We currently have an HR21-700 on the main TV and a H21-200 in the bedroom. I'm thinking about upgrading to a Genie. I'd like to know how much this will cost me both upfront for equipment and for monthly service. Thanks. 

     SO here is something new...

My main Genie in my living room is connected to internet via ethernet and is having no issues.

Both Mini Genies in bedrooms are having issues where on LIVE TV, the show will freeze at random points, generally 5-15 min into the program and go to a black screen. After a min, the show will come back on from the spot where I turned the channel to.

It seems to happen only once, but I have experienced it repeating multiple times.

Also, when hitting guide it is EXTREMELY slow, having a black screen though I can see the live TV in the upper left. the guide will show up after a solid min.

When watching DVR from the Minis, the show will freeze at parts and the remote cannot be used. it will then start over from the very beginning on the DVR. FRUSTRATING.

Again, no issues with actual Genie.

Any Thoughts?

My HR44 Genie DVR is freezing frequently. It is *ALWAYS and ONLY* at the end of a commercial in live TV. Once it freezes, it stays there, unless I reverse a few seconds, then fast forward past the final frame of the commercial. All the content is there. If I back up, then hit play, it always freezes in exactly the same end frame of the commercial.  The latest incident was the end of a Lexus commercial on Fox News channel a little while ago.

All sats are strong and good. Receiver is otherwise, perfectly fine. No pixelations, no dropouts, no weather (perfectly clear blue sky and no wind).

I ran the hard drive surface test in the advanced diagnostics, with 0 errors.

As others have mentioned on the forum, this appears to be an issue with local advertisement insertions.  It has only started fairly recently.

Diagnostic code 71-73-239 HR34/700

Strange issue here - but it sounds like DIrecTV is aware of the issue after speaking to technical support tonight.  I'm posting to see if anyone else is seeing the same pattern to this issue.

Equipment:  Genie HR34-700 whole home DVR with 5 minis.

Problem:  We automatically record the channel 2 news (KTVU) at 10:00pm every night in Oakland, CA and watch it delayed.  When watching the playback of the recordings, sections of the news will freeze, stutter and pixelate with audio completely dropped out.  We have not noticed this when watching the news live - just on playback of the recording - either through pausing or playing the recording from the "list."  It happens both on the main DVR and on the minis.  Resetting the devices does not change the situation.  We also have not noticed it on other programs we record on the same station - like football games.

My hard drive is fine.

Live playback appears fine.

Recorded playback of this one particular program, the KTVU channel 2 news, has the problem.

More strangely:  During the playback of the news, the problem never happens during commercials on the news or when the news is broadcasting the main studio cameras (it happens rarely on the weather studio cameras).  It seems to mostly happen when the news cuts to live cameras in the field.  And it happens during just about every segment that cuts to a field camera.

It feels like there is some sort of strange incompatibility with the field cameras and how they are fed to DirecTV and encoded by the DVR when recorded.  Otherwise, this would happen with the studio cameras, commercials, and also when live.

Since our recorded news is basically unwatchable now, I really would like this solved.  The person I spoke with at DirecTV tech support tonight said they are aware of this issue and engineers are working on it, but they don't know when it will be fixed.  I've had my genie setup for almost a year, and this issue just started about 6 weeks ago, so it seems like a software problem DirecTV introduced somewhere.  Tech support was not familiar with the pattern I described of this happening only during field camera segments.

Anyone else noticing patterns to this?  Maybe we can help the engineers fix this if they get enough details.  Very frustrating - and if it persists I fear we'll have to switch to cableTV (which I don't want to do).

Googling around, I found other forums discussing similar type issues.  Some of those claimed the issue is more likely on an HR34-700, but I have no way to verify if another model would be better.

Thanks!

My new Genie box is not connecting to the network. I can see it on my router/switch, so I know the static IP address I gave it is correct and it has physical connections but I'm getting errors and I haven't found a translation of the various error codes.

