Know This Has Been Discussed Before, But . . .

[Bronxiniowa]

So here's my situation:

I'm a DTV sub out of contract
I have four TVs, three in HD
I have whole home, with two HR-21s and an HR-22. They perform reasonably well.

I can probably get an equipment upgrade for little or nothing, which of course would lock me in for another two years. Not a problem, I'm probably not going anywhere because my cable system is primitive and I prefer DTV over DISH. But would it be worth it to upgrade to a Genie and minis? I can record on six channels simultaneously now, and if a receiver goes out, I still have service (and recorded programs) on the other two.

Thanks for y'all's advice.

 

[Mr Tony]

upgrade to the Genie...keep the existing DVR's (or get of rid of 1 and just replace it with the Genie)
You will gain extra tuners, it wont cost any extra in receiver fees, and if the Genie goes out you still have programs on the other 2 DVR's
The minis will be useless if the Genie craps out

The only drawback is they will have to upgrade you to a SWM16 (you'll have 9 tuners if you drop one DVR). This requires 4 lines from the LNB to a switch

 

[harshness]

The only drawback is they will have to upgrade you to a SWM16 (you'll have 9 tuners if you drop one DVR).

This change is DIRECTV's responsibility so it shouldn't be considered a "drawback" to upgrading.

 

[Mr Tony]

It would be if right now the OP only has one line from the dish to a SWM splitter since he is under 8 tuners

 

[harshness]

It would be if right now the OP only has one line from the dish to a SWM splitter since he is under 8 tuners

DIRECTV will install any additional hardware or cabling required as part of the Professional Installation so it doesn't have to be the TS's problem unless they go out of their way to make it so.

 

[Mr Tony]

**sigh** thats not the point I'm getting at (but since you havent had Directv you wouldn't understand)

If the OP has only one cable coming from the dish to the splitter in the house and he upgrades to the Genie (and goes over 8 tuners) now you have to get 3 more lines into the house. For some folks it may be difficult to have 3 more lines run into the house. My parents for example have one line into the house. Their house has 24 inch concrete walls (its from the 1850's) so to get 3 more lines in (if they needed a SWM16) would be a pain in the ass.

Just quit while you're behind

 

[texasbrit]

Agree with harshness. DirecTV will install a new LNB, multiswitch etc as part of the installation.
It's also possible the OP is in one of the areas trialling the SWM13 LNB in which case only the LNB will need to be replaced.
If it's impossible to get the extra cables into the house the SWM16 is rated for outdoor installation (although of course the power inserter has to be indoors)

 

[Mr Tony]

Agree with harshness. DirecTV will install a new LNB, multiswitch etc as part of the installation.

but that wasnt the point. The point is the possible 3 extra lines that has to be run. I've already given examples

 

[harshness]

Their house has 24 inch concrete walls (its from the 1850's) so to get 3 more lines in (if they needed a SWM16) would be a pain in the ass.

How is that a burden on the customer?

 

[CK SatGuy]

How is that a burden on the customer?

It's mostly a burden on the installer. And maybe the customer wouldn't be so happy with 3 more lines running into the house. (Me I wouldn't care but I know some people that would definitely care)

 

[Drucifer]

. . . upgrade to a Genie and minis? . . . .

No.

Especially considering you don't gain anything money-wise going Minis over keeping your DVRs.

 

[Bronxiniowa]

Wow. Interesting discussion.

We had 4 lines running into the house before we had whole-home, all feeding off a single splitter on the outside of the house. Guess I'll have to check to see what we have now, but all the lines appear to be coming in from outside. And yes, you're right -- we want no more holes in the house!

And would I be able to swap the non-HD DVR for the Genie, have them install it on our main-watched TV and put one of the existing HD DVRs where the non-HD was, getting all four TVs on the whole-home grid?

 

[satgirl51]

Wow. Interesting discussion.

We had 4 lines running into the house before we had whole-home, all feeding off a single splitter on the outside of the house. Guess I'll have to check to see what we have now, but all the lines appear to be coming in from outside. And yes, you're right -- we want no more holes in the house!

And would I be able to swap the non-HD DVR for the Genie, have them install it on our main-watched TV and put one of the existing HD DVRs where the non-HD was, getting all four TVs on the whole-home grid?

sure you can do that. I have a large family and we have 6 receivers, 1 genie and 5 HD-DVRs, share 1 very large playlist, and since we have 15 tuners we usually don't have recording conflicts.

 

[Mr Tony]

Wow. Interesting discussion.

We had 4 lines running into the house before we had whole-home, all feeding off a single splitter on the outside of the house. Guess I'll have to check to see what we have now, but all the lines appear to be coming in from outside. And yes, you're right -- we want no more holes in the house!

Yeah if you could let us know what you currently have from the dish to inside the house that would be great. But worst case Ontario is you will go back to 4 lines coming into the house.

And would I be able to swap the non-HD DVR for the Genie, have them install it on our main-watched TV and put one of the existing HD DVRs where the non-HD was, getting all four TVs on the whole-home grid?

yes. All HD receivers/DVR's will be on whole home since you already have it

 

[Drucifer]

Yeah if you could let us know what you currently have from the dish to inside the house that would be great. But worst case Ontario is you will go back to 4 lines coming into the house.


yes. All HD receivers/DVR's will be on whole home since you already have it

All you can have the SWiM16 on the outside of your home and just have two lines coming into your home.