[lightweb]

I bought a 2-room Sony UTV setup from minidishes.tv. I got the free (+ shipping) package.


As I understand the legal words, I have to activate both receivers under my subscription, but I only have to keep one activated. (1st month, an extra $5, no problem), also, I suppose after I get my rebates and all that back I can drop UTV support from the account as well (in case I don't want it/need it).


Now, in the installation instructions, it said that at a minimum, I have to have both receivers plugged into the phone line and powered on when it came time to subscribe, even if one unit wasn't on the satellite. Is this true? Could I just leave one unit in the box and say I am? I'm planning on giving the second unit to a family member, who isn't going to subscribe it.


Anyone have any thoughts? I figure it will work, but I dunno.

 

[Puglas]

The reason DTV wants both units plugged in to the phone line when signing up is to assure that the both receivers are located at the same house. Once subscribed, both from what I understand, both receivers can be disconnected from the phone line and will continue to work.

 

[orlfinfan]

why would you discontinue the UTV service or better yet, what makes you think that you won't need it? The UTV receiver without the service is a top notch sat receiver but it will not offer the live TV, record/playback or search options.


As for the connection of the boxes. Directv will attempt to communicate with the box when you subscribe. If it isn't plugged in then they will not be able to complete the set up. The have the ability to suspend the ticket but that will eventually fall off and they will disconnect service to that box.


The new guidelines could net you a heft charge if you attempt to connect the box and then disconnect. Unless I'm mistaken you will open yourself up to a charge for not completing your contract.

 

[lightweb]

I might want to cancel UTV service because I might start emulating (and thus, can add the appropriate UTV bytes myself).


I can certainly have the two boxes hooked up at first to subscribe, but I guess they will have to just bypass the test of the second receiver, as I won't have it hooked up to the dish. I was just wondering if they had to actually receive a call from the unit or what-not.

 

[lightweb]

BTW, What guidelines are you referring to? As I understood it (from minidishes.tv), I was required to activate two receivers (the first with Total Choice or higher, the second at the $4.99 rate) but I was only under obligation to keep the first one subscribed. Is this not true?


Now, when my family subscribed to DTV eons ago, we would have the receivers shut off after a month of not dialing in and would have to call up Dave to turn them back on after we promised that the phone lines were plugged in. We continued to pay the bill, however, even if the second receiver was shut off, so I'm assuming that just because they shut off your access card, your subscription status is not in default.


This is probably what I will let happen with both of these receivers. Continue to pay for the service even if those access cards are disconnected.

 

[Tygh]

Lightweb,

Before you get flamed too hard, there is no discussion of piracy allowed here. Emulation is piracy, plain and simple.


As to your activation question, you only need keep the one unit subb'd for a year. The other can be disconnected as soon as you activate it. That is per the Minidishes contract of which I have a copy here.

 

[lightweb]

Which is why I'm not asking a piracy-related question. I'm asking a subscription-related question.

 

[Tygh]

You mentioned emulation......that will get the admin's here pissy real quick.

 

[astroman]

Can someone tell me what the MiniDishes' Deal consists of or where can I read more information about it?

 

[tuvoc]

 http://www.minidishes.tv

 

[astroman]

Thanks, Tuvoc!

 

[captain_video]

I just activated two Sony SAT-W60 UTVs that I purchased from minidishes.tv. I contacted DirecTV and said that I only wanted DTV service on these additional receivers (I have had DTV for about 5 years) and that I wasn't interested in the UTV service. I was told that UTV service is mandatory on these units and that they cannot be activated without it. I was transferred to a UTV rep that pretty much told me the same thing. I then tried to activate the receivers via the DirecTV website and set them up to mirror my existing service. The receivers came on for about two minutes then displayed the message "Invalid access card." I unplugged the receiver to reset it and the same thing happened again. Apparently, without the proper tiers set on the access card (which occurs with the UTV service activation), the receiver is nothing more than a doorstop. I held off on getting a UTV for quite a while because I don't like paying monthly fees to anyone, especially Microsoft, but the $200 rebate was too much of a gift horse. It's sort of like buying a VCR but the tuner and record capability won't work without paying extra.

 

[dropper]

Unless something has just changed, when I actived a month ago, they asked me if I wanted to have the UTV hooked up. Also, check your manual. It states what can and can't be done with the unit without UTV service. If your agreement with your purchaser doesn't say that you have to have UTV, then just call them back and say so. You will probably get another rep and decline the UTV. They may pressure you, but stick to your guns.


Personally, for the extra $10 a month, I don't think it's worth the hassle of not getting it, considering all of the bennefits.



Keith