New Satellite Service Installation Question

The HR54, like other Genies, is compatible with all Clients from C31 (Mini Genie) to (C71KW) Gemini. However, the free standard install has been Genie and up to 3 Mini Genies.

The Gemini being that it is the first box to support streaming apps, hasn't been part of the free offer as I'm aware. That would instead make it optional and at your own cost on top of the order.

As a note, the Gemini supports both wired and wireless. But the HR54 doesn't have the wireless video bridge (WVB) built-in. So regardless if you get wireless Mini Genie (C41W or C61W) or Gemini to use with the wireless option, there is a $99 wireless setup fee (which covers the purchased of the WVB as it is an owned accessory).

You'll be lucky to get the HR54. They were heavily pushed to the Genie-2 (HS17) as AT&T wanted DirecTV to have an all-in-one setup and not support dedicated receivers anymore.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, @Juniper. We appreciate your input. Hi, @Beavis_2k1. You must get the Genie 2 in order to have Gemini device. Visit https://www.directv.com/satellite/ to learn more about our deals. DIRECTV appreciates you both. John, DIRECTV Community Specialist

So DTVHELP, are you saying the Juniper is wrong, or you won't offer the Gemini to the customer?

Clearly these 2 posts are in conflict.

Greg

The HR54 doesn't stop you from getting a Gemini. Either the agent doesn't understand that or they mean for an intro offer or upgrade (so main Genie with clients) it has to be the Genie-2 (HS17) for those specific offers.

I was not trying to be crusty, but I think the responses look automated picking out key phrases in an attempt to help.

Clearly, in simple English, the response was wrong... it had no caveats as you added Juniper.

Stuff like this really can make customers nuts.

Greg

Since the OP will be a new customer they will get an HS17 Genie2 as DTV has never allowed you to pick the model number, nor sure you can request what minis you can get.

So I called back and ordered service. The person I spoke with this time was very helpful. I ended up going with the Gemini dvr (free w/ $49 activation fee) with a wireless Gemini client for an additional TV. I could have gotten a "standard" HD dvr with no guarantee of which one and purchasing a WVB to connect the wireless Gemini. I was a long time Directv customer until DISH lured me away a few years ago. I'm hoping Directv will come up with a smarter version of the hopper. Thanks for the help!

There is no Gemini DVR that is most likely an HS17 Genie2 and you need a mini client on all TVs.

@Beavis_2k1 

There is the Genie (last generation HR54) which goes on a TV, what they may have meant by "standard" HDDVR (since true regular HDDVRs haven't been made or properly offered in a few years). That can have HDDVRs, HD non-DVRs, and Clients on the other TVs. Must have a separate Wireless Video Bridge (WVB) to have any wireless Clients.

Genie-2 (HS17) is a Headless Server tower. Does not go on a TV itself so you must have Clients on every TV (a all eggs in one basket situation). Has WVB built-in, though you can have an external one installed elsewhere in home if you need better overall coverage.

@gregeusa 

I see what you mean about that other post regarding looking for keywords. I do have a tendency to give benefit of the doubt so went to honest mistake or bad wording vs complacent automated response. Still wouldn't be surprised if new installs only get the Gemini as part of the order if the Genie-2, otherwise have to order it later and at cost.

Got it... DirecTV should be very thankful for this forum, as the contributors are, like yourself, very knowledgeable. The internal help desk documentation must be awful.

Greg

My installation was today. It was like you said, an HS17 Genie and the Gemini wireless client. I talked to the installer and he said there were still plenty of the HR54s around if I truly wanted to get one. I'm happy with the 7 tuners and 2TB hard drive. I just really missed the equipment logic and better hd quality over Dish.

Hi, @Beavis_2k1, we're glad that you're happy with the feature that comes with the HS17 Genie. Thanks for choosing DIRECTV. 💙