Additional DVR

[taegeukwon]

Hi all,

I'm tyring to get an additional DVR from ebay but I want to make sure something since I'll be installing the device myself.

So I got a wired DVR downstairs which connected through the ethernet cable from the wall. The tech guy removed the phone line and changed it to ethernet. But the problem is the room upstairs has only coax. From what I'm unstanding from the manual, I can still use coax to connect the STB but not too sure if it requires any extra step.

Can anyone help me?

Thanks.

[aviewer ACE - Wizard]

taegeukwon - A u-verse DVR that you obtain from any source other than at&t will not work.

Sounds like you can easily cause your existing installation to fail by changing the wiring,

You should find another hobby.

[jfw ACE - Czar]

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taegeukwon wrote:

Hi all,

I'm tyring to get an additional DVR from ebay but I want to make sure something since I'll be installing the device myself.

So I got a wired DVR downstairs which connected through the ethernet cable from the wall. The tech guy removed the phone line and changed it to ethernet. But the problem is the room upstairs has only coax. From what I'm unstanding from the manual, I can still use coax to connect the STB but not too sure if it requires any extra step.

Can anyone help me?

Thanks.

---

Keep in mind, any Uverse equipment, DVR's, STB's etc. are property of ATT so any of these items for sale on eBay are considered stolen equipment so good luck trying to get it activated, besides , Uverse only allows one DVR per account.

[RCSMG ACE - Master]

When you call ATT to activate that box not only will they know it is stolen, but they will know who it used to belong to.  They only allow one DVR to an account so the one you may buy will not be activated.  Save your money.  IMO

[taegeukwon]

Whoa....a lot of sarcastic comments. Chill out guys, I didn't even know it was such a big deal and you guys make me look like a thief who tries to steal the signal. I'm already paying for this service and trying to expand that "inside the house" not to the outside. Beside if I have to pay for additional signal fine I'll pay it but website only says "equiment rental fee" so I assume it would be ok if I have my own equipment alright? Thanks for your comments and correcting my wrongdoing which I didn't even know, but you guys could've said nicely.

[RCSMG ACE - Master]

I don't know if part of my post came off any way other than informative that was not my intention.  I didn't state that you stole it other wise I wouldn't have told you to "save your money."  I can't speak to any other posts.

[jfw ACE - Czar]

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taegeukwon wrote:
Whoa....a lot of sarcastic comments. Chill out guys, I didn't even know it was such a big deal and you guys make me look like a thief who tries to steal the signal. I'm already paying for this service and trying to expand that "inside the house" not to the outside. Beside if I have to pay for additional signal fine I'll pay it but website only says "equiment rental fee" so I assume it would be ok if I have my own equipment alright? Thanks for your comments and correcting my wrongdoing which I didn't even know, but you guys could've said nicely.

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My post was not intended to be sarcastic, nor did I call you a thief, I was merely pointing out that the equipment you see for sale on eBay is property of ATT and those selling it have no right to do so, if you purchase any of this equipment you'll be leaving yourself open to potential problems when you call in to try to get it activated. Besides, you stated that you already have a DVR and Uverse allows one DVR per account, so again, no way they'd activate it.

[bugmenot121]

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taegeukwon wrote:
Whoa....a lot of sarcastic comments. Chill out guys, I didn't even know it was such a big deal and you guys make me look like a thief who tries to steal the signal. I'm already paying for this service and trying to expand that "inside the house" not to the outside. Beside if I have to pay for additional signal fine I'll pay it but website only says "equiment rental fee" so I assume it would be ok if I have my own equipment alright? Thanks for your comments and correcting my wrongdoing which I didn't even know, but you guys could've said nicely.

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Here's how it works:

Each box has an ID number. When a customer (you, myself, or my neighbor) activates service with AT&T, or any provider, the provider's computer systems are programmed so that "DVR 128SSYBNL0023" is programmed to "ACCOUNT NUMBER XXXXXXXX-YYYY".

When a customer unplugs their box, or the box loses power, it'll want to re-connect to the provider's computer systems when it is re-connected to the system. If that box's ID number shows up on a different account, the customer will get a message on the screen about "CALL TO AUTHORIZE."

The customer will call to authorize, and they'll say something about "we can't authorize this box, as it's already programmed to another account."

Circa 2001-2002, I found a box in my dumpster matching the same box I had in my house. I tried it in my house and it worked for a while...until the company sent a random signal out to "kill" my unauthorized box. -- This was back in the days of ANALOG CABLE and the computer systems were entirely different.

A few years ago, I found a DIGITAL CABLE box in my trash belonging to a provider that I did not subscribe to. I plugged it in and I got that same "CALL TO AUTHORIZE" message. I called the number on a sticker stuck to the box and they explained that I'd have to send it back to them, as it was belonging to another account....actually, they didn't want it back, but I had to tell them that it was worth several hundreds of dollars and they actually *DID* want it back.

My advice to the original poster would be to get a TiVO device to use as a second DVR. Unfortunately, it'll cost you more money, but it's the only way to get two DVRs in an AT&T house.

You can also call AT&T and try to upgrade to a larger-capacity DVR, but this may cost you $150 unless you can convince them to give you credit in terms of free HBO/Cinemax, free HD, or something along those lines. Maybe your "$150 DVR Upgrade Fee" can be wiped out by credit or something.