Since their release, the DIRECTV Gemini for Satellite and Gemini Air have been some of the biggest hits we’ve had at Solid Signal in years. Customers with satellite dishes love the Gemini for Satellite for its power, speed, and the ability to run apps. The Gemini Air is a hit for streaming customers who want the power of a traditional remote control combined with the modern streaming lifestyle. Of course folks love it at home, so they naturally ask how they can make it work for their businesses. Unfortunately, there’s some bad news there.
You can’t use a Gemini in your business, and there are several reasons.
When it comes to Gemini, it’s a home-only product. The rules for businesses are different, and the way DIRECTV interprets them means that they simply don’t offer certain products to business customers. While it’s true that they’re leaving a bit of money on the table here, they’re also staying clear of lawsuits and federal actions that could endanger the entire business model. When you look at it that way, it seems smart.
Gemini for satellite requires a Genie DVR, and that’s a big part of it
The Gemini works so well that people forget it’s not a standalone device. It won’t really work at all unless it’s connected to a Genie DVR like the Genie 2. DIRECTV does not offer this product for commercial customers at all. There are a lot of rules and problems associated with using DVRs in any commercial environment. They all have to do with the way that royalties are paid to the people who create those programs. It seems like the easiest and best thing to do is to avoid those problems, and that’s exactly what DIRECTV’s rules do.
No matter which Gemini you use, you shouldn’t be streaming in your business
As far as I know, there is no streaming provider out there that will let their app be used in a business. The culprit again is copyright. These apps would have to fundamentally change their business models to account for the way royalties are paid from showing video in public places. It seems like there’s not enough money in it for them, so they don’t do it.
The terms and conditions you never read probably prohibit you from streaming in public places. There’s an exception if you are just using your phone so you personally can watch. It’s important to know this because it’s so easy for these apps to know where you are. Most people don’t bother putting in complex VPN tunnels in their businesses. I am guessing that if you had one of those, you could fool companies like Netflix into not knowing where you are. But, failing that, they can generally pinpoint your location within about ten feet if you’re using any internet service at all. So if you use Disney+ in your restaurant, they can tell. The only reason they haven’t hit you with a cease and desist yet is they haven’t gotten around to it.
Why is this such a touchy subject?
It all boils down to copyright. Companies like DIRECTV and Netflix aren’t trying to hurt you. They’re trying to make sure everyone’s on the right side of the law. Copyright law in this country says that when you create a work of art, you have the right to demand royalties if it’s used. Every time you hear a song on the radio, watch a TV show, or even read a book, someone is getting paid royalties.
What’s most important to know is those royalties all depend on how many people hear or see the thing. There’s a standard royalty for home use that’s based on the idea that your home probably doesn’t have more than a dozen people or so in it even if you’re having a party.
On the other hand, if you’re in a public place like a bar, restaurant, or even a waiting room, copyright holders will calculate royalties depending on the “fire code occupancy” of the room. In other words, on how many people can legally occupy the space.
In some cases, providers like DIRECTV will offer services based on fire code occupancy. That’s how they calculate the cost of sports packages. But when it comes to being able to record and play back, that’s another whole matter and another whole cost equation.
Streaming makes it even more complex because streaming data flows differently than broadcast TV. Copyright issues are even more complex as a result. As I write this, I’m not aware of any streaming app that’s willing to wade into that.
If you have a business…
…well we can’t help you with a Gemini or a streaming box. But we can help you make the most of your electronic experience. The experts at Signal Connect can offer live TV, network wiring, security, access control, and even traditional phone service and IP-based solutions. You really can get it all with one phone call. Call us at 888-233-7563 today! We’re here during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, no problem! Fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you.
