Does the Direct TV HD TUNER require activation for just OTA?

[qwert1515]

Do the Direct TV Tuners require a subscription to Direct TV to pick up just the OTA HD channels? I would like to purchase a HD tuner but I plan on subscribing to Direct TV in a few months. Would I be able to purchase the Direct TV HD tuner (it is a MPEG 4, from Costco) and use it only for OTA HD for now and subscribe later, or will it not allow me to do that until I subscribe?

Thanks

Qwert1515

 

[wnchd]

Can H20 be used as OTA tuner by non-D* subscriber?

Hello all. I am interested in the new H20 receiver, mainly due to it's next-generation ATSC tuner. Can a non-D* subscriber use this STB as an OTA tuner? Or is an access card and D* programming subscription required to use it? Moreover, would a non-customer be eligible for the mail-in rebate? Thanks in advance!

 

[dcwebman]

For your first question, I would say you should be able to do it. I have tried an old Panasonic HD D* receiver just for OTA and it works fine. I got it from a friend who used it for 5 years without ever contacting D* because he just wanted OTA HD. Unless D* changed something with the H20...

As far as the mail-in rebate, somebody else will need to answer but IMHO I would doubt you'd get it.

 

[raoul5788]

Hello all. I am interested in the new H20 receiver, mainly due to it's next-generation ATSC tuner. Can a non-D* subscriber use this STB as an OTA tuner? Or is an access card and D* programming subscription required to use it? Moreover, would a non-customer be eligible for the mail-in rebate? Thanks in advance!

I tried to use mine ota before it was activated, but I couldn't get it to work.

 

[hdtvtechno]

i know for sure, it requires the satellite cable signal connected to the reciever, and it also requires the directv access card in the access card slot

But i dont know for sure if it requires an directv subscription,

If you want to take a risk and buy the H20 and try it without subscription, go a head, but Note: Directv will charge you an 300 penalty fee for not activating it within 30 days of purchase

So with the $300 purchase price upfront, and with the $300 penalty fee, = you be ending up paying $600 for you risk mistake

also the store doesn"t accept any returns if the directv access card package was opened and used in the receiver