DirecTV. Sabotaging their own boxes? | FerrariChat
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DirecTV. Sabotaging their own boxes?

Discussion in 'Technology' started by CornersWell, May 23, 2008.

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  1. CornersWell

    CornersWell F1 Rookie

    Nov 24, 2004
    4,899
    #1 CornersWell, May 23, 2008
    I've had DirecTV service for over 6 years now. Over this period, I've had at least 3 DirecTV boxes burn out with fried electronics (even though they're all on surge suppressors). So, periodically, I need to fork over another $200, $300 or whatever for another box. Lots of re-sets over that period, too. About a year ago, I put the most recent replacement box on a service contract (at $5.99/month additional or something like that), and it's worked like a charm ever since.

    Is is possible that DirecTV could sabotage the boxes by frying the internals to get you to purchase another box with a service contract? I realize that the boxes are "subsidized" to some extent by DirecTV, so this would seem like they would be making two steps forward, one back. However, service contracts are pure profit for the most part, and they might make more on the contracts over the long run than they do in selling boxes (even if they are somewhat subsidized). Thus, the incentive.

    I would think this would be very hard to prove, but I'm curious. The technology must exist to be able to send a signal to fry their own box.

    CW
     
  2. 1ual777

    1ual777 F1 Rookie

    Mar 21, 2006
    2,948
    Orange County, CA
    #2 1ual777, May 23, 2008
    I have had them for 5 years; original box. Maybe you live in a nuclear test zone that glows at night.
     
  3. Meister

    Meister F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 27, 2001
    5,516
    Duluth, MN
    Full Name:
    The Meister
    #3 Meister, May 23, 2008
    I think frying their own boxes is a little far fecthed. Yet in this day and age, nothing surprises.

    I've had DTV for 10+ years, and since moving to the city of Duluth, I've had a lot more resets than ever before on my old boxes. I put that down to more power fluctuations than at my previous location. I've got 1 new HD reciever and I have yet to have to reset that one.

    BTW, make sure your RG6 cable comming from the dish is grounded.
     
  4. thirteendog

    thirteendog Formula 3

    Mar 6, 2008
    1,587
    Nashville, TN
    #4 thirteendog, May 23, 2008
    I have to ask, how is/was your entertainment center set up? Is it possible it's getting to hot? Another thing would be to put your valuable TV/components on a UPS (Universal Power Supply). That way your getting consistant power which is much safer than what comes out of the wall.
     
  5. Seth

    Seth Formula 3

    Feb 8, 2004
    1,551
    Texas
    #5 Seth, May 23, 2008
    we have DTV boxes from 1995 or 1996 still working down at the ranch
     
  6. CRG125

    CRG125 F1 Rookie

    Feb 7, 2005
    2,644
    Los Angeles, Ca
    Full Name:
    Vivek
    #6 CRG125, May 23, 2008

    Just bad luck, Dish and Direct Tv dont make anything on the boxes, its all in the services. Were the Direct TV boxes from Direct TV themselves, or did you buy it from a retail store such as Best Buy?
     

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