Direct TV recorders- how do they work?

[thedelihaus]

I just got two Direct TV recorders given to me- mint condition, one never used, one used less than 30 minutes before the owners gave up.

But I don't have a clue as to what the heck they are or do. The instructions aren't there. Yet they have some credit-card looking thing with them.

Any clues? Do you need me to get any more info off the boxes?

Thanks in advance, fellas...

[jpdylon]

All the recorder is, more or less is a computer with a large hard drive. It is supposed to communicate with the direct TV set-top box. WHen you set a program to record, the direct TV box talks to the recorder, ans tells is to record at that time for the specified duration. It then shuts off until you call the recorded program up for viewing.

As for the strange card thing, I'm not too sure what that could be. Older satellite receivers had cards that had the curtomer decoding info on them. One would place this card into the sat receiver and it would then grab allowed programming based on the info found on the card.

Now setting one up and making it work, that's a different story :smoke:

[goldear]

Your description sounds suspiciously like Direct TV "Tivo" unit. If you subscribe to Direct TV, these are absolutely fantastic units that can allow you to time shift TV programming with an unbeleivable amount of ease. I've been running a Tivo for aver 5 years now, and both my wife and I can't stand watching TV without it.

If you are not not a direct TV subscriber, and do not plan to become one, then these will be useless to you, as they have no other use.

The Card that you are referring to are called "smart cards" and every direct TV reciever has one of these cards. They are used in an attemtp to prevent Direct TV service pirating.

If you want to learn about these units, just do a goodgle search for "Tivo" and you can start to learn about just how cool Tivo service is. :thmbsp:

[thedelihaus]

Your description sounds suspiciously like Direct TV "Tivo" unit. If you subscribe to Direct TV...If you are not not a direct TV subscriber, and do not plan to become one, then these will be useless to you...The Card that you are referring to are called "smart cards" and every direct TV reciever has one of these cards. They are used in an attemtp to prevent Direct TV service pirating...:

Thanks for the lowdown. I am familiar with and love the TIVO concept though I don't run it, wasn't sure how the DirectTV part of it worked. If get rid of these, do I need to get rid of the card to prevent the person's account who gave it to me?

I don't use DirectTV so they aren't of use to me, you are correct, and that's what i thought. :tears:

I'm thinking a donation to AK and figure out cost of shipping might get these a new home to any interested partys. Or a gear trade.

[goldear]

No, don't throw away the card. The unit will become a permanent door-stop if you do! Direct TV recievers "mary" thier cards, and if you loose the card, even a new card will not fix the problem. The old card must be present to transfer your DSN to a new smart-card, or it will never work again. :no:

[dwass5656]

What everyone has said about the card is correct, if you are having that many issues why don't you just call DirecTV?

on a side note: If you already own DirecTV and want to upgrade just threaten to leave, and then you are golden, they will give you one for free and install it for free, they just hate losing customers.

dwass


Listen to Song For Sunshine by Belle & Sebastian : http://www.napster.com/player/tracks/16315601

[thedelihaus]

What everyone has said about the card is correct, if you are having that many issues why don't you just call DirecTV?

on a side note: If you already own DirecTV and want to upgrade just threaten to leave, and then you are golden, they will give you one for free and install it for free, they just hate losing customers.

dwass


Listen to Song For Sunshine by Belle & Sebastian : http://www.napster.com/player/tracks/16315601

Welcome to AK my friend- looks like this was your first post. A bunch of good guys here for sure.

As for calling DirecTV, well, I'm not a subscriber, and never have been. Someone gave me these boxes. I was just trying to figure out what needed to be done to use them.

Get "DirecTV" seems to be the answer! :scratch2:

[goldear]

Welcome to AK my friend- looks like this was your first post. A bunch of good guys here for sure.

As for calling DirecTV, well, I'm not a subscriber, and never have been. Someone gave me these boxes. I was just trying to figure out what needed to be done to use them.

Get "DirecTV" seems to be the answer! :scratch2:
These are exceptionally cool units as they will record two channels at once, while allowing you to watch a third completely different (recorded) program all at the same time. We absolutely love ours. :yes:

[thedelihaus]

Looks like I have two of the DirecTV D10 Receivers and one Echostar Dishpro DV3.

[dwass5656]

you should be good to go with what you have once you "get directv" I think you will really like it, I do not think I could live without it anymore, I only really tivo two shows a week and it is so much easier when I do not have to worry about getting home in time to watch a show etc.




Listen to Subterranean Homesick Blues by Bob Dylan : http://www.napster.com/player/tracks/10077818