Advantage of connecting a phone line to my DVR box?

[IceRunner]

When I was a Dish Network subscriber, I got $5 off per month for doing this. DirecTV doesn't give me any discount for that, does it?



If I never use PPV, is there any advantage to having a phone-line connection other than getting the caller ID to show up on the screen? DirecTV doesn't require this connection, does it?

[rey_1178]

When I was a Dish Network subscriber, I got $5 off per month for doing this. DirecTV doesn't give me any discount for that, does it?

If I never use PPV, is there any advantage to having a phone-line connection other than getting the caller ID to show up on the screen? DirecTV doesn't require this connection, does it?

Dish didn't give you a discount for this they just didn't charge you the penalty for not having a phone line connected. besides what you mentioned i think their isn't any other benefit. if you have a ethernet line hooked up you can use their VOD service. Directv doesn't penalize you for not having either of these connected

[Hookem99]

When I was a Dish Network subscriber, I got $5 off per month for doing this. DirecTV doesn't give me any discount for that, does it?

If I never use PPV, is there any advantage to having a phone-line connection other than getting the caller ID to show up on the screen? DirecTV doesn't require this connection, does it?

I keep a phone line in, only for on screen caller ID. I'm lazy on don't like to get up.

[ShaqDan]

There is no advantage.

[Joe Diamond]

THE LIST:
There is no advantage to you unless............you want to use PPV
...you have CID & want it onscreen
...lightning surges will not cook your receiver
through the phone line (rare)
...you want to connect a phone near the
receiver...use a splitter
To the installer........DTV & HSP may not backcharge him $5.00 per non responder box
TO DTV...................You will not use PPV
They will not have you user data to sell.
DTV will not know for sure where your receiver is really connected

What else?

Joe

[centu2000pr]

There is no advantage.

yes there is one....... your box will get the latest softwere when is available thru that phone line faster.

[Bob Nielsen]

yes there is one....... your box will get the latest softwere when is available thru that phone line faster.

No, the software updates come via the satellite signal. The older (Tivo) DVRs need to make a phone call to authorize installation of the update.

[Joe Diamond]

That is about it...........I was not paid for a few installs years ago because I attempted to activate installations with a TIVO and no phone installed (yet). When I confronted the manager he could not produce a source from DTV for the charges.

In this century.................I would allow the phone connections if offered. I would ask for a splitter wherever needed to allow use of my land line at the same point as the receiver. I would also disconnect the land line except when (if ever) I wanted to use the PPV or CID.

REMEMBER: A major DTV HSP instructed installers to tell customers the phone line was required.
There are possibly people who ordered land lines ONLY to get DTV.
I, personally, have encountered new customers who were told there would be no
installation unless there was a land line.
As a phone tech I have fixed errors caused by DTV installers.
IF DTV installers screw up what they do your DTV receiver
could be connected to the wrong phone number or the
receiver could fail and dump all your phones.
The original idea was connect the receiver to a jack within the range of the 25 ft line provided in the box with the receiver.

Tired fingers!

Joe

[msmith198025]

No, the software updates come via the satellite signal. The older (Tivo) DVRs need to make a phone call to authorize installation of the update.

That is correct. No need to have the phone line for updates on the HR series

[Liquidforce88]

Dish didn't give you a discount for this they just didn't charge you the penalty for not having a phone line connected. besides what you mentioned i think their isn't any other benefit. if you have a ethernet line hooked up you can use their VOD service. Directv doesn't penalize you for not having either of these connected

There is no penalty from Dish for not having a phone line. As stated by the OP there is a $5.00 discount for hooking up a phone line to their dual tuner receivers. Thus you get two tv's for the price of one. Other wise you pay $5.00 per tv just like Direct charges.

Is Direct penalizing every customer that has 2 or 4 tv's? Must be by the way you act!