DIRECTV C41 Advanced whole home Client with RF Remote (mini Genie)

I purchased two of these to replace two H24 DirecTV HD receivers, because I wanted the receivers out of sight. I also wanted the DVR functions for these TVs. While the H24 could play programs that have been recorded on my Genie DVR, the other functions, such as pausing live TV do not work with a DirecTV receiver. Having the C41 Genie Client allows all the same functions that you have if you are watching TV on the Genie itself.Installation was very simple. The C41 is very small and I was able to tuck it behind my wall mounted flat panel TVs.Once I physically installed them, I called DirecTV and had them added to my account within minutes. I just told the DirecTV rep I was replacing two of my H24 receivers with the C41s., gave him the serial numbers and mac addresses of the C41s, and then gave him the serial numbers of the H24s to remove from my account. DirecTV sent me two boxes and prepaid labels to return the leased H24 receivers.I am a long time DirecTV customer, and will probably be so for many years, but I do not like being beholden to DirecTV and am out of contract so I would rather spend a few bucks to purchase these rather than taking a free upgrade of the C41s from DirecTV and having to re-up for another two year contract.

First of all...great item, no issues with delivery. Came packaged just as it was described and is the same device that Directv would ship to you. From that standpoint, would definitely recommend.The thing to keep in mind is that this is not a wireless device. In my situation, I added a TV to a bedroom that previously didn't have either a TV or a Directv connection. Since I have a regular Directv Genie in another room in the house, I was under the impression I could just connect this Mini Genie to the new TV and wirelessly access programming from the main Genie. This is not the case. As a result, Directv did have to come out and install a line that runs from the dish to this new bedroom hookup which cost me about $100.So, if you are putting this Mini Genie in a room that already has a Directv hookup, it may be a simple connection and you'll be up and running. However, if you are putting it in a room that has no previous Directv wiring, plan to spend an additional amount of money to have them come out and install.

I already had the Genie system in the house and wanted to add another Genie mini to the system for a new TV that was in a room that already had a DirecTV cable coming into it. It couldn't have been easier. I just hooked it up to the new TV similar to how you'd hook up a cable box. I followed the online prompts where you have to put in the PIN number to link it with the queen-bee Genie receiver, then I got a message on the screen saying that I had to call them because it was an "add" to the system and not replacing an existing unit. So I called and shortly after that it was up and running. That's pretty much it. It's been working fine ever since. The remote will take some getting used to after so many years of using the old one but I'm sure that will come over time. The remote will run a TV and also an audio device so if you have your audio running through a stereo receiver or home theater system you can control the volume on that in addition to being able to turn the TV on and off, etc. Programming for this can be a little tedious but not that bad in the long run. Overall I'm very happy with the whole process. I ordered it here on Amazon, Amazon Prime had it at my door in 2 days, easy installation, and I'm sure it saved me a fortune over just calling DTV to come do it, not to mention how long it might've taken them just to show up versus getting it running myself 48hrs after ordering it here! It's all good.UPDATE 11/05/2014: I just noticed that this unit is currently not Amazon Prime eligible at the moment like it was when I bought it. Make sure you shop around all the Amazon seller partners for best available price. Don't assume what they offer you on the Amazon main product page is the best deal. It might not be anymore. Just an FYI....

recently, my mother that lives next door to me took the leap from cable service to direct tv. intially, we started with just one main dvr (genie) and 1 genie client just like this one. well, one room was getting used more than expected so rather than moving the box back and forth, thought it would be easier just to add another genie client. (room had cabling and everything already ran) and the line going to that room was hot. (make sure you tell the direct tv installer this when they install your service, otherwise it won't work.)directv wanted about 100.00 or so for this, so i naturally came online to amazon and ordered here. it arrived in about 2 or 3 days. i checked out the seller, and read the feedback. i was a little nervous ordering from a private seller, but this one had good reviews.i recieved the box, unpacked it. please note, YOU WILL NEED A HDMI cable. this unit doesn't come with one.the cables are cheap enough, 5.00 online and about 12.00 locally. don't ever pay 40, 50, 60, or 100.00 for one! the 5.00 to 12.00 ones work just fine.i had to call in and speak with the direct tv rep to get the box activated, they will ask for the serial # and the mac address. within 12 minutes or so i was up and running. so, the process was pretty painless.remember, however, whenever you add a box to your account, it EXTENDS your contract, luckily in my case, the service was just activated last week, so the contract really didn't get extended, if you haggle and such, there is a way around this, however i didn't have the time or the patience to negotiate, plus it didn't matter anyway.all in all, not bad. i thought it would be a real pain, having to wait on hold forever, box no good, etc. but it worked out great. this seller is good. if you want to add another wired genie, this is the way to go.update 3/2/15****purchased one for myself to upgrade from my standard receiver that i had in my bedroom, now i can watch my dvr in the other room and not just the living room. directv wanted $100.00 for this! i came online here to amazon and saved over $62.00 dollars. pretty much a no brainer there :)update 10/16/15 still performing well, but please NOTE when you add this, or any other reciever, your CONTRACT AUTOMATICALLY RESETS, so from the date you activate it, to the end date is 2 years. i should have noted this before, but just realized it now.this is Definetly a con, but it's a direct tv issue, not a issue with the product itself.

Item arrived quickly but was missing the remote. I emailed the company. They responded immediately; apologized and overnighted the remote.Darren said their goal was happy customers and I am one. The box works perfect for my direct tv. It was a quick call to direct and I am set up. The description said installing this unit would increase my contract by 2 years. I talked to 3 direct tv people and they said no it does not affect my contract at all.