PUT A GENIE IN YOUR RV

Technology changes so fast these day, one might find it hard to keep abreast of the changes.  That is often the case with satellite TV.   It seems that every year brings some new, better system that we "must have" to keep on top.

As satellite TV improves the variety of shows also increases, leading to a need to be able to record more than one or two shows at a time for future viewing.  This is especially true with sporting events that often overlap broadcasts.

Both DishNet and DirecTV have introduced satellite receivers with higher capacity DVR's (digital video recorders).  DishNet offers the Hopper^%uFFFD and DirecTV has the Genie.  The Hopper^%uFFFD allows up to 250 hours of HD recorded program and you can record up to 6 channels at one time.  The hard drive has 2TB capacity.  The Genie can record 5 channels at a time with up to 125 hours of HD recording storage on its 1TB drive.  An external hard drive (optional) can double that capacity.  Both systems use a smaller receiver to add satellite signals to additional TV's.  The Hopper uses a Joey for each additional TV (up to 3 Joeys) and the Genie uses a Client for each additional TV.   These are all inter-connected through RG-6 cable, using appropriate connectors for the systems.   Both systems can be connected to the internet for additional viewing options.

The Hopper system might be a little less confusing for the RVer because Dish only uses two HD dishes, the 1000.2 and 1000.4 dish and they are both compatible with the Hopper.

DirecTV's setup can get a little confusing if you are unsure of which dish or receiver to use, etc.  DirecTV uses an assortment of dishes for HD but ONLY ONE type of dish works with the Genie system.  That is a SWM dish also called SWiM dish.  SWM stands for Single Wire Multiswitch and uses just one RG-6 cable to bring the satellite signals from the dish to the receiver.  Additionally, all splitters and connectors MUST be SWM compatible.  The Genie system MUST use a SWM dish with either a HR-34 or HR-44 receiver.

Both providers have strict regulations regarding additional receivers and charge additional fees for these.  If you have multiple DVR receivers (not Joeys or Clients) in your home and want to move one to the RV it might not be allowed without additional charges.

If you have only one receiver in your home you may move that to the RV with as many Joeys or Clients as allowed with no additional charges.

If you are full-time RVers with no home base to deal with, both providers will upgrade your service to just about what ever you need.