Tricks to Activate a DIRECTV Receiver

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Activate your DIRECTV receiver to start watching shows and movies. Image Credit: Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

DIRECTV receivers connect to your television, allowing you to access hundreds of channels featuring movies, shows and music. After connecting the television to the receiver and mounting the satellite dish on your roof, you need to activate the receiver before it will work. DIRECTV lets you activate the receiver online or over the phone.

Set Up the Receiver

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Before DIRECTV activates your service, you need to set up the receiver and satellite dish. Mount the satellite dish on your roof in a spot with a clear view of the southern sky. DIRECTV receiver setup differs slightly based on your particular model, but in general, connect an RG-6 coaxial cable to the Satellite In jack on the back of the box. Connect the telephone cord to the Tel Line jack. Connect your television's cables to the appropriate jacks. For example, if your TV has a single S-Video cable, connect it to the S Video jack. If the TV has A/V input jacks, connect the red, yellow and white jacks to the Video, Left Audio and Right Audio jacks. Write down the access code number. Slide the access card into the slot on the front of the receiver to complete setup.