Direct TV Antenna and DVR

You won't need to return the dish. It's yours. And they won't want you to return older DVR models. What model number is your DVR?

HR44-200

Surprised that they don't want it.

Right. I think only the newer HR54 models need to be returned. 

OK Thanks for replying.

DirecTV is satellite (not cable). Everything but the receiver/client boxes you own upon install. So the receiving dish stays where it is.

If you choose to remove the dish, make sure to leave mounting plate to avoid leaks. Most of dish goes with metal recycling, but the LNB (the "eye") goes with electronics.

HR44 is the 2nd generation Genie. Still a good model, but was made non-returnable at least a year ago. They are moving forward with the 3rd generation Genie (HR54) and the Genie-2 (HS17) setups. (no phone jack, supports 4K clients, etc.). Essentially was just no longer the "flagship" model.

Not that I doubted your response, just wanted to be sure so I went on "chat" and asked the same question. She checked my account and told me I do have to return the DVR. Then I called customer service again. After a long time, I was told that DVR return was necessary. Just posting so others should check carefully and probably a couple of times.

And since it is a normal 21 day return time frame, to allow for that and billing time, for any boxes not returned just keep them for 2 months to be sure there are no non-return fees (NRF).

UPS/FedEx may still take the HR44, if not then remove the access card in case DTV sends an envelope for it within a month or two and recycle the HR44.

Yesterday at UPS my account was checked and they accepted the DVR for return. When dealing with these companies, a little paranoia is worthwhile. Did the first customer service rep just make a "mistake"? Am sure they would like a non return fee instead of an outdated DVR plus shipping charges.

As of at least a year ago, the HR44 was not required to be returned. But participating shipping centers have been known to accept non-returnable models (usually they are the newest non-returnable ones), so it is suspected that DirecTV is either accepting them back for refurbishing purposes or recycling themselves as part of their "Going Green" policies.

With the MPEG-2 shutdown, concerns from the Genie-2 (HS17), and delays in stock from Covid, I really wished they kept the HR44 as required returnable so they would get more back in.