Pros/Cons used receivers? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

mitchum5 · 2009-04-07, 04:54 PM

Hi,

New to the forum and *C but just wanted to ask a few questions (I've searched, but can't find the same questions, so forgive me if it's already been answered and I've missed it).

1. I'd like to get another receiver - preferably used to save some money. Just looking for something simple. What's the story on used? Will *C authorize them, or are there hidden problems with doing this?

2. Do they limit the number of receivers you can have? What about installation... if I'm already set-up and just want to add one more receiver (new or used), do they have to come out and drill everything, even if you've already done it, or will they just ship you the receiver?

3. My dad has had *C for a while, I told him he might want to look into some new packages since his is an ancient one, but I find that it's hard to get a full picture of what's really being offered out there as far as viewing packages go... I've read some posts on here that the *C web site doesn't show all the offerings and combos... is there a central site where you can view everything?

Thanks for any input...

helgansven · 2009-04-07, 05:08 PM

1. Nothing wrong with a used receiver as long as it gets signal and you check the serial number with *C. Call them with the serial number of the receiver you want to buy and they will tel lyou if there is a balance owing on the box or not. If no balance owing, you're good to go.
2. Residential accounts are limited to 6 receivers. There has to be a line to each receiver from the dish (or multiswitch if more than 4). If you have run your own line, connected it to the box and bought a used receiver, then all you have to tdo is hook it up and call for activation.
3. The best resource for programming is *C themselves. If you don't see what you want on the web site, give them a call as they do not always advertize every package all the time.

mitchum5 · 2009-04-07, 08:10 PM

Thanks for the reply.

That's certainly helpful... especially about the possible balance remaining on old receivers.

I have been looking at a DSR205. Is this an old receiver - reliable etc? (I'm not looking for HiDef or anything - just something that works). Or, can someone tell me the current standard model that is most commonly used today that I might be able to find used as well...

P.S. Any recommended sites for used *C receivers?

NB Josh · 2009-04-07, 08:18 PM

Star Choice does a decent job with their site. The only two really hidden packages are Parfait Bilingue, which has a lot of channels in Digital Favourites as well as some French channels and The Superstations packages. If you want to know more about them PM me, or do a quick search of this site, you should find some stuff.

Sirius Guy · 2009-04-07, 08:20 PM

dsr209 = $99
dsr319 = $119

Anything else (except dsr505/dsr530) will be obsolete in about a year due to planned technology changes.

mitchum5 · 2009-04-07, 10:25 PM

What does that mean for people who already have the old receivers? Does *C replace those when they upgrade there technology, or is it something they force consumers to pony up for?

The two prices you list... are those the *C prices for those 2 receivers, or the price for used ones?

Any idea where to find used receivers?

Thanks again...

NB Josh · 2009-04-07, 10:33 PM

Those are the Star Choice prices. I'm not even sure if we are allowed to post where to buy stuff here.

helgansven · 2009-04-08, 06:03 AM

Check your local classifieds, the Super Shopper, etc. I have always found good deals for receivers in there.

mitchum5 · 2009-04-08, 07:58 AM

Really..? I didn't know that...

Thanks for the breakdown on the pricing...

So, I guess if you buy a $99.00 receiver now, in a year or so *C will tell you it's obsolete and then you'll have to buy another one from them... Is this how it works? (Sorry if this seems simplistic, but I've never dealt with sat. subscriptions before, so just trying to get the lay of the land in the long term)

Thanks...

classicsat · 2009-04-08, 05:41 PM

The last time they did a forced upgrade, it was for HD, and they upgraded HD subscribers to the 505A for $99. I would imagine you could get an upgrade for $49 when the time comes, plus you have to displose of the old one.

Those prices are the over-the-counter retail prices. Those receivers are the new technology they would be changing old receivers to in a couple years. If I were in the market for a receiver, I'd go for a new one, or if used, a 505.

jtpcomput · 2009-04-10, 11:11 PM

check with your local star choice dealer for refurish units. I was able to get a DSR530 for $349 and then I was given $50 PPV credit. the dealer also had 2 DSR205 I think for $59. I would check with your local star choice dealer as well.

kcowan · 2009-04-13, 01:12 PM

I bought them on craigslist: 2x315s for $40 ea and 2x505s for $80 ea. 2 of the boxes had never been registered, one of the others was still registered on another account. It works but I get their full HD service. Until they call *C and discontinue it, I cannot register it to my account.

juren · 2009-04-13, 04:53 PM

I was going to get *C to setup me for HD, then add a used receiver myself later, and older model, but one without any money owing. In theory all I would need to do would be run the line from the dish or the switch correct?
Add a Motorola Navigo 305, it should work correct?

classicsat · 2009-04-14, 10:10 AM

Yes, run a line from the dish to receiver, make sure it is rreceiving signal (at least CH 299), then call to activate.

