect through the coax lines, it's some form of wired network through coax. We have the 34 and the main receiver is in the living room, the little boxes on the rest of the tvs, with one even smaller box hooked up to the router. The smaller box hooked up to the router is also hooked to the small box hooked to the tv. Yes you can record/view up to 5 sources. Just be aware though the number decreases when you are watching it on differnt tvs.

watch tv in two rooms and you can record three more sources. If you have five recordings going at once, all tvs will be tuned to one of the shows that is being recorded. If you have five tvs all turned on something different and a recording starts, one of those tvs will switch to what is being recorded.

Edit: It uses the MoCA standard for the wired network over coax (Multimedia Over Coax Alliance)

 

[weadjust]

The genie uses the single wire system. All receivers including the the new C-31 client for the genie requires one coax cable. The wireless adapter connected to the internet is for downloading video on demand and other internet stuff like youtube, pandora, etc. The genie can record up to 5 channels at the same time. After all the loyalty, auto pay credits, etc. Directv updated my system for -12 bucks when I threatened to switch to dish and get a Joey.

 

[SunnyD]

I think it uses wireless to connect to the main for recording/retrieving shows off the DVR. They installed what appeared to be a wireless adapter of some sort that needed to connect to my router. The smaller box is connected to a line though.

That's a DECA box. There's two kinds, the older wired one - if it's connected via ethernet to your router, and the newer wireless one which connects wifi to your router. Either will then have a coax OUT to your wall jack, which then bridges your ethernet network with the coax network via MoCA. The DirecTV boxes (prefer to) use this as their network of choice, even though you can connect them directly via ethernet if you have the capability to. I'm not sure about the newer boxes and whether they support wifi directly. All I know is that DirecTV techs pretty much won't "support" you unless you're using a DECA setup, because they won't support your home network - They'll only support the coax. So if there's any sort of connectivity issues and you're using straight ethernet, they'll tell you to screw off.

Oh, and it's also so that they can get to sell you the DECA gear as well.

Here's a neat little trick though - if you have a DECA setup, you can buy ONE OF THESE (you'll need the AC adapter for it too), plug it into a coax jack and then plug ANY ethernet device into it and bam... you just connected the device to your home router/ethernet via coax. I have my desktop PC hooked up via one since I got absolutely horrible wifi coverage in my house. 100Mbps solid over coax is far nicer than 5Mbps over wifi at best. I'm actually thinking of getting another one to put upstairs so I can run another wifi access point for better coverage at the other end of the house.

(Just fyi if you do this, because of the frequencies involved for DBS, you can NOT use most standard off-the-shelf cable MoCA gear with the DirecTV DECA system - use what I linked or it won't work.)

 

[CPA]

That's a DECA box. There's two kinds, the older wired one - if it's connected via ethernet to your router, and the newer wireless one which connects wifi to your router. Either will then have a coax OUT to your wall jack, which then bridges your ethernet network with the coax network via MoCA. The DirecTV boxes (prefer to) use this as their network of choice, even though you can connect them directly via ethernet if you have the capability to. I'm not sure about the newer boxes and whether they support wifi directly. All I know is that DirecTV techs pretty much won't "support" you unless you're using a DECA setup, because they won't support your home network - They'll only support the coax. So if there's any sort of connectivity issues and you're using straight ethernet, they'll tell you to screw off.

Oh, and it's also so that they can get to sell you the DECA gear as well.

Here's a neat little trick though - if you have a DECA setup, you can buy ONE OF THESE (you'll need the AC adapter for it too), plug it into a coax jack and then plug ANY ethernet device into it and bam... you just connected the device to your home router/ethernet via coax. I have my desktop PC hooked up via one since I got absolutely horrible wifi coverage in my house. 100Mbps solid over coax is far nicer than 5Mbps over wifi at best. I'm actually thinking of getting another one to put upstairs so I can run another wifi access point for better coverage at the other end of the house.

(Just fyi if you do this, because of the frequencies involved for DBS, you can NOT use most standard off-the-shelf cable MoCA gear with the DirecTV DECA system - use what I linked or it won't work.)

I assume that only works if you have a cable modem. For those of us using DSL, we have to use wireless?

What down speeds are required for the wireless units to get them to work well enough?

 

[CPA]

The genie uses the single wire system. All receivers including the the new C-31 client for the genie requires one coax cable. The wireless adapter connected to the internet is for downloading video on demand and other internet stuff like youtube, pandora, etc. The genie can record up to 5 channels at the same time. After all the loyalty, auto pay credits, etc. Directv updated my system for -12 bucks when I threatened to switch to dish and get a Joey.

