Question About DTV and HD

[Heller]

So i have one HD-DVR from DTV (just got it last weeek) and once i got to see just how nice HDTV is i go in my bedroom and can't get use to the shitty SD.


My question is, can i get another HD-DVR (say off ebay) and just plug it in myself or do i need a new access card or contact them?

also is it another $5 a month or is it $5 for HDTV flat for X amount of rooms?


and can anybody recommend a good model HD-DVR that i might be able to get cheap off ebay (older model or something?)

 

[Lemodular]

you can buy another receiver. Its easier to transfer the old card to the new receiver just by calling them and giving them the serrial number to match with the card. However you may have to buy a new card ($20) from DTV and activate the new receiver if you do not have one already. DTV charges $5 per month per receiver.

 

[Muadib]

The only HD-DVR receivers that work with the MPEG 4 channels, are the HR20 & HR21. Buying one on ebay is a bit risky, because most of them are leased, and sometimes DTV won't move them to a new account. If you choose to go this route, your best bet is to make sure it's a new unit.

You should go to Costco to see what they are selling them for. When I was looking to buy one they were $50 cheaper than what DTV was selling them for. That was before DTV dropped their price though.

 

[bruceb]

You can get it from Ebay, but you will need Direct TV to give / sell you a new access card.
Prior to the new P4 / D5 cards (the blue ones), cards were not "married to the box" and could
be moved to another box with little trouble. The new ones, once the card is activated are
tied to the box it was activated on. And as mentioned, sometimes, dtv won't activate equipment
you did not get from them. Depends on who you get & how nice you are. Personally, it should
not matter where the box came from, as you could buy them retail. As long as you are Paying
for the service, they should activate or provide a new card.