Hughes/D* SD-DVR80 for use as a Digital Video Recorder?

[LazyEight]

I purchased today a Hughes/D* SD-DVR80 for $15. What I want to know is if there a way to just use this as a DVR? I have no real desire to record two shows or use the advanced features (probably couldn't understand them anyway) I just want to have it record a program the set top box is set to and possibly set to record when we're out.

I prefer not to pay the extra money to D* for using a dvr so is there a way to just make it a regular DVR?

To clarify by the way, I do have a D* service, one HD and 2 SD. I will be using this on an SD system.

[wscannell]

No. The unit is designed to record the digital stream directly from Directv. If you do not have directv, the only thing you can do is watch the already recorded programs.

[classicsat]

That unit can only record the DirecTV satellite signal directly. It needs at least one satellite dish connection, an active card, and the DVR tier be active.

If you already have DirecTV DVR service, you only need to pay the mirror fee to have it activated, or see if you can move the card from a receiver to it.

[bengalfreak]

He has already said he has DirecTV service and that he doesn't want to pay the monthly DVR fee. The answer is no, there is no way to make the unit record anything without the service being activated.