Any way to get H25s activated on existing account reasonably?

[cpalmer2k]

Right now I have an HR54 genie and an HR24 DVR. The HR24 is on its last legs and has lots of issues. I'd like to replace it with two H25 HD Receivers instead of a new HR24. My rationale behind that is each of the H25s would have its own tuner and wouldn't steal one from the Genie when viewing Live TV, but they would also be able to access the recordings from the Genie easily. I called DirecTV about this and they said I would have to have a technician visit because I was "adding" a box and it would require a technician to see if my system could accommodate it. I tried to explain to her that the two H25's would result in the same number of tuners I have now, but that went over her head. After going back & forth I agreed to the "technician" visit, but was quoted a price of $701 for the two H25's plus the service call fee. That is insane.

I know Weaknees and other vendors still have these for sale reasonably. If I bought two H25's from Weaknees is there any way to get DirecTV to activate them, or am I SOL. Are there any dealers that can help with this process? Unfortunately my account IS converted to the new AT&T billing system.

 

[slice1900]

Supposedly Directv is allocating all the H25s for commercial accounts, and thus has raised the price of H25s for residential customers significantly. That's why the $700 charge - Solid Signal now lists them for $399 (a discount to the "list price" of $499!)

An H25 "for commercial use only" is listed at $139.

 

[texasbrit]

Right now I have an HR54 genie and an HR24 DVR. The HR24 is on its last legs and has lots of issues. I'd like to replace it with two H25 HD Receivers instead of a new HR24. My rationale behind that is each of the H25s would have its own tuner and wouldn't steal one from the Genie when viewing Live TV, but they would also be able to access the recordings from the Genie easily. I called DirecTV about this and they said I would have to have a technician visit because I was "adding" a box and it would require a technician to see if my system could accommodate it. I tried to explain to her that the two H25's would result in the same number of tuners I have now, but that went over her head. After going back & forth I agreed to the "technician" visit, but was quoted a price of $701 for the two H25's plus the service call fee. That is insane.

I know Weaknees and other vendors still have these for sale reasonably. If I bought two H25's from Weaknees is there any way to get DirecTV to activate them, or am I SOL. Are there any dealers that can help with this process? Unfortunately my account IS converted to the new AT&T billing system.

The HR24 does not steal tuners from the genie so I do not understand your concern.

 

[cpalmer2k]

The HR24 does not steal tuners from the genie so I do not understand your concern.

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough. DirecTV keeps trying to get me to replace the failing HR24 (I literally have to reboot it 3 times a day some days due to freeze ups) with Genie Clients, which would steal tuners from the Genie when in use. The whole point in going with H25's was to allow us to have boxes on TVs in two more rooms without it tying up a tuner from the Genie vs the one room the HR24 allows us to have now.

 

[Joe The Dragon]

Sorry, I wasn't clear enough. DirecTV keeps trying to get me to replace the failing HR24 (I literally have to reboot it 3 times a day some days due to freeze ups) with Genie Clients, which would steal tuners from the Genie when in use.

will they replace it for free with no re-up?

 

[cpalmer2k]

will they replace it for free with no re-up?

No, they said either way I would have to pay for the HR24 or the H25's. At this point I really don't see a need for two DVRs- the Genie can do the recording. I just want to be able to watch live TV in other places without stealing those tuners from the Genie. With the H25's I'd have four screens of viewing (Genie, Genie Mini Client, H25#1, H25#2) vs the 3 I have now.

 

[raoul5788]

No, they said either way I would have to pay for the HR24 or the H25's. At this point I really don't see a need for two DVRs- the Genie can do the recording. I just want to be able to watch live TV in other places without stealing those tuners from the Genie. With the H25's I'd have four screens of viewing (Genie, Genie Mini Client, H25#1, H25#2) vs the 3 I have now.

Tell them the HR24 died, won't even boot up. They will send you a refurb for no cost except maybe shipping. There should be no additional contract either.

 

[Jimbo]

Supposedly Directv is allocating all the H25s for commercial accounts, and thus has raised the price of H25s for residential customers significantly. That's why the $700 charge - Solid Signal now lists them for $399 (a discount to the "list price" of $499!)

An H25 "for commercial use only" is listed at $139.

That much for a NON DVR ...
Thats ridiculous.

 

[Claude Greiner]

I got H25’s coming out of my A$$ at the store.

The issue is you can only activate them on residential if they are a legacy Directv account.

Once they go to AT&T account, that’s it.

 

[TheTechGuru]

What about a H24? Just as good as a H25 IMO, just bigger and they're still $99 on SolidSignal...

 

[cpalmer2k]

What about a H24? Just as good as a H25 IMO, just bigger and they're still $99 on SolidSignal...

I’d be fine with that, but still can’t get past the activation issue apparently though.

 

[Claude Greiner]

I’d be fine with that, but still can’t get past the activation issue apparently though.

Exactly.

I’m surprised Weak Signal is even still selling Directv equipment

 

[TexRedNK]

I have recently switched from Hughes HDL SD receivers because I am told that the broadcasters will soon cease to transmit SD programs.

I am a member of eBay and I found four HR24
receivers there at reasonable prices. CAUTION: Get the Receivers ID numbers and check with DirecTV to verify that they are NOT still under contract. I did nave to order new access cards at $20 each.

I do my own installs. If you have never set up a Slimline dish, you might want to read up or watch some YouTube videos. That is because the programs on the Ka bird has a very narrow angle. The other birds are a snap. I have a First Strike meter, but the best meter is in the receiver. Just go thru the signal data in the set up menus on the receiver.
Good luck with your installs.
Cheers, Doug

 

[TheTechGuru]

I'd try to get them to do a even swap. They swapped one of my HR24's for another HR24 back in May.

 

[cpalmer2k]

The problem is I need receivers for TWO rooms now, vs the ONE room I currently have the HR24 in. That was the whole point in going with the H25's. It allows me to add another location for viewing and still be able to see the DVR recordings without tying up a tuner from the Genie like a Client would.

I know I can get another HR-24, but I don't want one because that would not help or solve my issue in that I need TV in two places vs. the one I currently have with the HR24.

 

[raoul5788]

Then see if you can get an H24.

 

[cpalmer2k]

Then see if you can get an H24.

I did an online chat and inquired about that. They still wanted the $700. They were trying to sell them for the same price as the H25's. It's crazy. I can buy them from a dealer at an affordable price, but they won't activate them if I do. Yet they allow the dealers to sell them.

 

[raoul5788]

I did an online chat and inquired about that. They still wanted the $700. They were trying to sell them for the same price as the H25's.

Ouch!

 

[TheTechGuru]

The problem is I need receivers for TWO rooms now, vs the ONE room I currently have the HR24 in. That was the whole point in going with the H25's. It allows me to add another location for viewing and still be able to see the DVR recordings without tying up a tuner from the Genie like a Client would.

I know I can get another HR-24, but I don't want one because that would not help or solve my issue in that I need TV in two places vs. the one I currently have with the HR24.

So get that HR24 replaced with a HR24, then get a ADDITIONAL HR24 for the other room...should be cheaper than what they're wanting for the H24/H25