question about swapping smart cards and authentication

[mattmcg]

I currently own both a 721 and a 301 receiver. My question is about swapping smart cards within systems and how E* authenticates these cards.

Do the receiver ID and smartcard ID have to match for the service to be authenticated or is it the smartcard ID being authenticated only?

I'm still under my 1 year contract but am wondering if it is possible to buy a 921 (of course, when available) as a current subscriber and just take the smartcard out of the 721 and put it into the 921 and have it not cause a chargeback on my new subscriber package I received months back.

Any advice or comments? Is this possible?

[lgnaclo]

as of right now, the smart card that you have in the receiver has to match the receiver and on your account.

if they ship out 921s with only dish 500 cards, that means that you can't use it on any other receiver- other than a 301.

ps. just wondering-- why would you want to use your 721 card on the 921 when the 921 will have it's own card? to save money? if so then it won't work, because you have to call in to remove the smart card from your 721 to the 921.

[scooper]

Forget it matt - it ain't going to work like you want.

As pointed out, Dish 'Marries" the smartcard to the particular receiver.

[mattmcg]

Originally posted by lgnaclo
as of right now, the smart card that you have in the receiver has to match the receiver and on your account.

if they ship out 921s with only dish 500 cards, that means that you can't use it on any other receiver- other than a 301.

ps. just wondering-- why would you want to use your 721 card on the 921 when the 921 will have it's own card? to save money? if so then it won't work, because you have to call in to remove the smart card from your 721 to the 921.

I was just looking for options to upgrade my 721 ahead of my 1 year anniversary date. Don't want to get charged back on the promotional bundle I received from my local dealer.

Otherwise, I'd just have to wait it out.....

[bearklaw]

Most of the deals I've seen from Dish only require a 1 year commitment to a certain programming level (and maybe credit card auto pay) NOT that use a certain receiver. You will have to check the terms of your agreement, but I bet swapping out a 721 for a 921 won't violate the agreement.

Now that I think of it, some the "lease" agreements might have a commitment to the receiver. Don't know. Still, you would think it would be in Dish's interest to get to pay more for the top of the line receiver, regardless of your agreement.

-BearKlaw

[dishrich]

Originally posted by bearklaw
Most of the deals I've seen from Dish only require a 1 year commitment to a certain programming level (and maybe credit card auto pay) NOT that use a certain receiver. You will have to check the terms of your agreement, but I bet swapping out a 721 for a 921 won't violate the agreement.

Actually it WILL violate the agreement, since E* ties ALL subscriber payments they pay the dealers TO THE RECEIVER R#, NOT THE SMARTCARD. (D* is exactly the opposite) Trust me, it's a giant pain in the a$$ for us, too, but unfortunately, I don't see them changing it anytime soon.

[Jacob S]

Just add it onto the account for an extra $5 per month until the contract is over with then take it off, this will save a LOT of problems. You can still disconnect the 721 and connect the 921 up to it in its place. Since its an HD receiver you may need to put up a 61.5 dish and switches to cascade if you have the right setup. There will be some channels available on the dish 500 at the 110 slot though but I do not think they will all be available there.

[boba]

I wouldn't worry too much about swapping to the 921. With DISH's history of introducing new products your commitment will be up before they get a working model in the marketplace.

[Jacob S]

Good point, I bet anything there will be a delay in the 921 release. How much longer do you have before your first year is up?

[mattmcg]

Originally posted by Jacob S
Good point, I bet anything there will be a delay in the 921 release. How much longer do you have before your first year is up?

7 months until my year is up.

Thanks for the receiver addition info. I guess $35 dollars (7x5) or so is a small extra to pay instead of the $150 chargeback. Of course, in the 13th month, hasta la vista to my 2 additional receivers.

I'm glad that I researched the Dish setups ahead of time and had ample time to plan my install prior to the installer showing up. Prior to the installer, I had my cable routing and dish placement all planned, which included a Dish 500 twin LNB with three home runs to a 34 switch in my central utility closet and then feeding two cables each to 3 of my rooms. Of course, 2 are just dangling at the moment but I wanted to get the wiring right the first time. I even have the 3rd cable dangling from the satellite mount to the switch location to add a third orbital location when and if needed. I was also lucky in that the original cable was daisy chained through the home (obviously designed for cable TV) that allows me to distribute the central 721 signal to all rooms as well!!!

I wasn't wanting to go back to the drawing board a second or third time for every change in my setup! No second or third holes drilled in walls, floors, or garages!

So, thanks to you all! Discussion groups have a collective knowledge that really help out!

[Jacob S]

By the time the 921 comes out it will not even be $35, probably only be $20-$25 and that is if it comes out in time. If there is a delay then it will be very little.