Directv Gemini disconnects from Genie 2

DTV doesn't use your home network, the WVB and the minis setup their own network only they can use.  You can add another WVB by using coax connected to the SWM splitter to get it closer to the C71WK Gemini.

So you are saying the Geni 2 and the Gemini cannot be on your local wireless network?

Hmm... mine is... watching it right now...

Of course the Genie's can connect to your home network via WiFi or ethernet. But that's not how the wireless Mini Genie's/Gemini boxes communicate. They use a proprietary wireless network connection to communicate with each other when they're streaming video from the main Genie DVR. 

So you are saying that besides the wifi network my Gemini says it is connected to, it is also connected to another wifi network?

I was also of the understanding that the Gemini had options different/other from the Geni mini.

This is what the techs said to me, i.e. I had to use the "wireless video bridge" for my mini, as opposed to using it's own wifi.

Greg

That is true! It is some funky Directv_WVB....etc. WiFi name. However, I thought that the whole point of the wireless is to be wireless. As I said before, I had the C41 wireless mini for over 5 years with no drops at all....and now all of a sudden the Gemini drops every day. I wonder if this box is ready for prime time.

yep, I was having trouble, and my Gemini was hooked to that funky Directv_wvb whatever network, and I was having breakup/stalls.

Moved it to my 2.4 (and also tried my 5 gig) network, and now no problems.

I doubt seriously my Gemini has 2 separate wifi units that allow it to connect to 2 different networks at the same time.

Greg

The Genie can use your home WiFi network to connect to the internet that is all.  The WVB and wireless clients setup a different WiFi network, using your home WiFi for the clients causes problems which is why DTV uses their own network.

Yes, the Gemini was originally connected to that Directv_WVB network and had dropouts, then I tried to connect to my home wifi and still the same. I don't know. I wonder if there has anything to do with Mac addresses, IP6, etc.

Then you need to move them closer or add another WVB with coax to the SWM splitter.  This is why we don't recommend using WiFi as coax works a lot better.

All that the C71KW Gemini can do is use streaming apps without having to switch the TV input/source and being able to stream 4K using WiFi then a regular mini. 

I was getting dropouts on my Gemini on programs I had recorded.

So those come from the Geni

Since changing my Gemini to my own wifi, these problems have gone.

That's all I can tell you. I see what people are posting, that the Gemini gets it's recorded data from the Geni 2, but this simple change helped.

Who knows if the Gemini connected to the Directv wifi caused issues (they are very close together). Since the system worked terribly before, I'm happy with that setup so far, so that's what works for me.

I have a wifi sniffer and will investigate the wifi just out of interest.

Perhaps the Gemini can get signal from both the nearby Directv wifi and also my home wifi... who knows?

I just checked the Geni2 and it is likewise connected to my 2.4 gig wifi.

I was even having issues getting Geni 2 info from the menu, now that is no issue.

Also the Geni 2 indicates it is connected to the MoCA network via the coax, as is my wireless video bridge, so perhaps the MoCA network is supplying video to the Geni mini, as my old system did...

Anyway I will investigate, and have not explored the settings in the mini.

Greg

Greg

The C71KW Gemini has no tuner or hard drive all programs are recorded on the Genie then streamed to it.  So far it is working but it is not a DTV approved method and DTV will not service it.  IIRC there needs to be at least 3' between the WVB/HS17 and wireless mini.

OK, yes I do know that the Genie has the hard drive, don't really know why you want to tell me the obvious. (I helped design DTV receivers back in the day when there were many manufacturers, I do have some comprehension of how they are built, we designed at least 7 DTV receivers, so I have a little experience)

On DTV not servicing it, well I don't care since the Geni support group did not solve my issue without my suggestion. And when I did change the Geni and Gemini to my local wifi and it fixed all the issues, I was not informed any storm troopers were coming for me, so honestly, I don't give a rats patoot about it not being an approved configuration, it works better this way, and had terrible issues the other way, both the tech and I were pleased.

So, YMMV (your mileage may vary) but this worked for me. If it goes nuts in the future, they can reconfigure it to their hearts content, as long as they find a solution.

A brand new installation with these problems is not a feather in their cap, nor eternal (Edited per community guidelines)ation for me.

Greg

Did a bit more research today, looked at the info on the Geni mini in my garage. The installers said that due to the distance from my Geni 2 and the Geni mini in the garage, they needed to add an external wireless video bridge.

So, getting the info from the Geni Mini, it was interesting..

The internal wireless bridge is connected to my Gemini in my living room

The external wireless bridge is connected to the Geni 2 in my living room

both wireless bridges are on wifi channel 136

both report signal quality excellent.

the bridge s/w version in the Geni Mini 0.01.065, and the external one is 0.06.65

At some point I will experiment with disconnecting one of the bridges, but it seems to me at this point, the system looks for network paths and tries all kinds of connections, as the system also reports that MoCA is also active over the coax (the external WVB has MoCA).

Crazy stuff, but working flawlessly right now, and not one storm trooper has appeared telling me I'm a bad boy, ha ha.

Learning bit by bit, but I'l love to sit down with a real engineer in DTV and really find out the algorithm the system uses to build it's little network.

I was surprised that they use 5gig wi-fi for the video bridge, since the 5 gig does not go as far as the 2.4 gig will for the same speed.

Of course the fact the Geni 2 only seems to want to connect to 2.4 is also nuts, but I have connected it to 5 gig, even though I was told it was 2.4 only.

Seems to be a lot of "information" that is not exactly right, but passes by hearsay, or just lack of solid information.

Greg

Could be they use 5G to be able to stream 4K to the C71KW Gemini.