Okay, so each box, the main one and the smaller ones, each need their own dedicated coax cable? Currently, I have a receiver in my garage. However, I had to disconnect it when I put in a TV in our dining room-converted to family room. They share the same wall, thus the only coax line in the wall. the two receivers obviously cannot share the line. Doesn't sound like Genie will remedy that situation.

 

[hclarkjr]

Whats the dif between the HR34 and the 44? I ask because I've had directv for a month and got the 34. No issues with it, just curious of the differences.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/305778-HR34-vs-HR44?p=3142490#post3142490 guy there listed the following changes -

Smaller with external power adapter
Faster, significantly
Better client performance
Wireless CCK built in, but no wireless clients to date (possible future)
Optical/Coax audio instead of just coax
New RC71 Remote with new RF coding (not backward compatible in RF)

 

[Imported]

That's a DECA box. There's two kinds, the older wired one - if it's connected via ethernet to your router, and the newer wireless one which connects wifi to your router. Either will then have a coax OUT to your wall jack, which then bridges your ethernet network with the coax network via MoCA. The DirecTV boxes (prefer to) use this as their network of choice, even though you can connect them directly via ethernet if you have the capability to. I'm not sure about the newer boxes and whether they support wifi directly. All I know is that DirecTV techs pretty much won't "support" you unless you're using a DECA setup, because they won't support your home network - They'll only support the coax. So if there's any sort of connectivity issues and you're using straight ethernet, they'll tell you to screw off.

Oh, and it's also so that they can get to sell you the DECA gear as well.

Here's a neat little trick though - if you have a DECA setup, you can buy ONE OF THESE (you'll need the AC adapter for it too), plug it into a coax jack and then plug ANY ethernet device into it and bam... you just connected the device to your home router/ethernet via coax. I have my desktop PC hooked up via one since I got absolutely horrible wifi coverage in my house. 100Mbps solid over coax is far nicer than 5Mbps over wifi at best. I'm actually thinking of getting another one to put upstairs so I can run another wifi access point for better coverage at the other end of the house.

(Just fyi if you do this, because of the frequencies involved for DBS, you can NOT use most standard off-the-shelf cable MoCA gear with the DirecTV DECA system - use what I linked or it won't work.)

Thanks. This makes a lot more sense.. believe that is exactly what the installer did; using a DECA box.

I'm pretty sure the coax in my apartment won't work to let me use that with my desktop PC though. IIRC, the install guy had to run separate coax from the dish to the living room and the one bedroom we have the other box in.

 

[Anubis]

every time i think about switching to DTV or Dish i go and read how people feel about them and just decided to stay with cable. see for every person that likes them there are 10000 that hate

 

[Imported]

http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/305778-HR34-vs-HR44?p=3142490#post3142490 guy there listed the following changes -

Smaller with external power adapter
Faster, significantly
Better client performance
Wireless CCK built in, but no wireless clients to date (possible future)
Optical/Coax audio instead of just coax
New RC71 Remote with new RF coding (not backward compatible in RF)

I dislike that the HR34 is so slow. The box in the other room is significantly faster just using the guide..

 

[Imported]

every time i think about switching to DTV or Dish i go and read how people feel about them and just decided to stay with cable

Honestly never had a problem with DTV. Comcast on the other hand.. ugh.

 

[hclarkjr]

Honestly never had a problem with DTV. Comcast on the other hand.. ugh.

totally agree, like to see comcrap treat a customer like i have been treated by direct

 

[boomhower]

They connect through the coax lines, it's some form of wired network through coax. We have the 34 and the main receiver is in the living room, the little boxes on the rest of the tvs, with one even smaller box hooked up to the router. The smaller box hooked up to the router is also hooked to the small box hooked to the tv. Yes you can record/view up to 5 sources. Just be aware though the number decreases when you are watching it on differnt tvs.

watch tv in two rooms and you can record three more sources. If you have five recordings going at once, all tvs will be tuned to one of the shows that is being recorded. If you have five tvs all turned on something different and a recording starts, one of those tvs will switch to what is being recorded.

Edit: It uses the MoCA standard for the wired network over coax (Multimedia Over Coax Alliance)

Your wrong or they screwed up your installation. The Genie has five tuners and can input five signals. The other boxes also have their own tuners inside them and do not use a tuner from the Genie. As long as they installed the correct satellite you should not be losing tuners from your Genie by watching something in another room.

 

[Andy22]

every time i think about switching to DTV or Dish i go and read how people feel about them and just decided to stay with cable. see for every person that likes them there are 10000 that hate

lol...that is the first time I have ever heard about someone saying customer service from cable company is better than DirecTV. I have been with them for 15+ years and their service has always been excellent. They even acknowledge by loyalty when I call. Would never switch but it helps they have exclusive rights to Sunday ticket. I cannot live without Sunday ticket