Got new HR44 instead of HR54?

[dmproske]

I've been a DTV customer since 2005, have had the protection plan as far back as I can remember. So I called to upgrade my HR24 to a Genie. Since their website says I could upgrade to the "Latest Technology" from DTV I asked over the phone which DVR I would be getting, since the HR54 is the most current. They said most likely a 54.
So today the tech comes out to do the install while I was at work. He installed a HR44. She asked why not a HR54. He said he did not have a HR54 to install, and that "HR54 IS FOR 4K SYSTEMS ONLY". I am throwing the BS flag on that. Also doesn't seem right to me that when using the upgrade on my protection plan that I am paying extra for, that I would not receive the latest equipment. I understand when replacing broken equipment you receive whatever is available, but I thought upgrading was different.

I am going to call them, but wanted to get educated here first. HR54 only for 4K??? Is that correct? If not should I have received a 54?
Thank you for the help.

 

[alnielsen]

Other than the circuit for the RB receiver (to be used in the future for 4K), most all of the components of the HR44 & HR54 are the same.
Directv may be limiting the HR54 to 4K installs due to limited availability.

 

[Hutch1814]

I've been a DTV customer since 2005, have had the protection plan as far back as I can remember. So I called to upgrade my HR24 to a Genie. Since their website says I could upgrade to the "Latest Technology" from DTV I asked over the phone which DVR I would be getting, since the HR54 is the most current. They said most likely a 54.
So today the tech comes out to do the install while I was at work. He installed a HR44. She asked why not a HR54. He said he did not have a HR54 to install, and that "HR54 IS FOR 4K SYSTEMS ONLY". I am throwing the BS flag on that. Also doesn't seem right to me that when using the upgrade on my protection plan that I am paying extra for, that I would not receive the latest equipment. I understand when replacing broken equipment you receive whatever is available, but I thought upgrading was different.

I am going to call them, but wanted to get educated here first. HR54 only for 4K??? Is that correct? If not should I have received a 54?
Thank you for the help.

This isn't BS. It is true, HR54's are only installed on 4K true work orders which means to be promised a 54 you would have to be getting 4K content.

 

[maestro7]

This isn't BS. It is true, HR54's are only installed on 4K true work orders which means to be promised a 54 you would have to be getting 4K content.

I'd go on to say that, as a SWAG, you'll be upgrading equipment in 3-5 years for whatever 4K actually turns out to be in terms of receiving equipment.

Really, DirecTV is so bleeding edge here that even the HR54 can only handle a channel of 4K viewing at a time.

Just my $0.02.

 

[gadgtfreek]

Yep, HR54 if you are getting a 4K install, usually HR44 if not.

 

[Claude Greiner]

Good luck. Should have sent the installer packing.

Been through this lots of times. All they will do is say the 54 is the same as the 44

 

[Jimbo]

If ya don't have a 4K set (sounds like you don't) I wouldn't be too concerned about it, the HR44 is a very good reliable unit.

Now question I have, would be, say in 3-6 months he goes out and gets a 4K and wants his 4k signal.
He would have to call and upgrade again to a 54/61 ...
Does he have to pay addl. for these, seeing he'll probably (maybe) have to pay for the 44.
Is he stuck in a new 2 year commitment again ?

 

[Hutch1814]

If ya don't have a 4K set (sounds like you don't) I wouldn't be too concerned about it, the HR44 is a very good reliable unit.

Now question I have, would be, say in 3-6 months he goes out and gets a 4K and wants his 4k signal.
He would have to call and upgrade again to a 54/61 ...
Does he have to pay addl. for these, seeing he'll probably (maybe) have to pay for the 44.
Is he stuck in a new 2 year commitment again ?

Yeah, that's the crappy part. He's stuck at this point and if he upgrades it'll cost him. We've been told of the work order is flagged 4K but doesn't have a 4K tv to remove the 4K client and add just a normal client.

 

[Jimbo]

Yeah, that's the crappy part. He's stuck at this point and if he upgrades it'll cost him. We've been told of the work order is flagged 4K but doesn't have a 4K tv to remove the 4K client and add just a normal client.

Maybe, when time comes, he can talk to them and explain the situation and they can work with him.

Personally, I wouldn't want the 54 ... unless I'm just playing with it.
I would much rather wait and see whats next, will there be a true HR 64 maybe, that does 4k all in one box ?

 

[gadgtfreek]

That was my situation when I researched it before my install, and talked to a user here. I knew you had to have a 4K display to get an HR54, but I didn't want to deal with the client. I just decided to go HR44 + HR24 and wait for hopefully a 4K DVR.

Big thing you dont want is an HR34!

 

[dmproske]

Well I stand corrected. This is the 1st I have heard of this. Hopefully my current TV will last a few years before I need to upgrade. 4k will be more mainstream by then. Thanks for the information.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[raoul5788]

to Satelliteguys dmproske!

 

[gadgtfreek]

Well I stand corrected. This is the 1st I have heard of this. Hopefully my current TV will last a few years before I need to upgrade. 4k will be more mainstream by then. Thanks for the information.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

IIRC, some have lucked up and gotten an HR54 because that is all the installer had (on a standard Genie install), but only way to ensure you got it over a 34/44 was a 4K note on your work order.

I made sure when the guy got here he had an HR44, because I was going to refuse the HR34.

 

[directv newb]

Well I stand corrected. This is the 1st I have heard of this. Hopefully my current TV will last a few years before I need to upgrade. 4k will be more mainstream by then. Thanks for the information.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

You should not be upset sir, the HR-44 is great and the 54 is the same just 4k compatible and then you have to have a c61k mini to make it work. I honestly would rather have the 44 over the 54 because I am not chasing the dragon on this 4k crap. You will be very happy with the 44, good luck.

 

[mdram]

Big thing you dont want is an HR34!

my hr34 is working just fine

 

[gadgtfreek]

It works fine, I had one. I prefer the HR44 for sure.

 

[directv newb]

my hr34 is working just fine

The HR34 is a discontinued model and no one gets a replacement HR34. The 34 is DEAD!

 

[raoul5788]

The HR34 is a discontinued model and no one gets a replacement HR34. The 34 is DEAD!

The last I heard they updated the software and are back in the stream.

 

[ninjadave]

I got the 54 and it was not a specific 4K install although I do have a 4K tv I got c51 minis too - he had both a 44 and 54 on the truck the other diff is the power or something else is built in vs on the outside - everything is working great happy so far

 

[Zashel]

the HR54's, while flagged for 4k jobs, still gather time on them. if you have a 54 without 4k, it was probably one the tech had to unload to avoid having to pay D* back. kinda stupid really.