Direct TV DVR

[3940wez12]

Usually when we go for just a few days, we take our Direct Tv DVR and watch recorded programs in the evening for entertainment, not bothering to set up the satellite antenna. However on our most recent trip when I asked for the "List", it said it was "loading" .... for 30 minutes! Needless to say no recorded shows were loaded. Is this something new since Direct's latest "update"? Once we were home and connected to the satellite, everything worked as usual. Any ideas?

[Bill_Satellite]

There's no real reason they should. It's not their business and they make very little money from RVers.

[3940wez12]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
DTV does not know anything about RVing.

You got that right! And they don't care either!

[Bill_Satellite]

DTV does not know anything about RVing. You will only get information on how to do these things in a house. The information is also incorrect and assumes you are leaving your DVR at home and wanting to watch the programming elsewhere.

[3940wez12]

Well I got on the "technical support" (and I use the term very loosely) page today and found that I wasn't the only one with this question. Following is the response:

"What happened is that this feature was removed from the latest update in early March. Now you must download your Genie DVR recordings to view them away from home. Or get a SlingBox."

So, how do I download the DVR recordings? Where do I download them to? Most of the places we camp have no cell phone service and no internet. I'm assuming one needs one or the other for streaming or Sling?

Oh and I must clarify... I logged in to my Direct TV website and selected "Technical Forum" which promptly dumped me into the AT&T page. Grrrr!

[2oldman]

CA Traveler wrote:
Several years ago DTV focused the website on sales/programming and make finding any technical information more difficult.

I guess so. I had a direct link saved to the My Equipment page. That no longer works. Heaven forbid they'd simply redirect you. I guess they want you to use the app. I don't know if that works any better.

[CA_Traveler]

One benefit of a DVR is watching shows when trees block the dish. My HR44 uses 10 minutes of dish checking before I can watch recorded shows.

[CA_Traveler]

2oldman wrote:
I just went on the Directv website, and what a mess. I wanted to find my receiver model and after 10 minutes I gave up. The search bar seems to be a waste.

Several years ago DTV focused the website on sales/programming and make finding any technical information more difficult.

[CA_Traveler]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
You really have just a Genie (3rd generation). There is also a Genie 2 which is quite different.

Yup DTV has 2nd and 3rd generation receivers. Then they introduced the Genie-2 HS17 tower model to create confusion.

Some receivers supply the required power to the dish and others require a power inserter. Some have 120V power plug while others have a power brick.

My HR44 has a power inserter that supplies power to the receiver and has coax connections so that it also supplies power to the dish.

[2oldman]

chuckbear wrote:
it may very well depend on what receiver you are using. Our HR24-200 will hit the 775 error immediately if it isn't connected to the dish and we can not go any further with the receiver. Chuck

Evidently, but that seems weird. Years ago my HD receiver (can't find it on new ATT site.. they've changed everything.. what a mess) would work fine sans antenna. Then suddenly it wouldn't. I complained, a lot. Finally, perhaps a year later, it started working again.

The signal beeps were finally brought back to the HD receivers, that took years.

I just went on the Directv website, and what a mess. I wanted to find my receiver model and after 10 minutes I gave up. The search bar seems to be a waste.

[Bill_Satellite]

3940wez12 wrote:
Interestingly enough, I can go to Menu/Manage Recordings/Recording History and go thru them one by one, all 800 of them including those cancelled or deleted, and select one to watch. Takes forever.

In the past this could be cured if you never disconnected power during antenna disconnect. You would need to have the receiver on an inverter and ensure no power interruption during travel but it sounds like DTV has made another software "update". You really have just a Genie (3rd generation). There is also a Genie 2 which is quite different.

[chuckbear]

2oldman wrote:

chuckbear wrote:
It will not work without the dish attached and the power inserter on to feed the LNB. Chuck

Incorrect...unless there's been a change in the last month.

It will only work that way for us and has been that way for a couple of years. Having said that, it may very well depend on what receiver you are using. Our HR24-200 will hit the 775 error immediately if it isn't connected to the dish and we can not go any further with the receiver. Chuck

[2oldman]

chuckbear wrote:
It will not work without the dish attached and the power inserter on to feed the LNB. Chuck

Incorrect...unless there's been a change in the last month.

[3940wez12]

Interestingly enough, I can go to Menu/Manage Recordings/Recording History and go thru them one by one, all 800 of them including those cancelled or deleted, and select one to watch. Takes forever.

[3940wez12]

chuckbear wrote:
It will not work without the dish attached and the power inserter on to feed the LNB. Chuck

It worked 2 months ago without the dish attached and we've used it for several years that way. Just take the box, connect to the TV with HDMI cable and watch previously recorded programs.