What happens to recordings when I de-activate a DVR?

[Jay]

I am thinking about replacing my old 510D DVR with a new HD model. I have been recording things onto DVDs that I know I want to keep but I was wondering if I would still have access to other existing recordings on the 510D after it is de-activated. I am trying to decide if it is worth my time to record everything or if I could just drag out the old 510D, power it up, and access items in the hard drive later. Please let me know what happens to old recordings when a DVR is retired.

Thanks!

[scooper]

I believe that when you deactivate a DVR - the recordings are no longer accessible.

[CABill]

As long as you OWN the 510, you'll be able to watch the recordings forever. Leased receivers have to be returned to DISH. I have a 508 that has been deactivated since they raised the fee from $5 to $7 in March and all recordings can be viewed. I kept another 508 inactive for over a year before activating it on a neighbor's account and recordings were always available. My 622 has been deactivated since Feb and all recordings ON THE INTERNAL are viewable - you lose access to external drives immediately (well, "soon"). I have a 942 that has been deactivated for a REAL long time and can still play recordings.

Even if something screwy happened, I can always call and reactivate a receiver (942 doesn't count for special reasons). I would have to do that to move something from the 622 to an external drive, or to move something from the external to the 622.

[coldsteel]

If you disconnect the receiver from the sat-feed before deactivation, it will not get the signal to stop working.

[P Smith]

If you disconnect the receiver from the sat-feed before deactivation, it will not get the signal to stop working.

But it has self unsub provision, so in a couple week it will go south. No worry. :)

[P Smith]

I believe that when you deactivate a DVR - the recordings are no longer accessible.

That's true for DTV models, but old dish PVR would play recordings forever.

[Jay]

Thanks for the information everyone. I guess I get to keep the 510 DVR even though I got it as a free upgrade 7 years ago (with a 2 year committment at that time). I called Dish last night to order the new upgrade to HDTV receivers. I asked the CSR about the status of my current receivers and she said to just keep them. So it looks like I will still have access to the old recordings. I have been with Dish since 1996 and have been happy with their service and equipment. I hope this continues with my new HD receivers.

[CABill]

I called Dish last night to order the new upgrade to HDTV receivers. I asked the CSR about the status of my current receivers and she said to just keep them.
Maybe I'm just being cynical here, but "just keep them" from a CSR may not be all it takes. A better response would have been "the receiver is owned", but even that doesn't guarantee the installer won't want to take the old receiver with him. "just keep them" can also mean leave them active on your account at $10/month - that is certainly a choice with a leased receiver.

If it were me, I'd call back and get a note added to your account saying you were told you could keep the 510. Then call back the next day and have them read recent notes to be sure. That may be overkill, but it is what I would do myself.

[boba]

I am thinking about replacing my old 510D DVR with a new HD model. I have been recording things onto DVDs that I know I want to keep but I was wondering if I would still have access to other existing recordings on the 510D after it is de-activated. I am trying to decide if it is worth my time to record everything or if I could just drag out the old 510D, power it up, and access items in the hard drive later. Please let me know what happens to old recordings when a DVR is retired.

Thanks!

Jay when you turn off programming the Hard Drive gets lonely so it eats the stored programming:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[retiredTech]

i unhooked my 721 from the sat feed & power last fall
and I can still plug in the power(not the sat feed) and watch the old recordings

[P Smith]

OP did ask about 510 model ...

[tampa8]

I believe that when you deactivate a DVR - the recordings are no longer accessible.

Not correct. I can access my 510/508 programs after months of not being activated.