Question on used DVRs and activating them

[underscore]

A friend of mine just got FIOS TV and is getting rid of his DirecTV DVR.

Would I be able to use it as is, or would I have to contact DirecTV to configure it?

 

[Bob Nielsen]

You would have to contact Directv to activate it on your account. Most likely you would need to purchase a new access card ($20).

 

[Stargazer]

I thought they wouldn't activate used receivers anymore that they want you to buy a new one?

 

[iwc5893]

I thought they wouldn't activate used receivers anymore that they want you to buy a new one?

I believe that is true for new customers, but for existing customers you should still be able to add used receivers (provided there is not a balance owed on the access card)

 

[dishrich]

A friend of mine just got FIOS TV and is getting rid of his DirecTV DVR.

Would I be able to use it as is, or would I have to contact DirecTV to configure it?

Are you already a D* customer, or would be using this receiver to sign up?

If you are new, D* most likely will NOT activate it for you - any new customers, they want to put in at least 1 new receiver.
So, you could sign up & have them put in a new one, then add this unit on your account, wait about a month, then disconnect the new receiver & send it back to D*.
And as others have said, you'll STILL need a new card from D* for the Tivo.

 

[shiftyFTA]

As a similar question, if you buy a used DVR, do you have to pay the DVR service fee (~5.99/mo) if you call in and have it activated?

I'm moving next month, and if I:

1 - signed up for DTV with the free HDTV receiver, plus 2 normal receivers
2 - have them come wire my house for 3 recievers
3 - after install, return 2 of the leased receivers (save $10/mo)
4 - purchase 2 receivers on ebay (1 normal, 1 DVR)
5 - call DTV and have them activate the 2 receivers

Would I have to buy new access cards or pay a DVR service fee?

As a side note, why does DTV require purchasing new cards while DN doesn't?

 

[iwc5893]

As a similar question, if you buy a used DVR, do you have to pay the DVR service fee (~5.99/mo) if you call in and have it activated?

I'm moving next month, and if I:

1 - signed up for DTV with the free HDTV receiver, plus 2 normal receivers
2 - have them come wire my house for 3 recievers
3 - after install, return 2 of the leased receivers (save $10/mo)
4 - purchase 2 receivers on ebay (1 normal, 1 DVR)
5 - call DTV and have them activate the 2 receivers

Would I have to buy new access cards or pay a DVR service fee?

As a side note, why does DTV require purchasing new cards while DN doesn't?

The fees are the same, regardless of what you do. If you return the leased equipment and go with eBay, you will be paying an "Additional Receiver" fee that is the exact same amount as the lease fee - net savings $0 (would actually cost you more in the purchase cost than the leasing fees for the new receivers)

The DVR fee is added to the account when you activate DVR service, regardless of where you get the receiver.

As to why they require purchasing new cards, I don't really know. Maybe it's because by doing that they have less problems with hacked cards. IDK