free WRTP54G,, to work with tivo series 1???

Posts: 1 · New Forum Member Joined: Jun 23, 2005 Posts: 1

i do not currently have vonage service. i saw some equipment in sam's club and have since been on the search for information.

i currently have....
windows xp home sp1
amd athlon 1.2 ghz
256 mb ram

i am running a wireless set up using..
modem - rca model dcm245
router - Dlink DI-614+

i am looking at the service so that i can update my tivo series 1 (sony svr2000) and of course to be able to make and receive calls. also looking into the virtual number so it will be a free call for my parents to use to reach us. (right now, my wife and i rely totally on cell phones.)

i started my search for information by calling dlink, linksys, tivo, and vonage... that didn't work out. Smile

i found this forum and read quite a few posts including the thread.....

"TiVo Users! - Firmware Fix From Vonage Found HERE"

and understand that is just for
RT = RT31P2 (wired router)
WRT = WRT54GP2 (wireless router)

and i remember seeing a thread asking which is better....
wrt54gp2 or the wrt54g
i didn't quite understand that one...

i do not want to invest in this and find out that i will not be able to update my tivo using the vonage service.

my understanding is that there is an alternative...
PPP ....
directions at... http://www.tivohelp.com/archive/tivohelp.swiki.net/45.html

using a... TiVo Null Modem Serial Cable
from ... http://www.9thtee.com/tivo-dt2.htm

i have also done some reading at....
"How do I get the nag messages to stop - TiVo Community"
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=2628191#post2628191

and

"How to Make Your Directv Tivo work with Vonage VOIP service - wikiHow"
http://wiki.ehow.com/Make-Your-Directv-Tivo-work-with-Vonage-VOIP-service
is this only for direct tivo???

and

"PPP Serial Trouble - TiVo Community"
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=191812&page=1&pp=30

i am not sure if reading all of this is helping me make my decision. it seems that it is very hit and miss when it comes to getting this to work.

doing my search at linksys..... i found this offer...
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Trade-in ANY wireless router for a Wireless-G Voice Over IP Router (WRTP54G) … and get two of the latest networking technologies at the same time!** Experience networking speed up to 5X faster than Wireless-B, and significantly cut your telephone costs by using high-quality, feature-rich telephone service from Vonage through your cable or DSL Internet connection. And the hardware costs you nothing! But you must act fast! This unbelievable offer expires on Saturday, July 23, 2005! You don't want to miss it!
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How The Program Works!
The time is right for you to take advantage of the Trade-in for Wireless-G with Voice Over IP program. It's easy! Just follow these simple steps:

Step 1:
Buy a Linksys Wireless-G Voice Over IP Router (WRTP54G) from a participating retail store or
e-commerce site.
Receive a $20 Mail-In or Instant Rebate at the time of purchase.
Receive a $10 Mail-In Rebate from Linksys when you send us the rebate coupon, your
proof-of-purchase and original UPC code from the WRTP54G packaging.
Step 2:
Call Vonage and activate your Voice Over IP service program. Vonage will reward you with a $50 Mail-In Rebate.

Step 3:
Send any Wireless Router to the Linksys Fulfillment Center. You will need to pay the postage. Send us only the router unit - no need to return power supplies or cables. Once your Vonage activation is verified, you'll receive a final $50 Rebate for the trade-in of your old equipment.

$10 Linksys Mail-in Rebate

Purchase the Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports (WRTP54G)
$50 Mail-in Rebate

Purchase the Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router with 2 Phone Ports (WRTP54G)
Subscribe to Vonage service and remain active for at least 90 days.

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this seems like a great deal.. i am concerned that if i go with this offer and it doesn't work out i am out some hard earned $$$

to get the rebate you must subscribe for 90 days... that means $24.99 x 3 = $75

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other concerns that i have read.....in part.........

-a charge of $9.95 for activation
-14-day trial period starts the day you order the service and then a cancellation free of $39?
-service simply stops, having no dial tone for hours at a time. This seems to happen regardless of using the Internet or not, and without warning.
-additional telco fees THESE FEES ARE NOT DISCLOSED. They amount to about $3 per month..

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with all of that said..............
i am looking for and open to suggestions on which equipment would be best. i don't want to take advantage of any special offers if the equipment isn't going to be compatible with the tivo or the service isn't going to be up to par.

what about any other services??? the other one i saw was with att.. do the same problems exist wit them??

thanks so much for taking the time to read my post.

Posts: 127 · Posted: Thu Jun 23, 2005 2:46 pm Post subject:

First let me start with what you wrote in the end,

"a charge of $9.95 for activation"
This is a ONE TIME ONLY FEE and not that expensive.

"14-day trial period starts the day you order the service and then a cancellation free of $39"

When you send the device back you do not get charged for cancellation. You could be a customer for 2 years, cancel, then send the device back within a 14 day period and not get charged $ 39for cancellation. They just want the equipment back.
The 14 Day trial does start the day you order your service and that is for a Full refund (taxes and all) that doesn't mean you cant cancel 16 days later. and im sure if you did I bet they would give you a break about it and still give you a full refund Smile

-additional telco fees THESE FEES ARE NOT DISCLOSED

YES THEY ARE, Total price, tax, plus S and H here.
http://www.vonage.com/help_knowledgeBase_article.php?article=586&category=0

About the rebate offer
You can do it through VONAGE
Linksys says they will only take another WIRELESS ROUTER as trade but Vonage will Take WIRED OR WIRELESS. I don't know which yours is or is not.

My advice for all the technical questions to find what is best for you is call CS and request to speak with a Teir 3 Technician.

Posts: 25 · Vonage Forum Junior Joined: May 02, 2005 Posts: 25

iwantapass wrote:

"How to Make Your Directv Tivo work with Vonage VOIP service - wikiHow"
http://wiki.ehow.com/Make-Your-Directv-Tivo-work-with-Vonage-VOIP-service
is this only for direct tivo???

I can confirm that this method works with my Series 1 regular Tivo. Once I followed the directions, hooked up an external modem - I get 100% connection and download. 9600 baud is the key to getting the Tivo to work reliably.