Directv Tivo / USB / Vonage

Posts: 11 · Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 2:02 pm Post subject: DirecTivo and Vonage

I have had both for about 4 months. After working with Vonage tech support I got it working, dialing in, getting full functionality including the ordering of PPV via the remote.

However ever since I returned from vaction over the holidays my Tivo refuses to dial out over the Vonage line. I don't know why it will no longer complete a call.

Has anyone else had problems since the beginning of the year?

Posts: 2 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 04, 2005 Posts: 2

Disturbed wrote:

rlstjohn wrote:

That's what I have been starting to understand from this forum and the Tivo forum. I would love to hear from someone who hasn't had their Tivo connected for an extended amount of time, yet has all the Tivo functionalities.

I read last night on the forum about somebody who has had it disconnected for 600+ days and all is still good!

I had mine unconnected for over 400 days. I finally let it call in, though. Just to activate the newer software, of course it was quite old by that point.

There is some talk over on tivocommunity that the new version of the TiVo software that is rolling out in the next month or so will cause problems if it goes > 30 days without calling home. I don't think there's a definite word on that, yet.

Posts: 129 · Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 4:01 pm Post subject:

tdurkin wrote:

Disturbed wrote:

rlstjohn wrote:

That's what I have been starting to understand from this forum and the Tivo forum. I would love to hear from someone who hasn't had their Tivo connected for an extended amount of time, yet has all the Tivo functionalities.

I read last night on the forum about somebody who has had it disconnected for 600+ days and all is still good!

I had mine unconnected for over 400 days. I finally let it call in, though. Just to activate the newer software, of course it was quite old by that point.

There is some talk over on tivocommunity that the new version of the TiVo software that is rolling out in the next month or so will cause problems if it goes > 30 days without calling home. I don't think there's a definite word on that, yet.

Then heed this warning now! Disconnect DTivo NOW (just in case) until it is supported over Voip or home network.

Since software updates are not activated until the phone dials in (by design I think), if you disconnect now, you'll be safe!

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 08, 2005 Posts: 5

Gentlemen - very interested in this topic. You all probaly know that DirectTV - at least some of it's retail outlets, like rapidsatellite - are starting to put out the R10's, the next gen Tivo's. I'm sure you all know more about them than I do, so here is my question.
I want to get DirecTV cos of the great deal they have going right now, but the sales rep told me the R10 *will not* work with a Voip connection for activation or for updates.

I can do without the updates, especially since it looks like a lot of you have been doing without for a long time, but what about activating it? I don't have any neighbors I can lean on for a phone activation, and I want to avoid any unecessary hassles when/ if they come to install it if I can't get it activated over Vonage - which is what I have.

Any ways around it?

Thanks for you wisdom.
Very Happy

Posts: 217 · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 12:33 pm Post subject:

Hello...I have been doing a lot of reading about Tivo and Vonage both here and at the Tivo Community forum. It seems like there is no way to get around the initial setup without a landline phone. I wish DTV Tivos were like the normal Tivos and then everything could easily be done over the Internet. Sorry...but it doesn't look good without having a landline for the initial setup. I was about to start looking into the PPP connection, but I am not sure if that is a Tivo only thing or a DirecTV Tivo. On the other hand, everyone says not to worry about it so I will probably not worry about DTV Tivo calling in and deal with the nag screen.

Posts: 176 · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 1:19 pm Post subject:

rlstjohn wrote:

Hello...I have been doing a lot of reading about Tivo and Vonage both here and at the Tivo Community forum. It seems like there is no way to get around the initial setup without a landline phone. I wish DTV Tivos were like the normal Tivos and then everything could easily be done over the Internet. Sorry...but it doesn't look good without having a landline for the initial setup. I was about to start looking into the PPP connection, but I am not sure if that is a Tivo only thing or a DirecTV Tivo. On the other hand, everyone says not to worry about it so I will probably not worry about DTV Tivo calling in and deal with the nag screen.

I have a DTV TiVo (SAT-T60). I connect using the PPP method when I get tired of the nag screen. It is painless and quicker. You can activate a new unit using this method. You don't need to call in after activation unless you use the remote for PPV, or you want to activate new software. Regarding PPV, if you order via the website, then every box will have it turned on, as opposed to the one you use the remote on. This is true, even though when you order it asks you which location you want to view it on. Just heading off a question before it gets asked. Wink

Posts: 5 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 08, 2005 Posts: 5

Thanks for the reply - Lol

I have been looking around and even though Vonage says they ahve a solution for updates - http://www.vonage.com/help_knowledgeBase_article.php?article=389 - a lot of people have problems with that hook-up. There is a PPP solution for updates - http://www.tivohelp.com/archive/tivohelp.swiki.net/45.html - that alot of people swear by now, so I can always give that a shot. Not afraid of a PPP connection and rigging the Tivo for it, and I was going to buy into a wireless rig, anyway, at some point...

Just got off the phone with BellSouth and they can hook me up with residential dial tone for $45 with a $20 / month charge for dial tone. Not bad... when I get a good hack working for the updates, I can ditch it. All this so I can get the 70hour R10 and a rebate that will pay for the DVR itself.

I'll let you know how it goes.
Razz

Posts: 217 · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 2:56 pm Post subject:

Quote:

I have a DTV TiVo (SAT-T60). I connect using the PPP method when I get tired of the nag screen. It is painless and quicker. You can activate a new unit using this method. You don't need to call in after activation unless you use the remote for PPV, or you want to activate new software. Regarding PPV, if you order via the website, then every box will have it turned on, as opposed to the one you use the remote on. This is true, even though when you order it asks you which location you want to view it on. Just heading off a question before it gets asked.

So with the PPP connection, how does this work? Are you using an external modem or something on your PC? Does this call through Vonage or how does it work? Will it work on W2K...I am one of those who have remained with it instead of XP

Posts: 70 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jan 11, 2005 Posts: 70

Yep, works with win2k. It's a serial connection from the TiVo to your computer and it uses the internet to connect instead of dialing.

Posts: 176 · Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2005 3:39 pm Post subject:

rlstjohn wrote:

So with the PPP connection, how does this work? Are you using an external modem or something on your PC? Does this call through Vonage or how does it work? Will it work on W2K...I am one of those who have remained with it instead of XP

Yes, the instructions linked above are for XP and 2000. You use the serial connection on the rear of your TiVo, a 1/8" jack. You can purchase the null modem cable from 9thtee, http://www.9thtee.com/tivo-dt1.htm , the one for my unit is halfway down that page. You can make one yourself, but tivocommunity is down right now to see it. I think it is actually cheaper to buy one made up. You follow the instructions in the above link and enter a prefix in your dial in code and make sure you set an IP range and turn off your firewall. ZoneAlarm doesn't allow this connection for some reason, so I shut it down to force the call.

Here's the instructions: http://www.tivohelp.com/archive/tivohelp.swiki.net/45.html