System test returns a code 71-73-79-944

Network test returns a code of 86-566

I need some help using my SlingBox 500 with my DirecTV service. I currently have the SlingBox connected to the HD Whole House DVR and it works great.  However I'd like to move it to another Genie receiver in the house so I can watch something remotely (when I'm away from home), while the HD Whole House DVR is being watched by someone else at home.  Problem is the Genie remote receivers (Model C41-700) don't have component output signals (the SlingBox 500 requires both HDMI and component inputs to operate).  Is there another Genie receiver that has component output or is there another workaround for this.  I don't want to have to get another HD DVR receiver to be able to do this.

I have had an HR34 for 18 months and from the beginning I've complained to DTV about slow menus, occasional 15-20 second delays on channel changes, terrible responsiveness on ff/rew/play/pause controls - anyone with an HR34 is experiencing these issues.  This forum is full of similar reports.

I knew at the time I got the HR34 that there was an HR44 that was reportedly faster and it was available.  I was told by DTV at the time that they had no way to ensure that I'd get an HR44, I'd have to roll the dice - and when I got the HR34 I was told that I could buy the "Equipment Protection Plan" for $8/mo and after 18 months I would be upgraded to an HR44 free of charge.  So I waited, and when I was notified of upgrade ability, I called and was told "you can't upgrade an HR34 to an HR44 because they are identical in terms of speed and the HR44 is not considered an upgrade..."  I was told this by not one, but eight separate DTV tech support staff and supervisors.  I was told over and over that the only difference between HR34 and HR44 was wireless - I was even told that they were of similar size (in reality the HR44 is 1/3 the size).

Fast forward - I've purchased an HR44 and installed it. The HR44 is 300% faster at nearly all operations as compared to the HR34 - it's not even close to the same speed. So, one of two things is going on here - DTV staff are aware of this and are trained to lie about it, or they are intentionally being told a falsehood to keep customers from demanding the HR44 based on performance and response time.

Before the DTV fan boys respond with a bunch of mis-information or ask whether my HR34 is defective - this is not a debate at this point.  I did finally reach someone at DTV retention who knew that the HR44 was faster and who helped me out.  In his words: "it's a whole other ball game" when referring to the speed and responsiveness of the HR44 compared to the HR34.  This video from solid signal from two years ago is accurate - I think the experience is even better now having the HR44:

The Solid Signal Blog

Furthermore, it's clear from published specifications that the CPU used in the HR44 is a newer, faster, better Broadcom CPU than what is used in the HR34 - so how is it right or justifiable to have DTV personnel claim that the units are identical?

So - why is DTV lying to customers about the HR44?  I think we all deserve an answer.

Also - my recommendation: either discontinue the HR34 or price it lower than the HR44 - admit to the difference between these units and give customers the option to get the better unit.

I can't play any recordings on my playlist. I already tried rebooting by pressing the red button and unplugging the box, but that didn't help.

Anyone know what the problem is?

My model is H24-200 btw.

I have a single Genie (HR34/700) with the latest software updates (6/14). I have a single TV, so I do not have any of the mini units. The unit is connected to the internet, however I do not stream. I've done the reset which I've seen mentioned as well.

During the playback of recorded shows, the playback will will randomly freeze. Once the video abruptly stops, pressing Play on the remote does not start the video again. Instead, I have to press the fast forward once, sometimes twice, or press skip to get past that point in the video. Once I do that, then the video is fine -- until it happens again later in the recording.

If I skip a bad spot, press rewind to go back before it and then click play -- it will freeze again on the same spot.

During a playback of an hour long show, it happened 13 times -- which was kind of the straw that broke the camels back. We've had the Genie for about a month now and have had these same playback issues since day 3 (once we had some shows recorded).

On 5/18/2014 (5 days ago), I received an email from my ISP:

As of approximately 11:59 p.m. CT on 05/17/2014, your Internet account had used 391 GB in the current monthly billing period, exceeding the monthly allowance of 350 GB. This is the first time your account has exceeded its monthly allowance since our current plan was put into place. Per that plan, customers are not billed for exceeding the monthly allowance until the third time doing so. Very few customers exceed their allowance; even fewer exceed it three times. In the future, we'll notify you whenever your account approaches its allowance and again if it exceeds that allowance.

