DIRECTV has two-and-a-half different services to choose from. That’s good for customers who want options, but it can be hard to understand sometimes. Let me explain.
DIRECTV Satellite
When most folks think of DIRECTV, this is what they think of. There’s a satellite dish on your roof and it brings programming into boxes that are in your house.
DIRECTV for Internet
This is a live-TV streaming service that gives you pretty much the same content you get on DIRECTV satellite. The difference is that you don’t need a satellite dish on your roof.
DIRECTV Stream
This is also a live-TV streaming service that gives you pretty much the same content you get on DIRECTV satellite. The difference is that there’s no contract and you pay month-to-month.
OK, let’s start again.
Understanding the three services is probably going to take a table like this:
| Service | Contract? | Need dish? | Can stream content? |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV satellite | 2 years | Yes | Yes |
| DIRECTV for Internet | 2 years | No | Yes |
| DIRECTV Stream | No | No | Yes |
As you can see, the big difference between DIRECTV for Internet and DIRECTV Stream is the contract. The pricing is different as well, but that’s a lot more detail than I’ll go into here. That’s not really the focus of this article. The focus of this article is the increasingly confusing “Gemini” device.
The three different Gemini devices
This is the Gemini for Satellite, model C71KW. It’s used for the DIRECTV Satellite Service.
This is the Gemini for Internet, model C71KW. It’s also known as the Osprey, the AT&T TV device, and the DIRECTV Stream device. If you think it looks just like the Gemini for Satellite, you’re right. It does. It’s the exact same hardware. It’s not sold anymore, but you can get them used on eBay.
This is the Gemini Air. It’s used with the DIRECTV for Internet and DIRECTV Stream services, and not for DIRECTV for Satellite. It’s a little box that hangs off your TV’s HDMI port and gives you all the same benefits as the Gemini for Internet.
Now to the answers
If you have a DIRECTV for Internet or DIRECTV Stream account, you can’t use a Gemini for Satellite. That device needs to stay at home and be connected to your Genie DVR. But, it doesn’t matter because as a DIRECTV Satellite subscriber, you essentially get DIRECTV streaming for free. It’s just not called DIRECTV Stream, even though it uses the same app.
I know, now you’re just getting angry, I get it.
If you have a satellite dish on your roof, you can load the DIRECTV app onto your phone, tablet, or most streaming devices and smart TVs. It’s the same app that’s used to access DIRECTV Stream. You can sign in with your DIRECTV Satellite account credentials. From there you can stream content from DIRECTV, including most of the recordings on your DVR.
If you have DIRECTV Satellite, can you watch TV from anywhere or stream your programs?
I know that I’m going around and around with this, folks. It seems like I’m answering the same question over and over again. Yes, I sort of am. I’m trying to get Google to notice all the different ways you can ask this same question.
If you have a satellite dish at home, you can still use DIRECTV while you’re away from home. You’ll get the same streaming content as if you had DIRECTV Stream. They just don’t call it DIRECTV Stream. It doesn’t cost anything more, and it’s easy to do.
Just load the DIRECTV app on your phone or tablet. Sign in with the same credentials you use at DIRECTV.com or ATT.com when you look at your bill. You’ll get local channels if you’re in your local area. If you’re outside your local area, generally you’ll get all the national channels but not the local ones.
You’ll be able to watch programs that you recorded on your home DVR, as long as your home satellite TV equipment is connected to the internet. There might be one or two programs that you can’t watch, but most will be there.
Do you need to sign up for DIRECTV Stream in order to watch DIRECTV outside your house?
If you have DIRECTV Satellite, you do NOT need to get a separate DIRECTV Stream account in order to watch your programs outside your home. Just load the free DIRECTV app onto your phone or tablet.
However, if you don’t want to have a satellite dish at home, you will need to sign up for DIRECTV Stream or DIRECTV for Internet.
Can you take your Gemini from home and use it on the road?
No, you cannot. The Gemini for Satellite only works when connected to your home’s Genie DVR.
Still confused?
I get it. There are these different services and they’re all basically the same and they’re also not. There are three different devices and two of them look identical. If you’re still confused, call us at 888-233-7563. We’ll take the time to figure out what you have at home and what you can do with it. If it’s after business hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you.
