Our TV experts appreciate the power of DIRECTV's Genie DVRs, but not the cost.
DIRECTV Genie
$15.00/mo.
Up to 450 hrs. of HD storage Up to 7 simultaneous recordings 3-yr. price guarantee $15/mo. Advanced Receiver Service Fee High activation fees for some equipment Fewer built-in streaming apps than the DISH Hopper 3$15.00/mo.
Up to 450 hrs. of HD storage Up to 7 simultaneous recordings 3-yr. price guarantee $15/mo. Advanced Receiver Service Fee High activation fees for some equipment Fewer built-in streaming apps than the DISH Hopper 3Data as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*for 24 months plus taxes and fees w/ 24-mo. agmt.; AutoPay and Paperless Bill req’d. Advanced Receiver Service Fee $15/mo. is extra and applies.
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May 2, 2024 | Share
5-day free trial: Tired of cable and satellite TV but not quite sure if you wanna cut the cord? DIRECTV STREAM is a good streaming alternative for folks who want the look and feel of old-school TV without the installation requirements, equipment fees, and other headaches that come with cable.
DIRECTV has two DVR/receivers: the Genie (200 hours, 5 simultaneous recordings) and the Genie 2 (450 hours, 7 simultaneous recordings). Both devices cost $15 monthly, but the Genie 2 has a $99 bridge fee (for Wi-Fi setup) due when you sign up. We recommend the standard Genie for most people, while the beefier Genie 2 is for binge-watchers who want to eliminate cable clutter.
The DIRECTV Genie and Genie 2 DVR/receivers have enough storage and simultaneous recordings to satisfy everyone from casual users to power users. But we wish the Genies had more built-in streaming apps, native voice control, and cheaper fees.
Ultimately, our recommendation comes down to pricing and fees. DIRECTV, even with a two-year price guarantee, is too expensive. Instead, we recommend DISH Network for its more affordable and powerful Hopper 3 DVR/receiver—not to mention DISH’s lower prices, which it guarantees for three years.
