Stream via Internet using C71KW-400

Hey there! That's a great question, and we're happy to help you out. Yes, you can absolutely enjoy your Gemini device C71KW-400 for the same purposes, only remember, while traveling outside your designated market area, the programming may be limited. Also, please keep in mind that you can only stream on up to three different devices that are connected to a network outside your home.

If you'd like to learn more about this, please feel free to check out https://www.directv.com/support/article/000079946. And, of course, if you have any other questions at all, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're always here to help you out. Thank you for choosing DIRECTV and have a great rest of your day!

directv via Internet is a separate service that you must pay for other than the DIRECTV satellite service.

The C71KW-400 is a traditional Gemini receiver. The newest one is the Gemini Air, for DIRECTV via INTERNET customers. 

DIRECTV also re-purposed the Gemini receiver to be used for their satellite receiver. Many just refer to it as the Gemini Satellite TV 4K client. If you are asking about this, you can use it along with your main Genie DVR, but cannot travel with it without the Genie DVR or portable satellite dish.

Thank you @detuch254 - I'm a satellite customer with a Genie in the house, but I use a Roku with the DTV app on occasion.  So I'm talking about using the C71KW-400 box as a streaming device, over the internet the same as I'm using a Roku (with DTV App) on my satellite account today.  No connection to the Genie.  DTV says it will do what I want, so we'll see.

The functionality of the Roku DTV app on a satellite account has been getting better.  A few months ago much of the functionality that was supposed to work did not work, but some of it is working now so DTV is making some improvements.  It's nice to have the ability to use an app on a Roku or FireTV Stick on occasion if needed and it works pretty well.

DTV has done a great job of making the 3 DTV services as confusing as possible.   :)  However, I do understand the differences between the three.  In hindsight, I should not have use the word "via" in my post's title.  :)

Sorry, whatever agent who told ypu that you could use the C71KW to stream on your satellite account away from home is incorrect. That box for streaming is solely for DIRECTV via INTERNET customers. Again, DIRECTV via INTERNET is a separate subscription

@detuch254 Thank you!  The rep posted it IN THIS THREAD... just look up above.  :)

Andrea said: 

"Hey there! That's a great question, and we're happy to help you out. Yes, you can absolutely enjoy your Gemini device C71KW-400 for the same purposes"

So it seems even DTV is confused about how their products work.  I'm not surprised.

Thank you for being so interested in our services. We have Gemini for both Satellite and Via Internet. Both devices share the same characteristics except for how they get our signal. While the Via Internet gets it from a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, the Satellite version gets our signal from the dish. If you want to use a Gemini instead of your Roku, please make sure to use a via Internet version. If more assistance or information is needed, DIRECTV is a message away. Gabriel, DIRECTV Community Specialist

@DIRECTVhelp 

The OP would still need a separate DIRECTV via INTERNET subscription anyway. They are asking to use it with their satellite account for streaming. This is not true.

@detuch254 yeah, that 2nd explanation is clear as mud!

:)

We want to provide you with personalized assistance since we suggest you get our device through our official channels to avoid future inconveniences. We'll send you a PM to discuss your options to get our Gemini. For more information about our device via Internet or Satellite, please visit here https://www.directv.com/technology/ Gabriel, DIRECTV Community Specialist

@DIRECTVhelp 

I believe the question originally asked has been answered, and therefore any further private conversations would be unrelated to the concern at hand. That’s just my say, do as you please.

@detuch254 You are 100% correct!!  I got a C71KW-400 box and it will not let me sign in using my SATELLITE Account credentials.  "Care Code: 201" is the error.  :)

However, I have a STREAM account which is not active (subscription trial was cancelled) and it will let me sign in with those credentials, but then it just says: hey you have to call us to reconnect your STREAM subscription.

So maybe it works with STREAM?  I don't know.  But I do know it WILL NOT WORK WITH SATELLITE credentials.

@User5 

Correct. You need a separate subscription for directv stream/directv via INTERNET in order to use the Gemini box for streaming rather than satellite.

Supposedly there are 2 versions of the C71KW, one has the software for internet streaming using DTV streaming service and one that has the DTV sat service software.

@shannon02 

Yes this is true. The Gemini for Satellite box has software flashed to work like a Genie client. It will NOT be able to stream any sort of live TV outside of being connected to the main Genie DVR.

The Gemini for Internet specifically asks for a username and password when booting up, compared to the Gemini with satellite firmware which straight up starts looking for a main Genie DVR to pair to.

You can however use a Gemini box that was previously used for streaming as a satellite client provided you have a HR44 or HR54 that is authorized for at least one client. The way to do this is do a factory reset by holding the reset button in until a resetting message appears on the screen, maybe about 30 to 45 seconds. Then when it boots up to the screen where it asks for your network enter 2326 on the remote. This will cause another reset and when it boots up this time it will boot up to the screen where it asks you to get the pin number on your Genie. You can than replace an existing client with the Gemini. This will not work with a Genie 2 as it only allows clients that have their Mac address authorized in the system. But as has been said it will not stream if not connected to Genie.