Shocked , I decided to look at the daily Internet bandwidth usage, and the spike started on 5/14/2014:

Bandwidth usage image

Perplexed, I disconnected everything from the router, including my GenieGO, and plugged my devices back in, one at a time, and the spike occurred when I reconnected my HR44/700 to the router.  This was confirmed by my router's custom firmware, which allows me to track bandwidth usage by device.  The DirecTV HR44 receiver is consuming approximately 4 GB/hour (100 GB/day!):

HR44 bandwidth usage by hour

It can't be a coincidence that the HR44 just had a software update on or around the same time that this bandwidth consumption started, can it? (per screenshot below, it is Software 0x863, Thu 5/15, 3:56a)

HR44 Software Version

I called DIRECTV support and they were unaware of an issue with the HR44 constantly consuming bandwidth.  They've escalated to engineering which is "supposed to call me back within 72 hours" (it's been a couple of days).

This seems to be triggered by trying to watch VOD, but the consumption continues WAY after that point.  There seems to be a bug in this software where it is constantly downloading/retrying.

Looking into the router's active connections, it's downloading from these IPs: 205.128.65.253, 206.33.35.252, 209.84.19.253

Accesses to directvapplications.122.2o7.net seem to precede the big downloads.

Any ideas???  I'm fearful my ISP will terminate my connection if this consumption doesn't subside!

I waa wondering if someone could tell me how to pause live tv in one room and continue where I lfet off in the other room? Thanks.

Strange issue here - but it sounds like DIrecTV is aware of the issue after speaking to technical support tonight.  I'm posting to see if anyone else is seeing the same pattern to this issue.

Equipment:  Genie HR34-700 whole home DVR with 5 minis.

Problem:  We automatically record the channel 2 news (KTVU) at 10:00pm every night in Oakland, CA and watch it delayed.  When watching the playback of the recordings, sections of the news will freeze, stutter and pixelate with audio completely dropped out.  We have not noticed this when watching the news live - just on playback of the recording - either through pausing or playing the recording from the "list."  It happens both on the main DVR and on the minis.  Resetting the devices does not change the situation.  We also have not noticed it on other programs we record on the same station - like football games.

My hard drive is fine.

Live playback appears fine.

Recorded playback of this one particular program, the KTVU channel 2 news, has the problem.

More strangely:  During the playback of the news, the problem never happens during commercials on the news or when the news is broadcasting the main studio cameras (it happens rarely on the weather studio cameras).  It seems to mostly happen when the news cuts to live cameras in the field.  And it happens during just about every segment that cuts to a field camera.

It feels like there is some sort of strange incompatibility with the field cameras and how they are fed to DirecTV and encoded by the DVR when recorded.  Otherwise, this would happen with the studio cameras, commercials, and also when live.

Since our recorded news is basically unwatchable now, I really would like this solved.  The person I spoke with at DirecTV tech support tonight said they are aware of this issue and engineers are working on it, but they don't know when it will be fixed.  I've had my genie setup for almost a year, and this issue just started about 6 weeks ago, so it seems like a software problem DirecTV introduced somewhere.  Tech support was not familiar with the pattern I described of this happening only during field camera segments.

Anyone else noticing patterns to this?  Maybe we can help the engineers fix this if they get enough details.  Very frustrating - and if it persists I fear we'll have to switch to cableTV (which I don't want to do).

Googling around, I found other forums discussing similar type issues.  Some of those claimed the issue is more likely on an HR34-700, but I have no way to verify if another model would be better.

Thanks!

Is there a way to hide recorded content on DVR playlist, or set up different playlists that are separate from each other to prevent one person from erasing content from another list?

