Can't record without paying DirecTv????

[jrimmer@satx.rr.]

After 10 years as a loyal DirecTv customer, I moved from LA to San Antonio and decided to give Time Warner cable a try. I am not so happy with the HD DVR from Time Warner, but that's another story. I still have HR10-250, that I purchaced for $1000 when it first came out. Time Warner in San Antonio doesn't carry Fox in HD, so I figured I would put an antenna in the attic and record the OTA signal with my HR10-250. I got everything set up and then discovered that DirecTv disabled the DVR functionality of my HR10-250! I called and was told unless I have an active acount the DVR function of my HR10-250 won't work, even for OTA channels! This really upsets me because one of the options when setting up the HR10-250 is to use it for OTA recording only. There is no reason I should pay DirecTv for the right to use my $1000 DVR to record programs OTA.
Please help. Does anyone know of a workaround so I can use my HR10-250 to record programs OTA? Any help is really appreciated.

[Gunnyman]

you expect to be able to use a Tivo without a Sub? sorry not gonna happen.

[jrimmer@satx.rr.]

I would be happy to pay Tivo. I just want to use my DVR to record OTA signals (with or without the program guide) in HD. Why should I have to have a DirecTv subscription to record OTA signals?

[bidger]

Uh, because DirecTV paid to manufacture the box.

ETA: You know, you could alway sell the HR10-250 on ebay and use the proceeds to pick up a S3 TiVo. That way you'd have one DVR for both cable and OTA. Or you could do a bare minimum package with D*, you'd have to call and ask about the Select package for $19.99/mo., I think, then you'd be able to record local HD.

[ClemSole]

The HR10-250 you have is a D* unit not a Tivo unit, so as "bidger" said you need to deal with D* or go elsewhere.

[mr.unnatural]

DirecTV pays a licensing fee to Tivo to use their software. This is why you paid the DVR fee to DTV when you subbed with them. When you terminated the account with DTV, you also terminated the DVR service which activates the Tivo features (season passes, record function, wishlists, etc.). Unless you reactivate the HDTivo on a DTV account, you are SOL.

I have heard instances where some people were able to go online and change their account so that they only paid the mirroring fee and the DVR fee and eliminated all channel subscriptions to enable the use of the HDTivo for OTA recording. I doubt that a CSR would do this for you, which is why you'd have to do it yourself through the DTV website. You would have to be past any commitment period in order for this to work. Unfortunately for you, if you resubbed to DTV you'd be stuck in a 2-year commitment and be forced to pay for Total Choice or better for the entire two years.

[Billy66]

If you'll gladly pay tiv, then you have 2 choices. Pay DTV and they will in turn pay TiVo their licensing fee, or buy a S3 and pay TiVo directly.