I posted this over on AVSforum, but will do so here as well, in case some of you are well-versed in this subject.
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I'm hoping to find answers to certain questions, from those very familiar with the DirecTV hardware.
A couple months back, one of my HR23-700 receivers died -- in a way that leaves me thinking it's about 85 % likely that it was the power supply that burned up. (So, the HDD is probably intact.) But, bottom line, the receiver is a doorstop now. And I got too busy to do anything about it, until now. I'd like to replace this unit with something similar and compatible, probably an HR24-500, probably one to be owned rather than leased, and most preferably without initiating a new 2-year service commitment. I'd like to be free to drop D* altogether, should the situation become unsatisfactory. (The desired outcome is a more critical factor to me than the cost.)
I'm receiving some conflicting advice pointing towards the HR34, but, even if it was compatible with the existing setup (some sources say 'NO', and that this would definitely restart the contract clock), I don't need whole house, or 5 tuners, and find some of what I've been reading about this model online not particularly favorable. Usually, I'm inclined to choose an older model, if it has a more proven track record. There seem to be ample sources around for buying leftover stock. Refurbs or Used -- not interested. The more responsible vendors mention that you need to check a RID # with D* first, and make a specific arrangement for Owned instead of Leased.
Why the HR24-500 ? More HDD capacity would have been a plus, but from what I've read, this model has an extra fan in back, and after the above experience that has to be a good thing -- right ? And it seems to have gotten better reviews.
But this could be the most important immediate question: According to posts I read in some DBStalk threads, each HDD is "married" to its original receiver (How ? Via firmware ? Or just the Access Card ?), and so its contents can never be salvaged and re-used. If true, I couldn't just transplant the old HDD into an HR24, or even another HR23, and still access all of the rare and irreplaceable stuff that happened to be on that HDD ? Absolutely positively -- No Exceptions ? What about by connecting it to the e-SATA port of an HR24 or later model ? This may be one of the worst failings of D*, almost enough to make me consider switching to whatever service -- if any -- does not have that limitation.
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I'm hoping to find answers to certain questions, from those very familiar with the DirecTV hardware.
A couple months back, one of my HR23-700 receivers died -- in a way that leaves me thinking it's about 85 % likely that it was the power supply that burned up. (So, the HDD is probably intact.) But, bottom line, the receiver is a doorstop now. And I got too busy to do anything about it, until now. I'd like to replace this unit with something similar and compatible, probably an HR24-500, probably one to be owned rather than leased, and most preferably without initiating a new 2-year service commitment. I'd like to be free to drop D* altogether, should the situation become unsatisfactory. (The desired outcome is a more critical factor to me than the cost.)
I'm receiving some conflicting advice pointing towards the HR34, but, even if it was compatible with the existing setup (some sources say 'NO', and that this would definitely restart the contract clock), I don't need whole house, or 5 tuners, and find some of what I've been reading about this model online not particularly favorable. Usually, I'm inclined to choose an older model, if it has a more proven track record. There seem to be ample sources around for buying leftover stock. Refurbs or Used -- not interested. The more responsible vendors mention that you need to check a RID # with D* first, and make a specific arrangement for Owned instead of Leased.
Why the HR24-500 ? More HDD capacity would have been a plus, but from what I've read, this model has an extra fan in back, and after the above experience that has to be a good thing -- right ? And it seems to have gotten better reviews.
But this could be the most important immediate question: According to posts I read in some DBStalk threads, each HDD is "married" to its original receiver (How ? Via firmware ? Or just the Access Card ?), and so its contents can never be salvaged and re-used. If true, I couldn't just transplant the old HDD into an HR24, or even another HR23, and still access all of the rare and irreplaceable stuff that happened to be on that HDD ? Absolutely positively -- No Exceptions ? What about by connecting it to the e-SATA port of an HR24 or later model ? This may be one of the worst failings of D*, almost enough to make me consider switching to whatever service -- if any -- does not have that limitation.