DirectTV Genie?

[YC1]

I am about to switch my Travler sk3005 to swm. I too want to convert to the Genie.

I have an over the air box that feeds my existing DVR. Does anyone know if the Genie accommodates over the air?

[docj]

Originally Posted by YC1

I have an over the air box that feeds my existing DVR. Does anyone know if the Genie accommodates over the air?

You are probably referring to an AM21 DirecTV OTA tuner? I believe that it is compatible with the Genie, but I have to admit that I threw mine in the trash a while ago. I got frustrated with the fact that it only worked IF I had a DirecTV signal and the only time I ever wanted to use OTA signals was when I DIDN'T have a DirecTV signal! Of course, we have DNS, so if we have a DirecTV signal we have the major networks and there is little need to watch local, OTA broadcasts.

[YC1]

That is the one doc. We full time and spend much of the time in Florida. We have locals but there are some things on otar that are not on Direct. I like to record them.

[paz]

Originally Posted by smlranger

...I don't have time before our upcoming trip to schedule a tech so am asking if I am correct. If I get the genie receiver and connect to my existing SWM setup, will it work without jumping through hoops?...

If you're going to get the latest Genie, one thing you need to know is the HR54 has a built-in power inserter. If you have an earlier HD setup you will need to eliminate the external power inserter.

[paz]

Originally Posted by smlranger

...The Solid Signal website warns that you must have Seven (7) SWM channels for this model...

On page 4 of the review of the HR54 on the Solid Signal website, it says connecting the HR54 to a 5-input system did not cause any errors. They conjecture the 2 additional inputs will be required for 4K resolution when available over satellite at some time in the future.

[Up North]

We have had ours for almost a year and love it. We have 1 receiver and 3 mini Genies with one being out in the garage. They work flawlessly.
We do get service disruptions during heavy rain or snowfall though.
Thats when you watch things you have on the dvr.
I just added Amazon Fire tv as well. If you are a Amazon Prime member the Fire tv streaming box is well worth the $100. Makes a nice addition to Direct tv.

[smlranger]

Originally Posted by paz

If you're going to get the latest Genie, one thing you need to know is the HR54 has a built-in power inserter. If you have an earlier HD setup you will need to eliminate the external power inserter.

I do have the power inserter. Is it just a matter of removing it and connecting the coax from the sat dish directly to the HR54? Is there an output on the receiver that then goes to the splitter? I don't want to complicate the process. There was a HR44 on their website. Should I have ordered that one?


Looking at my set up guide from Winegard (I have the SK-SWM3), do I use Option 2 and just eliminate the power inserter? That would connect the dish to the splitter input, with the HR54 and my second receiver connected to two of the splitter out puts, eliminating the external power inserter.

[pcurt23]

I have the Genie in my coach along with two wired remotes. If you choose that route then you will have to run coax from the SWM splitter direct to each tv. That system coupled with the Winegard automatic antennae is the best and easiest way to go.

[docj]

Originally Posted by pcurt23

I have the Genie in my coach along with two wired remotes. If you choose that route then you will have to run coax from the SWM splitter direct to each tv. That system coupled with the Winegard automatic antennae is the best and easiest way to go.

Right, that's exactly what I did. My SWM8 sits on the roof and I ran a coax from it to a new roof penetration in the bedroom. A carefully made penetration with adequate water protection isn't too much of a risk IMO.

[YC1]

Just added the components to convert my SK-3005 Travler direct tv to SWM8.

It was a very easy conversion and went better than I expected. Now on to letting the Genie out of the bottle.

[paz]

Originally Posted by smlranger

I do have the power inserter. Is it just a matter of removing it and connecting the coax from the sat dish directly to the HR54? Is there an output on the receiver that then goes to the splitter? I don't want to complicate the process. There was a HR44 on their website. Should I have ordered that one?


Looking at my set up guide from Winegard (I have the SK-SWM3), do I use Option 2 and just eliminate the power inserter? That would connect the dish to the splitter input, with the HR54 and my second receiver connected to two of the splitter out puts, eliminating the external power inserter.

Just connect the cable from the dish to the input of the HR54. The HR54 has only an HDMI output, so you will need a powered HDMI splitter.

As far as the HR44 vs. HR54 is concerned, both will do the same things except the HR54 will apparently be capable of 4K someday. The other notable change is the control buttons are missing from the front of the HR54. The fact you can only use the remote to control the HR54 isn't that big a deal to me. To see what some of the other differences are, read the review at the link in my post #19.

[smlranger]

Originally Posted by paz

Just connect the cable from the dish to the input of the HR54. The HR54 has only an HDMI output, so you will need a powered HDMI splitter.

As far as the HR44 vs. HR54 is concerned, both will do the same things except the HR54 will apparently be capable of 4K someday. The other notable change is the control buttons are missing from the front of the HR54. The fact you can only use the remote to control the HR54 isn't that big a deal to me. To see what some of the other differences are, read the review at the link in my post #19.

Why would I need a powered HDMI splitter? My existing set up has one coax coming from the SWM splitter to the front receiver, HDMI directly out to TV; second coax from SWM splitter goes to receiver in rear of coach which also has HDMI cable to that TV.


It seems like the complicating factor is the HR54's built in power inserter. If I get the HR44, sounds like I can use the existing inserter and just simply replace one receiver with the HR44.

Maybe I need to forget the genie idea and just replace one of my existing receivers with a HDDVR receiver. I only considered the genie set up so we could watch recorded programs from either TV in the coach.

[docj]

Originally Posted by smlranger

4.

Maybe I need to forget the genie idea and just replace one of my existing receivers with a HDDVR receiver. I only considered the genie set up so we could watch recorded programs from either TV in the coach.

I don't know why you are giving up on the idea; we have what you are
proposing to do and it works fine. Personally, from what I've read on the DirecTV forums the HR54 is not an "improvement" over the HR44, just a cheaper to produce model (with, it appears, an integrated power inserter). The HR44 is the most responsive receiver I've ever had from DTV and it runs cold compared to the "20 series" ones. Why not do what you just proposed and get a 44 since it is a proven, reliable unit and you can leave your power inserter just as it is?

[Triker56]

The HR54 has a 21V built in inserter.
Will that power the SK-3005's SWM8 with the conversion kit that is 29V power?