Simple Question...I think???

[Gator777]

I have a Hughes DirecTV Tivo DVR120 that appears to have a failing tuner (It keeps telling me it cannot find a signal on tuner 2). Anyway, I purchased a used Hughes HR10-250 to replace it. Before I transfer the Directv card to the HR10-250 I want to make sure I can still playback and thus somehow copy my recorded programs from the dying DVR120. Is this possible without an active card in it or do I need to record the previously recorded shows off before I swap the card over? Thanks for any help you can give.

[litzdog911]

First, you can't simply "swap the card over". You'll need to call DirecTV to activate the used HR10-250 HD DirecTivo onto your account and most likely they'll need to send you a new access card (~$20). Hopefully that used Tivo was properly deactivated by its previous owner so that you can activate it onto your account.

Second, there's no way to simply transfer the recordings from your defective Tivo to the new Tivo. But you can continue to watch them even after you deactivate that old Tivo from your DirecTV account.

[dishrich]

D* CAN swap YOUR existing card over to the HD Tivo, but you need to word it properly...
Simple tell them that your old Tivo has bit the dust & that you have a spare unit to swap it with & that you want them to remarry your card to this new unit. DON'T go into unnecessary details about how you got your HD Tivo! You might have to play CSR roulette a couple times, but they should do it with no problem. (provided as pointed out the HD Tivo IS removed from the previous account; otherwise they will NOT activate it, NO matter what card you have...)

I've done many a swap for clients & have yet to not be able to do this... ;)

[unclemoosh]

You don't even have to talk to a CSR. You can call and enter extension 721 or log on to your account and refresh services.

[dishrich]

You don't even have to talk to a CSR. You can call and enter extension 721 or log on to your account and refresh services.

Sorry, WON'T work on receivers w/RID#'s - which all HD Tivo's have to my knowledge. On these, a CSR MUST remarry the card... ;)

[unclemoosh]

Sorry, WON'T work on receivers w/RID#'s - which all HD Tivo's have to my knowledge. On these, a CSR MUST remarry the card... ;)

My bad :o