Friends, what you see is DIRECTV’s Gemini. It’s a little confusing to look at, because the same exact box can serve two different purposes. There’s a version that connects to a Genie DVR and is used with satellite TV service. There’s another version that is used with DIRECTV’s streaming service. It’s no longer sold as new, but you can still use one if you have it or if you get one used. Make no mistake, these two things are the exact same hardware, but the software in them gives them two different purposes.
This article is about the satellite TV one.
DIRECTV has a streaming service, which they rather confusingly call “DIRECTV.” (They also call their satellite service “DIRECTV.”) If you have that streaming service, you can use your devices anywhere that you have an internet connection. But this article isn’t about that. This article is for all of you folks who have satellite dishes on your roofs and Genie DVRs in your house.
You may think that just because this same box will work for the DIRECTV streaming service, that you can take it with you when you travel and that it will work. That’s not really true, unfortunately. As I write this article, DIRECTV’s satellite equipment can only be used in the location where the satellite dish is. This isn’t just a policy decision. It literally just won’t work without a dish. And, if you have a Gemini, it just won’t work without a Genie DVR.
Yeah but what about…?
When I tell people the truth about all of this, they start with the “can’t I just’s.” I understand it folks, you want to be able to use the equipment a particular way. So, as a public service I present some questions I’ve gotten before and the answers that might not make you smile.
Can’t I just use the streaming part of the Gemini and just not use the satellite part?
In certain cases, this will work for a few hours. However it’s not reliable. It will stop working unexpectedly. Plus, you’ll need to reconfigure your network connection and that might make it harder to reconnect when you get back home.
Can’t I just convert my Gemini to work with the streaming service and convert it back when I get home?
If you did want to use the streaming service, that would cost you an additional monthly fee roughly equal to what you pay for DIRECTV Satellite per month.
Can’t I just use the DIRECTV app on my Gemini like I do on my phone?
It is actually possible to load the DIRECTV App for Android devices on your Gemini. I’ve done it. However it’s practically impossible to use because most of the remote buttons won’t work for the app. Plus, as I said above, you’ll have unexpected troubles trying to use your Gemini outside your house.
Can’t I just bring my Genie DVR and my Gemini and have them work?
Putting aside for a moment that this would be a lot of work, it would actually let you use both devices for a short period of time. If you connected the Genie to the internet and the Gemini to the Genie, you’d be able to stream live TV as well as use apps, probably for about 6 hours. The Genie would think you’re having a signal outage and try to give you the best programming it could. However, after about 6 hours it would stop giving you live programming. Some time after that (it could be one day or two weeks, it’s random) your devices would lose authorization and it would stop working.
It’s also worth pointing out that Genie DVRs won’t work properly with RV or marine dishes unless they can simulate a Slimline-SWM dish.
Can’t I just buy a second Gemini, this one for internet, and use that?
Well, you could, but this wouldn’t let you watch saved recordings on your DVR. You’d be on the hook for the cost of that second Gemini, plus you’d have to sign up for DIRECTV’s internet-based streaming service, which would cost you about the same as you’re paying for satellite. You could, of course, suspend your satellite service for up to six months if you wanted to do it that way.
Here’s what you can do instead
The answer is so simple and it might not even cost you anything. You can use the DIRECTV app on your phone, on your tablet, and on pretty much any inexpensive streaming device. You can get a Roku or Fire stick for under $30 most of the time if you want to do that. Using that app and your current credentials, you can watch over 100 channels of live TV, get thousands of hours of on-demand content, and even watch recordings from your Genie at home.
The bottom line is that there’s no need to take a Gemini with you. There’s just a better way to do all of that.
By the way, if you do want to upgrade your DIRECTV service, call the experts at Solid Signal! We’re here for you during East Coast business hours. The number is 888-233-7563. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below and we’ll get right back to you!
