Phone Line

[cricket]

I was told that you HAVE TO have a phone line plugged in to your DirecTivo at ALL TIMES in order for it to work.
Is this true or will it work without the phoneline?

[mouse01]

it will work just fine without your phone line. the only thing you will have to do is call directv and purchase ppv's over the phone if you wish to watch them.

[cricket]

So I will be able to record shows without any problems?
The reason why I ask, is that I was told if you dont have a phonline connected at all times, DirecTivo will not be able to get all the information needed, or something like that, but who knows it could be just BS.

[mouse01]

i am not sure how the tivo stuff works.

[mattgrape]

I have had a DirecTivo for about six months, and I don't have a land-based phone line. DirecTV always tells people they need one for any service from them, and I don't know why. I had 3 DirecTV receivers working fine that have never had a phone line, long before I got Tivo too.

You do need a phone line connected to the Tivo to go through Guided Setup and activate the Tivo service. I got a 100' phone cable and ran one from a neighbor's house for that. After Guided Setup is done, you don't need a phone line again. All the program updates and guide info are passed via the satellite signal.

To be able to get any software updates, you do need a phone line connected. These are fairly rare, and I don't think they are ever necessary. Still, I connect it to the neighbor's line every month or two and let it update.

When it doesn't make its call for about 2 weeks, it will pop up a message saying so, every couple of days, and then every day after about a month. That's a bit annoying, but it's just once a day. I had my Tivo go 57 days without an update, and everything still worked okay.

Of course, you can use the DVR as just a video recorder without the service, but that's probably not what you really want.

There is also a how-to guide somewhere online (sorry, can't find it at the moment) that explains how to have the service make it's "phone call" over a broadband Internet connection. I'm not sure how easy it is to do.

grapes

[cricket]

of course, you can use the DVR as just a video recorder without the service, but that's probably not what you really want.

What exactly does the SERVICE INCLUDE, the main reason why I want the service is to record football games, and maybe the occasional porn movie.
Also do you need a dual satellite or can I just keep my exsiting one.

[mattgrape]

I would definitely recommend getting the Tivo service if you're going to get a DVR at all.

The service downloads the program guides, so you can use the on screen channel guide to pick out shows and just hit the record button, without worrying about setting it for a particular day, time, and channel. It lets you get "season passes" which let you pick the shows you like and record every episode with no hassle - it does the work for you, finding when it's on, ignoring reruns if you want it to, even records when it's on different channels. It lets you use the "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" buttons to rate shows, and then it uses the extra space on the disk to record other episodes of that show, or shows it recommends, based on what shows other people with similar interests like.

It does lots of other stuff too, it's really an amazing service. I've only had it for a few months but I don't know how I lived without Tivo before this.

Besides, with DirecTV, the Tivo service is only $5/month, or free if you have the DirecTV premium package.

Matt

[cricket]

it sound great, but do you need a dual satellite in order for it to work properly.
example- if I am recording a football game, can I switch channels even If I dont have a dual satellite?

[mauie]

Cricket,
You do need a Dual Satellite LNB to be able to record 2 different channels. I have tried using the diplexers and cable routers and they work on different tv's but when it goes to record, it doesn't because it cant find satellite signal if the other tv is on another different channel, so I would say you definatly have to have 2-Different lines to your tivo.

I have a question, if someone can help. My first TIVO is so great I would like to get another for 2nd TV, the only problem I have is that I do not have a phone line near the 2nd TV. I have enough wires behind the tv now, that a fireman would be really upset with me. Is there a truth behind what I have read about if you subscribe allready to the TIVO service, It will mirror through your reception on your dish to your other recievers? So I don't have to hook up another phone line to 2nd TIVO unit for updates, it will come through DISH LNB to update 2nd unit? I know this is far fetched , but I hope I can get updates without drilling anymore holes through the house, I can feel drafts everywhere. Plus I dont want to go the wireless router routines at this time.

Thanks for the help
mauie

[CTDOM]

Hello, I bought a New Hughes DVR System, I'm out of the USA and I would like to know how can I activate the DVR system for the first time, as I said before I'm out of USA and the number it dial 1-877- and from my country is 1-882-, What can I say????

[RiseStar]

The DirectTivo uses the satellite to download program informtion on a directivo combo, however regular standalone tivos require a phone line for connection.

[stathis]

hi i am tech
well work but............not get update program/guide up to 3days with only the dish and 15 with phone and not work with cell or b/band phone ..............good luck plug every the week from 12 am to 3am and be work

[DEUCE1957]

Directv Tivos Need To Make A Call Only For Initial Set Up They Will Work Without Phone After That. However Tivo Units Log Every Button Pressed On The Remote This Is How They Compile Data As To What Is Watched And Skiped And Replayed (janet Jackass's Flash At The Superbowl Showed The Biggest Spike Ever For The Replay Button)
After Not Making Daily Call For Long Periods Your Tivo Will Start To Act Sluggish Due To The Log File Becoming Too Large.
As Far As The Lnb Goes One Dual Lnb Can Feed As Many Receivers Or Tivos As You Want Tivo Does Need 2 Cables To Record 2 Programs At The Same Time Or To Watch 1 Live Show And Record Another.
What You Do Need Is A Multi Switch 4 Way 8 Way Or A Combination There Of Depending On Howmany Receivers You Are Running
I Hope This Cleared Up Some Of Those Questions
Ps Without Tivo Service You Cant Record Anything
You Can Only Pause Live Tv Or Rewind Up To 30 Minutes