If you’re looking for proof that DIRECTV still rules the world of pay television, look no further than its new hardware this year. Other providers are sitting pat with the same old devices, but DIRECTV has a pair of new boxes that offer functions that DIRECTV users have been wanting for a long time. Both of them are called Gemini, and you are probably aware of them since you found this article. But, for the uninitiated, here’s a quick rundown:
Gemini for Satellite
DIRECTV takes its award-winning Genie clients to the next level with this Gemini for Satellite. Start with everything you love about Genie – small, quiet boxes that do everything a large DVR can do. Then, add voice commands and the ability to run tens of thousands of streaming apps. How can you go wrong?
Gemini Air for streaming-only
What if you can’t get a satellite dish, or don’t want one? Choose the Gemini Air and get all that same DIRECTV entertainment over the internet! One device gives you all the apps you want, plus live TV and cloud DVR functions you can’t get anywhere else.
But getting back to over-the-air antennas…
Both the satellite service and the streaming service offer local channels. Generally each local market will get about half a dozen local network affiliates, which is enough for many people. But antenna fans know that most areas have about 60-70 different channels that you can get over the air. Some are special-purpose, serving non-English speakers or offering shopping over the TV. Others appeal to folks who grew up on TV shows from the 50s through the 90s. It’s a smorgasbord of entertainment and it’s worth checking out. Not only that, it’s all free!
Adding over-the-air service to a Gemini
Unfortunately there’s no way to connect a Gemini to an antenna. Whether you have the Gemini Air or the Gemini for Satellite, there’s simply no point of connection. If you have an HR54 (Genie 1) DVR, you can connect an older device called an AM21, or a device called the LCC, to it and that will pass local channels to all your Genie clients. However, the AM21 hasn’t been made in many years and the LCC was never made in large numbers. Neither of them will work with the HS17 Genie 2, which makes up a large proportion of people with Geminis.
However, there’s a simple way to do this. Just connect the antenna straight to the TV. Yes, this means you’ll have to change inputs when you want to watch Live TV. There are some devices that will add local channels from your antenna to your app’s home screen, too. It’s worth checking them out and finding the one that makes the most sense to you.
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