Welcome to the DIRECTV Community Forums

Connect with users, ask questions, and find answers!

I

New Member

 • 

9 Messages

Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 1:06 AM

Can you use a DirectTV box bought not through the company (think like Ebay) to connect?

Can you use a DirectTV box purchased online to stream on a TV?   The cable service comes with my rent but I need another box - and not wishing to rent or buy from the company directly.  Have seen cheaper ones online....  

ACE - Sage

 • 

46.1K Messages

2 years ago

Do NOT buy DirecTV boxes on eBay. Many were never properly deactivated from their original account and you won't be able to activate it on your account. And many of the AT&T/DirecTV Stream boxes have old firmware that cannot be updated. You can buy refurbished DirecTV Stream boxes directly from DirecTV for $49, so don't risk buying on eBay. 

ACE - New Member

 • 

5.2K Messages

2 years ago

If your apartment or condo gets DIRECTV bulk to all tenants (I recall it is called choice digital bulk package), you should try contacting the local dealer that services the whole apartment. They may be able to hook you up with another receiver. 

As a note, you posted in the directv stream forum. Do you have DIRECTV satellite or directv stream service with the apartment?

ACE - Expert

 • 

1.2K Messages

2 years ago

Some of us can't buy the DirecTV streaming boxes directly from DTV, so our only option is eBay or equivalent.  At one point, this "locked to an account" wasn't a thing, making such purchases reasonably safe.  (As was being able to update the firmware.)  Now, getting the devices is very iffy.  I assume this is part of their attempt to chase the remaining original subscribers, but I consider it pretty scummy on their part.


NEED HELP?