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Allen13331's avatar
Allen13331
Explorer
Apr 20, 2013

Directv DVR continuously resetting when no signal from sat

I think I finally found a way to get Directv's attention regarding this situation:

Problem: You can no longer watch prerecorded programs stored on your DVR when you can't get a signal from the satellite. When your dsh is down or you can't get a signal due to trees or terrain the DVR will start resetting about every ten minutes or so making it impossible to watch prerecorded programming.

Solution: I worked with a supervisor this morning and identified a glaring problem with their tech support. If you call in and describe the problem listed above all they will put in their notes is " DVR keeps resetting" so we fall into the same catagory as a hardware failure and they will probably try to sell or send you a new device. This is a software issue believe me because I have duplicated this problem on four DVRs plus many of you have reported the same problem. Directv TV reviews the notes taken by the techs looking for key words.

So when you call in make sure you have them enter into their notes section: " DVR continuously resets when there is no signal from satellite when used in RV."

Have the tech read back what he/she put in the notes section and get the techs name. If they see that comment enough times it will pop up on their radar screen and we should get this issue resolved.

140 Replies

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  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Apr 21, 2013
    I'm not posting this anywhere near the Dtv board. I fear they will defeat this feature also.
  • Loren_Ross's avatar
    Loren_Ross
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2013
    Bill.Winegard wrote:
    Since I use my DVR all of the time when it's not connect to the satellite (I like to be able to watch the recorded programs while we are driving) I can tell you as an absolute fact that you CAN use your DVR while not connected to the satellite(s).
    However, your DVR must maintain power between the time you have a working satellite connection and the time you want to watch TV. For me, that means I have the DVR on an inverter and it never loses power and I have full access to everything on my DVR at all times and in all locations.

    Bill, you are an absolute ROCK STAR!!! Recently, we lost signal due to an intense rain storm, so we just fired up a recorded show. It worked fine!! Unfortunately, it just never dawned on me that this is how to circumvent the system in my RV. WOW!!!! I'm ordering an inverter right now!!!
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Apr 20, 2013
    Since I use my DVR all of the time when it's not connect to the satellite (I like to be able to watch the recorded programs while we are driving) I can tell you as an absolute fact that you CAN use your DVR while not connected to the satellite(s).
    However, your DVR must maintain power between the time you have a working satellite connection and the time you want to watch TV. For me, that means I have the DVR on an inverter and it never loses power and I have full access to everything on my DVR at all times and in all locations.
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    Apr 20, 2013
    Big Katuna wrote:
    They won't change it. It's a feature, not a bug.
    They don't want people to use it as a standalone DVR without a subscription.


    I suspect that THIS is the correct answer that the "tech support" folks are not allowed to tell you.

    While I don't have Direct, I do have "Dish" DVR and I have never attempted to use my DVR with no signal, but it makes perfect sense that the Sat people will attempt to PROTECT the recordings on the DVR.

    If it didn't do this one could possible fill the DVR HD AND external HDs and then stop paying for the service and use the unit to play back the "recordings".

    Folks, most likely one of the newest software updates the was pushed to your unit may have had this reboot on no signal installed.

    One must understand that YOU DO NOT OWN ANY of the recordings on said unit. This IS part of the TOS that you should have read.

    The MPAA over the years has tightened up the rules and the cable and Sat companies MUST abide by those rules or they will lose the chance to provide the material they deliver.

    This is not unlike the reasoning as to why HDMI is "protected" (AKA encrypted). It is all about preventing unauthorized use or playback of copyrighted material. The cable and sat companies pay licensing fees in order to transmit it to the viewers, part of the agreement is to restrict or prevent unauthorized recording or playback.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Apr 20, 2013
    Popsie wrote:
    menus..find a setting that lets you watch recordings without...satellite. i have no personal experience with this.
    Yeah, neither do I.
  • Popsie's avatar
    Popsie
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2013
    Others have answered this question by saying if you dig into the menus, you can find a setting that lets you watch recordings without the antenna locked onto the satellite.

    I have no personal experience with this.
  • Big_Katuna's avatar
    Big_Katuna
    Explorer II
    Apr 20, 2013
    They won't change it. It's a feature, not a bug.
    They don't want people to use it as a standalone DVR without a subscription.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Apr 20, 2013
    Thanks. I'm going through this myself as you may have read. The 'techs' keep wanting to exchange the receiver, but I see no point in that as they say the receivers are supposed to do that. If the receiver is supposed to do that, why do they want to exchange it?

    I guess I can understand the signal issue and watching recorded shows. But what really bugs me is that it resets when I'm setting it up!! I use the on-screen signal meter, and I only have a few minutes until it reboots. And rebooting is not a quick process.

    I had one tech actually want me to try a different power cord. Uh huh. And another who wasn't sure if it could be fixed by having systems people change the programming. It's obvious to me these are salesmen, not techs.

    I've made my feelings known on the DTV tech discussion board.

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