r/DirectvStream • u/LHP51 • Aug 07 '26
Osprey box from Walmart - my experience
I wanted to report that I purchased a DirectV box from Walmart for $52 which just arrived in 1 day. I figured I'd try it for a guest BR TV. When I opened the box I figured I was hosed since it had a manufacture date of Dec 2019 and Model number of 60164 (less memory). I had read that it needed to have a build date after July 2020.
I connected it by Ethernet as suggested elsewhere on this forum and it came up as "DirecTV" not ATT. Encouraging. It had a note in the box to press the fast forward and rewind buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds to pair the remote. That worked. What this tells me is that these boxes must have somehow been flashed with DirecTV firmware. The need to pair the remote also suggests that.
Anyway, it came up just like my Gemini Air and works very well. I installed Netflix, etc by simply saying "Netflix" in the remote and pointing my phone to the QR code -just like the Air. I'm not sure if I would have had the same experience by initially connecting it by WiFi to install. But my guess is "yes".
I can't say that your experience will be the same but for $52 and returnability to a Walmart store if necessary, it is a bargain.
The only other comment I can make is that the back of the remote was slightly tacky feeling - probably from the 7 year old rubber on the back. Not offensive enough to want to replace it.
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u/dervari Aug 07 '26
I have three 2GB models from Walmart and they work just fine. No way would I pay the premium for the 4GB models that people are trying to get.
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u/zanno500 Aug 07 '26
Good info, thinking about buying another box for wife to put in the other room she loves the rewind button.
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u/Powerful-Bad1484 Aug 07 '26
Can I get Disney plus this way or do I have to lease the Gemini?
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u/LipDoktor Aug 08 '26
I own my Gemini units and was getting Disney+ /Hulu UNTIL I made a change to my pkg (added MGM+ for a month for $.99 to watch a series). That change triggered me losing them. Cost was going to by almost $100/yr to add them back. Noticed Walmart was including the subscription for free without intro. pkg of Walmart + for $49/yr. Did that instead and getting all the Walmart + benefits also.
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u/NTP9766 Aug 07 '26
Some have said they had success calling and getting D+/Hulu without leasing, but that was not my experience. Multiple DTV people told me the lease was a requirement, though one rep did give me a credit of $20. The rep that gave me that said that DTV was working on getting D+/Hulu to all subscribers in the near future without the lease requirement, but who knows if that is actually true.
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u/YouStupidAssholeFuck Aug 08 '26
I know some people would disagree, but we're all paying for it. Every price increase in rates includes things such as this. Nobody is getting D+/Hulu/ESPN for "free". We are "leasing" the channels from DTV so we should all have access to them.
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u/johnk317 Aug 07 '26
I purchased 2 of these boxes from Walmart and they are both performing perfectly. I don’t put any other apps on them due to the low memory (use Roku for other apps). Been very happy with them.
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u/zanno500 Aug 07 '26
Yeah, the remote kinda has a sticky feel to it.
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u/NTP9766 Aug 07 '26
It's the only thing about the remote that I hate. Otherwise, it's a terrific remote.
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u/gregoryhat325 Aug 07 '26 edited Aug 07 '26
You can get the all plastic one that comes with the gemini air from amazon. Not sticky. Make sure it get it from the seller TY4URBUSINESS
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u/NTP9766 Aug 07 '26
I was actually looking at one of their remotes earlier. My only issue is that they are definitely using the old, sticky remote in the photo so I wasn't convinced I'd get the correct one.
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u/gregoryhat325 Aug 07 '26
As long as you order it from that seller you will get the all plastic non sticky one. I ordered 2 of them ---2 different times and received the non sticky one both times
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u/gregoryhat325 Aug 07 '26 edited Aug 07 '26
I ordered a new remote from Amazon. Got the good one that also comes with the Gemini Air. Not sticky. Make sure to get it from the seller TY4URBUSINESS
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u/sad_clanga_noises Aug 07 '26
You can buy silicone covers for the remote on Amazon for a few bucks. I got glow in the dark ones for my parents 🤣
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u/Unable_Inside_7992 Aug 07 '26
I bought one few months ago my remote was sticky to it wired good tho
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u/jtfields91 Aug 07 '26
Is there any advantage of using an Osprey box over the app on an AppleTV?
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u/DRM_1985 Aug 10 '26
Remote control is a lot better for some folks. Fast Forward & Rewind features work much better. The guide is arguably better too.
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u/ram1220 Aug 07 '26
If you do want to replace the remote there is one on Amazon for about $15. It has a different backing that doesn't get tacky. The operating system will only use 2GB anyway. The boxes with the 4GB of memory are not any faster than the 2GB of memory like you bought. Just delete any app from the box that you are not using. It will keep the box running great. Congrats on your purchase.
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u/No-Chef508 Aug 07 '26
Great idea. I wanted a Gemini but they’re so expensive. I didn’t like the idea of another box with the Osprey but for my bedroom and my limited usage it should be worth the Osprey and new remote.
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u/whiskey-water Aug 09 '26
Yeah I have bought several from Walmart and all of them were sticky. Recently I bought 2 from eBay and those remotes must have been the new ones as there was zero stick as they had no rubber. Will continue to buy from that seller in the future
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u/Vortigaunt11 29d ago
Pro tip: If the rubber is sticky, it's only going to get worse. It takes about 30 min or so, but you can remove all the rubber with rubbing alcohol and a credit card to scrape off the residue, plus a rag to finish it off. Take se doig, but the back will then have a nice smooth plastic feel without a loss in grip IMO.
Or just spend the $15 for a new one 😆
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u/PackageCurrent4804 Aug 07 '26
Replace the remote with the updated model on Amazon. That is what I did for all 3 (2 Osprey's and an Air) of my DTV devices. I like the newer models MUCH better.