Note: This article is about the DIRECTV Gemini for Satellite. If you use the DIRECTV service without a satellite dish, this article may not be the most accurate information for you.
DIRECTV has had wireless client technology for a decade now, starting with the C41W Wireless Genie Mini. You can read the initial review of that box here. However, the way that you connect your Genie client has changed depending on what generation of DIRECTV equipment you have. If you have an HR44 or HR54 Genie, which look something like this:
That sort of Genie DVR requires a second piece of hardware to work with a wireless client. The Wireless Video Bridge from DIRECTV adds the capability to use wireless clients. All you need to do is connect it via your satellite system’s coax cable, plug it into AC power and wait 2 minutes for the light to turn blue. From there, the process of adding a client is simple and fairly automatic. If the client does not add by itself or give you a PIN number to key in, call our activation team at 888-233-7563 and we’ll help with everything.
If you have the Genie 2, which looks like this:
This device has the wireless bridge built in. So, pairing is even easier. If you get your wireless client from Solid Signal, we’ll call you ahead of time to make sure that it’s set up so that it connects easily when you get it.
What about using a Gemini?
Adding a Gemini to your DIRECTV system is just as easy. If you have other wireless clients, your Solid Signal activation specialist will have paired it to your account and it should “just work” when you connect it. If you need to add a video bridge to your older Genie, you can do that as well.
When you start up your Gemini for the first time, it should automatically find the wireless network belonging to your Genie. If it doesn’t, and you are given a list of available wireless networks, choose the one that starts with “DIRECTV.”
Can you connect to your home Wi-Fi instead?
A lot of people call us and say they want to connect their Gemini to home Wi-Fi instead of straight to the Genie. Usually this is because the client box is too far away from the Genie and the Wi-Fi signal from it can’t be found.
The answer is that you can absolutely do this. However, the connection may not be as stable as if you connected via the Genie’s internet connection.
If you are setting up your Gemini for the first time
If you are given a choice of wireless networks, all you have to do is pick the one you want. You’ll need the password or passphrase, which you can key in using the remote. It’s that easy.
If you are moving your Gemini from another room
If your Gemini was previously connected to your Genie and you move it into another room, you should get a message that your Gemini can’t connect, followed by a list of available networks. Just pick the one you want, and enter in the password or passphrase.
If your Gemini is able to connect to your Genie but you want to change wireless networks, press MENU, arrow down to Settings, and then arrow over to Internet Setup. Choose Reconfigure Connection and you can go through the wireless setup and choose a different network.
The warning
The Gemini is designed to work with the wireless network provided by your Genie. If you’re going to use it a different way, it will probably still work. However, every home network is different. Yours may be so stable you could run a government installation on it. Or, it may be flaky. If you’re using your own home network to run your Gemini, that puts all the pressure on you to make sure that your Wi-Fi is strong and the network isn’t congested.
Unlike streaming apps, the satellite signal isn’t buffered. It’s all in real time. So if there’s a drop in the connection, you’ll lose picture for a moment. You may not even know that your network has issues because your streaming service buffers lower-quality streams in case your internet slows down. Because DIRECTV satellite doesn’t do that, you’ll know it when your network slows down.
Still need help?
If you’re not sure what to do next, call the tech experts at Solid Signal! We’re here for you during East Coast business hours. Call 888-233-7563 or fill out the form below. We’ll get you taken care of!
