additional standard receiver

[dbldown768]

I recently moved from dish network to DirecTv around Jan of this year. I made the switch because I received a new HD receiver and a standard receiver for free. the hd receiver ( i believe H20) and all the equipment is supposed to allow me to see all the new hd channels as they are added.

Well now i decided I need an additional standard receiver for another bedroom. I called CS to see how much or what is needed in order for me to receive an additional receiver. She told me that i could get a lease receiver for $69 and add 1 year contract to my account or she said i could purchase one for like $400 or so. I was surprised that when i signed up i could have received a receiver for every room in my house for free, and now all the sudden they have me subscribed i have to pay for additional equipment.

I was wondering what happens to these leased receivers? Do i spend $69 for this receiver and then have to give it back to them if i decide to switch providers? Do they do this for all of my equipment i have (including the antenna)? What about all the receivers on ebay? Are these lease only receivers, and how do they know? some sellers say you can tell DTv that you own them.

thanks.

[say-what]

Not sure about the ebay receivers, but if they're the newer models, it could be some sort of shady deal.

As for having to pay after the install - yep, it's par for the course and I'd suspect many people don't take full advantage of the initial install. Anytime you add additional equipment, you get a new programing commitment. But since you initially installed a H20, you got a 2yr commitment, so any SD equipment won't increase your commitment if added during your first year. The commitment periods run concurently and do not get added to the end of each other.

Regarding the lease - if you deactivate any equipment or cancel the account, you're supposed to send the units back (not the dish) and DirecTV will send boxes to retreive the units unless they say forget about it - if they let you keep them, get it in writing.

[Stuart Sweet]

I'd be real careful about getting a receiver from eBay... someone else might not be honoring their lease agreement. You could end up with a receiver you can't activate.

[dbldown768]

thanks for the info. I believe I only have a 1 year commitment. I called to verify that in the past and they never said 2 years. Maybe i have the wrong model HD receiver, but mines the one without the PVR in it. I was supposed to get a free portable dvd player when i signed up, never got that from them... maybe i can use that for some leverage.

I know someone with an older standard receiver, can i use that and just have them add it to service or send a new card for it? or whats the best way to go about getting an additional receiver? its it really $400 to buy a receiver to own it?

[bcrab]

If you want the free standard dvr the code DVR4U2 still works.

[dbldown768]

what is this code and where do i enter it?

[say-what]

thanks for the info. I believe I only have a 1 year commitment. I called to verify that in the past and they never said 2 years. It might be 1 yr on the H20. I really can't recall as I had an HR20 when I got my H20 then added a 2nd HR20.

Either way, new equipment gets a new commitment period.

[boba]

It might be 1 yr on the H20. I really can't recall as I had an HR20 when I got my H20 then added a 2nd HR20.

Either way, new equipment gets a new commitment period.Any advanced receiver (HD or DVR) is a 24 month commitment!!!!!!!!:)

[dbldown768]

thanks for everyone's help. i found out where to put the code in online and yes ran across that 2 year commitment.

I talked to a friend who has an old receiver. Can i just activate that without any changes to my commitment? Will they send a new p4 card for it?

[bwaldron]

Any advanced receiver (HD or DVR) is a 24 month commitment!!!!!!!!:)

Yes, that is my understanding.

[Homebrew101]

thanks for everyone's help. i found out where to put the code in online and yes ran across that 2 year commitment.

I talked to a friend who has an old receiver. Can i just activate that without any changes to my commitment? Will they send a new p4 card for it?

I think you can activate your friends receiver, call D* to find out. That shouldn't extend your current commitment at all.

There will very likely be a small ($20-$25) fee for them to send a new card for that receiver.

[bobnielsen]

what is this code and where do i enter it?

You go to Equipment & Services on the Directv web site and selec on "upgrade my system", You will have to register if you have not done so already. There will be a small box which says "offer code". There is a $5.99/month DVR fee and you will have a two-year commitment.