IDBillzFan Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 What is genie and should I get it? It's probably worth getting for free. My understanding is the software is a bit more intuitive in terms of recommending things based on what you watch/like/etc. But it can also record five channels at once and (more importantly) has a terabyte of memory. That's good for us because we don't bother with premium channels (HBO, Starz, Cinemax), but when they offer them for free for a month, wifey records all kinds of stuff...some of which we just keep on the DVR with an 8-year-old in the house who will gladly watch something like Tron Uprising episodes over and over. Beyond that, the chick who plays the Genie on the commercial is the kinda hottie who completely does it for me.
San Jose Bills Fan Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 What is genie and should I get it? The DirecTV "Genie" Home Media Center HD DVR (HR-34) the successor to the HR-24 features the ability to record 5 shows at once, allows for Picture in Picture, and has 1 TB of hard drive space allowing for 800 hours of high-definition recording or 2000 hours of standard-definition recording. A second-generation Genie, the HR44, has been shown but there is no firm release date yet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirecTV#Receivers
eball Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 It's probably worth getting for free. My understanding is the software is a bit more intuitive in terms of recommending things based on what you watch/like/etc. But it can also record five channels at once and (more importantly) has a terabyte of memory. That's good for us because we don't bother with premium channels (HBO, Starz, Cinemax), but when they offer them for free for a month, wifey records all kinds of stuff...some of which we just keep on the DVR with an 8-year-old in the house who will gladly watch something like Tron Uprising episodes over and over. Beyond that, the chick who plays the Genie on the commercial is the kinda hottie who completely does it for me. Hannah Davis...yum. Anyway, the Genie is most definitely worth acquiring. While getting there is a bit clunky, this is their first DVR with PIP -- great during football season. The five tuners and mega-storage are the coup-de-gras, however. No more issues with multiple recordings, and since my wife never deletes anything I can finally rest assured my annual recordings of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show won't be bumped off the DVR.
SoggyHog Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 I just called and got the Ticket for $180.00. Too me, that's a fair deal. The way I see it, I can't go to the games, so paying $11 a game to watch my Bills in my man-cave drinking a few cold ones with chili slow-cooking, knowing that my Buffalo Bills will see some of that $11 gives me comfort of knowing that I am doing my part to support my team. I envy all of you who have season tickets, so if I have to pay a little extra to keep costs down overall, I'm happy to do it! Go Bills!
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 It's a garage door opener. I would only buy a Genie or a Liftmaster. Craftsman is good too but they're built by Genie for Sears. You, sir, are the king of garage door opener jokes.
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted July 10, 2013 Author Posted July 10, 2013 I called and after going back and forth three times, she offered me that too $180 for the max, but I turned it down, told her I'm interested but much cheaper. She said OK I'll note that on your record "want it a little cheaper" to which I repleid, no I said I want it alot cheaper. So as of now I've canceled it will see what happens. When I first called I immediately spoke the word cancel service, not sure if that took me to the retention department or not, was I still speaking with the first line of people? So am wondering, will they call me back to try and get me to subscribe or is it on me to contact them again? What I'd like is somewhere between $100 to $150 and a mini Genie thrown in. Will see what happens. Why do I seem to alwasys get the hard asses on the phone when I call who don't offer much. I'm in year two of original contract, so am still getting some discounts, which supposedly makes them less likely to offer more, but also am still under contract, so can't totally dump them either. Probably I'm not in the best bargining position overall. I just called and got the Ticket for $180.00. Too me, that's a fair deal. The way I see it, I can't go to the games, so paying $11 a game to watch my Bills in my man-cave drinking a few cold ones with chili slow-cooking, knowing that my Buffalo Bills will see some of that $11 gives me comfort of knowing that I am doing my part to support my team. I envy all of you who have season tickets, so if I have to pay a little extra to keep costs down overall, I'm happy to do it! Go Bills!
eball Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 @Ed_Roch -- I think a lot of times it matters who you get on the phone. In prior years I've called back one or two times until I got what I thought was fair. I've found the key is always to be friendly yet firm. Give it another shot in a day or two, and specifically ask for customer retention. I think the way I phrased it this year was, "I'd like to know that I'm speaking with someone who has the authority to make any significant changes on my account." Good luck.
Griz Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 I just used my lunch break to call. Here's my story; Mildly, firmly, yet politely complained about the auto renewal note and how I've been a loyal customer for 14 yrs. Stated my love for Sunday Tix, but my disdain for the ever-increasing fees and rising package costs. She put me on hold for 2 minutes (while she filed her fingernails..) and then gave me two options but only one included ST for free... so I took the Sunday Tix for free with a one year renewal/commitment on my account. She also threw in two genies, or a genie and mini-genie. However, I declined when she said there were additional recording fees associated with it. I'm happy, and I will see every game my beloved Bills play this year. GO BILLS!!!
