I have two perfect Sony UTV units that have given me years of problem-free use. It's now 2008, and time to upgrade to HD. After I upgrade (and get new HD DVRs of course), can my Sony's still be used for anything?

Sure. There's plenty of SD programming out there. Also, you can use it when it's a heavy night of programming and you're willing to record one of the conflicts in SD. It's also a good backup for your favorite shows just in case the HD unit screws up. For example, my UTV will back up shows like Lost that I can't miss. I figure I'll just set it to only keep one or two episodes at the most to it will automatically delete them as new ones come in.

I'm getting an HR20 next week and still plan to keep the UTV active.

But will I need to continue paying $9.95 for UTV service? What happens if I don't?

Wanting to deactivate UTV DVR service and use them as "stand alone" receivers... That is possible in theory. You will still pay the Mirror fee per receiver... DTV has been all over the place with allowing this "stand alone" option. I've heard of UTV users over the years that CAN/CAN'T deactivate UTV Service and continue using the UTV in a meaningful way. It is likely the UTV DVR function will remain in "demo" mode if Service is disconnected. (You'll get limited DVR operation of 10 minutes?)

The UTV's "MY SHOWS" achieve will remain after you discontinue paying for the UTV DVR Service...

So say a few weeks/months/years down the road and you wish to reactivate UTV service the recordings will still be there.

For many it is easier to just "disconnect" the UTV from the SAT and Phone line BEFORE removing the UTV receiver from your DTV account . This will allow the UTV's DVR function to continue working as usual "offline". Think of it like a glorified digital video player. You won't be able to record any new content but you can save/view the MY SHOWS for as long as the "active" Access Card stays that way. So don't let it phone home or update via the Sat.

Good luck what ever you do.

In the past I've justified the $10 a month cost to what the equivalent cost would be using a stand alone VCR/DVD/DVR to record the content. I've got 6 UTVs so that is $1.666 per unit a month. Haven't bought VHS tapes in a while but that is probably less then the cost of 2 tapes (4-16 hours). I don't have to monitor/index/swap them regularly and I can delete recordings I don't want quickly and recover the space to reuse. Also don't forget the DUAL Tuners! a VCR/DVD Recorder only has ONE Tuner so you'd need TWO to get the same effect. Oh and the "third" tuner too... try watching a recording "LIVE" or previously recorded show (while recording) on a VCR... Not going to happen.

I'm all for FREE stuff... UTV DVR should be cheaper then $10... but given the cost it is worth it for me.

I second what lgodave said. If you want to use the UTV after discontinuing service, definately disconnect the UTV from the satellite and phone lines before you take the UTV receiver off your DTV account. When you cancel service, DTV will send a "discontinue" code to the UTV via the satellite. I remember some people who got this update then had problems viewing stored content. (If I remember correctly, the problems started some time period after turning off service.) I disconnected from "the matrix" before canceling service (actually replacing my UTVs with other boxes), and I was able to watch the saved shows some 3+ months later.

In the past I've justified the $10 a month cost to what the equivalent cost would be using a stand alone VCR/DVD/DVR to record the content. I've got 6 UTVs so that is $1.666 per unit a month. Haven't bought VHS tapes in a while but that is probably less then the cost of 2 tapes (4-16 hours). I don't have to monitor/index/swap them regularly and I can delete recordings I don't want quickly and recover the space to reuse. Also don't forget the DUAL Tuners! a VCR/DVD Recorder only has ONE Tuner so you'd need TWO to get the same effect. Oh and the "third" tuner too... try watching a recording "LIVE" or previously recorded show (while recording) on a VCR... Not going to happen.

I'm all for FREE stuff... UTV DVR should be cheaper then $10... but given the cost it is worth it for me.

What's a VCR?

What's a VCR?

Young whipper snappers!

I've seen 3/4 VTR U-Matic Players, I've messed with a Sony VTR (1972?), and I've even seen a few Beta units too... :)

I must admit I'm of the VHS era so I'm really not qualified to know anything about those units... but DVD (and Hi-Def) are now the norm so forget about the old... With that said I have NOT even dumped to my VCR/DVD-Recorder/Computer in maybe a year or so...

With so many DVRs I'm able to shuffle the content as needed and with DVD Box sets I'm able to wait for the release and buy the program if I want to save it. No more pack ratting Tapes and DVDs.

I've grown to let the DVR record/delete the stuff over-time. Something I just couldn't do (with Tape) if I really wanted to save a program/movie. Now I can KEEP stuff and let the rest go as needed...

Actually I got my first VCR in early 1981. Big RCA machine, top loading VHS, with a corded remote. Cost $1100 back then, which would be roughly $2500 today with inflation. Now you can get a DVD player for under $50. I guess the high price of HD DVR's is really not so bad in comparison.

But will I need to continue paying $9.95 for UTV service? What happens if I don't?
If you want to use it as a DVR, then yes. If you don't, you won't be able to record, buffer live TV or get guide info. If you let the cancellation hit the box, you'll only be able to watch (I believe...peeks at my FAQ to confirm) the first 10 minutes of any program.