How to watch 4K on new LG TV with existing HR54-200 receiver

A 4K upgrade needs a tech. Depends on your setup on exactly how this is done as the HR54 cannot output 4K itself, but is needed as part of the 4K chain.

Little confused as you say with your HR54 you have "6 other minis". The HR54 has 5 tuners (2 reserved to itself), and Clients (Mini Genie or Gemini) have no tuners of their own. That means only up to 3 Clients can be in use at the same time, though it can pair with more. If you do have 6 Mini Genies, then you have a extremely sub-standard and limited setup.

To be sure, what are the models of each box beyond the HR54? Having 6 Minis only or mixed with other receiver/HDDVRs will answer which 4K upgrade is you option.

As Juniper points out, you will need a 4K-compatible Mini Genie connected to your 4K TV. 

I'm suspecting this is one of the rare cases to suggest the Genie-2, as can use up to 7 Clients at one time. Plus up to 2 TVs can use a 4K channel at the same time, where the HR54 only supports 1 at a time.

But if there are any dedicated recievers/HDDVRs, or great use of the Picture in Picture (PiP) feature, then replacing a Client with 4K model, and swapping location with HR54 (as Client must be on the 4K TV), might be the way to go.

Really hope now that AT&T is out of the picture of business and equipment direction, that we can move back to more customer friendly options.

@scashman 

If you have a Genie and 6 Clients, but nothing else, this is your current best option:

Upgrade to Genie-2 (HS17) with at least one 4K Mini Genie Client (C61K).

Genie (HR54) is replaced as you can only have one main Genie/Genie Lite/Genie-2.

HS17 is a Headless Server Tower. Doesn't go on a TV itself.

You have a Mini Genie at every TV.

HS17 has 7 tuners and 2 TB recording space, compared to 5 tuners and 1 TB of HR54.

Since HS17 doesn't go on TV, than all 7 of your TVs could be in use at the same time.

Can support up to 2 TVs using a 4K channel at same time, with HR54 only 1 at a time.

If you have any wireless Clients, the HS17 has a WVB built-in which can help coverage.

No increase in monthly bill as you have all the paid services needed. *

(* unless you have a rare monthly credit of until your next upgrade)

Recordings are encrypted to their exact DVR, they don't transfer to the replacement.

Since Clients each only use 1 tuner, the HS17 has no Picture in Picture (PiP).

No eSATA port so doesn't support external hard drives.

Requires tech install.

24 month service agreement as normal with any upgrade.

Over 24 months of active service in good standing since last upgrade, should be free.

TV must support HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, and 60 FPS. Must be there at time of 4K install.

However, if you have any HDDVR or non-DVR receivers, this would be a downgrade. The Genie-2 (HS17) is the only model that only permits Clients and nothing else.

Hope that answers what you need. If not, let us know what further you needed clarified or guidance on.

I have one HR54-200 attached to my family room TV (that I just replaced with a 4K TV), 2 C61K-700 minis connected to newer TVs, 3 C41-500 minis, and 1 C61-500 mini.   We have a large house but typically only have 3 TVs on at one time. It's been working fine.

I'll contact tech support to get a 4K mini installed for that Family Room TV. Thanks for your help.  

Since you only have Genie and Clients, and already have a couple 4K Minis, than the Genie-2 (HS17) as mentioned above is normally your best option.

You get not only 2 more tuners (further reducing recording conflicts), but allows you to make use of up to all your TVs at most. And up to two of your TVs can use a 4K channel at the same time instead of just one with your HR54 setup. That plus double the built-in recording space.

I just think you may as well get full capability of what you're already paying. Only reason to keep the HR54 and just swap out a Mini is you don't want to give up Picture in Picture on that single TV or you have too many recordings you just can't bear to not catch up on.

If you stay with the HR54 for now, than be prepared it will be another 24 months before you could qualify for another free upgrade. That way you could be prepared to be comfortably caught up on recordings.

And an upgrade is regular support. Tech support is if you had a problem to repair. So if you say "tech support" when you call, you would get routed to the wrong department.