Finally thinking about upgrading our equipment....

Upgrading to the HS17 will mean losing the HR24 and replacing it with a client.

The C71KW is the newest client and can be wired or wireless and it will allow you to stream some streaming apps without having to change the TV input.

The Genie-2 (HS17) forbids HDDVRs. It only permits Clients. That reduction of capability and putting all boxes dependent on one, makes it a downgrade for some of us.

I would have suggested replacing the Mini Genie with an HDDVR so you have dedicated tuners, processing, and recording space. But DirecTV was heavily pushed away from that option by AT&T. Now that the sale has closed, we have to wait to see what the new owner decides to do for the future of equipment.

You could upgrade your C41W to a C61K (4K Mini Genie). That would require swapping your HR44 for the HR54 to be compatible. As you may have noticed from the model number, the 4K Mini is wired only. But wired is better than wireless in general. Keep in mind, there is very little true 4K content so only a small handful of channels.

The HR54 supports only 1 TV using a 4K channel at a time but the Genie-2 is capable of 2 at the same time. There is no option to have all 3 TVs on a 4K channel at the same time.

With either 4K upgrade you lose your existing upgrades for any box replaced. They do not transfer to the new one.

Thanks for the replies (and sorry for my late one).  So, the simplest upgrade would be the HS17 and 3 C61k's or 3 C71k's?   Is there any benefit for one or the other?  We do have roku sticks on each tv where we do most of our streaming.  Also, will directv hit us for four boxes (we only have four tv's).

If you upgrade to the Genie-2, then all your TVs are on Clients. It has issues then it affects all TVs. All boxes are replaced, meaning you lose every single recording you currently have. There is essentially no going back, unless the new owner reintroduces dedicated HDDVR/Receivers later.

The C71KW is the Gemini. Like the Mini Genies it is a Client. But it was originally built for the streaming-only service and was later released with a firmware version for satellite. (as a note, you cannot swap it between satellite and streaming-only customers). It uses the RC8X series remote, not the RC7X (Genie) or RC6X (white universal for the pre-Genie boxes).

You say 4 TVs, but listed you have 3 boxes. If you add one more TV total, that raises your bill by $7 of course.

The big questions is are you comfortable with all TVs having Clients that requires an additional box sitting by itself (as it doesn't go on a TV) to run them and losing all your recordings and individual settings? If so then the Genie-2 would be the upgrade and you could have up to two TVs with the limited 4K content. Otherwise, unless you want a wired Client to get a bit of 4K content then there isn't a proper upgrade to what you have.

Well, it looks like one factor has now been taken out of my control, the HR24 has stopped working. It has been stuck on the Step 1 screen despite  unplugging, red button push, etc. so I now need to do something.  I guess my options are to go with a new 4K system, or just replace this one box. I really don’t care what is saved on the currently working HR44. If I replace the one box, I’ll still need a two year contract, I assume (we’ve been subscribers for 20 years, so this isn’t that big of a deal). 

if I go with the 4K upgrade, what are the pros and con of the 61 v 71 client, one of the tvs has Roku built in and another has a stick.  Our third tv is actually a tube tv that may be upgraded in the next year…..

A warranty replacement which would be like to like (HDDVR to HDDVR) would not come with a service agreement, but an upgrade (i.e. HDDVR to Client, Genie to Genie-2, etc.) would.

Gemini (C71KW) uses a different remote (RC8X series) where Genies and Mini Genie Clients (Except 1st gen, the HR34 and C31) use the same (RC7X series). The Gemini does have built-in support for streaming apps, but if you already have a Roku, Firestick, etc. not a big feature. The Gemini is the only Client that is both wired and wireless capable (still up to 80 feet under ideal conditions like your C41W).

Genie-2 (HS17) has the wireless video bridge (WVB) built-in, but you can still use your external WVB depending on your home coverage needs.

Is there a system that can have 23 boxes in 2 buildings witha a genie in the ADU with 3 boxes and the rest in the main house. Currently running hr24's and h24's in main house and a genie with 2 clients for a total of 3 total in the ADU. There is one dish we are using sonora design gear to seperate it out at the ADU before sending it to the main house.

@adams_208 

If you are a legacy account then you can have practically as many as you are willing to pay for. The new system only permits up to 8 devices.

However, at that many you may need to split between two setups by having two dishes. As I recall the SWM-32 doesn't manage sharing Whole Home DVR between all boxes as not intended for a residential account. Would still be one account, just two sets of boxes. Clients must be connected to main Genie of course.

Unfortunately DirecTV has made regular HDDVRs in years since they were pushed to an all-in-one setup (Genie-2 with Clients only), hence the device limit on new accounts. They are getting harder to come by and some have had issues with activating them, even when acquired through legitimate 3rd party retailers. Really hope with ATT selling off DirecTV that one day they would remove those restrictions.