Trouble upgrading equipment using DIRECTV Protection Plan

What are the model numbers of the receivers you have?  You don't need the protection plan for updates as you get one every 2 years of service in good standing.

I have a HR44-700 and four C51-100's

The HR44 is fine unless you want 4K.  The only upgrade would be to the HS17 that is a mini client only system and doesn't connect to any TV so you will have 5 mini clients

What about the gemini? While researching I saw that it is the most recent receiver. Also I did hear that about not needing a protection plan to upgrade. However the agents say I don't have "any offers on my account" to upgrade which is the part I'm confused with.

The Gemini is just another mini client with the added ability to download and stream some streaming apps used by streaming providers without changing the TV input/source.  Adding new equipment counts as a upgrade. If you haven't added anything in 2 years then there is a free upgrade.

Once it has been over 2 years of active service since your last upgrade (adding a TV counts), with account in good standing, your account should be qualified for a free upgrade. This is regardless of the Protection Plan. It simply gives agents an exact date they can check.

Protection plan covers Service Calls for repair ($99), delivery of replacement boxes ($19.95), and remotes ($15, though usually cheaper through online retailers. In my opinion and experience, it is cheaper to pay the one-time costs as needed instead of forever paying for something whether you use it or not.

Upgrades (free or one-time lease cost) come with a 24 month service agreement. Since you already have a Genie setup, it only affects your monthly bill if you add another TV.

Traditionally, I would suggest replacing one of your Mini Genie Clients with an HDDVR. This is because only 3 Clients can be in use at one time, meaning you cannot use all TVs at the same time with your current setup. Unfortunately, DirecTV has been pushed to Client-only setups so supposedly HDDVRs are no longer available through them. Though you can get them through 3rd party Authorized Retailers, such as Solid Signal, but at their one-time lease cost of $199 as you have to get straight from DirecTV for the free upgrade.

The Gemini (C71KW) is a Client. So it is similar to Mini Genies (hence the same model number format). It is capable of being wired to coax or wireless, via a wireless video bridge (WVB), where wireless Mini Genies (C41W and C61W) are wireless only. The biggest difference is the Gemini is capable of downloading apps like other streaming boxes. This duality would explain the new name of "Gemini".

Just like the Mini Genie C61K, the Gemini is 4K capable if your main Genie is either the 3rd generation (HR54), or the Genie-2 (HS17) which doesn't go on a TV itself being a Headless Server tower that runs all the Clients.

In your case there is one upgrade to consider, the Genie-2 (HS17). Though it puts a Client on the TV your Genie is on, all TVs may be in use. It has 7 tuners and 2TB recording space, compared to the 5 tuners and 1TB space of your HR54. The downside is there is no Picture in Picture (PiP) and you no longer have the capability for separate HDDVRs as the Genie-2 forbids them.

If you upgrade make sure you are caught up on recordings first as they do not transfer to the replacement equipment.

Too much questionable info comes from chat lately, plus no transcripts are saved to the account. That is why I prefer not to use it and call instead.

I just finished talking to a representative who said that if I wanted all gemini receivers I'd have to pay for them ($700 in total) Is that normal? They also said they can upgrade me for free to a genie 2 and genie mini wireless. I told them to place the order and once I checked the receipt, I noticed that they only gave me four genie minis. Wont I need five since the genie 2 can't be connect to a tv? I'd rather have the gemini's but if its considered special equipment i'll just get the genie minis.

@shannon02 you said that you don't need the protection plan for updates.  When did this change because when I look at the information on protection plans (Learn about DIRECTV protection plans | DIRECTV Support) it clearly states:

1. DIRECTV PROTECTION PLAN protects all DIRECTV receivers (including Gemini) and offers an equipment upgrade every 2 years (requires a renewed 24-month agreement).

Since DTV started, DTV gives you a free upgrade every 2 years you are a customer in good standing with or with out the protection plan.

All the basic protection plan covers is the cost for a service call ($99) shipping cost for a replacement receiver ($19.95) and replacing remotes that are cheaper online.

For most it is a waste of money as the one time cost is cheaper in the long run.