DirecTV Genie?

docj wrote:

Big Katuna wrote:
The installer would have left the old box(es). Mine did. I just converted the house to SWM but did not want Genie. For one thing, if your Genie box dies; no service anywhere.

I have no idea where you got this idea. I pay DirecTV a monthly maintenance fee and they come right out and replace my equipment no matter what happens. If you don't pay the monthly maintenance you may have to pay for a service call, but either way you can get service on any of DTV's equipment. You may not have wanted to get a Genie, but don't make up reasons for others not to get one. It's the best DirecTV DVR ever!

I think you misunderstood what I was saying. If your Genie Main box fails, none of your other boxes will work. I have the maintenance agreement too. Yes, they will come out to your house and fix it. We camp out in our RV about 100 nights per year, weeks at a time. If your box dies in Georgia and you are moving every few days, good luck getting a tech to come out to bring you a new box. With stand alone boxes, I take 2-3 and if one dies ( I have had several die in the last ten years), I use another one.

bigdaddogg1 wrote:
I recently had a free upgrade to my home DirecTV system to the Genie. I didn't realize it at the time, but the receiver in one of my bedrooms that I was using in the RV was replaced with a Genie remote box that operates off the main unit. So now I'm going to have to figure out another route to get satellite TV when I'm on the road.

I figure that this is not the first time this problem has come up, so I'm going to ask you folks what would be the best solution. Can I disconnect the main Genie unit at the house and use it in the RV? Anything different about the setup? I only use an SD antenna in the RV...is this a problem with the Genie?

DirecTV used to have a program for use in an RV that was separately paid for only during the time that you were traveling. Does anybody know if they still have this option, and would I have to purchase a different receiver for it to work?

Thanks in advance for your replies and advice!

I would like to focus on your actual situation and you actual questions. Since no one can know what you have now or what you had before many speculations are taking place. Here's what we do know:

You cannot use the mini-genie boxes (C31/41) by themselves but they can be used on a second TV in the coach if you also install the Genie (HR34/44).

Your current SD antenna will not work with the Genie but it can be converted to work with the Genie by adding a SWM8 switch and power inserter. You will still only receive the DirecTV SD programming via the 101 satellite but otherwise the Genie will work just fine. You can find the required parts from many internet sources for around $100. Here is the Winegard guide to updating older satellite TV antennas to SWM. SWM setup
DirecTV does not have a "usable" version of the temp. service that existed previously. However, just moving your Genie to your RV with the new hardware will work just fine. Your only other option would be to spend a few bucks on a D12 receiver (less than $100), add this to your current DirecTV account and use this in the RV. You might even find a TV in your home that you only use occasionally where you could use the box when not in your RV.

We just had the same upgrade that you did. I told him I wanted to keep one of the old ones to use in the camper.The installer left all the old boxes and told me which one to keep. DTV sent an envelope to return just the cards in the old boxes except the one I kept. The installer said he had deactivated all the old cards so I would not be charged for them and that I could go online anytime to reactivate the old card to use in the camper and then go online and deactivate it until next time. I have done this several times and it works well. If you did not keep an old card, you can get a box a bunch of places, call DTV and they will send you a card for it for a one time activation fee ($20.00 I think) then you are set to go.

old guy wrote:
the main geneie uses a different dish than the old receiver, they did put up a different dish didn't they.

If you already had HD there is absolutely no reason why your dish would have to be replaced in order to convert your home to SWM. All the installer has to do is install an SWM8 switch and a PI29 power inserter. Most DTV receivers and DVRs can use either SWM or the older multi-switch approach. The newest DVRs, including the Genie, only work with a SWM system.

Big Katuna wrote:
The installer would have left the old box(es). Mine did. I just converted the house to SWM but did not want Genie. For one thing, if your Genie box dies; no service anywhere.

I have no idea where you got this idea. I pay DirecTV a monthly maintenance fee and they come right out and replace my equipment no matter what happens. If you don't pay the monthly maintenance you may have to pay for a service call, but either way you can get service on any of DTV's equipment. You may not have wanted to get a Genie, but don't make up reasons for others not to get one. It's the best DirecTV DVR ever!

The installer would have left the old box(es). Mine did. I just converted the house to SWM but did not want Genie. For one thing, if your Genie box dies; no service anywhere. If you have different dishes in the house and rv, you have to reconfigure your box every time you move it. You might talk them into sending you a new box. You can also buy a box with no contract on ebay or at a flea market but call DTV with the serial number before buying to make sure it isn't stolen or has a lien on it from an unfulfilled contract.

old guy wrote:
the main geneie uses a different dish than the old receiver, they did put up a different dish didn't they. my son was an installer for direct and he is setting me up with a D12 receiver which is not HD and it is easier to align the dish when setting up. you can buy a old receiver from direct tv and they only charge you $6 a month to use it in your RV. too bad you didn't keep your bedroom receiver. now you have to buy one and pay a monthly fee to use it. if you had kept the old one you would be home free.

I didn't have much of a choice Old Guy...the installer took the old equipment with him! They didn't put up a new dish though, the installer did everything from inside the house. I'll have to call DirecTV and ask about that D12 receiver. Six bucks a month would seem to be worth it. Thanks!

Wouldn't that require one of those authorization cards that my old receiver had? How do you get past that?

The simple solution is to get a legacy receiver/DVR (not H25)to replace your client. Take that unit to your MH. That way you will not have any additional monthly charge.

the main geneie uses a different dish than the old receiver, they did put up a different dish didn't they. my son was an installer for direct and he is setting me up with a D12 receiver which is not HD and it is easier to align the dish when setting up. you can buy a old receiver from direct tv and they only charge you $6 a month to use it in your RV. too bad you didn't keep your bedroom receiver. now you have to buy one and pay a monthly fee to use it. if you had kept the old one you would be home free.