While the Genie DVR is tops in the marketplace right now, consider the following points:
- Any minis (wireless or wireline) rely completely on the Genie. If the DVR goes down, so do they. Therefore, a recommendation is to include the latest non-Genie HD-DVR with your expected receivers. That way you have backup, and both DVRs will show their respectively recorded programs via Whole-Home DVR listing
- Wireless minis are quite fantastic -- we have one in our setup. Therefore, going either wired or wireless is purely a personal preference.
- Ask the installer for a SWiM-16 switch; you'll be in a much better position to handle both current and future upgrades. Google "SWiM 16" to find out more
- Since DirecTV operates on a leased receiver basis, don't hesitate to take the time to think about how you want your receivers set up (meaning which types and how many). Two-year contracts are renewed with any receiver change (mini or otherwise), so it's better to commit knowing how things will go beforehand than to change six months later and have to extend your contract
And as a final thought, don't get too bothered over 4K (if you are). Only the Genie HR54 receiver is currently capable of handling a single stream of 4K, and that requires a separate receiver on top of the Genie (doubling the lease fees) as well as requiring a beefy programming package. We are still a handful of years out from 4K being anywhere near as commonplace as HD is at the moment. Of course, if you can afford it, go for it, just realize that you won't be receiving much in terms of programming at this point.
I hope this helps!
