Gemini -- Multiple Disappointments

Technically the Gemini doesn't get the 4K channels none of the minis can, you need an HS17 Genie2 to get those channels. AFAIK channels 104/105 are documentary channels that repeat while the rest are PPV and a few live sports.  The last Genie that supported caller id was the HR44.

I was plenty explicit when I asked about the Gemini & 4K programming, and I was clear that I had an old (pre-4K) Genie.  So, you are telling me that the DirecTV "specialist" misinformed me about the ability of my system to take advantage of my 4K TV.  Add that to my disappointments.

That representative suggested that I would be able to view 4K programming via the Gemini when I am viewing a streaming service that supports 4K.  I see that Amazon Prime does have "Top Gun Maverick" in 4K.  Should I look forward to viewing it in 4K?

AFAIK the Gemini is not suppose to work with what appears is an HR44 you have, the HR44 can record 4K PPV it doesn't get the 4K channels.  Only an HR54 Genie or the HS17 get the 4K channels.

The question is whether I can view 4K programming via Amazon Prime, Max, Hulu, etc. via the Gemini?  I'm pretty sure DirecTV doesn't have a sufficient offering to interest me.  I'm already paying too much for pay-per-view programming, and the documentaries are not worth it.

You don't need a Gemini to do that any streaming device connected to the 4K TV will work or using the TV apps as will the Gemini.

We appreciate you taking the time to share this feedback about our Gemini device, @looknsee. We keep working with content providers to expand our 4K content offering. We'll share your suggestions about the shape of the buttons, the skip 30 seconds feature, the timing of button lights, and the caller ID with our team, as our goal is to give you an unmatched viewing experience. You can check more about the Gemini through this link: https://www.directv.com/support/satellite/article/000091357. We'll meet you in a private message to assist you with the login on our website. Christian, DIRECTV Community Specialist

Okay, a couple of days ago, I watched the USFL playoff on one of the 4K channels.  The picture looked nice, but with my poor eyesight, it wasn't much of an improvement.  The audio, however, was clearly better.  There it was, 4th quarter, with maybe 4 minutes left in the game, and the trailing team had the ball inside the 10 on 4th down.  Then up pops a screen that says "Thanks for watching Live Sports in 4K".  It was 7:00 PST, the scheduled time slot was over.  No other programming scheduled on that channel.  Nice (not).

Here is a picture of my two remotes.  The one on the left is the remote for my old original Genie, and the one on the right came with the new Gemini.  Some observations:

1. Missing from the Gemini remote is the "Skip Ahead" or "Slip Ahead" button, looks like "-->]".  This is the button I use the most (by far) on the old remote.
2. On the old Genie remote, the buttons surrounding the "Select" button all have distinct shapes.  On the Gemini remote, all the buttons surrounding the "OK" button are basically the same shape.  It's difficult to tell what button of this group you are touching on the Gemini remote.
3. The number buttons on the old remote are larger, and the "5" button has a little bump on it.  On the Gemini remote, the buttons are smaller, spread out a bit, and all feel the same.  It's hard to tell which number button you are touching on the new remote.
4. The buttons just seem a little more spread out on the new remote, and they are strictly in a grid.  
5. Overall, it's difficult to determine which button you are touching because all of them feel alike.
6. As I mentioned, it's nice that the buttons light up when pressed, but the implementation falls far short:
   1. Lighting up AFTER you pressed the button is too late.
   2. The light is pretty dim -- not bright enough for my poor eyesight.
7. It's not clear to be the difference between "Last", "Back", "Prev".
8. On the old remote, using the left arrow button would back out.  Not so on the new remote, and it's not clear how to mimic the old left arrow button functionality.

I have an advanced computer science degree specializing in user interfaces.  This new remote needs work.  I'd suggest watching beta testers trying to use these remotes, maybe with some kind of key logger.

What is a "BBB complaint"?

Better Businesses Bureau

A couple more comments about the remote:

1. I keep accidentally pressing "Prev" when I want to press ">>>" -- they are right next to each other & are in the same shape.  And when you press "Prev" accidentally, it's not that easy to recover.
2. Another use for the "Skip/Slip" button ("->|").  If you have a long recording & you start playback, a timeline appears at the bottom of the screen, and it's usually divided into 15 or 30 minute segments.  If you are going any speed of fast forward, pressing "Skip/Slip" jumps to the next segment boundary.  That's handy.

Use the right arrow button next to the ok button to skip ahead 30 seconds,But it does it slower than the Genie did before adding Gemini

I've also found that the spoken interface works kinda okay.  I can press the microphone button, say "Skip ahead 3 minutes", and it kinda does.

I recently switched from the genie receiver to the Gemini receiver and my wife totally despises the new remote control. She has to turn the bedside lamp on constantly to find the right keys on the remote control. I trie to program the old RC73 genie remote control to be used with the Gemini receiver and I was able to program it to control all the Gemini functions but it will not turn my tv on/off or control the volume. If any of the users has been able to accomplish this I would really appreciate you post your solution so that we can go back to the old RC73 control remote and dump the one that came with the Gemini 

I received the new Gemini satellite receiver where I can watch satellite tv as well as streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, Peacock, etc. and It comes with its own remote control. I replaced the Genie Mini receivers that was controlled by the RC73 remote control which my wife prefers over the new Gemini remote but even though I was able to program the RC73 (genie remote) to control the DirecTV functions as well as the streaming apps, I cannot power my tv on or off or control the volume