Thurmal34 Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 Thanks to all here - called today and got Sunday Ticket Max for free, 3 Genie receivers (1 reg, 2 mini) for free, $15 off for 15 months, $5 off for 12 months, and $5 off HBO for 6 months. Took about an hour, spoke initially to regular customer servcie rep who was very forthcoming in telling me that I would get a better deal if I asked to be transferred to cancellation services. Used e-ball's line about wanting to cancel because the Bills stink, both reps got a kick out of that and it got the ball rolling with the discounts. Well worth the hour I spent on the phone with them.
Jukester Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 I'm just starting year 2 of my contract. Regular rep had little to offer so asked to be transferred. Best retentions could offer was $180 for ST and $15 off 12 mos and $10 off 6 months. I took the package discounts but passed on ST for now. Will call back at end of July.
Thirdborn Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 I called and told the DTV rep I am a disgruntled Bills fan. He gave me a 13 year free subscription to Sunday Ticket, a 51" LED TV, a 2 year supply of Jiffy Pop and his first born. I get a kick out of how you guys try and top each other with your negotiations....so I felt compelled to top you all. lol Awesome
Fezmid Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 The five tuners and mega-storage are the coup-de-gras, however. No more issues with multiple recordings, and since my wife never deletes anything I can finally rest assured my annual recordings of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show won't be bumped off the DVR. The Genie only has 1TB of storage, which was a little disappointing. I've already hacked my main DVR so that it has a 1TB drive in it, and we're routinely only 20% free. Granted, part of that is because we record more than we watch - I have two seasons of "Once Upon a Time," an entire season of Hawaii Five-O, etc, on there - because I want to maybe watch it eventually... But I'd expect this thing to have at least a 2TB drive. Then again, I haven't looked at whether it's easy to hack it either... EDIT: After a quick search, it appears hacking it is just as painless as the old receivers...
IDBillzFan Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 Granted, part of that is because we record more than we watch - I have two seasons of "Once Upon a Time," an entire season of Hawaii Five-O, etc, on there - because I want to maybe watch it eventually... The only thing I've ever saved to that extent was Law and Order SVU because, y'know, Mariska Hargitay. Family was out of the country for a few weeks and finally cleared about ten episodes because, y'know, Mariska Hargitay.
SEOhio Bills Fan Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 Tried to negotiate about a month ago and got shut down....called back and ended up getting ST max for free, all premium channels 2 months free instant 50 credit, 8 off for 3 months, 18 off for 12 months and only because I asked what they would do to keep me as a customer
San Jose Bills Fan Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 You, sir, are the king of garage door opener jokes. Yeah I can get off track quite a bit.
Dante Posted July 10, 2013 Posted July 10, 2013 I called and told the DTV rep I am a disgruntled Bills fan. He gave me a 13 year free subscription to Sunday Ticket, a 51" LED TV, a 2 year supply of Jiffy Pop and his first born. I get a kick out of how you guys try and top each other with your negotiations....so I felt compelled to top you all. I think Fergy has a better chance coming back than you getting all that. BUT as I type this here is what they are doing for me. ST for free but I have to pay $75 for Max. $15 off my bill for 15 months. Free HD for 12 months $120. Getting the Genie and internet kit installed for free. Not bad for 20 minutes work. Just a heads up when I first called I got the regular customer service and got a deal but not a great one. Then I kind of hinted that I might cancel ST because the Bills are bad. She shifted me to customer retention and thats when they gave me the long deal.
IDBillzFan Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 I think Fergy has a better chance coming back than you getting all that. BUT as I type this here is what they are doing for me. ST for free but I have to pay $75 for Max. $15 off my bill for 15 months. Free HD for 12 months $120. Getting the Genie and internet kit installed for free. Not bad for 20 minutes work. Just a heads up when I first called I got the regular customer service and got a deal but not a great one. Then I kind of hinted that I might cancel ST because the Bills are bad. She shifted me to customer retention and thats when they gave me the long deal. I appreciated BBFergy's snide little looking down on you silly people comment, but in 30 minutes I saved over a thousand bucks, so he can suck it if he thinks this exercise is cute.
San Jose Bills Fan Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 I appreciated BBFergy's snide little looking down on you silly people comment, but in 30 minutes I saved over a thousand bucks, so he can suck it if he thinks this exercise is cute. He'll speak for himself but I think you missed the spirit of BBF's comments. I read them as a pure attempt at humor and I thought they were funny.
BuffBill Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 What does the performance of the Bills have to do with your desire to renew the ticket? I thought we bought the ticket to watch other teams. I have had ST for about 10 years now. I don't think I have watched a complete game on the package besides the Bills. The Bills usually play at 1, and after they lose I have had enough football for the day. Or it seems the best 4 oclock game is on the regular local channel.
BringBackFergy Posted July 11, 2013 Posted July 11, 2013 I appreciated BBFergy's snide little looking down on you silly people comment, but in 30 minutes I saved over a thousand bucks, so he can suck it if he thinks this exercise is cute. Take it easy. I apologize if I offended anyone (or you) by implying that I actually received the DTV representative's "first born"....he actually threw in his middle kid. (Another failed attempt at humor) Sorry if I sound snide....just jealous that I can't get ST on our PS3. He'll speak for himself but I think you missed the spirit of BBF's comments. I read them as a pure attempt at humor and I thought they were funny. My attempt fell short....dangnabbit.
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