buy your own box?? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

zky · 2007-05-25, 01:23 PM

hi.

access has a waiting list for their hd boxes in the hundreds. If I was to buy my own 6412, would it work through their system?? One lady said no, one lady said
it may work but it may fry the box, and one guy said it should work.

Does anyone have knowledge of this??

BillMinRegina · 2007-05-27, 01:05 AM

It would only work if the 6412 was one originally issued to a customer by Access Communications without an outstanding balance owing, or previously reported as stolen. Cable boxes like cell phones are locked to the provider that sold them originally.

GGopher · 2007-05-28, 09:11 PM

There are a number of boxes (6412/6416) available on Ebay. With Shaw you are able to add them on (you have to twist their arm).

57 · 2007-05-28, 11:49 PM

A bit of a warning. What works on Shaw (activating an outside STB), may not work with another service provider. Also, a STB that works on one service provider may not work on another.

Even with Shaw, the procedure is not always straight forward, as evidenced by the following thread. You'll need to check with a second level technician at Access and then get it in writing along with the compatibile make, model and sub-model numbers.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=26417

Neild · 2007-05-30, 08:48 PM

I've gotten conflicting info on this over time. One person there said it was 'impossible', another said possible but difficult. Recently a newer tech person said it was possible & easy... but he also said a big supply of boxes had just arrived/was arriving so it wasn't going to be an issue.

seventieslord · 2008-01-22, 10:56 PM

You can definitely do it with Access. I bought two DCT6412 boxes that both came from Comcast in the USA, and it took a few phone calls and some arm twisting but they activated both of them. We all know you need the serial number to activate it, but what a lot of people don't know is that you need the UI number (i think it was called that) for them to first add it to their inventory. This is found on a sitkcer at the bottom. They do NOT need to physically take your box for a week to be able to do this, no matter what they say. Buy your box knowing it will work, download access' firmware using the directions online, and then call access and don't take no for an answer. Just from reading my post you will know more than the first person to answer your call will know - trust me. I've talked to ten of them.

roflskeet · 2008-01-25, 11:33 PM

I work for access, It can be done you just need to bring the box in (safest way) to upgrade to our firmware. It HAS to be the exact same box we use or else it will not work and we don't guarantee that it won't brick your box so buyer beware I guess

seventieslord · 2008-01-26, 03:54 PM

Yes, it does have to be one of the boxes access uses, for this to work. Aside from that, everything I said above stands.

2007-05-25, 01:23 PM	#1
zky Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 5	buy your own box?? hi. access has a waiting list for their hd boxes in the hundreds. If I was to buy my own 6412, would it work through their system?? One lady said no, one lady said it may work but it may fry the box, and one guy said it should work. Does anyone have knowledge of this??

2007-05-27, 01:05 AM	#2
BillMinRegina Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Regina, Sask Posts: 75	It would only work if the 6412 was one originally issued to a customer by Access Communications without an outstanding balance owing, or previously reported as stolen. Cable boxes like cell phones are locked to the provider that sold them originally. __________________ Bill McMinn

2007-05-28, 11:49 PM	#4
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,298	A bit of a warning. What works on Shaw (activating an outside STB), may not work with another service provider. Also, a STB that works on one service provider may not work on another. Even with Shaw, the procedure is not always straight forward, as evidenced by the following thread. You'll need to check with a second level technician at Access and then get it in writing along with the compatibile make, model and sub-model numbers. http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=26417 __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

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2007-05-28, 09:11 PM	#3
GGopher Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 96	There are a number of boxes (6412/6416) available on Ebay. With Shaw you are able to add them on (you have to twist their arm).

2007-05-30, 08:48 PM	#5
Neild Veteran Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2,017	I've gotten conflicting info on this over time. One person there said it was 'impossible', another said possible but difficult. Recently a newer tech person said it was possible & easy... but he also said a big supply of boxes had just arrived/was arriving so it wasn't going to be an issue.

2008-01-22, 10:56 PM	#6
seventieslord Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 40	You can definitely do it with Access. I bought two DCT6412 boxes that both came from Comcast in the USA, and it took a few phone calls and some arm twisting but they activated both of them. We all know you need the serial number to activate it, but what a lot of people don't know is that you need the UI number (i think it was called that) for them to first add it to their inventory. This is found on a sitkcer at the bottom. They do NOT need to physically take your box for a week to be able to do this, no matter what they say. Buy your box knowing it will work, download access' firmware using the directions online, and then call access and don't take no for an answer. Just from reading my post you will know more than the first person to answer your call will know - trust me. I've talked to ten of them.

2008-01-25, 11:33 PM	#7
roflskeet Rookie Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 21	I work for access, It can be done you just need to bring the box in (safest way) to upgrade to our firmware. It HAS to be the exact same box we use or else it will not work and we don't guarantee that it won't brick your box so buyer beware I guess

2008-01-26, 03:54 PM	#8
seventieslord Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 40	Yes, it does have to be one of the boxes access uses, for this to work. Aside from that, everything I said above stands.