I doubt that DirecTV would let you set the system up yourself.
Speaking of our conversion to the Genie system over two years ago:
- Your satellite dish's LNB has to be capable of receiving HD (if not already) and/or whatever other programming you may be subscribed to
- You must have a SWiM device installed for any Genie-involved system (the SWiM device is the main multiplexer for the system; no longer is there a separate coaxial line per receiver; it's all done logically over "channels," essentially)
- If you have any other receivers in your topology, they would have to be SWiM-compliant else they will not be able to communicate on the same SWiM network, nor be able to take advantage of Whole-Home DVR (which SWiM enables)
- If you're getting a wireless Genie mini (or more), there'll be a Wireless Video Bridge that directly connects to the SWiM topology via a coaxial cable at some point in the wire run. Wireless Genie minis do not use wifi; signaling is performed over its own network
We had to pay $99 (I think it was) because DirecTV wanted the video bridge to be professionally installed; that wasn't an option for us, in spite of the fact that the WVB is reasonably easy to install.
For me, the biggest concern was inserting power for the SWiM device correctly. If it's inserted incorrectly, it will fry the system.
As far as 4K is concerned, you would have to provide a 4K-capable TV, then you'd have to be provisioned for DirecTV's most expensive plan, and you'd have to get (I forget the exact model number) a mini receiver for the 4K TV. Essentially, you're going to be out of pocket bare minimum $35 *on top of* whatever non-4K setup you have (these and other reasons -- such as, no broadcasters are actually using 4K at this time anyway -- are why we won't do 4K now).
As another poster mentioned, unless we knew more about what you're going to get (and planning is always key nowadays with these systems), we cannot be more helpful.
