vonage and TIVO

Posts: 4 · New Forum Member Joined: Jan 19, 2004 Posts: 4

Well, it worked with a standard Vonage line when I first set up the dialing codes in my dvr, but it has been unsuccessful to connect since the first time.

Posts: 183 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: May 05, 2004 Posts: 183

The only differences between Vonage's fax lines and their regular lines are the costs and features. There's no technical differences, a fax line isn't more able to handle non-voice signals.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 05, 2004 Posts: 2

Hi All.

Wanted to add my experience with establishing a connection between Vonage and DirecTV/Tivo. Sad

Tried all the different tricks listed here and in other posts and nothing worked. However, I have a convoluted configuration (PC/Cable Modem/Vonage in end of the house and DirecTV on other end/different floor AND no phone jack in immediate proximity) so that could have a lot to do with it.

With all this said, I did contact Vonage and speak with technical support. The gentleman was very helpful and ran thru all the steps mentioned here. He did try switching me to a "fax" line which he explained sent data at a different packet size/rate(?).

I did lament with him the fact that DirecTV/Tivo and VoIP didn't work well together. The gentleman in tech support mentioned that the Series 2 DirecTV/Tivo units have better luck than the Series 1 in communicating. I have a Philips DSR6000 Series 1 receiver and didn't see a need to spend another $100+ with hopes of making it work.

Since I am a brand new customer (within my 14 day window), I will get all money charged for activation back. Only out right cost is to ship the adaptor back to them. Should things change (new technology, new house, etc) I will definitely look into it again as I believe the service Vonage offers is worthwhile.

One suggestion for those who are in this dilemna, consider checking if it is practical to maintain limited service with your current land line phone provider. Depending upon your location, you may find something worthwhile. In our case, our basic plan ($25/mo tax incl) is the cheapest at the moment. The phone co. rep. told me in her town they have a $6/mo. plan.

Good luck to all.

Posts: 188 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Mar 07, 2004 Posts: 188

chaney, have you tried going to http://www.tivocommunity.com and doing a search for "Vonage". I found all kinds of good info there to help get my DirecTivo working with Vonage. Also, above all, with a DiecTivo, dispite what DirecTV says, you do not need to have a phone line hooked up to it!!!! Very Happy

Don't give up on Vonage so quickly. There are other options. Check out these links, hopefully you will find a solution that will work for you.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=b0a652332ddf30e7534e7f5c8dbb3a79&threadid=135715&highlight=vonage

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=b0a652332ddf30e7534e7f5c8dbb3a79&threadid=176664&highlight=vonage

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=b0a652332ddf30e7534e7f5c8dbb3a79&threadid=173501&highlight=vonage

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=b0a652332ddf30e7534e7f5c8dbb3a79&threadid=66115&highlight=vonage

I hope that these links help you.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 12, 2004 Posts: 2

Thanks to the good tips in this thread I was able to get my DVR switched over to Vonage relatively painlessly. For me, the only dial prefix that would work was ,#0341 Initially I ran a phone line from the dvr, across the floor to my voip box. Once I knew it was working that way, I was able to use an RCA wireless modem jack so I don't need to drag cords around. The only trick with the wireless modem jack is that you can't plug that into a surge protector and I've found that it can't sit in an outlet too close to other computers.

Sterno.

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 18, 2004 Posts: 3

Hi all. This is my first post on this forum. I have been using Vonage for about 8 months now. Loved it from the beginning. My buddies thought I was crazy (at the time, now they are all converting).

Anyway, I have not run into a snag until now. I recently bought an RCA PVR 40 DirecTV TIVO. The problem is dialing out for the initial update.

I have tried the ,#019 to get the baud rate low, but that does not seem to do anything.

Has anyone had any experience with this receiver? I called Vonage and asked about TIVO, they just said that they don’t support it.....and IF you would like to get it to work. Lower the baud rate.....which I did.

I’m now in the process of asking them to turn on my FAX line to see if that will fix the problem. But I don’t see what its going to do different from the Voice line.

If anyone has similar issues with this receiver it, and have gotten it to work. It would be greatly appreciated if you could share how....

Thanks very much.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 12, 2004 Posts: 2

vesser, I have a Samsung PVR DirectTV TIVO and I could not get ,#019 to work for me. Only ,#0341 would. You could also try ,#034 but that only partially worked for me.

sterno

Posts: 3 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 18, 2004 Posts: 3

Thanks Sterno! Do you have a series 1 or 2? Now im hearing that you can get the update over Ethernet...one little problem though. The USB ports are disabled in the DirecTV versions? Can someone confirm this?

Im going to go home and try these codes and see what happens. Thanks again!

Posts: 188 · Vonage Forum Master Joined: Mar 07, 2004 Posts: 188

vesser, I have, basicaly, the same set-up as you. The only way that I was able to get it to work is to use Radio Shack DSL Filters (I have a cable modem, by the way). Also, you should have *99 in your dialing prefix. That tells you MTA/ATA that you are going to be using a modem. The only other way is too use an external modem. Check my links above for good places to look for answers. Good luck and if you find out anything new let us know.

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Jul 01, 2004 Posts: 2

hello..newbie..sorry for the question if it has been answered. I too am a vonage user and have the following equipment:

Hughes DVR
Phillips DVR x 2

both of them are a series 1 tivo. Everytime I try to do a connection it comes back failed..the cisco unit lights red...but then eventually times out and says connection failed. I did try one code that gave me a different result ,#0341 it told me connection busy..can anyone guide me as to how to make this work? thanks in adavance! Smile