DirecTV receiver SD --> HD ?

The Cow · 11-08-09, 02:39 PM

Anyone here in the know about the ins-and-outs of DirecTV receivers?

I am looking to change out one of our SD-DVR receivers to an HD-DVR receiver (we already have 1 HD, looking to replace on of our SD ones).

3 Questions:
-Can I buy the box anywhere (that sells them)?
-Do I have to call DirecTV or anything to activate it?
-Any additional monthy charge on the account?

Deftones · 11-08-09, 02:52 PM

Are you in or out of contact with DirecTV? Usually you can get an HD box from them for free just by calling and telling them you want to upgrade. Try that first.

You can buy the box anywhere that sells them. If you go that route, you have to call to activate it. You just give the card # and they'll send signal to activate. You might even be able to do that online now. Not sure about that.

Each additional box that you have on your account costs $5 per month. If you deactivate the SD, your net difference will be zero to your account (+$5 - $5 = $0). If you keep the SD active, it'll add another $5 to your account.

The Cow · 11-08-09, 03:59 PM

Cool, thanks for the info man!

I'm still in contract, so I'll go that route first. Other info is exactly what I was looking for, appreciate it

BravesMG · 11-08-09, 05:44 PM

I tried doing this a few months ago and they would not let me swap out an SD receiver for an HD receiver (even paying for it) without extending my contract 12 months. Make sure you ask, they didn't let me know until I brought it up. All my bitching and moaning wouldn't get them to change the policy, hopefully you have more luck.

Deftones · 11-08-09, 06:21 PM

yeah, i guess i should've mentioned that. they always extend your contract when you get new hardware, sort of like with cell phone companies. if you don't care about that, then it's a good deal. if not, maybe not a good deal.

Doc Moonlight · 11-09-09, 08:10 AM

I don't think they let you "own" equipment anymore. The price you pay for a new receiver is essentially a "lease" and they retain ownership of the equipment.

jpb07 · 11-09-09, 04:12 PM

SOMETIMES they will even let you upgrade to an HD-DVR at no cost. Just gotta play the game...usually suggesting that you are looking at just buying yourself out of the contract and moving on to cable/Dish will get you one. The best deals are available by saying "cancel service" at the voice prompt. That will get you on the line with retention who have just about every possible credit at their disposal.

The Cow · 11-09-09, 09:12 PM

My 'first attempt' came today came down to waiving installation

fees, and a $30 discount, but still pay for the new box. Also she said it requires a 2 year contract extension.

So out the door it would be $95 (box upgrade) and a 2 year extension.

I'll try again tomorrow going with the canceling one or more of my other boxes (they would lose the ongoing revenue from those) so that I can keep costs down angle and see if I can get any different deal going from them. Fun times.

BigDaddy · 11-09-09, 10:22 PM

Costco sells them.

Eddie W · 11-09-09, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Cow

-Any additional monthy charge on the account?

Yes, there's a $10/mo 'HD access fee' that allows you to receive the HD versions of available channels.

jpb07 · 11-09-09, 11:08 PM

No matter what they will lock you into a 2 year committment with an HD box. SOMETIMES they will screwup and not re-up you but I've only had that happen once in 4-5 times.

The Cow · 11-12-09, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deftones

Each additional box that you have on your account costs $5 per month. If you deactivate the SD, your net difference will be zero to your account (+$5 - $5 = $0). If you keep the SD active, it'll add another $5 to your account.

Thanks for all the info...

I'm questioning that $5 per box now. I pay that now and it shows up on the bill as a 'lease' fee. But I paid the 99 or 199 for the boxes initially.

So... they charge that 'lease fee' regardless of where you get the box?

Red Dog · 11-12-09, 03:44 PM

Call and say you're an NHL fan and pissed that they aren't carrying VS. Ask for a free HD-DVR upgrade for them to keep your business.

The $5 'lease' fee is basically for each active receiver/DVR (regardless of whether it is leased or owned) after the first one. The DVR charge is constant regardless of how many DVRs you have.

The Cow · 11-12-09, 03:56 PM

Thanks, and I'll give the NHL route a shot.

11-08-09, 02:39 PM	#1
The Cow DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Grazing in a field somewhere... Posts: 14,093	DirecTV receiver SD --> HD ? Anyone here in the know about the ins-and-outs of DirecTV receivers? I am looking to change out one of our SD-DVR receivers to an HD-DVR receiver (we already have 1 HD, looking to replace on of our SD ones). 3 Questions: -Can I buy the box anywhere (that sells them)? -Do I have to call DirecTV or anything to activate it? -Any additional monthy charge on the account?

