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"...When a new dual tuner receiver is installed out of the box, the second TV will always require a phone line connected before showing a picture. ..."

This something new? It's never worked that way for me before.

navychop said:

"...When a new dual tuner receiver is installed out of the box, the second TV will always require a phone line connected before showing a picture. ..."

This something new? It's never worked that way for me before.

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See? I thought that the second TV was the one that didn't have the box. Usually, and I am new so don't quote me, the way I thought it worked was TV1 had the reciever on it and TV2 only had the cord running to the back of it. That's the point behind the "dual tuner", right?

Again, I am new at this so don't shoot me...

I think he means that before the second tuner will work, whether for the second TV or just with the first TV, you must plug the phone line in to the Dish box or only the first tuner will work.

It doesn't work that way. At least, it hasn't in my experience. My ViP622 was working fine before I got the phone line run to it in my new house. Same for the 721. In fact, they must test the system before leaving after an installation and checking that the second tuner is coming in fine is part of that. This may be the "phone bypass" part he was talking about. You have the option of paying $5 per month and not connecting a phone line, so there is no absolute requirement for a phone line ever.

I suppose it's possible for them to deactivate the second tuner, but it makes no sense to do so. If you don't have a phone line, you just get charged $5.

navychop said:

I think he means that before the second tuner will work, whether for the second TV or just with the first TV, you must plug the phone line in to the Dish box or only the first tuner will work.

It doesn't work that way. At least, it hasn't in my experience. My ViP622 was working fine before I got the phone line run to it in my new house. Same for the 721. In fact, they must test the system before leaving after an installation and checking that the second tuner is coming in fine is part of that. This may be the "phone bypass" part he was talking about. You have the option of paying $5 per month and not connecting a phone line, so there is no absolute requirement for a phone line ever.

I suppose it's possible for them to deactivate the second tuner, but it makes no sense to do so. If you don't have a phone line, you just get charged $5.

Click to expand...

Me either. I only have 1 tuner...a 625, and it is hooked to the TV1 and no phone line at all on either TV and both work fine.

I think navychop is the only poster so far who has the experience to understand what I'm referring to.

The reciever will become 'locked' into a situation where it won't allow anyone to view anything on the second TV if you don't hook up a phone line and you don't activate the phone bypass. Keep in mind, this is only during activation of a brand new reciever. So please don't comment on the veracity of my statements unless you've done a few new installations yourself with new dual tuners. And in order for this 'locked' situation to occur, you usually have to power off the TV2 tuner then power it back on. Typically that will throw up the TEST PHONE LINE connection screen that will never disappear ever ever unelss you do one of two things: 1) hook up an active phone line (sometimes impossible) or 2) call dishnetwork to activate the system with a phone bypass (always a time consuming hassle).

I can't comment on the 622 functionality regarding phone lines, as I have only touched one so far. But the 625s and 322s both have this same annoying behavior. I've had the phone line screen pop up on TV1's as well, but it's not as frequent.

To reiterrate, on most of my installs the phone line screen will never show it's face because I am very careful about NOT manually powering off the recievers until they have recieved 100% of their programming (with the phone bypass). OR, I will often force the screen to pop up by powering off TV2's tuner when I KNOW there is a working phonline by the dual tuner. Otherwise the customer's will see that screen later on and freak out.

Well hopefully this won't happen. My son has already turned his TV, which I guess would be considered TV2, off twice.

Either way, we are having another phone jack installed later today so hopefully everything will go smoothly.