Hello,

I have a quick question. Im currently with ATT U Verse TV and there is a limit on the number of active streams. At our home, we can have 4 HD streams going.. so if someone attempts to record in HD when all 4 are in use, unless someone is watching what is being recorded, it will kick someone off HD.

I want to assume with DirecTV this wouldnt be an issue but I would like to know if there could still be this issue and what the number is for them. Thanks in advance!

My HR44 Genie DVR is freezing frequently. It is *ALWAYS and ONLY* at the end of a commercial in live TV. Once it freezes, it stays there, unless I reverse a few seconds, then fast forward past the final frame of the commercial. All the content is there. If I back up, then hit play, it always freezes in exactly the same end frame of the commercial.  The latest incident was the end of a Lexus commercial on Fox News channel a little while ago.

All sats are strong and good. Receiver is otherwise, perfectly fine. No pixelations, no dropouts, no weather (perfectly clear blue sky and no wind).

I ran the hard drive surface test in the advanced diagnostics, with 0 errors.

As others have mentioned on the forum, this appears to be an issue with local advertisement insertions.  It has only started fairly recently.

Diagnostic code 71-73-239 HR34/700

Strange issue here - but it sounds like DIrecTV is aware of the issue after speaking to technical support tonight.  I'm posting to see if anyone else is seeing the same pattern to this issue.

Equipment:  Genie HR34-700 whole home DVR with 5 minis.

Problem:  We automatically record the channel 2 news (KTVU) at 10:00pm every night in Oakland, CA and watch it delayed.  When watching the playback of the recordings, sections of the news will freeze, stutter and pixelate with audio completely dropped out.  We have not noticed this when watching the news live - just on playback of the recording - either through pausing or playing the recording from the "list."  It happens both on the main DVR and on the minis.  Resetting the devices does not change the situation.  We also have not noticed it on other programs we record on the same station - like football games.

My hard drive is fine.

Live playback appears fine.

Recorded playback of this one particular program, the KTVU channel 2 news, has the problem.

More strangely:  During the playback of the news, the problem never happens during commercials on the news or when the news is broadcasting the main studio cameras (it happens rarely on the weather studio cameras).  It seems to mostly happen when the news cuts to live cameras in the field.  And it happens during just about every segment that cuts to a field camera.

It feels like there is some sort of strange incompatibility with the field cameras and how they are fed to DirecTV and encoded by the DVR when recorded.  Otherwise, this would happen with the studio cameras, commercials, and also when live.

Since our recorded news is basically unwatchable now, I really would like this solved.  The person I spoke with at DirecTV tech support tonight said they are aware of this issue and engineers are working on it, but they don't know when it will be fixed.  I've had my genie setup for almost a year, and this issue just started about 6 weeks ago, so it seems like a software problem DirecTV introduced somewhere.  Tech support was not familiar with the pattern I described of this happening only during field camera segments.

Anyone else noticing patterns to this?  Maybe we can help the engineers fix this if they get enough details.  Very frustrating - and if it persists I fear we'll have to switch to cableTV (which I don't want to do).

Googling around, I found other forums discussing similar type issues.  Some of those claimed the issue is more likely on an HR34-700, but I have no way to verify if another model would be better.

Thanks!

My HR44 Genie DVR is freezing frequently. It is *ALWAYS and ONLY* at the end of a commercial in live TV. Once it freezes, it stays there, unless I reverse a few seconds, then fast forward past the final frame of the commercial. All the content is there. If I back up, then hit play, it always freezes in exactly the same end frame of the commercial.  The latest incident was the end of a Lexus commercial on Fox News channel a little while ago.

All sats are strong and good. Receiver is otherwise, perfectly fine. No pixelations, no dropouts, no weather (perfectly clear blue sky and no wind).

I ran the hard drive surface test in the advanced diagnostics, with 0 errors.

As others have mentioned on the forum, this appears to be an issue with local advertisement insertions.  It has only started fairly recently.

I waa wondering if someone could tell me how to pause live tv in one room and continue where I lfet off in the other room? Thanks.