Forum Discussion

CA_Traveler's avatar
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Mar 21, 2014

DirecTV HR44 Genie Receiver

The HR44 features that we like are: 5 channel recording, picture in picture, extremely fast Guide and Manage Recording operations and enhanced Seach operation (vs the HR24). WiFi Internet access (this is NOT the WiFi connection to the C41W remote Genie Mini) for Pandora Radio, YouTube Videos and DirecTV On Demand. We keep our HR24 receiver and plan to return it when we’ve watched all of shows recorded on it. We were surprised that all of the HR24 recorded shows were displayed in the HR44 Manage Recordings which is also used to view the HR24 recorded shows.

We are very satisfied with the HR44. We found the RC71 Genie remote easy to use and no problems switching from the HR24 RC65RBX remote. I thought that the new Genie remote was RF only but it turns our IR TV on/off and it uses the Enter key to change the TV Input for example. The HR44 is small and light and should be more reliable with the external power supply. It contains a 1TB hard drive which allows for 200 hours of HD recording.

I asked our S&B installer a lot of questions related to the HR44, C41 and C41W (Genie Mini) operation and reliability and questions that are also related to using the HR44 in the MH. I’ll post more later but in summary: There are no hardware/software problems in the current versions and the C41W which uses a Video Bridge and WiFi is reliable, does not interfere with other WiFi equipment IF installed correctly. For reference the Genie hardware requires a SWM satellite dish.

The HR44 does not have a internet browser capability with the current software. But it does interact with the internet and it seems obvious to me that some type of browser would be possible.

I started this thread to share information on the HR44 and Genie.
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Mar 21, 2014
    If you keep your HR24, you will be able to watch/record up to seven channels simultaneously as well as watch the content on either DVR on any TV! Just use it where a client is now and it works just the same.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Mar 21, 2014
    Bill.Satellite wrote:
    If you keep your HR24, you will be able to watch/record up to seven channels simultaneously as well as watch the content on either DVR on any TV! Just use it where a client is now and it works just the same.
    One motivation for the HR44 was the occasional HR24 message concerning 2 other channels were already recording. Seven channels? - there are only 2 of us! :B
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Mar 22, 2014
    Did you see that there was a free premium channel weekend going on now? That's when I use all of my tuners and store up a pile of free movies while they are free. Last night I had all 5 recorders set and I wanted to watch a 6th. When the 5th of those programs kicked in I was kicked off the program I was watching. I don't like watching stuff live anymore but I also did not want to watch the movies I was recording at that time. So I had to delete one recording and return to the original program. If I had a Genie plus and HR24 I would have been golden! Christmas is another time I could use more than 5 as I like to record all the Xmas movies so I have a library available anytime I want and not when they want (and, of course, eliminate the commercials).
    I actually only mention this because you already have one and there's really no reason to get rid of it if it still works well. The HR24 would also add additional hard drive storage to the 1TB hard drive on the Genie. You know....Win Win!
  • edatlanta's avatar
    edatlanta
    Explorer
    Mar 22, 2014
    I have the Genie HR44 an a HR24. Perfect system, except the HR44 remote doesn't have a "Green Button" for bookmarks when watching a recording. I just use my HR24 remote and all is well. I do wish the HR44 would work with RF with the older remote however.
  • FlatBroke's avatar
    FlatBroke
    Explorer II
    Mar 22, 2014
    The remote input button does not work on mine no matter what I try. Works with the standard remotes. Have to have the tv remote close by to watch DVD,s.
    Hate the record button where it is, always recording a show that I'm looking for info only like the old remote. Can't break that habit.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Mar 22, 2014
    The Tips&Tricks Winter 2013 (n color) has a nice channel pullout for reference and shows all of the RC71 remote buttons and their usage. If you see a DTV truck ask if you can have a copy.

    For the Enter (Input) key: "press and hold for 3 seconds, until LED light at top turns green. Then scroll through inputs by pressing ENTER again"

    Bill, Did this not work for you? I originally missed these instructions and though there was no way to change the TV input.
  • FlatBroke's avatar
    FlatBroke
    Explorer II
    Mar 22, 2014
    CA Traveler wrote:
    The Tips&Tricks Winter 2013 (n color) has a nice channel pullout for reference and shows all of the RC71 remote buttons and their usage. If you see a DTV truck ask if you can have a copy.

    For the Enter (Input) key: "press and hold for 3 seconds, until LED light at top turns green. Then scroll through inputs by pressing ENTER again"

    Bill, Did this not work for you? I originally missed these instructions and though there was no way to change the TV input.


    Well dad nabit! Thanks!:S
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Mar 22, 2014
    I use a Harmony remote for most of my needs and the old style DTV remote for my H25 in the bedroom. I have the HR34 Genie so I have not had to deal with the new style remote at all. That's good for me as I really hate (unnecessary) change!

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