Is a phone line really needed?

cjberk · 02-26-2008, 08:11 AM

I've had it with Verizion and would love to cancel my phone all together. (Basically they are charging me for DSL, despite my not having a DSL account)

So if I cancel my land line how will it effect my Directv Service. (If I change my phone jacks to LAN jacks will that help?)

buzd · 02-26-2008, 08:14 AM

You won't be able to order PPV through the receiver. That's the only drawback to not having phones hooked up. A LAN connection will help with On Demand but the receiver doesn't transfer the same data over phones as it does LAN.

HD Goofnut · 02-26-2008, 08:17 AM

I have lived in my house for nearly a year and never had a land-line phone and it hasn't caused me any problems thus far.

holtzd · 02-26-2008, 08:23 AM

Can you still get firmware updates without a phone line connected?

chirshey · 02-26-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holtzd

Can you still get firmware updates without a phone line connected?

YES

HD Goofnut · 02-26-2008, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by holtzd

Can you still get firmware updates without a phone line connected?

Sure you can. Go online to the manufacturers website and burn the update to a blank CD or media card. Then just stick it in your player and let it do its thing.

buzd · 02-26-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

Sure you can. Go online to the manufacturers website and burn the update to a blank CD or media card. Then just stick it in your player and let it do its thing.

Huh?

D* receivers download their firmware from the satellite. You can also force updates on reboot (which also download via satellite).

**rbinck** · 02-26-2008, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjberk

I've had it with Verizion and would love to cancel my phone all together. (Basically they are charging me for DSL, despite my not having a DSL account)

So if I cancel my land line how will it effect my Directv Service. (If I change my phone jacks to LAN jacks will that help?)

Generally a phone line is not required except for certian installations. I had one Phillips receiver that absolutely needed a phone line connected. On the same account I had 4 TiVos and another Sony receiver that did not require a phone connection.

Without a phone connection you will not be able to order pay for view from the remote, but it is available via a phone call or via your computer over the internet. Just unplug your phone connection and see what happens, you should be fine.

hidef-blue · 02-26-2008, 11:34 AM

actually you will still be able to order a couple ppv's. they wont charge until you put that phone line back in. but i think the limit is $10 so you wont be getting much.

raiderfan · 02-26-2008, 11:44 AM

I've never had any problems w/out a phone line hooked up and have been a customer for 3yrs... I order my pay per view through directv.com when i want to watch a movie.

cjberk · 02-26-2008, 12:06 PM

Thanks everyone...the good news is I haven't ordered PPV in years so I appear safe.

HD Goofnut · 02-26-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzd

Huh?

D* receivers download their firmware from the satellite. You can also force updates on reboot (which also download via satellite).

I am talking about for firmware for HD DVD and Blu-Ray players.

broke · 02-26-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hidef-blue

actually you will still be able to order a couple ppv's. they wont charge until you put that phone line back in. but i think the limit is $10 so you wont be getting much.

My cards have a bunch of PPV's on em. They now wont let me order anymore PPV's until I plug a phone line in. I think I'll just have to let the dog eat em and call up DTV for new cards.

Paying for card replacements will be cheaper than paying for the PPV/Sports I ordered..........I feel naughty!

me_mo_mac · 02-26-2008, 01:18 PM

I've never had a phone line connected to any of my systems, and I've been a D* customer since '99.

holtzd · 02-26-2008, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HD Goofnut

I am talking about for firmware for HD DVD and Blu-Ray players.

Wrong forum. This one is for DirecTV.

02-26-2008, 08:11 AM	#1
cjberk MY LCD is High Def. Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 202	Is a phone line really needed? I've had it with Verizion and would love to cancel my phone all together. (Basically they are charging me for DSL, despite my not having a DSL account) So if I cancel my land line how will it effect my Directv Service. (If I change my phone jacks to LAN jacks will that help?)

02-26-2008, 08:17 AM	#3
HD Goofnut The Official HDF Reviewer Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Mississippi, U.S.A. Your resident Dune, Star Wars, and war film expert Age: 27 Posts: 6,845	I have lived in my house for nearly a year and never had a land-line phone and it hasn't caused me any problems thus far. __________________ My Review Setup Sanyo DP46848 46" 1080p LCD Onkyo TX-SR606 7.1 DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 System LG BH200 Super Blu Toshiba HD-A20 Sony 40 GB PS3 (Now with Netflix streaming!) 156~206~My Movie Collection Latest Review: *Léon: The Professional* Be sure to check out the Blu-ray Review Request Thread

02-26-2008, 08:23 AM	#4
holtzd High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 286	Can you still get firmware updates without a phone line connected? __________________ Outlaw Audio Model 990 Outlaw Audio Model 7500 Polk Audio RTi150, CSi40, FX500i, PSW650, Sony KDS-55A2000 Onkyo DX-C390 Toshiba HD-A2 DirecTV HR20-700 Philips Pronto TS-1000 Pics of My System Last edited by holtzd; 02-26-2008 at 08:38 AM.

02-26-2008, 11:44 AM	#10
raiderfan JUST WIN BABY! Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: YOUR MOM'S HOUSE Age: 32 Posts: 2,277	I've never had any problems w/out a phone line hooked up and have been a customer for 3yrs... I order my pay per view through directv.com when i want to watch a movie. __________________ System: XBOX 360 Gamertag: BEERFLVDTATAS

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02-26-2008, 08:14 AM	#2
buzd High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: New Orleans Posts: 238	You won't be able to order PPV through the receiver. That's the only drawback to not having phones hooked up. A LAN connection will help with On Demand but the receiver doesn't transfer the same data over phones as it does LAN.

02-26-2008, 11:34 AM	#9
hidef-blue High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 245	actually you will still be able to order a couple ppv's. they wont charge until you put that phone line back in. but i think the limit is $10 so you wont be getting much.

02-26-2008, 12:06 PM	#11
cjberk MY LCD is High Def. Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 202	Thanks everyone...the good news is I haven't ordered PPV in years so I appear safe.

02-26-2008, 01:18 PM	#14
me_mo_mac My plasma is High Def. Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 9	I've never had a phone line connected to any of my systems, and I've been a D* customer since '99.