Could older dishes/receivers work?

[mdovell]

In the town next to me someone is giving away a direct tv dish and two receivers with cards. States they bought it directly from direct tv three years ago and they upgraded to another (I'm thinking hd)

could these things work for regular direct tv (non hdtv) if it's 3 years old?I assume the card is encryption and it's probably outdated but would the dish and receiver still be good?

 

[dragon002]

the irds are fine as is the dish, you would need new cards.

 

[hdtvtechno]

new cards costs $20 each
but directv can give them free, if you ask nicely