It may have been the “shizz” back in 2007 but DIRECTV’s venerable D12 has lagged behind for close to a decade. Still sporting the tried-and-true blue user interface of years past, it lacks the network function and interactive features of its HD receiver brethren. It can’t share programs, it’s certainly not high definition and it doesn’t have any fancy self-programming magic
Harder and harder to even use one
In fact, SolidSignal.com can’t even activate a new one for you, unless you’re a commercial customer or if it’s replacing one that broke. AT&T’s pretty serious that it’s the end of the road for standard definition. In many markets, the D12 has become obsolete, as standard-definition channels have been phased out. Those channels that remain are being recoded with DIRECTV’s standard MPEG-4 technology, used in its HD receivers since 2006.
They’ve been banging the HD drum for a decade and a half now. AT&T would be pretty happy if everyone moved over to new HD equipment. AT&T turned off support for everything prior to the 2003-era D10 years ago. Since 2016 they’ve been aggressively moving to upgrade customers to HD and 4K equipment.
There are still upgrade deals out there
The good news is that there are still upgrade deals out there and your friends at Solid Signal can help. Yeah, you’re going to have to call 888-233-7563, and you’re going to have to enter into a new two-year commitment, but many people who do this are going to end up with a whole new system. Some may even qualify for free hardware. This means HD, 4K, DVR, the whole deal. It certainly is a big jump up from “just watching TV.”
Seriously now is the time
On the other hand, if you’re still holding onto that D12 in a guest room or garage, it’s probably time to think about other plans. If you’re already on a SWM system it’s really just a one-time charge to get you into an HD receiver for that room and there are even ways that charge can be waived. I understand that out in the garage you may not need those extra features, but listen folks, sooner or later we are going to see SD programming turned off. It was expected in 2019, but today’s timeframe puts the final shutoff around 2021. AT&T doesn’t want to have to support it in its next generation hardware and the SD customer base is dropping. You don’t want to be the last person on the bus out of SD land.
Because, really… is this what you want to be looking at for the next couple years?
I know I don’t miss that a bit. I turned off my last SD receiver in 2008 and haven’t looked back. Come join me! Call the experts at 888-233-7563. If it’s after East Coast business hours, just fill out the form below. The helpful experts at Signal Connect will get back to you, usually within one business day.
Trust me, this is the time. Don’t wait any longer. It really is worthwhile to upgrade.
