Upgrade to HS17 Sanity Check

The Gemini will stream 4K content from the internet but as you say will not get the satellite 4K channels.

The HR44 doesn't need a DECA BB is it can be connected to an Ethernet cable or WiFi to your home network.

DTV only allows one Genie per account so you can't keep the HR44 also the HS17 account will not allow anything but clients so you will lose any H or HR receivers.

Doubtful DTV will allow you to self install an HS17 and there is no way to connect it to any TV you need to add another client.

Thanks for the replies.  I am not always pleased with the answers I get when calling in and I have probably contributed to a degree of confusion.  DTV just sent me a Gemini but that's only half the solution.  At one point I asked for a HR54 and I could get one for $154.  A different time they absolutely insisted on the HS17 and I thought the only location available to me was in front of the TV and blocking 6 inches of the screen.  The third phone call resulted in a Gemini being shipped to connect to my HR44.  Found a shelf in my TV cabinet is moveable so either HR54 or HS17 will fit.  Time to call again and probably just punt and go with the HS17.  Anyway, thanks for the replies.

He only has 2 TVs and already has a 4K mini client,

Keeping the HR44 isn't an option as I want Satellite 4K on my primary TV.  It would be nice to just replace the HR44 with a HR54 but someone indicated that both switching to the HR54 or going to the HS17 will require a tech installation.  Something about some differences between the the divices.  My second TV is not 4K capable and I only have the two TV's.  My wife and I are both in our 80's so expanding to more TV's is not on the schedule.

Due to the actors strike, I have almost nothing recorded on either DVR so undertaking so this is a good time to do this.

Just got off the phone with DTV.  Seems there are no specials available for the Genie 2 so it's full price.  $495 for the HS17 and another $99 to replace the HR24.  The service call wasn't mentioned and not sure about Gemini on top of the Genie 2.  So much for being a long term Directv customer.  I think it's been over 15 years and DTV just barely survived the loss of the Sunday Ticket.

Strange Solid Signal leases them for $400. It is possible that the Gemini you got counted as your free upgrade for every 2 yrs of service so you need to wait another 2 yrs or pay it.  You don't need another mini for the other TV use the Gemini.

The DTV rep. said she couldn't get anything to work since I had a Gemini order in process so she cancelled the Gemini order.  The next obstacle was the Gemini would not work with the HS17, only with the HR series of boxes.  I question that and next it was the HS17 would not work with the HR24.  It was a 45 minute phone call where nothing was changed with my account however I suspect the order for the Gemini sitting on my desk was cancelled.  Later I may connect the Gemini to my HR44 and see if I can activate it.  Not terribly impressed with DTV at this time.

I know about the receiver issue with the Genie 2 and told the woman the HR24 needed replaced with a mini but she went off on a tangent and it took another 20 minutes before that issue was resolved.

Why would there still be an order for the Gemini that is sitting on your desk?  DTV support needs better training.

Maybe Gemini order remains open until unit is installed and activated.  Who knows and concur with need for training.  

The HR24 would be replaced by the Gemini no additional mini needed.

The HR44 is connected to cable and has Cat5 internet available.  It is connected to a brand new smart 77" OLED 4K TV.  The TV is connected to the internet and provides streaming services.  The HR24 is connected to cable and connected to a very old dumb plasma TV.  It is also connected to a Fire Cube providing streaming services.

Both TV's require two controllers.  My original goal was to upgrade to 4K on the new TV and use the Gemini to accessing everything so that my wife only had to deal with a single controller.

At this time I think my best approach is to use the Gemini sitting on my desk and connect it to the HR44.  I expect activation may be a problem since the order was cancelled.  I will end up with a single controller for all my television needs.  The HR24 remains in the system.

After this configuration is fully functional I can look into replacing the HR44 with a HR54 in order to add the DTV 4K channels.  Doing this will depend on cost and will also depend on how much I have recorded on the HR44 that will go away.  This approach should also simplify the problem for the DTV representative.

Does anyone see a problem with this approach.

The Gemini needs to be connect to the 4K TV to provide 4K programs.

Juniper.  I don't see a need for a HR54 with this configuration.  HR44 co-located with Gemini and connected to the new 4K TV.  I should be able to watch any 4K program that is streamed through the Gemini.  Directv programs will not display any 4K programs.  No change to the HR24 receiver connected to the old TV.

4K on the Directv satellite channels will be put on hold until later.