Newb H2x question

1293 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by cashew, Aug 29, 2008

cashew

Discussion Starter · Aug 18, 2008

Well, I've been reading this forum for the past month now and think I'm ready to purchase my H2x receiver. Seems like the way to go is a used H20 from ebay. I've seen some for around $50 shipped. I just moved into my condo and currently have a HR21-700 for my primary.

I do want to add another for my bedroom and do not need a DVR. I called Direct and they said it would only be an additional $5 a month for the HD service if I can provide my own box. I have a Sharp Aquos LC32D44U which will be connected to the receiver via HDMI.

Before I drop the money on ebay, is there anything I should know? I talked to the installer when they initially set me up and he said all I have to do is add a splitter to the connection. Will this take a cable splitter (2n1 from radioshack) or do I need something special for satellite?

Sorry for my newbness in advance, I know nothing on this subject.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

xIsamuTM

· #2 · Aug 19, 2008

pricing doesn't sound quite right, pricing for rec(s) would be as follows:
4.99 if this is an additional receiver
9.99 for hd service. This is a "blanket fee" and will cover any hd receivers to be added to the account.
5.99 dvr service, if you chose to get an HDDVR.

you will need to get a new access card if it is a used receiver on ebay. that'll be 20.00

cashew

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 19, 2008

Since I already have a DVR, wouldnt I have the blanket fee covered? Since I'm adding a H20, I should only have to pay the monthly $4.99 for an additional receiver right?

harsh

· #4 · Aug 19, 2008

Either way you go (leasing or purchasing), you'll pay the same $4.99 per month. eBay brings with it some pretty scary tales including receivers that are under lease by someone else (not necessarily the seller) and machines that DIRECTV deemed unfit for their own refurbished fleet.

cashew

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 19, 2008

So amazon has these brand new for $100 shipped. They also include an access card. If I get this, all I should have to do is activate it by calling directv right?

cashew

Discussion Starter · #6 · Aug 19, 2008

bump

ATARI

· #7 · Aug 19, 2008

cashew said:
So amazon has these brand new for $100 shipped. They also include an access card. If I get this, all I should have to do is activate it by calling directv right?

Correct.

You will then see an additional $4.99 a month on your bill for this additional receiver.

harsh

· #8 · Aug 19, 2008

You could probably get the same price or better from DIRECTV, but in either case, you have to watch the shipping costs.

cashew

Discussion Starter · #9 · Aug 19, 2008

Well, DirecTV wanted $100 + $20 shipping, so I bought it for $99 + free shipping from an authorized seller. I had the sales person give me the receiver ID and access card before I purchased which I verified with DirecTV. Since I receive local HD channels, I went with the H21-100. Only down side is the 2yr commitment. :-(

By the way, I have the HR21-700, should I keep it turned off when not using it? I might have remember reading possible heating issues?

ATARI

· #10 · Aug 19, 2008

cashew said:
Well, DirecTV wanted $100 + $20 shipping, so I bought it for $99 + free shipping from an authorized seller. I had the sales person give me the receiver ID and access card before I purchased which I verified with DirecTV. Since I receive local HD channels, I went with the H21-100. Only down side is the 2yr commitment. :-(

By the way, I have the HR21-700, should I keep it turned off when not using it? I might have remember reading possible heating issues?

The HR2x are always 'ON' (hard drive recording a 90 minute buffer), even in standby mode.

I do put mine in standby mode every night just out of habit.

cashew

Discussion Starter · #11 · Aug 21, 2008

So far I love DirecTV. I will say comcast was much easier to use. Plus it's annoying to have the HD and non HD channels appear. Is there a way to disable the non HD channel from appearing on the guide?

Grentz

· #12 · Aug 22, 2008

Yes, you need to disable SD duplicates in the setup menu.

AirRocker

· #13 · Aug 22, 2008

cashew said:
So far I love DirecTV. I will say comcast was much easier to use. Plus it's annoying to have the HD and non HD channels appear. Is there a way to disable the non HD channel from appearing on the guide?

Menu > Parental Fav's & Setup > System Setup > Display ... It's the second option on the first screen (Preferences)... Guide HD Channels > Hide SD duplicates...

Flugelman

· #14 · Aug 23, 2008

xIsamuTM said:
pricing doesn't sound quite right, pricing for rec(s) would be as follows:
4.99 if this is an additional receiver
9.99 for hd service. This is a "blanket fee" and will cover any hd receivers to be added to the account.
5.99 dvr service, if you chose to get an HDDVR.

you will need to get a new access card if it is a used receiver on ebay. that'll be 20.00

I bought my H20-600 on eBay, it came with access card, and I activated it with a phone call to D*. No new card required. They initially started billing me $5 a month lease fee, but a phone call took care of that also. They still bill the $5 but then refund it on the same bill. I understand that it is an accounting process...

Grentz

· #15 · Aug 23, 2008

Flugelman said:
I bought my H20-600 on eBay, it came with access card, and I activated it with a phone call to D*. No new card required. They initially started billing me $5 a month lease fee, but a phone call took care of that also. They still bill the $5 but then refund it on the same bill. I understand that it is an accounting process...

Is the H20 your only receiver? If you have more than one receiver and the H20 is not your primary, you should be charged $5 a month for either the lease or mirroring fee...

cashew

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 29, 2008

AirRocker said:
Menu > Parental Fav's & Setup > System Setup > Display ... It's the second option on the first screen (Preferences)... Guide HD Channels > Hide SD duplicates...

Thanks!

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