The HR44 receiver did have many problems and there are various posts to that effect on the internet. Yesterday I asked a DTV Installer (not a vendor) about his view on the HR44. He said DTV had a lot of problems with the receiver but starting one month ago with the latest software update he has had no problems. I even asked about the reported slow channel switch time and he said it's faster than any other receiver. So with this I'm again considering a HR24 to HR44 upgrade. The home slimline 5 dish would be converted to SWM and the MH is already SWM. I believe the HR44 supports picture in picture for 2 channels. That would be nice to have for sports. However most of the time we pre record and then skip the commercials. He also surprised me about the 5 channel recording. For every remote client that is connected the channel recording is reduced by one. So if you had 2 remote clients say in two different rooms you would be limited to 3 channel recording. Not a problem for us as we only use one TV in the house and one in the MH.I need to verify the record/watch capability. Can you watch 2 and record 3 for example (no clients).In addition DW said that we'll keep the HR24 active until all recorded shows have been viewed. :C

Not sure of the info you received, but no matter the setup you will always be able to watch/record 5 channels simultaneously. I have the Genie plus an H25 so I can watch/record 6. I like having the H25 as a back up since the Genie would be the only satellite receiver if you have Genie and clients whereas I could at least watch one DTV channel if my Genie died by putting the H25 in its place.Clients are NOT satellite receivers so if you have a Genie and 17 clients you will still be able to watch/record 5 channels on the Genie.

Bill, Thanks and I'm trying to understand what he said and I'll give him the benefit of a doubt since he was on a call for a neighbor. Does this make sense: If you were watching 3 live/recorded shows on 3 C41 clients then you could only watch/record 2 additional channels on the CR44?I found information as you suggest that you can watch/record any combination up to 5 with the restriction that you can watch a maximum of 2 on the HR41 and one each C41. I doubt that we would ever have more than one C41 but others certainly will. I found another post that stated you could connect a maximum of 5 C41s but only 3 could be used at the same time. Wondering if that implies that 2 channels are left for the HR44 picture in picture.My primary concern is usability and reliability of the HR44. Apparently they had problems but they are now resolved according to the DTV installer I talked with.

CA Traveler wrote:My primary concern is usability and reliability of the HR44. Apparently they had problems but they are now resolved according to the DTV installer I talked with.I've had my HR44 since October and I agree with what the installer told you. There had been some freezing and pixelation issues that appear to have been resolved with the latest firmware update. However, the problems were never so severe that I regretted having replaced my HR22. As for response time, the HR44 blows away any older DTV DVR you have had. Moving within the guide, changing channels, searches, etc, all are far, far faster than they have been before.

When you get the HR44 there will be a extra $3 a month for whole home service.You will automatically get charged for that.Plus the C41 monthly charges.

Triker33 wrote:When you get the HR44 there will be a extra $3 a month for whole home service.You will automatically get charged for that.Plus the C41 monthly charges.Worth all 300 pennies! Love my Genie (HR34) and would never go back!

DirecTV HR 44 Receiver | Good Sam Community

11 Replies

docj
Explorer
Jan 14, 2014
az99 wrote:
How much did they sell you the HR44 for? I called and they wanted $349.

The HR44 has been offered free for customers who did not have a current contractual obligation. I got mine and a SWM upgrade of my Winegard Trav'ler for no upfront cost, just a 2 yr contract extension.
az99
Explorer
Jan 14, 2014
How much did they sell you the HR44 for? I called and they wanted $349.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jan 12, 2014
Wow that is cool! :C:C:C

So we could sell the RV and just be TV junkies. :@ Not going to happen. :S

But good to know what the next generation will be doing...:R
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2014
You can keep your HR24 and your Genie in your home setup. You will only need one cable running to each receiver and a coax running to each client. With the Whole Home option activated your Genie will allow you to watch/record 5 channels and you will be able to watch/record 2 more on the HR24 adding not only total channels but additional recorded storage space. You will be able to watch anything on either DVR on any TV. How cool is that!?
As a slight aside, if you do want to use the picture in picture option, only the TV connected directly to the Genie can utilize this function. There are several options for the PIP including splitting the TV down the center for 2 large PIP's, picking a your corner of choice for a small PIP or using half for TV and the other half as your computer monitor! Wa?
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jan 12, 2014
Thanks for the HR44 recording clarification and other information.

Our plan: Order the HR44 which I understand with require the slimline dish to be changed, replace the actic multiswitch with the SWM splitter and add the power brick near the TV. The house already has RG6 coax. There are 2 coax cables at the TV and we will keep the HR24 on SWM until all of its recorded shows have been watched.

This also allows us to install the HR44 in the MH (has SWM dish) and verify that there are no issues. Down the road we may consider purchase of a portable SWM dish to replace our portable 18" dish. And a second RF remote will be part of the plan.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2014

I need to verify the record/watch capability. Can you watch 2 and record 3 for example (no clients).

Since the clients are not satellite receivers, up to 5 channels are being recorded at all times. If you are watching a live program on a client it is automatically being recorded on the Genie so you can pause/rewind, etc. Therefore, if you are watching 3 different programs on 3 different TV's you would only be able to record 2 additional channels that are not being viewed. I installed an H25 (you could install 2 H25's and a client) instead of clients so I can be watching something on the H25 (but it is not being recorded) and still recording 5 on the Genie.
If you are watching recorded programming on 3 clients you can still record 5 programs.
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2014
Triker33 wrote:
When you get the HR44 there will be a extra $3 a month for whole home service.
You will automatically get charged for that.
Plus the C41 monthly charges.

Worth all 300 pennies! Love my Genie (HR34) and would never go back!
Triker33
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014
When you get the HR44 there will be a extra $3 a month for whole home service.
You will automatically get charged for that.
Plus the C41 monthly charges.
docj
Explorer
Jan 12, 2014
CA Traveler wrote:

My primary concern is usability and reliability of the HR44. Apparently they had problems but they are now resolved according to the DTV installer I talked with.

I've had my HR44 since October and I agree with what the installer told you. There had been some freezing and pixelation issues that appear to have been resolved with the latest firmware update. However, the problems were never so severe that I regretted having replaced my HR22.

As for response time, the HR44 blows away any older DTV DVR you have had. Moving within the guide, changing channels, searches, etc, all are far, far faster than they have been before.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Jan 12, 2014
Bill, Thanks and I'm trying to understand what he said and I'll give him the benefit of a doubt since he was on a call for a neighbor. Does this make sense: If you were watching 3 live/recorded shows on 3 C41 clients then you could only watch/record 2 additional channels on the CR44?

I found information as you suggest that you can watch/record any combination up to 5 with the restriction that you can watch a maximum of 2 on the HR41 and one each C41. I doubt that we would ever have more than one C41 but others certainly will.

I found another post that stated you could connect a maximum of 5 C41s but only 3 could be used at the same time. Wondering if that implies that 2 channels are left for the HR44 picture in picture.

My primary concern is usability and reliability of the HR44. Apparently they had problems but they are now resolved according to the DTV installer I talked with.

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DirecTV HR 44 Receiver

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