directv dials out 26 times a day???

Guest

I had Directv installed last saturday. 3lnb oval dish, one receiver, NO TIVO. Just the regular directv basic package, the 3 free months of HBO and NHL Center Ice.
According to my activity log in Vonage the box is calling out twice roughly every two hours.
12:03am, 12:04am, 2:08am, 2:09am,..... through out the day. To this number 18007139274
At 2:51am it called this number 18005433279
At 8:51pm it called this number 18882963892

I have the motorola box from Vonage.
The Directv box is RCA.

Does this mean the directv is not able to dialout and connect correctly?

thanks
Mike

Posts: 106 · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 2:23 am Post subject:

you can check the log to be sure it's oding what it needs to. may want to call dtv to be sure but it does look like its calling way more then it should which would make you think it's having a problem

Posts: 45 · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 9:13 am Post subject:

I had the same problem with my UltimateTV box and two other standard DirecTV receivers. I tested the problem by connecting each receiver up to the phone one at a time each for its own week to see which was having the issue. It appears that they all are but once in a while one would dial out, connect, and then not dial the rest of the day. Now I just have the receivers disconnected from the phone line altogether.

Guest

Where is the log at? I searched thru the menu system couldnt find anything that looked like a log.
I ran the system test, the modem passed on that.
I will contact directv if this lasts for a couple more days and after I get to look at the log.

thanks
Mike

Posts: 45 · Posted: Wed Dec 17, 2003 11:22 am Post subject:

It depends on the model of receiver you have your the DTV system - most don't have a log feature that shows dialing activity - I know mine don't. The system tests come back okay but I think that's because its just checking for the prescence of a dialtone not actually connecting.

I do know this - the receivers do sucessfully dial the DTV number and each side hears each other. The receiver or the DTV end eventually gives up and drops the call. The receiver then redials a minute later, drops, then calls again 2-8 hours later.

I'm not sure what protocol they are using with that modem connection. I would assume there isn't much formality to it and probably very little error correction to reduce the connect time required. A typical modem connection using v.92 is very bulky and adds 10 or more seconds onto a modem conversation. I think that the lack of these error correcting protocols makes it difficult for DTV modem connections to handle the small amount of lag time in a Vonage/VoIP connection.

Just my thoughts - none of the last part has been verified by any means and DirecTV is essentially unwilling to work with anyone on it. Their systems are designed to work with a standard analog phone line with certain tolerances in voltage and frequency range. Vonage pushes those barriers in many cases and therefore its not DTV's "fault" according to them that it doesn't work with their systems.

Posts: 65 · Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2003 9:31 am Post subject:

You may want to call DirectTV also. If they can change the number that your box dials that would help. If you can dial *99 first that will improve your connection speed (or at least that is what Vonage says). Tell them you have a small PBX in your home and this is your access code to get an outside line.

Guest

Thanks for the info and the suggestions.
I have been leaving it plugged in just at night, still calls out more than it should.
I will end up calling them if I keep what I currently have.
BUT..
I have recently been looking at Directivo's, seriously considering getting one. Although I am still researching what can and can't be with them. Apparently Tivos have also had issues with Vonage that I would have to take into account.

Mike

Guest

but with the errors you're getting, your DTV receiver is not dialing out. For the previous poster who has just elected to leave his receiver unplugged, be aware that 1) after about 60 days, you will no longer be able to order pay per view events from your receiver and 2) if you have multiple receivers on your account, Directv can charge you a full subscription fee for all receivers if they are not all connected to the same phone line and dial out. I just changed my whole house wiring to Vonage dial tone and everything works fine except directv receivers. I'm going to try a few more things, and will post if I find a dialing combination that works, but this may be a deal breaker. Also, (for artin) how did you configure your DTV receiver to dial out, and if you were successful in dialing out, why disconnect the receiver? Thanks....Rick

Posts: 45 · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 8:16 am Post subject:

So far DirecTV has said nothing about the units not being connected to a telephone line. In other forums other users have indicated they have never had their multiple units connected to a phone line and they have had service for more than a year. If DTV ever calls and complains I'll play dumb.

The DTV receivers do see a dial tone and are able to dial the toll free number to contact their systems. However, from the pattern of dialing seen it appeared to me that proper communication was not being made. DTV units are supposed to dial in once a day at most three - so with my three units 10 calls would cover it. I was seeing 25-40 calls a day with the pattern of a call, then another call 5 minutes later every four hours per receiver. I was just sick of the pages and pages of activity to the 800 number! Smile

Posts: 19 · Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 5:47 pm Post subject:

I believe the issue is that Vonage does not support dial-out of any kind for modem type dialouts. The modem will not detect a dialtone thereby stopping the dialing process.

I too, have direcTV and have not been able to have it dial out. I also tried sdialing out on my laptop and it can't detect a dialtone. I called Vonage support and they say using a modem is not support at this time.

Hope this helps.