987654321 · 2009-04-14, 12:05 PM

Quote:

I was going to get *C to setup me for HD

Check your pm

2009-04-07, 04:54 PM	#1
mitchum5 Rookie Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4	Pros/Cons used receivers? Hi, New to the forum and C but just wanted to ask a few questions (I've searched, but can't find the same questions, so forgive me if it's already been answered and I've missed it). 1. I'd like to get another receiver - preferably used to save some money. Just looking for something simple. What's the story on used? Will C authorize them, or are there hidden problems with doing this? 2. Do they limit the number of receivers you can have? What about installation... if I'm already set-up and just want to add one more receiver (new or used), do they have to come out and drill everything, even if you've already done it, or will they just ship you the receiver? 3. My dad has had C for a while, I told him he might want to look into some new packages since his is an ancient one, but I find that it's hard to get a full picture of what's really being offered out there as far as viewing packages go... I've read some posts on here that the C web site doesn't show all the offerings and combos... is there a central site where you can view everything? Thanks for any input...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

2009-04-07, 05:08 PM	#2
helgansven Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7	1. Nothing wrong with a used receiver as long as it gets signal and you check the serial number with C. Call them with the serial number of the receiver you want to buy and they will tel lyou if there is a balance owing on the box or not. If no balance owing, you're good to go. 2. Residential accounts are limited to 6 receivers. There has to be a line to each receiver from the dish (or multiswitch if more than 4). If you have run your own line, connected it to the box and bought a used receiver, then all you have to tdo is hook it up and call for activation. 3. The best resource for programming is C themselves. If you don't see what you want on the web site, give them a call as they do not always advertize every package all the time.

2009-04-07, 08:10 PM	#3
mitchum5 Rookie Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4	Thanks for the reply. That's certainly helpful... especially about the possible balance remaining on old receivers. I have been looking at a DSR205. Is this an old receiver - reliable etc? (I'm not looking for HiDef or anything - just something that works). Or, can someone tell me the current standard model that is most commonly used today that I might be able to find used as well... P.S. Any recommended sites for used *C receivers?

2009-04-07, 08:18 PM	#4
NB Josh Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Brunswick - Shaw Direct Posts: 3,150	Star Choice does a decent job with their site. The only two really hidden packages are Parfait Bilingue, which has a lot of channels in Digital Favourites as well as some French channels and The Superstations packages. If you want to know more about them PM me, or do a quick search of this site, you should find some stuff.

2009-04-07, 08:20 PM	#5
Sirius Guy Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 638	dsr209 = $99 dsr319 = $119 Anything else (except dsr505/dsr530) will be obsolete in about a year due to planned technology changes.

2009-04-07, 10:25 PM	#6
mitchum5 Rookie Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4	What does that mean for people who already have the old receivers? Does C replace those when they upgrade there technology, or is it something they force consumers to pony up for? The two prices you list... are those the C prices for those 2 receivers, or the price for used ones? Any idea where to find used receivers? Thanks again...

2009-04-07, 10:33 PM	#7
NB Josh Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Brunswick - Shaw Direct Posts: 3,150	Those are the Star Choice prices. I'm not even sure if we are allowed to post where to buy stuff here.

2009-04-08, 06:03 AM	#8
helgansven Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7	Check your local classifieds, the Super Shopper, etc. I have always found good deals for receivers in there.

2009-04-08, 07:58 AM	#9
mitchum5 Rookie Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 4	Really..? I didn't know that... Thanks for the breakdown on the pricing... So, I guess if you buy a $99.00 receiver now, in a year or so *C will tell you it's obsolete and then you'll have to buy another one from them... Is this how it works? (Sorry if this seems simplistic, but I've never dealt with sat. subscriptions before, so just trying to get the lay of the land in the long term) Thanks...

2009-04-08, 05:41 PM	#10
classicsat Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kincardine ON. Posts: 3,951	The last time they did a forced upgrade, it was for HD, and they upgraded HD subscribers to the 505A for $99. I would imagine you could get an upgrade for $49 when the time comes, plus you have to displose of the old one. Those prices are the over-the-counter retail prices. Those receivers are the new technology they would be changing old receivers to in a couple years. If I were in the market for a receiver, I'd go for a new one, or if used, a 505.

2009-04-10, 11:11 PM	#11
jtpcomput Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 49	check with your local star choice dealer for refurish units. I was able to get a DSR530 for $349 and then I was given $50 PPV credit. the dealer also had 2 DSR205 I think for $59. I would check with your local star choice dealer as well.

2009-04-13, 01:12 PM	#12
kcowan Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: VancouverBC/PV Shaw Direct 505-530-630, Telus Landline, Rogers PayGo, Panasonic Viera 50", HTPC-HDMI Posts: 334	I bought them on craigslist: 2x315s for $40 ea and 2x505s for $80 ea. 2 of the boxes had never been registered, one of the others was still registered on another account. It works but I get their full HD service. Until they call *C and discontinue it, I cannot register it to my account.

2009-04-13, 04:53 PM	#13
juren Rookie Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 9	I was going to get *C to setup me for HD, then add a used receiver myself later, and older model, but one without any money owing. In theory all I would need to do would be run the line from the dish or the switch correct? Add a Motorola Navigo 305, it should work correct?

2009-04-14, 10:10 AM	#14
classicsat Veteran Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Kincardine ON. Posts: 3,951	Yes, run a line from the dish to receiver, make sure it is rreceiving signal (at least CH 299), then call to activate.