2nd hand Verizon DVR

[marmasatt]

Hi All,

I didn't really know where to put this so I'll try in A/V. I just resigned with FIOS. I have one DVR in my living room and a second SD set top box in our bedroom. There is a guy selling a DVR on Craigslist. (As generally you have to return these, I called him out just for kicks and he said he got it at a storage auction but I digress).

I have been on the fence with getting an HD box for the bedroom. Can I now use this as an HD solution for the bedroom with an added bonus of having a DVR in there? There's no problem w/ multiple DVR's and will it work?

 

[sdifox]

problem is will verizon activate that box on your account? Chances are slim. The actual owner has to transfer the box to you and you cannot be sure the person selling the box is the owner and will do the transfer.

 

[marmasatt]

Well does it need to "activate" per se? I've got the account. Are you sure it works that way for certain? And if not, could I use it as a pass through just to like an HD set top box?

 

[NutBucket]

Everything these days has some sort of activation process to associate it with your account.

 

[nitrous9200]

I'm pretty sure FiOS boxes have to be associated to your account and won't work if it isn't...also if the box wasn't returned, the serial number is probably blacklisted by Verizon-I wouldn't waste your money.

I know there's a limit of 8 set tops, not sure if multiple DVRs are a problem.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Each FIOS DVR has a serial number and ID number that must be associated with your account. If the SN/ID was associated with a previous account that account must have a zero balance before the box is authorized for use on your account.

I ran into a similar issue a few years ago. Bought a DirecTV HD-DVR box at a garage sale for $10. Called them to see if it could be activated and the CSR told me that there was a balance owed on for that box and I would have to pay off that balance to use it. I asked them what the balance was and the CSR replied "You don't even want to know." Besides that, even if I did pay off the balance I still wouldn't have owned the box since DirecTV only leases their boxes now. Once I ended the contract I would have to return it to them.

I said, "Screw that" and asked them if they wanted me to send the box back to them. The CSR said "Nope. Don't bother." So I ripped the hard drive out of it, reconfigured it so it would work on a PC, then sold the HD on eBay for $50.

afaik, Verizon only leases their box as well. If you really want it, first ask the seller for the ID/SN from the box and call Verizon to verify for yourself that it is free and clear.

 

[marmasatt]

Thanks. I think I'm gonna skip it.