Quick question Re: phone line

[linebackeru]

Do I need to have the phone line hooked up to my HD DVR box for anything other than if I want to order PPV from my remote?? I was told when I ordered that I did not, but just want to be 100% sure. I am going to run an ethernet cable from my router to the HD DVR's as well. I just have a bare DSL line that only allows me toll free calls and incoming calls, so I don't want some monster bill to show if I hook up my phone line.

 

[durl]

If you network your DVR to the internet, you can order PPV via that connection without a traditional phone line.

Of course, you'll need a phone line to remote order PPV on any non-networked receiver. (You can order online rather than using the remote.) I believe the only thing you need a traditional line for is for Caller ID to work.

 

[Ronnie-]

What he said.
You are not required to have a phone line hooked up

 

[darrencp22]

I almsot wish this can be turned into an FAQ. How many times have we seen this question?

 

[i_anderson]

I almsot wish this can be turned into an FAQ.

+1 [It would have been answered on another of "my" sites with a very sarcastic "search is your friend" message.......]

Anyway, hi to all - First post, sometime lurker. I assume once 'net connected I get program guide updates this way as well? [I just cancelled my land line and now the receivers are complaining.....]

TIA, great site BTW - Lots of useful stuff (but couldn't find a definitive answer to the above - Sorry if I missed it!)

Cheers,
Ian

 

[rad]

+1 [It would have been answered on another of "my" sites with a very sarcastic "search is your friend" message.......]

Anyway, hi to all - First post, sometime lurker. I assume once 'net connected I get program guide updates this way as well? [I just cancelled my land line and now the receivers are complaining.....]

TIA, great site BTW - Lots of useful stuff (but couldn't find a definitive answer to the above - Sorry if I missed it!)

Cheers,
Ian

What receiver models do you have? If they are the older Tivo units then yes they want a phone connection for some updates, the newer DirecTV DVR's get all their info from the satellite stream, no phone lines required.

 

[i_anderson]

What receiver models do you have?

Sorry - Both types (!) - The one I want to network is an HR21. [More q's on this below!]

The other one doesn't even have an ethernet port..... So, I guess the question then becomes - How long will it stay "alive" without a phone line?

Returning to the HR21 - It's a long way from my wireless router, so ethernet string is out. However, I have a second wi-fi router. I was thinking about configuring that with a static address outside of the DHCP range I use and telling it the gateway is the other (wired to modem) router. Comments?

TIA,
Cheers,
Ian

 

[i_anderson]

..... the newer DirecTV DVR's get all their info from the satellite stream...

Including the program guide?

So, a 'net connection is "only" giving me the ability to set up recordings (etc?) remotely?

Cheers,
Ian

 

[durl]

Including the program guide?

So, a 'net connection is "only" giving me the ability to set up recordings (etc?) remotely?

Cheers,
Ian

That, plus PPV orders (of course), On Demand, Media Share, and, coming soon, Multi-room viewing (which I believe is in beta?)

 

[rad]

Including the program guide?

So, a 'net connection is "only" giving me the ability to set up recordings (etc?) remotely?

Cheers,
Ian

Yep, including the program guide is via the satellite for the HR21. Also, remote scheduling does NOT require a phone or internet connection, that's also pushed via the satellite stream.

As mentioned, having a network connection on the HR2X's allows for DirecTV on Demand, Media Share, PPV ordering via the remote without a phone line and that other thing mentioned that's in testing.

 

[rad]

Sorry - Both types (!) - The one I want to network is an HR21. [More q's on this below!]

The other one doesn't even have an ethernet port..... So, I guess the question then becomes - How long will it stay "alive" without a phone line?

Returning to the HR21 - It's a long way from my wireless router, so ethernet string is out. However, I have a second wi-fi router. I was thinking about configuring that with a static address outside of the DHCP range I use and telling it the gateway is the other (wired to modem) router. Comments?

TIA,
Cheers,
Ian

IIRC the Tivo's will still work, just that you'll keep getting the nag message.

As for your HR21 question, if you can set up the second Wi-Fi router in a bridge mode then that should work. The HR2X's also have native support in them for the Linksys WGA600N wireless adapter and you could also look into using powerline adapters, both of which DirecTV sells on their web site (but I'd recommend getting them from some place that allows returns in case they don't work for some reason in your environment).

 

[i_anderson]

That, plus PPV orders (of course), On Demand, Media Share, and, coming soon, Multi-room viewing (which I believe is in beta?)

I knew that!

Seriously, media share I'd completely forgotten about - Very "apropos" right now as I've just finished a video of "my" annual hillclimb in Virginia City, NV. It has a data overlay and I was just investigating the best way to put it onto a DVD for TV playback - I'll get this set up and stream it instead - Very cool!

Thanks to all for the patient and *very* rapid responses,

Cheers,
Ian
PS - If anyone's interested, it's at: [ame=http://vimeo.com/4443638]Virginia City Hillclimb 2008 on Vimeo[/ame] Enjoy!

 

[jdspencer]

FYI, the TiVos also get updates from the satellite, but required a phone connection to initiate the installation of the update.

 

[i_anderson]

FYI, the TiVos also get updates from the satellite, but required a phone connection to initiate the installation of the update.

OK - Thanks. To close the loop completely, did you mean required as in "used to require" or still require?.......

Hopefully, the former and the only PITA is the nag message - I can deal with that!

Cheers,
Ian

 

[BlueEos]

I have an ethernet connection for my VOD. However, I did have a phone line available because of a previous Tivo unit and I plugged it in for ONLY onscreen caller ID and it works great for that tiny little task.

 

[jdspencer]

OK - Thanks. To close the loop completely, did you mean required as in "used to require" or still require?.......

Hopefully, the former and the only PITA is the nag message - I can deal with that!

Cheers,
Ian

Yes, the phone line is still required to get the software to be activated.