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LadyHawk

LadyHawk

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We recently got Directv service, and I really wanted the DVR/TIVO option. BUT we don't have a home phone line. And I can't see paying a monthly phone charge just to use Tivo.

SO... if I were to purchase a tivo unit, do you think I can still use the record option without having the service? I don't care about seeing the channel lineups, or pay per views, or any of that. I just want to be able to set a time and channel to record and let 'er rip.

I've been looking at buying a dvd/hdd recorder, but wow... they are a bit pricey for me.

Think the TIVO unit will work without a phone line?
 
i have dishnetwork and i also have a DVR. I dont have a "land line" or phone service in the house... we just use our 2 cell phones. You dont need a phone line for the DISH DVR. The only time you would need it is if you wanted to order a pay per view show. You can still order pay per view shows you just have to call them instead. I didnt have to pay for my DVR either... i got it free when i said i'd stay with them for a year. Only bad thing about my DVR is that it's the one with only 1 tuner in it so i cant record one channel and watch another. If i had it to do all over again i would have paid the $300 for the dual tuner so i could watch one channel and record another.
 
My parents have the DirectTV DVR.. and they too are required to have the phone line. In fact, direct tv will charge them $5 a day for every day its not connected to the phone line. This has something to do with the way that particular unit processes pay per view. It dials out every night around 3:00am.

As far as just plugging in a TIVO, you won't be able to record with it without the channel grid.. and you can't get the grid without a phone line. At least thats how its worked in the past.

They do make DVR boxes that are stand alone that will record whatever input you tell it to. A lot of these are TIVO compatible but unlike most TIVO branded boxes, they're not limited to the channel lineup.

Hope that helps.
 
The Tivo uses the phone line to download schedules and updates - so if you want to set a program to record or search for an upcoming program, you'll need the phone line. (It also uses that phone line to upload your viewing habits - although anonymously)

You can also buy a wireless antenna that connects to the USB port on the back of the Tivo and have the unit connect directly over the Internet (no phone line) if you have wireless internet at your place.

Check on the Tivo website for more specs regarding that.
 
I have Direct w/Tivo ......didn't hook up the phone line for the first 2 months and it kept giving me a warning everyday that it has not been able to link with the home service . Well , I kept recording stuff untill one day the whole thing just LOCKED UP . Called the tech service , hooked up phone line , reset everything and have had no problems since then . So I would say Yes , U would need the line .
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There used to be some conversion kits made for some cell phones to provide a dial tone. I had one years ago for a motorola TAC series. Simply drop the cell phone in it and it charged the phone, but also provided a connection to the fax we were using in a mobile command post. The calls my dtv/tivo make are at night so it might be a solution for you.
 
Check around for prices... I bought from them a couple of years ago and they were great. But it looks like you lease w/ the 99.00 instead of buy... When I did it I'm pretty sure it was a purchase although I could be wrong. They were really competitive in pricing back then though and the delivery was fast and problem free. But you still can't beat 99.oo for a dual tuner tivo unless you go to ebay and I don't recommend buying a used tivo... Good luck!
 
Dish networks DVR's dont need a phone line... but seems everyone is stuck with DirectTv...
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(TSgt @ April 13 2006 said:
Dish networks DVR's dont need a phone line...  but seems everyone is stuck with DirectTv...
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Click to expand...
And if I would have known that I woulda fought for Dish instead of Direct.

Although we had Dish a couple years ago and got CRAPPY reception during the Florida rains. We heard that Direct has better signal, even during storms. That's basically why we went with them.
 
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