can i use unsubscribed VIP612 for OTA DVR only?

[onomat]

Newbie Alert. I have a VIP612 that was previously used on Dish. I have searched this site and not found an answer (or even a hint of an answer) to the following question: Can I use the VIP612 without a subscription to ONLY receive local OTA channels and record them using the DVR functions?

I cannot access those functions via the normal menus.. they are locked out. But I have paid up front for this unit (new) and cannot afford to subscribe anymore. Seems a shame that I can't use it to record OTA stuff.

Can anyone help me out? Thank you.

[A-Want-A-Be-Tester]

Cant do anything with it, :-( BUT you can only sub to locals if aval.in your area... then it would work. ( Im pretty sure)

[rtomek]

You have to connect to the stream w/sub at least once to activate the DVR. After that you can pull the plug to the satellite and you can still use the DVR function. If you try to watch a channel from satellite it will say 'searching' but you can change it back to an OTA channel and watch TV again. You might have to hook it up to the stream often enough to update the guide, I'm not sure, but I had the satellite unhooked for one day and OTA was working fine.

[onomat]

Originally Posted by rtomek

You have to connect to the stream w/sub at least once to activate the DVR. After that you can pull the plug to the satellite and you can still use the DVR function. If you try to watch a channel from satellite it will say 'searching' but you can change it back to an OTA channel and watch TV again. You might have to hook it up to the stream often enough to update the guide, I'm not sure, but I had the satellite unhooked for one day and OTA was working fine.

Then even after you have once subscribed, there must be a timeout. I was a subscriber, but it's been several weeks since it expired. I can view previously recorded DVR programs, but I cannot get to OTA channels. It says I must call Dish.

I was hoping for a simpler solution than testing the unit...but that may be my only option in order to use hardware that I bought and own outright. (sigh)

[TimeOut]

Originally Posted by onomat

Then even after you have once subscribed, there must be a timeout. I was a subscriber, but it's been several weeks since it expired. I can view previously recorded DVR programs, but I cannot get to OTA channels. It says I must call Dish.

I was hoping for a simpler solution than testing the unit...but that may be my only option in order to use hardware that I bought and own outright. (sigh)

onomat, Did you know that you can get a sub for $9.99+tax mo.? Called "Welcome Pack" and can Add locals for $5(optional)

WELCOME PACK (Budget sub) ($9.99):

84 HSN
85 SRN
86 Jewelry Television
107 Comedy Central
110 Food Network
111 DIY
112 HGTV
120 History
127 Oxygen
128 WE Tv
130 AMC
137 QVC
139 TBS
161 MTV 2
166 CMT
175 Boomerang
179 Discovery Kids
183 TLC
185 Hallmark
203 Bloomberg
209 Msnbc
214 The Weather Channel
222 Home Shopping Network
228 Shop NBC

Encore Pack ($4.99--does not include Encore WAM):

341 Encore West
342 Encore Westerns
343 Encore Action
344 Encore Mystery
345 Encore Drama
346 Encore Love

and the Public Interest channels free too!