How do I get rid of a dtv message from my TV screen?

What is the receiver model of your box? If you have other receivers, what are all of their models? This will appear if you are using outdated MPEG-2/SD boxes that are actively being phased out and will eventually become paperweights. DIRECTV is upgrading systems free of charge without a contract. As part of the upgrade your old dish (if it is an SD-only 18 or 18x20 round dish) will be replaced with a new SWM HD slimline directv dish and your current SD equipment is swapped for usually a Genie HD DVR along with Genie clients for secondary TVs. 

Thanks for your quick reply. I am well aware of the sd/hd equipment swap offer and still considering it. Right now my TV and dtv works just fine the way they are - aside from this annoying message on my screen...lol. Are you implying the only way make that message go away is to complete the offered equip swap? Thanks again!

Yes. At some point very soon your SD box (es) will no longer work so have them  swapped for free now..

Ok then. Time to swap I guess. If I could bother you with one more question. I know the equipment and installation are free, but do you know if there are any additional monthly charges for the upgraded equipment? Thanks for your help.

No problem. It depends on the receiver models of the boxes that you have now. With a Genie HD DVR, you must pay for HD, DVR, as well as Whole-Home DVR service. If you currently have a DVR (like the R15 or R16) then the only additional charges would be for HD service as well as Whole-Home DVR service. 

To really give you the best answer, I would need the receiver models of the boxes that you have now. 

As a note, if you wish not to have a DVR, it is highly recommended to go just with a regular standalone HD receiver. This would be the H25, and you may request it when you call for the free MPEG2/SD swap. With the H25, you won’t be paying extra for DVR service or Whole-Home DVR service, just the mandatory HD service. 

The MPEG-2/SD-only feeds as shutting down. That means getting equipment replaced is not optional if you want to continue service. Replacing all non-compliant equipment is the only way to get rid of the message.

What are the models of each box you have now? Just to be sure of all that is required and if that might affect any possible fees in the monthly service.

The replacement itself is no charge. Just make sure when you call DirecTV you request the complimentary MPEG swap. Do NOT say "upgrade" as that comes with a 24-month service agreement, as that is for optional updates instead of the mandatory swap.

If all boxes are SD-only, then your dish is expected to be outdated as well. A new one would need to be installed in a place the techs can reach from the ladder or ground as they may not stop onto the roof.

TVs that are only SD haven't been made in over a decade. DirecTV stopped offering their SD-only service back in 2015 and is in the middle of the MEPG-2/SD-only shutdown. shutdown. So replacing SD equipment is no longer a consideration but mandatory. It is an HD world now. Though if you don't already have HD service (so not a single HD box), then the HD service cost itself should be credited monthly. Just check the order confirmation that it wasn't processed as an upgrade.

Hi!  Thank you for the info. in advance.  Where do you find the model numbers you're talking about?  We have one DVR and one non DVR box on an old tv, do we need a new tv?  A really old dish and our DVR is full of movies for my Grandbabies.  What new fees are associated with all the new stuff, it seems every month there's an additional few dollars added onto the bill already?  Can I transfer the movies off the current DVR?  If so, how, or would the tech that will HAVE to put up the new dish know how?  So, frustrated!!!  I can't see the closed captions nor the "chiron" on my news channels...why didn't they just send out informational letters with dates for the shut down?  The "Ch. 90" message doesn't say what the replace by dates are either.  Just another way they're (Edited per community guidelines) us off.  Thank you again, I wasn't getting any info. on the phone, the cust. service traded me off two times and spent thirty minutes or more just getting my account info. to begin, then didn't know anything about the "urgent info: ch. 90" black banner thing.

There is a sticker on the back or bottom with the model number.

No, the programs are encrypted to the DVR and can't be transfer to any other DVR but can be recorded to a DVD recorder or VHS recorder or computer with a video capture device and software with a composite cable.

HD receivers use HDMI to connect to TVs while the minis to have an A/V output that can be used to connect composite cables to older TVs,

The HD fee is credited for the swap but for how long is unknown but there is a $3 fee for Whole Home.

Hi Shannon02, 

Thank you for your answers above.  I have a few more.

Do you know if the DVR's are obsolete, can we just keep it, (why wouldn't they let us if it's just garbage to them anyway), and use it to play the programs recorded on it without it being hooked up to DirecTV?  If we're watching a recorded show on the DVR it isn't going through DirecTv is it?  Isn't it just acting as a record/playback device then?  Do you know of any specific turn off/change over by dates? 

Your information is very much appreciated.  Thank you!

@zcdwj 

1. Yes, that old equipment is obsolete. DirecTV may or may not want that stuff back, but they're essentially boat anchors without an active satellite connection. 

2. No, once the DVR loses its satellite authorization you won't be able to play back its recordings. 

3. There are no specific change over dates. Channels are gradually being migrated to the new HD satellites. 

@zcdwj 

Where do you find the model numbers you're talking about?

Most boxes have it on a label on the bottom or inside the access card door. It should be viewable on screen if you go into the menu and then "Info and Test".

We have one DVR and one non DVR box on an old tv, do we need a new tv?

You don't 'need' a new TV. Newer boxes can connect by older A/V (red/white/yellow) cables, possibly with a 10-pin adapter on their side depending on model. It is just preferred to connect to a TV new enough to have an HDMI port for the best connection.

