H25 High Definition MPEG-4 Satellite Receiver for use in SWM System

Receiver works great if you properly connect it to the new SWIM system. When calling to activate the box would not show programming I thought the receiver had the card imbedded. The fools on the direct TV activation line said unless one of their installers connects the receiver they do not have cards. After troubleshooting for an hour on the phone Direct TV said they will activate the box but it would not work until they send a new card. After 4 days and no card I went back to the shipping box and found a card hidden underneath a fold in the box. Called back Direct TV and after another 45 minutes I was all set.

1 star if I could. The box itself gets power but won’t turn on. The remote cover case won’t stay on so batteries fall out. The directions are written as if a 5 year old put them to paper. Don’t purchase this item.

This is a lot nicer than the older models, in addition to being physically a lot smaller. The supplier, Reider Electronics, was very prompt on shipping it. Once I got it up and running (see below), I have been quite satisfied with the product. Initially, I was unaware of the significance of what "SWM only" really meant. After receiving the H25, I found out very quickly what that meant since I had a Zinwell 6x8 multiswitch which is NOT a SWM (Single Wire Multiswitch). The H25 wouldn't work. SWM is a newer multiswitch that simplifies much of the cabling. After some discussions with the supplier (Reider Electronics), I was briefly educated on the situation and pointed in the right direction: I had an older satellite distribution system and it should be upgraded. So, read up on SWM, ordered the SWM gear and was up and running in about an hour after making up 2 RG6 jumper cables (to connect the SWM to the power inserter and the power inserter to the splitter). What you need is a SWM8, the power inserter (powers the SWM and antenna), two jumper cables and a 1:8 splitter. Don't forget to get the splitter or you will be stuck with only being able to run 2 receivers. The splitter will allow you to run up to 8, except that DVRs will use 2 streams of the 8 (not two cables, two streams, of the total of 8 that the SWM8 is able to supply). If you require more than 8 streams, there are larger SWMs available. For details see: http://www.swm8.com This web page pushes Weaknees.com (licenced DirecTV dealer) but most of the stuff is available at a substantially cheaper price thru Amazon. Note that the SWM gear will work fine with most DirecTV receivers and DVRs (keep the dish type but change the antenna type to SWM), except the very old ones, such as some of the original TiVo models. However, the SWM box has 3 legacy outputs that can be used in those circumstances.

It could not be simpler to purchase. Units arrived on time and worked as advertised. I did require a little bit of research for self-installation as these models are not your common receivers, but are part of the new family of SWIM equipment, so all parts and pieces have to match (power inserter, couplers, splitters, etc.). Great purchase at a great price.

I purchased this reciver as it was a little cheaper than having the service tech install one I wish Direct TV would service it's customers better and just ship the one from there warehouse you still have to pay for the equipment rental and it does extend your contract by 2 years so for me all that I saved is the fee for installing it which took 5 minutes I spent more time talking to customer service trying to get them to send me one I guess they like all of those third party people getting the money or maybe they haven't figured out that that might be profitable so I guess it's a review on direct TV instead

It's not working

if you have a SWM setup for your directv system. This unit is really small and its super easy to setup. I could not activate it online for some reason, so I had to call DirecTV directly. Whole home DVR was easy to setup, but I had to reset the receiver a few times to get my network to recognize the unit and the DVR hard drive in my living room. built in deca makes easy connections. For those people who think this is buy to own, I don't think it is, never has been if you buy from legit retailer. You can also add an RF dongle to this unit for 12 bucks. BUY THE H25, THIS I COMMAND!

Don't call direct TV for this unit, buy it from here.. it comes with everything you need. I got it, it has access card and cables, I called Direct TV, gave them the access card number and they activate it.. It works wonderful and cheaper than ordering it from DTV.