What is Genie for DIRECTV?

DIRECTV Genie is the principal HD DVR receiver system available with DIRECTV for its satellite television service. Genie was first introduced in late 2012 and enables customers to record as many as five programmes simultaneously while at the same time watching a sixth programme, which is quite convenient and versatile with TV watching and recording.

What is included in the Genie system? DIRECTV’s Genie system comprises of three parts – Genie HD DVR, Genie Clients, and Genie Minis. Here is a brief overview of each part of the system:Here is a brief overview of each part of the system:

Genie HD DVR – This is the main digital video recorder that enables you to record shows and is the hub through which other devices connect and get their HD and standard definition programming from. It can record up to 5 shows at once while allowing you to watch and schedule a 6th live show.

Genie Clients – These are other devices that you may tune Genie DVR to. They allow you to access and view all the shows and recordings stored in your Genie DVR on other TVs around your home through coax cable. You can have maximum of 3 Genie Clients active on the same Genie at any one time.

Genie Minis – Similar to Genie Clients, Genie Minis let you access Genie recordings and channels on other TVs. The difference is they communicate with the Genie wirelessly with the help of DIRECTV’s DECA technology, which means they can be located anywhere without the need for cables. It’s also important to note that you can have up to 3 Genie Minis.

Key Features and Benefits of Genie Some of the greatest features that the Genie system provides the DIRECTV clients include the following. Here are some of the most notable ones:Here are some of the most notable ones:

Record up to 5 shows at the same time whilst watching the 6th live program - one of the advantages of Genie is the built-in 1TB hard drive that allows for recording 5 different programs and watching the sixth live. This do away with conflicts in recording and offers you lot of space for storage.

HD DVR Service to Multiple Rooms – Genie Clients and Minis allow you to connect your Genie DVR to additional TVs so you can watch all of your DVR recordings in any room with a client or mini receiver. Each TV is effectively a full HD DVR device.

Remote DVR Scheduling Genie software and the DIRECTV app also enables you to program your Genie DVR from any place or using any device- tablets or computers. You can never forget when to set up a recording or miss a recording since the software is always reminding you.

Pause Live TV and Rewind – Genie also allows you to pause or rewind live TV, which is being broadcasted from your satellite link, so you can catch the next play or the next exciting scene. This works on any Genie-connected TV in the house.

Live TV and Recording Simultaneous Watching – Another advantage of Genie platform is that it allows the viewers to watch two programs at the same time in picture-in-picture mode. You can have your preferred sports team playing while, in a separate smaller screen, you have a news channel open.

Up to 150 Hours High Definition Recording Time – You can record up to 150 hours of your favorite High Definition shows and movies in this Genie HD DVR, which is equipped with a 1 TB hard drive. You may never run out of recording space with all those hours.

On Demand Service and Apps – In addition to the ability to access all of your recordings, Genie gives DIRECTV customers access to an extensive on demand library that contains over 10,000 titles which can be viewed at the push of a button. It also has other streaming apps including the famous Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, and so on.

What are the different Genie models? Presently, DIRECTV has three main models and generations of the Genie system: Genie HD DVR, Genie HR44, and Genie 2. Here's a quick look the differences:Here's a quick look the differences:

Genie HD DVR – The Genie model has been brought out earlier in 2012 for consumers in the North America. It also has 5 tuner for 5 recording at a time, has 500GB storage, offers HD and standard definition channels and has up to 8 room connections.

Genie HR44 – This Genie version was launched in 2014, and this is simply a basic version that came with the doubling of many of the specs. It has 5 tuners, 1 TB hard drive for more than 150 hours of HD programs, similar room connections, 4K video compatibility, and improved processing speed.

Genie 2 –The latest is the 2019 Genie that features the wireless Genie Minis in place of wired clients. It can record up to 8 shows at once with help of its 7 tuners and also brought some voice control feature that were not seen before.

How Many Genies Can Be Associated With a Single DIRECTV Account? In the past, DIRECTV does not allow customers to have more than one Genie DVR per account, however, due to customers’ request for additional features, it has recently changed this policy. Now the following Genie equipment limits apply:Now the following Genie equipment limits apply:

• Each account can purchase up to 3 Genie DVRs.

• Only 1 of the DVRs can be a Genie 2 model

• Up to 3 Genie Minis or Clients can be connected to each Genie DVR

  So in total you can have full DVR service from up to 3 DVRs to up to 9 additional TV rooms in a single home when using multiple Genies. If there are multiple DVRs, there is even more choice in recording a larger number of programs.

  However, one thing to point out is that the rest of the receivers on your account that are not linked to a Genie will be restricted only to DIRECTV standard non-DVR ones in that case. This implies that while adding multiple units, you have to be fully committed to the Genie platform.

  Genie Package Options and Costs When customers switch to Genie platform, they have several TV packages to choose from, as well as initial equipment costs and monthly charges. Below are details on the main offerings DIRECTV provides for Genie:Below are details on the main offerings DIRECTV provides for Genie:

  DIRECTV Packages – Genie is mostly accessible if you are subscribed to the Choice package or the Xtra or Ultimate packages. Therefore, you have to subscribe to at least the Choice plan for the price starting from $84. 99/month. There is also access to unlimited DVR service.

  Genie HD DVR Cost – Direct television normally charges you $199 whenever you acquire your first Genie DVR. Extra Genie units cost $299 each. These fees might also be removed if one is subscribing to a company for the first time or if the company has a promotional offer.

  Mini Costs – DIRECTV will charge $6 per month for each Genie Client wired receiver that is activated for use on your account. For Genie Mini’s it is only a $7 one time fee per unit. There are no monthly fees for the wireless Minis.

  Many customers will also have to incorporate the costs of professional installation into their calculations, but it also depends on your current system and wiring as well as special deals. As you can see, with Genie, there are some fantastic advanced features that are offer but there are some fees that are tied to the configuration.

  What Are the System Requirements to Support Genie? There are a few home entertainment system requirements in order to add and support the Genie platform successfully:There are a few home entertainment system requirements in order to add and support the Genie platform successfully:

  High Speed Internet – A working high speed home internet connection is required to support all of Genie’s remote scheduling functions and other applications. These minimum thresholds are typically 4-5Mbps.

  Coaxial Cable Wiring - For setup using Genie Clients that connect your DVR to other rooms, you will require existing coaxial cables leading to the various rooms. If none exist technicians may have to lay new cables.

  High Definition Televisions – For Genie’s HD channels and DVR recordings, DIRECTV advises hooking up the system to high definition TVs only. HDMI cables are the best when it comes to picture quality.

  DECA Internet Kit – This is hardware from DIRECTV that which provides the coax cabling infrastructure for making multi-rooming feasible. It may have to be installed according to the wiring of your house or building.

  That should provide most of what subscribers will want to know when deciding to upgrade their DIRECTV service to Genie DVR platform. In offering full advanced HD DVR functionality to multiple rooms via mobile apps, Genie is one of the best products that have placed DIRECTV at the pinnacle of satellite TV service providers in the United States.