Vonage plus DiTivo - becoming a nightmare

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 6

Here is my setup -
2 DiTivos' (DVR R10)
Linksys broadband router (rt31p2-vd)
Linksys Wireless g broadband router (wrt54g)

I have got the phone service to function on one outlet in the home - although I have tried the phone jacks by the tivos without luck. It seems that if I unplug the phone from the jack that I need to go to the 192.168.15.1 every time to reset the darn dial tone - as I get dead air from that point forward if I don't. All I want to do is have phone service and get my tivo's to make the intial calls and then I planned on using the WLAN with a USB router to make the calls after that (or whatever is easiest). I have no idea if I have series 1 or 2 ditivos, but they have 70 hours and are silver and I think they are the new ones from Directv. Anyhow - getting through to Vonage support is impossible - I could only get 'on hold' for a person if I punched in that I had a billing problem - and then I still waited for over an hour without luck. I worked with Directv level 2 tech support for a few hours, but they couldn't figure it out even with trying multiple different codes in the dialing options menu. I am really at a loss and think I am either going to try AT*T CallVanatage (hope for better support and +$5/mo), or I am going o go back to the dreaded Qwest landline with the huge amount of taxes and line charges - but at least I know the thing will be able to dial!!! Can anyone out there understand the problem that I am having? Is my home not properly CAT 5 networked? Do I need the phone cables to be mixed differently in my network box? I'd rather not have to take 2 tivo boxes to a friends house and do the initial download if possible. What to do? Is there any hope in my current condition? What equipment/software do I need to buy? Please, if you are going to respond, use simple step by step directions and if you have links to graphical depictions that would be great as well. I am just trying to figure this darn thing out and I am really feeling like a complete fool. All I want to do is record my Nuggets games and 24 in peace! Please help. Thanks in advance.

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 6

I am using a Comcast Cable modem to connect as well - in case that matters...

Posts: 18 · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:36 am Post subject:

There has been much discussion on this issue... SO MUCH! Here are a few threads to get you started:
vonage-forum.com/ftopic2852.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" class="postlink">http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic2852.html
vonage-forum.com/ftopic2760.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" class="postlink">http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic2760.html
vonage-forum.com/ftopic2283.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" class="postlink">http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic2283.html
vonage-forum.com/ftopic165.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" class="postlink">http://www.vonage-forum.com/ftopic165.html

Also, tivocommunity.com has some good threads on this as well - here's one of the larger ones:
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=135715&highlight=vonage

I personally didn't get any of the suggestions to work for my Hughes HDVR2. I didn't try the DSL filter, because I didn't feel like buying one. I did get the Serial-to-PPP connection to work for me, though.

The R10 is a Series 2 DVR, BTW.

As far as the connection to the phone jacks is concerned, let's start with the most obvious - did you make sure to isolate your residence from any telco voltage?
-Jay[/url]

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 6

I don't know what you mean when you say isolate it from telco voltage. I have no idea what to do. you can IM me at danguilm on yahoo IM or just reply here. I just want the simplist solution without having to move the tivo's 100ft around the house or have long cables strung throughout. I just want to make the initial phoen call, then I think I can use a USB to wireless ethernet adapter for the back of the tivo for regular maintenence calls - but I need a consistent dial-tome throughout my house - which isn't occurring now - all it does is allow me one dial tone check and then when ?I check later it is dead air - I have to go to the IP address to reset the router just to get a dial tone again - there is something obviously very very wrong!

Derek

Posts: 176 · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 11:58 am Post subject:

The DTV TiVo's USB ports on the rear are not active so you won't be able to use those for calls until DTV finally accepts the fact that not everyone uses a normal POTS line. There are many rumors as to when, no one really knows.

If you are running a phone cord from the rear of your modem into a phone jack and then wanting to use your normal phone jacks for service you MUST disconnect the line entering your home with your POTS service. Any voltage on that line will destroy your modem. Not knowing your set up you need to trace the wires back to the central point and figure out which line is the one coming into your home supplying phone service and disconnect it.

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 6

Ok - I guess I will take a look at my central network box in the basement - I take it that I just find the one that is coming in and disconnect it. Why didn't Vonage tell me about this up front? Why don't they ever answer with someone who can actually help you or call you back when they say they will? Is the service really worth it? Lastly - does the dial-tone, or lack thereof, issue that I am having jive with not disconnecting the POTS? We just moved into the house and there was no dial tone there from the old provider. It was disconnected before we moved in. Will this matter?

Derek

Posts: 18 · Posted: Mon Feb 14, 2005 12:17 pm Post subject:

As far as your house wiring goes, the first place to start is:
http://www.vonage.com/help_knowledgeBase_article.php?category=45&article=649

SuperDave is correct - although the USB ports on the R10 are active, it doesn't use them for TCP/IP connections to any update service without hacking the TiVo software.
-Jay

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 13, 2005 Posts: 16

Unless you are using PPV, you don't need the phone line for DirecTV TiVos. Software updates and program guide data come over the satellite. Unplug the phone cord and ignore the warnings.

Posts: 6 · New Forum Member Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 6

sinanju wrote:

Unless you are using PPV, you don't need the phone line for DirecTV TiVos. Software updates and program guide data come over the satellite. Unplug the phone cord and ignore the warnings.

I don' think you follow - I haven't even been able to make my initial call. I have the dial tones around the house and I think I have used all of the codes in some combination or the other in the dialing options menu. I hear what you are saying on a go-fwd basis after the initial call is made, but I am just not there yet. Any suggestions given that information?

Posts: 16 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Feb 13, 2005 Posts: 16

You can try providing ,#319 as a dialing prefix to slow the modem down (that's: comma pound three one nine), provided you have the voice quality on your line maxed out.

You can also run the setup at the home of someone that has a POTS line -- I don't think you need the satellite connection to get through guided setup. I know you don't need a cable connection with the stand-alone Series 2s for setup. It may be worth a shot.