A Quick Discussion of DIRECTV Remotes

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At this time there are three classes of DIRECTV remotes in use. DIRECTV is taking steps to consolidate their stocks and reduce confusion. Here is a visual and written inventory of the remotes that might be used to fulfill orders today:

Prehistory

First, a little prehistory. The familiar white remote was introduced in 2003 as the DIRECTV RC24 as a replacement for the much-loved RCA satellite remote seen above. The RCA remote actually won awards for being “easy” to understand compared to earlier remotes that were just rows and columns of identical buttons. DIRECTV developed the RC24 because they started using other manufacturers besides RCA and they did not want to license the remote design from RCA.


The original RC24 looks very much like the “white” remote in use for pre-Genie hardware but the buttons were slightly increased in size with model RC34. Every subsequent model included more codes. Two features were added. Starting with model RC34R (sometimes just labeled RC34), the remotes could be used for RF with compatible receivers.

  • All white remotes with models ending in “R,” “RB,” or “RX” are RF-capable.

The other feature addition was in 2010 with the introduction of XMP, which is a two-way IR programming process where the remotes actually receive codes from the receiver or DVR to program them.

  • All white remotes ending in “X” are XMP-capable (self-programming.)

DIRECTV “White” Remote

 

The DIRECTV “white” remote can be used in IR mode with all DIRECTV receivers made since 2003 and most DIRECTV receivers before that. RF-capable remotes can control all pre-Genie RF-capable receivers. There is no “white” remote that can control a Genie in RF mode. Unlike previous generations there is no programming difference between RC65 and RC66 series remotes and they are totally interchangeable.

Below is a short explanation of our part numbers, their capabilities and what actual products they correspond to:

DIRECTV’s “Basic White Remote”

This remote does not have RF capability. All remotes labeled with “X” at the end of the model number are self-programming when used with HR24, H24, or H25. This remote may not be available for much longer as DIRECTV’s own tech bulletins say it will no longer be in their warehouses when stocks are exhausted.
Model numbers you’ll see: RC65, RC66, RC66X, RC65X (and previous such as RC64 and RC34 which are no longer in our warehouse)
The basic white remote is no longer sold. You can get the RF-capable version and use it in IR mode if you want.

DIRECTV RF-capable backlit remote

This remote has RF capability and LED backlighting. All remotes labeled with “X” at the end of the model number are self-programming when used with HR24, H24, or H25. This remote may not be available for much longer as DIRECTV’s own tech bulletins say it will no longer be in their warehouses when stocks are exhausted.
Model numbers you’ll see: RC65RBX, RC66RBX, RC65RB (and previous such as RC64RB)
The Backlit “White” remote is no longer available. You can get them on eBay used if you want. If you want a backlit remote you can use the backlit Genie remote in IR mode.

DIRECTV RF-capable remote
This remote has RF capability and LED backlighting. All remotes labeled with “X” at the end of the model number are self-programming when used with HR24, H24, or H25.

Model numbers you’ll see: RC65RX, RC65R, RC66RX, RC66R (and previous such as RC64R and RC34 which are no longer in our warehouse)

This is the only white remote that you can still get brand new from Solid Signal.

Genie Remote

The Genie remote was introduced in 2013 with the HR44 and C41 Genie products, based off the RC70 design which was used only for Samsung DIRECTV-ready TVs and was never in wide distribution. It has fewer buttons and a simpler layout.

The Genie remote does not have XMP capability. Instead it uses the industry-standard RF4CE protocol which allows for self-programming of the remote without line of sight. As a result, Genie Remotes are only self-programming with all Genie devices (except the obsolete HR34 and C31. The RF4CE protocol is also used for RF communication between remote and receiver. As a result Genie remotes cannot control pre-HR44 devices in RF mode, and “white” remotes cannot be used to control Genie devices in RF mode.
All Genie remotes have both RF and IR capability. Genie remotes can control any DIRECTV receiver made since 2003 (and some made prior to that) in IR mode.

To date there are three generations of Genie Remotes:
  • RC71: Original version
  • RC72: Adds fixes for certain TVs that would not power on, plus compatibility with 2014 Sony TVs
  • RC73: Adds compatibility with 2015 LG TVs

Below is a short explanation of our part numbers, their capabilities and what actual DIRECTV products they correspond to:

Genie Remote

All versions are self-programming when used with HR44, C41 and later devices and all work in RF mode with HR44, C41 and later devices.
Model numbers you’ll see: RC71, RC72, RC73

Backlit Genie Remote

All versions are self-programming when used with Genie DVRs and clients and all work in RF mode with Genie devices.
Model numbers you’ll see: RC71B, RC73B

Hotel Remote

The hotel remote is visually identical to the Genie remote but completely incompatible. This remote will not work for home users and is labeled on the back with text that tells the customer of that fact. It is used only in DIRECTV Residential Experience properties and replaces the RC54 which was not in wide distribution. All hotel remotes have an anti-microbial coating.

DIRECTV CSRs sometimes send this remote to people with DIRECTV-Ready TVs which is a mistake. This remote will not operate a DIRECTV-ready TV.

There have been two models of hotel remote:

  • RC70H: Original version
  • RC71H: Adds codes for more low-end TVs and fixes compatibility issues with low-end TVs
  • RC73H: Adds even more codes
The hotel remote has only one part: the DIRECTV hotel remote as described above.
Model numbers you’ll see: RC70H, RC71H,RC73H

Which remote should you buy?

In almost every case, I recommend the Genie Remote. It will work with every DIRECTV and AT&T device in infrared mode and it will work in RF mode with any Genie device made since 2013. It’s also much less expensive than any other DIRECTV remote of similar quality.

If you are the sort of person who wants a stop button on your remote, or if you want a separate play/pause button, choose the DIRECTV “White” remote but be aware that it does not work in RF mode with Genies. That means you’ll have to point it more carefully and you won’t be able to put the Genie client behind the TV.

No matter which remote you need, Solid Signal has it at the best price!

About the Author

Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet is the editor-in-chief of The Solid Signal Blog and a "master plumber" at Signal Group, LLC. He is the author of over 10,000 articles and longform tutorials including many posted here. Reach him by clicking on "Contact the Editor" at the bottom of this page.