SD box, add on

[SatRick]

Getting different info, so would appreciate some input

Currently have SD and out of 2/y contract
Looking to add another SD box
I was told if I buy a new box/card and add to account it re-ups contract for 2 yrs as a lease, Is this correct?

I was also told that if I got a used box and card, I could just reactivate the card, pay the monthly, but not be under contract
Is this also possible? or done away with
TIA, Rick

[carl6]

If you can get a used receiver, you should be able to activate it without a committment. You will probably have to buy a new access card (about $20). Be very careful with whatever CSR you speak with about the committment part.

[MIKE0616]

You SHOULD be able to add a SD box if you make sure the one you buy is owned (not leased), is available to connect (previous owner didn't try to stuff D* on bill or play any other games with D* - call them to make sure), and you have the necessary cabling in place. You will have to pay the mirroring charge, but no extension of the contract, as far as I am aware of.

BTW, I donated my old SD receivers years ago to animal shelter yard sale and this previous summer, we sold at least 25 of them (with remotes) for about $5 each at the sale. You should be able to pick up a working unit cheap.

[boba]

You SHOULD be able to add a SD box if you make sure the one you buy is owned (not leased), is available to connect (previous owner didn't try to stuff D* on bill or play any other games with D* - call them to make sure), and you have the necessary cabling in place. You will have to pay the mirroring charge, but no extension of the contract, as far as I am aware of.

BTW, I donated my old SD receivers years ago to animal shelter yard sale and this previous summer, we sold at least 25 of them (with remotes) for about $5 each at the sale. You should be able to pick up a working unit cheap.
Anything newer than a D10 is probably a lease and some D-10s are leases. Some older SD receivers may be missing a few features of the new receivers but basic channel tuning should be the same.:)

[bobnielsen]

The D11 was released before leasing went into effect, so some of them are owned. Also the R10 and R15 DVRs.

[curt8403]

The D11 was released before leasing went into effect, so some of them are owned. Also the R10 and R15 DVRs.

to add to the comments. a new SD rcvr carries an 18 month agreement not 24 months. I also agree that you should check the rcvr with directv before buying it (IF used) and do not let a regular CSR activate the rcvr for you (ask for Access Card Team)

[JLucPicard]

SatRick,

Welcome to DBSTalk! :welcome_s

I will agree with the posts above. One point of clarification though, for what it's worth, the commitment period for the activation of an SD receiver (not DVR) is 18 months rather than 2 years (edit: OK, so Curt posted before I finished my typing :)). As was mentioned, if you can obtain a used receiver that was owned, you should not be subject to a programming commitment.

On the flip side, if you are in a situation where you are likely to remain a DirecTV subscriber for the next 18 months anyway, you could probably get a free receiver going through them if you call them.

I understand people being concerned about the commitments, and I pay pretty close attention to what I'm doing to make sure my commitment dates don't get messed up or erroneously extended, etc., but I've been a DirecTV sub for 12+ years now and don't plan on that changing, so that isn't as big a factor for me as it may be for someone else.

If your situation is similar, I wouldn't worry too much about the commitment. If there could be changes in your situation in the near future, though, you are wise to be careful about that!

[tomkarl]

If your situation is similar, I wouldn't worry too much about the commitment. If there could be changes in your situation in the near future, though, you are wise to be careful about that!

I too, like Directv and also don't plan any changes in the future. However, I don't like when Directv extends contracts when they shouldn't. It is a poor business practice and does nothing but alienate customers and make them feel as though they've been taken advantage of.

[JLucPicard]

I too, like Directv and also don't plan any changes in the future. However, I don't like when Directv extends contracts when they shouldn't. It is a poor business practice and does nothing but alienate customers and make them feel as though they've been taken advantage of.
If your interpretation of my post was that the OP shouldn't worry about whether he gets a commitment extension when he shouldn't, that was NOT my point at all.

As stated in my post, I am very careful that my commitment doesn't get extended when it shouldn't. My point to the OP was that if he knows he will be staying a customer for at least 18 months anyway, trying to stay away from a commitment period by trying to obtain a used/owned receiver may not need to be such a high priority - especially if he can call DirecTV and get a receiver for free.

Please don't anyone misinterpret my post to mean that people shouldn't care whether DirecTV extends their commitment period when they shouldn't - not my point at all!

[SatRick]

Thank for the replys and for the welcome:)

Pre-reading thru the posts looking for an answer is where I read alot about how contracts got added "questionably"

I'm a big fan of Dtv and luv the reception
Even running a Panny 50PZ85U plasma with terrific pic quality in SD
Only blinding heavy snow has caused pixilization or occasional loss
Also have a whole house GenSet so can enjoy TV when local cable is out

Only haven't upgraded/committed, cause FIOS may be coming soon
I may also have a line of sight issue with the new multi LNB/Slimline

What is needed for DTV to confirm a used box as valid
Serial number? or card number?
also
can a DVR be used as basic cable box [non record] with only one cable input?
Thanks

[BattleZone]

The Receiver ID (RID) number is what you want. You need to be sure that money isn't owed on the account, that the box isn't leased, and that it is otherwise transferable. You will need a new access card ($20, sent 2nd day air).

[reallyneatgirl]

....

I may also have a line of sight issue with the new multi LNB/Slimline ....

If there is a line of site issue, the installer would not install and the order would be canceled, therefore there would be no contract extension. That's because the contract doesn't extend until the install is completed and the receiver is activated, not when the order is placed.

[SatRick]

Thanks again
I have tried many times to get them to come out and do a line of sight
They won't do it until I order a pkg and trying the get them to give a good deal is frustrating, even though I am long time customer

I am aimed at the tops of trees and a cell tower and don't know if the varied angle would get the new sats

BTW
What's the newest HD/DVR model number?
and
Will the newer SD/DVR [that I think is Dtv's version] work with the original TIVO setup and 18"dish?
Rick

[roadrunner1782]

The newest HD DVR is the HR23-700 and the newest SD DVR is the R22 and will work on an 18" dish.