Excessive TiVo Calling With Vonage

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 10, 2005 Posts: 20

I connected my HD TiVo HR10-250 (?) to Vonage. I used some of the calling tricks here, including the NY number, and got a successful test call and daily call yesterday (Saturday) and it said the next call would be tomorrow (Monday), 2 days later. In addition, if I look at the system information I see a successful service data call early this morning (Sunday).

I look at my Vonage account and there continues to be many calls per day to the NY TiVo phone number. There have been 9 calls already today and each duration is only 1 minute. If my TiVo made a successful daily call yesterday and says it won't call again for a couple of days, why is my TiVo still calling out 10 times a day ? I have the 500 minute Vonage plan so at this rate I'll use over 300 minutes a month just for TiVo calls.

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 8:16 pm Post subject:

There are two types of calls that a DirecTiVo makes. The TiVo call is the one that you can initiate manually and also the one that is made on the date shown on your status screen.

There is also a DirecTV call. These calls are nominally toll free calls. They are made approximately monthly on command from DirecTV delivered by the satellite. However, if you have put a local number in the dialing prefix, these calls will no longer be toll free.

The calls that are happening repeatedly are calls to DirecTV. Note that the repeated calls is apparently not a Vonage problem. It has been reported by POTS users in the tivo community forums. DirecTV refuses to admit there is a problem at this time, they will tell you that there are two modems in the unit and the DirecTV modem is more sensitive. This does not explain the simultaneous failure of huge numbers of DirecTiVo units simultaneously.

The only reason that there have not been more complaints is that most POTS users will never see the number of toll free calls being made from their homes.

If you have this problem and have not encoded a local number into the dialing prefix then it is not using minutes from your plan because the calls are toll free. I currently have twice the number of free calls (mainly these calls) than I do plan calls. I expect almost 200 minutes of DirecTV calls this billing period.

If you want to get TiVo working with your Vonage line you have four and one half options.

First you can disconnect the phone line except to make TiVo calls monthly. You will lose the ability to order PPV by remote however you can order them via the website. You may not be allowed to subscribe to sports packages.

Second you can attempt to make your DirecTiVo work without putting a local number in the dialing prefix.

You can also combine these two options and only put the local number in the dialing prefix when you need to make a TiVo call. It is possible that your DirecTV calls to the toll free number may eventually succeed, your unit may make quite a few calls, but they should be free calls.

Third you can interface your TiVo to a computer to make the calls.

Fourth, you can connect an external modem to make the calls.

I have recently posted my settings so you can search for my recent posts in this forum to find them. They may be of help.

Posts: 20 · Vonage Forum Associate Joined: Jul 10, 2005 Posts: 20

Thanks for the very informative response !

Posts: 217 · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:02 am Post subject:

Yep, I am getting the same extremely high number of calls from my Tivos too. I guess what confuses me is I know for sure I had calls go through and then it said the next call attempt was Aug 30th, but then 8 more calls go out that night. Guess I am going to pull the plug on this method and go back to the null serial cable method which I was using before. **** though, since I think the NHL Center Ice package will be starting soon and I am a long time subscriber.

Posts: 217 · Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2005 8:57 am Post subject:

Woah...what's with the censoring? We can't even say s-u-c-k-s?

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 7

Hi - I have the VTECH 8100-2 Vonage adapter, how do I hook up TIVO to that, I have the HD10-250 (DIRECTV) setup?

I want to setup Vonage and kill my Verizon line.

Thanks..

Don

Posts: 217 · Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:47 am Post subject:

What is the "VTECH 8100-2" adapter? Is this something that Vonage is now handing out instead of the PAPs and the other routers?

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 7

VTech IP8100-2

Integrated telephone adapter and router
5.8 GHz Digital Spread Spectrum
Caller ID/call waiting*
Expandable system; expands up to 4 phones
50 Name and number caller ID memory
50 Name and number phonebook directory
802.11 Friendly – Will work with wireless networks
Backlit keypad and display
Belt clip
Headset compatible (2.5 mm)
Includes two (2) accessory handsets
One-Touch access to Vonage voicemail and feature setup
Tri-lingual prompts – Choose between English, Spanish or French
V MODE™ Transfer calls, conference an outside call or intercom between handsets
Voicemail waiting indicator
Vonage® certified VoIP system
Auto configuration
Built-in WAN and LAN ports
Firewall
Security protection
Web-based browser
“Hands-Free” speakerphone in handset
Phones
VPN pass-through

For More Info. see...
http://www.vtechphones.com/vtechui/store/products/dsp_8100.cfm

Posts: 1424

donmarrow wrote:

Hi - I have the VTECH 8100-2 Vonage adapter, how do I hook up TIVO to that, I have the HD10-250 (DIRECTV) setup?

I want to setup Vonage and kill my Verizon line.

Thanks..

Don

You can't, at this time the VTECH 8100 does not have any type of analog capability that would allow you to connect a TiVo. If you want to have TiVo use your Vonage connection you will have to switch to a Telephone Adapter.

Posts: 7 · New Forum Member Joined: Oct 25, 2005 Posts: 7

What are the available telephone adapters out there?

I will just hook it up into my network off my Belkin Router like the 8100.

Thanks...