11-08-09, 02:52 PM	#2
Deftones DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Arizona Posts: 45,608	Re: DirecTV receiver SD --> HD ? Are you in or out of contact with DirecTV? Usually you can get an HD box from them for free just by calling and telling them you want to upgrade. Try that first. You can buy the box anywhere that sells them. If you go that route, you have to call to activate it. You just give the card # and they'll send signal to activate. You might even be able to do that online now. Not sure about that. Each additional box that you have on your account costs $5 per month. If you deactivate the SD, your net difference will be zero to your account (+$5 - $5 = $0). If you keep the SD active, it'll add another $5 to your account. __________________ John Henson: McDonald's has dumped Kobe Bryant as their spokesperson and have replaced him with Yao Ming. Apparently McDonald's prefers Yao because he is a bigger international star, and he doesn't rape so much. "You are everything that's wrong with this forum".---SleepyW

11-08-09, 03:59 PM	#3
The Cow DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Grazing in a field somewhere... Posts: 14,093	Re: DirecTV receiver SD --> HD ? Cool, thanks for the info man! I'm still in contract, so I'll go that route first. Other info is exactly what I was looking for, appreciate it

11-08-09, 05:44 PM	#4
BravesMG DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Dec 2000 Posts: 6,750	Re: DirecTV receiver SD --> HD ? I tried doing this a few months ago and they would not let me swap out an SD receiver for an HD receiver (even paying for it) without extending my contract 12 months. Make sure you ask, they didn't let me know until I brought it up. All my bitching and moaning wouldn't get them to change the policy, hopefully you have more luck. __________________ "Never go with a hippie to a second location." - Jack Donaghy HD-A35, PS3 owner. Xbox Live Tag: Tiny Doubles

11-08-09, 06:21 PM	#5
Deftones DVD Talk Hero Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Arizona Posts: 45,608	Re: DirecTV receiver SD --> HD ? yeah, i guess i should've mentioned that. they always extend your contract when you get new hardware, sort of like with cell phone companies. if you don't care about that, then it's a good deal. if not, maybe not a good deal. __________________ John Henson: McDonald's has dumped Kobe Bryant as their spokesperson and have replaced him with Yao Ming. Apparently McDonald's prefers Yao because he is a bigger international star, and he doesn't rape so much. "You are everything that's wrong with this forum".---SleepyW

11-09-09, 08:10 AM	#6
Doc Moonlight DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Saint Louie Posts: 1,795	Re: DirecTV receiver SD --> HD ? I don't think they let you "own" equipment anymore. The price you pay for a new receiver is essentially a "lease" and they retain ownership of the equipment. __________________ "If it weren't for the rocks in its bed, the stream would have no song." --Carl Perkins

11-09-09, 04:12 PM	#7
jpb07 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 301	Re: DirecTV receiver SD --> HD ? SOMETIMES they will even let you upgrade to an HD-DVR at no cost. Just gotta play the game...usually suggesting that you are looking at just buying yourself out of the contract and moving on to cable/Dish will get you one. The best deals are available by saying "cancel service" at the voice prompt. That will get you on the line with retention who have just about every possible credit at their disposal. __________________ 2010 Blu-Ray Spending

11-09-09, 09:12 PM	#8
The Cow DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Grazing in a field somewhere... Posts: 14,093	Re: DirecTV receiver SD --> HD ? My 'first attempt' came today came down to waiving installation fees, and a $30 discount, but still pay for the new box. Also she said it requires a 2 year contract extension. So out the door it would be $95 (box upgrade) and a 2 year extension. I'll try again tomorrow going with the canceling one or more of my other boxes (they would lose the ongoing revenue from those) so that I can keep costs down angle and see if I can get any different deal going from them. Fun times.

11-09-09, 10:22 PM	#9
BigDaddy DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 9,753	Re: DirecTV receiver SD --> HD ? Costco sells them. __________________ Michael facebook XBOX Gamertag Hudsonpf

11-09-09, 11:08 PM	#11
jpb07 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 301	Re: DirecTV receiver SD --> HD ? No matter what they will lock you into a 2 year committment with an HD box. SOMETIMES they will screwup and not re-up you but I've only had that happen once in 4-5 times. __________________ 2010 Blu-Ray Spending

11-12-09, 03:44 PM	#13
Red Dog DVD Talk God Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Directionally Challenged (for DirecTV) Posts: 79,718	Re: DirecTV receiver SD --> HD ? Call and say you're an NHL fan and pissed that they aren't carrying VS. Ask for a free HD-DVR upgrade for them to keep your business. The $5 'lease' fee is basically for each active receiver/DVR (regardless of whether it is leased or owned) after the first one. The DVR charge is constant regardless of how many DVRs you have. __________________ "A question for you. Would you rather Bucknell make the NCAA's once every 20 years or so and get ass raped by teams like Kansas in the first round or have them drop down a rung to a confernce where they can compete for a title?" - Josh Hinkle 1st Round Final Scores: Bucknell 64 Kansas 63 \| Bucknell 59 Arkansas 55 Last edited by Red Dog; 11-12-09 at 03:46 PM.

11-12-09, 03:56 PM	#14
The Cow DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Grazing in a field somewhere... Posts: 14,093	Re: DirecTV receiver SD --> HD ? Thanks, and I'll give the NHL route a shot.