activating access card

True, you have 30 days to activate a new receiver/card but wonder why they didn't replace the receiver.  BTW even if it didn't expire you can't use an activated card in any other DTV receiver.

They offered to replace the genie, but it's 70% full and since they aren't willing or are incapable of having an easy way to transfer programming, or even willing to store the series manage in the cloud so it can be restored instead of manually reentering everything again, I opted to try replacing the card first.  Neither machine nor card explains why it's an intermittent problem.  Fine for days, then in the middle of show all of a sudden can't read the card.  When did DTV get so screwed up, was it when ATT took over?  They just sent another SD card.

DTV has never allowed programs/settings to be transferred to a new receiver.  You can try removing the card and gently using an eraser to clean the contacts on the card.   

There's no such thing as a sd card vs an hd card so not sure what you mean by "sd card" and yes access  cards need activated

According to att, there is and when the card sent was inserted, HD channels weren't available.  Maybe it's in the programming and the fact that they kept sending a card to replace a "SD receiver with on screen display".

There really is NO such thing as an SD card or HD card. They are characterized by what the card says. (I.E. the 2012 card says ‘Don’t Just Watch TV, DIRECTV). Additionally, most older access cards are able to work in newer receivers like the HR24, HR44, and HR54. For example, the HD LEADER access card from around the 2010 period will work in the HR54 receiver. Therefore, the representative was completely wrong.

Also, as a side note, I am puzzled by why you called AT&T for DIRECTV satellite. AT&T no longer has anything to do with satellite. If you call AT&T and ask for DIRECTV support, they will simply say to hang up and call the number in my greeting below.  

Access cards are not specifically SD or HD.

Genie is HD so HD channels were always available.

Recordings are encrypted to their exact DVR. DirecTV has never had a way of transferring recordings. The agents aren't unwilling. It is just how the service has been built, so is not a capability they have.

Sorry you got an AT&T agent who has essentially no clue about what they speak. Also, DirecTV has been spun back off into their own entity (though AT&T does retain 70% share). Make sure you call DirecTV itself in the future.

@detuch254 the first time I called the number on the screen, the 2nd was a chat and the 3rd was the tech support # listed on DTV's website.  Just used to things saying ATT.

@Juniper  When the 2nd card I received was inserted, the HD channel the genie had been set to was no longer available.  Is it possible that was because it wasn't activated?  Do you have to activate the card before you insert it?

@Willie816 So do you think it's more likely the machine or the card itself?

@mpsmom yes, the new access card should be paired with the receiver. You can check this online by going to DIRECTV.com, going to account overview, manage equipment, and then look for that specific receiver. You can identify it via the receiver ID or serial number shown. If the access card details noted online do not match the new access card, the receiver will not work correctly. If they DO match, you can simply press ‘Refresh receiver’ to get everything working. 

If the new access card isn’t paired correctly, you get error 711 or 764 when it is inserted. Error 762 usually indicates a bad access card and/or that the card should be reinserted because the card chip wasn’t properly read. 

You cannot pair the new card with the receiver by yourself. You’ll need to call DIRECTV (number in my greeting below) and have an agent do it.

@mpsmom 

You have to contact DirecTV to activate the new access card received. This is so they can make sure it is paired to your exact box.

The Genie is DirecTV's Advanced Whole Home HDDVR. As such HD is required, just like the other receiver services.

If you are new to DirecTV, then understandable why you are used to everything saying "AT&T". DirecTV was their own independent company until AT&T acquired them in 2016. Within the last year, a new co-owner has joined to take over the TV services. Hoping AT&T, though retaining their investment, will have a hands-off approach with this new situation. Applying AT&T polices to DirecTV were problematic, and in some cases not customer friendly to them or other independent choices of the consumer (such as "Game Over" treatment of those using Android devices instead of Apple that AT&T has had a long-standing partnership with).

Hello @Willie816, we've got your back and our team is ready to help with your access card activation.

Let's meet in a Direct Message to take a closer look on this. Please check you DIRECTV Message inbox (it's the chat icon next to the bell icon in the upper right corner of the Forums)

We'll be waiting for your response!

Juan, DIRECTV Community Specialist

Is there any programming on the actual card, like limiting channels or HD or anything like that or is the programming all on DTV's side and every single card they ship out is exactly the same?

Programming is not carried on the card. The Access Card simply provides a way for DirecTV to authorize each Reciever/DVR to its specific account. Programming is determined by your subscription package, not the Access Card. 

@mpsmom 

There is no programming on the card. This isn't saved content. You get your programming broadcasted by the satellite transmission. The access card is what verifies that your box is permitted to decode the broadcast signal from the satellite. Without the card the signal remains encrypted as you are not authorized to watch.

What programming you get is based on your programing package and any optional add-ons you have. This means what is on your account.

I just remembered that there is a bit of information saved on the Access Card .... Your recent pay-per-view purchases. They save that information in case you return the box without having paid for any PPV movies.