Shows and movies on an unused DVR?

[lwilbur]

Just curious as I am possibly getting ready to switch a single tuner DVR with a dual. Do the movies remain accesible on the unused DVR even if my account doesnt have that receiver as being used? In other words could i just plug it in attach it to a tv and watch the taped movies or is it a proprietary thing where I cant use the DVR software if not registered as a receiver being used with dish?

 

[dfergie]

Welcome to SatelliteGuys... Unhook it from the Coax first, hook up your dual tuner Dvr then have E* de-activate the old, and activate the new... ( I had a 501 that the tuner died in and could access all recorded programs until I sent it for a replacement)

 

[Purogamer]

How do they de-activate it if it's not connected...Doesn't something inside the box need programmed so you can't just take the box to someone else's house, hook it up, and it works fine?

 

[jergenf]

With my 921 I was able to view previously recorded programming while my receiver was not connected to the dish. Bear in mind if I lost AC power to this unit it would need to reboot and that may require connection to the dish, but I'm not 100% sure of that.

I do know connection to the dish (even if the unit is deactivated) is required to use it for receiving digital SD/HD OTA channels. And those channels can even be recorded.

 

[Bob Haller]

for the 500 series, the card auto deactivates without a sat connection after awhile, i think its 2 weeks.

you might get a error message but you can watch previously recorded shows on a deactivated box

i recently watched some old shows left by a prevoious owner on a box i bought as a back up.

If you LEASED your box it must be returned or they will charge you a hefty fee