I just canceled my DirecTV service after about 3.5 years, and I'm left with 3 SD receivers.

I have friends who are considering DirectTV, and I wondering if I should give them my receivers when they get their new dish installed.

Or is that just more problem than its worth for them? I know there's a card in each box, which I'm assuming would need to be replaced/updated. Or are they better off just getting "new" ones at time of install?

Don't want this to be a case of an act of kindness causing more hassle than good...

They need to get their own cards, you can give them the receivers if you wish.

If they are new subscribers though they should be able to get all the new hardware for free.

That's what I thought.

I agree with Brian. Not that there's necessarily anything "wrong" with your receivers, but they might as well get the latest and greatest technology for free.

The difference is though that all the new equipment is leased.

The other difference is that the older boxes will not get the new HD channels

To be fair, the OP did say these are SD receivers. Not everyone can display HD or wants to pay for HD channels, of course.

Depending how old they are, they may also be out of data soon. When is DTV shutting off the MPG2 feeds anyway?

The MPEG2 issue is only for HD channels, these are SD receivers.

Here's the breakdown as I see it for your friend:

A) Get free receivers from DirecTV
B) Get free receivers from friend, call D*, hassle with them about getting new cards for old receivers or switching over the old ones to a new account, pay $20/card.

(**)with 1 or 2 year service agreement.....

True. But are you planning on dropping it next week? I almost never have issues with those contracts since I plan to use the service. I just signed up for another 2 with my cell company. Been with them for over a decade, probably two more years won't hurt me.