What new fees are associated with all the new stuff, it seems every month there's an additional few dollars added onto the bill already?

If you do a MPEG swap, the $10 HD service (that you don't already have) would be credited monthly. In addition to the DVR service you have, there would be $3 for Whole Home DVR (each TV can watch the recordings of any DVR you have).

There are not new costs added each month. DirecTV only has a annual price adjustment. Happens in January, but shows on the January or February bill depending on your cycle dates. So that already happened this year. If your bill goes up outside of that, something else is going on and I would review the full details of the bill.

Can I transfer the movies off the current DVR?

Unfortunately not as they are encrypted to the DVR. Only if the box is an R22 can you keep your recordings as that is a special model that is MPEG-4/HD capable in the right setup.

why didn't they just send out informational letters with dates for the shut down?  The "Ch. 90" message doesn't say what the replace by dates are either.

There is no guaranteed date the shutdown is to be completed by. In fact it should have already finished (started in 2019), but some internal challenges as well as delays from the pandemic slowed it all down. So you got extra time. SD-only TVs haven't been made in a great many years. DirecTV stopped offering SD-only service in 2015. So the writing has been on the wall that everyone must update their equipment. A hard end date would be nice, but with the additional time it is resolve sooner rather than later at this point.

Do you know if the DVR's are obsolete, can we just keep it, (why wouldn't they let us if it's just garbage to them anyway), and use it to play the programs recorded on it without it being hooked up to DirecTV?

DirecTV doesn't require obsolete equipment back. They have recently accepted outdated models back, I suspect so they can do some in-house recycling. Otherwise you just recycle yourself afterwards if the tech doesn't take them.

If you hold onto them, they might allow you to watch recordings for a short time. But once the box checks for service authorizations it will lock everything out. It might be weeks, a matter of days, or immediate when that happens as there has been no set time on when it checks for those authorizations.

When you place the order and schedule your appointment, make sure you are request a MPEG SWAP. Do NOT say 'upgrade', otherwise you get a 24 month service agreement and the HD service is not credited. This is because the swap is required to continue service as opposed to an optional upgrade. Verify the order confirmation before you are installed to be sure everything is as expected.

Hi! 

Thank you also litzdog911 and Juniper, I really appreciate your depth of knowledge and information.  Also, tips for the future are great too!

Referencing my question...

Can I transfer the movies off the current DVR?

"Unfortunately not as they are encrypted to the DVR. Only if the box is an R22 can you keep your recordings as that is a special model that is MPEG-4/HD capable in the right setup."

My box says it is an: R22 /100 (Yay!?)

              Receiver Id: 0289 1920 4504

            Access Card: 00027-13390-8255

                 Software: Oxdae, Wed 10/19, 12:20p

None of this info. means anything to me except the idea that I might be able to still use the old DVR to watch the kids movies for my Grandbabies because of it being an "R22".  (This could save me an unaffordable, small/maybe large? fortune.) I don't know if the 100 means anything or the other numbers OR what the "RIGHT SETUP" might be...a splitter of some sort?  My hubs and kids are pretty handy and could probably do the right setup if you could give details as to how that might work, any/all info. is appreciated on this.

Thank you so very much for your time too.

The last 3 numbers in the model number are a code for who made it, make sure the tech knows you are keeping it and to reinstall it.

@zcdwj 

R22 is the model. The -100 is the manufacture code (who made it for DirecTV, but they are all to same specs). The Reciever ID and Access Card should not be posted as that is personal to your exact equipment.

As you will notice looking at the back, the R22 has an HDMI port. For full MPEG-4 to be 'enabled' you must have an H or HR model on the account. So at least one dedicated MPEG-4 box and the R22 follows suit. It also works with Whole Home DVR. Now if you had HD service and switch the channel options from "Hide HD Channels" to "Hide SD Duplicates", be aware recording space will fill up quicker as HD programming takes up more space.

Those who have an R22, but it is their only box, are the ones out of luck. There was never an option for the R22 to fully function as MPEG-4 by itself. This special model was created because some people who had SD-only service, lived in an area where local channels had completely converted over to MPEG-4 (though still broadcast in SD). My area is one of those which is why my DVRs were R22s (that replaced my ancient Phillips receivers).

Since you mention having a non-DVR along with your R22, make sure the MPEG swap only replaces that 2nd box. A swap to the Genie would be fine, because then you have more recording space and can share the recordings between them to make it easy. Do not let them get rid of your R22.

Hi again!!!

I just want to say thank you both so much!  Can you tell me how to delete the personal codes you mentioned above, I don't see an edit option anywhere...oops!  Help, please, Administrator!

You have no idea how happy I am, and the little people will be, that they can still see "Ferdinand" and the "How to Train your Dragon" movies and series...and so many more! =0}

The only question I have now is...is the Whole Home DVR and the Genie the same product just referenced differently?  Comparable?  Benefits/detriments of one over the other if different?  We've only ever had DVR's on the one tv, would we need to move the R22 to the older tv or would either of the DVR's mentioned work on the older tv with the additional cables?  You've been extremely informative to me and I hope others too, I'm sure!  Thank you so much!