[johnga]

Hi,
I purchased a DirectTV Tivo at a thrift store - only to find out what I'm sure many here know, just because you own the box, you don't own nothing! After a few rounds with DTV, I have given up hope of using the machine directly, as it is out for collections. Is there a way to bypass the DirectTV part of this and just use the Tivo recording functions etc? I tried running cable from the DTV receiver Antenna Out to the TivoDTV antenna in, but it still wants to look for a satellite. Has this been dealt with by anyone, or is this box a complete write-off like DTV and my wife tell me?
Thanks

 

[terpfan1980]

Hi,
I purchased a DirectTV Tivo at a thrift store - only to find out what I'm sure many here know, just because you own the box, you don't own nothing! After a few rounds with DTV, I have given up hope of using the machine directly, as it is out for collections. Is there a way to bypass the DirectTV part of this and just use the Tivo recording functions etc? I tried running cable from the DTV receiver Antenna Out to the TivoDTV antenna in, but it still wants to look for a satellite. Has this been dealt with by anyone, or is this box a complete write-off like DTV and my wife tell me?
Thanks

To be blunt, it's probably a write-off.

DirecTV DVRs powered by/with TiVo software only work with DirecTV and won't record from any other source.

If you have an HR10-250 unit, you could get it to record over-the-air broadcast signals but that will only work if the system is *authorized to do so* by signal sent from DirecTV through the satellite stream.

So, unless DirecTV wants the box to work as a DVR, it won't at all.

Sorry that your purchase won't work as you had hoped.

I will point out that you could probably get a free or very low cost standard definition DVR from DirecTV. It wouldn't be TiVo based, but it would work as a DVR. If you were purchasing a hi-definition box, then you'd be better to make a call to DirecTV anyway as in the not so distant future most of the high definition programming that DirecTV offers will require new receivers anyway, again not TiVo based systems.

Reminder to most people that are thinking of purchasing a used TiVo based DirecTV receiver -- try to get the receiver ID and/or access card id and contact DirecTV first to check the status of the receiver and make sure you could activate it. You could save yourself a lot of hassle and heartache.

 

[rbtravis]

Sorry it is only good for Directv. It cannot be used for off the air.

 

[johnga]

Thanks for the quick responses - dang! Six bucks down the drain! So any suggestions on what would be a useful end for my worthless friend? It has two episodes of the Sopranos on it.
J

 

[stevel]

Ebay. They are still in some demand. But you may want to call DirecTV and give them the serial number to see if it is still active on an account, as if so, nobody else will be able to activate it.

 

[wolflord11]

$6.00 WOW! Thats quite a bargain.

As it is in good working condition why not sell it iff for parts. I am sure you will find a buyer on this very Forum.

You could use the HD yourself for the PC etc.

Never fear, I bet you could turn the $6.00 Bargain into $30 odd Dollars by selling off the parts

 

[wolflord11]

DirecTV and give them the serial number to see if it is still active on an account, as if so, nobody else will be able to activate it.

The OP has already done this, their statement about the unit being unable to be added to an account as it is out for collections should tell you this.

SO: Sell it for Parts.

 

[terpfan1980]

If it is going to be sold for parts, just be sure to specify that it would be useful for parts only as it can't be activated with DirecTV without paying the past-due balance left on it by previous owner (not the seller, but previous owner).

If you are honest and straight forward about that, then yeah, someone would likely buy it to get the power supply, or perhaps the hard drive, or bracket, or case, or fan, or other parts that they may need to repair another box with.

 

[or270]

I sold the stock 40GB drive out of a DSR7000/17 for $9.00 plus shipping on eBay, have not listed the power supply yet.

 

[Da Goon]

Sell it for parts or hack it for use as a dumb media server. The power supply alone could probably make your money back.

 

[wscannell]

Interesting. Directv told me that they would activate any receiver - you just have to buy an access card or transfer one of your existing cards.

 

[bengalfreak]

Interesting. Directv told me that they would activate any receiver - you just have to buy an access card or transfer one of your existing cards.

Not if the receiver is a RID unit. If so, they will check to see if it has a previous balance associated with it.