A Tivo question

[Medellon]

I am already a DirecTV subscriber and I have been thinking about getting Tivo for a couple months now. Here is my dilemna, I don't have a phone line. I know with the standalone box you can connect wirelessly through your home network but can you also do this with the DirecTV/Tivo combo box? I also like the fact that you can listen to your MP3's and see your pictures on the T.V. with the new series2 box but does the combo one also have this feature?

 

[nowayout99]

DirecTV site: "To enjoy the full benefits of your DIRECTV DVR with TiVo service, you must always have a land-based phone line connected to your DIRECTV DVR"

If you want the broadband/wireless benefits, you'll need to get the standalone Tivo box. This is because the DirecTV Tivo's aren't Series 2 units (IIRC).

Keep in mind, though, that even the standalone Tivo box requires a phone line for the initial connection.

 

[kaizersose]

Originally posted by: nowayout99
DirecTV site: "To enjoy the full benefits of your DIRECTV DVR with TiVo service, you must always have a land-based phone line connected to your DIRECTV DVR"

If you want the broadband/wireless benefits, you'll need to get the standalone Tivo box. This is because the DirecTV Tivo's aren't Series 2 units (IIRC).

Keep in mind, though, that even the standalone Tivo box may require a phone line for the initial connection. There are tricks around it that might work, but no guarantees.

the directivo is WAY easier to use and has two tuners (watch and record, record two things at once) but they disable all of the ports. they are series two though. i have had both and would still highly recommend the combo box

 

[nowayout99]

I stand corrected on the Series 2 point. Actually, I believe the problem is that DirecTivo's don't get the software updates like standalone units do. So they're stuck behind. (blame directv for this)

I'd recommend the combo box too if he could get it, however he'd forfeit the network capabilities he needs since there's no phone line.

Edit:

There is a trick that MIGHT work for the standalone box, but only after an initial setup call is placed.

1. Borrow someone else's landline and go through the initial setup process (use settings compatible with their service... for example, if they have Basic cable, select basic cable in the setup process.)

2. The next day, force a second connection at the friends house (if the second call wasn't already made). Your Tivo will be updated to the latest software revision. It will take a little while for the unit to update its software.

3. Take Tivo home, connect it to your DirecTV and network with a compatible adapter.

4. Begin the Guided Setup again, using your directv settings, only this time enter ",#401" into the dialing properties. That is "comma-pound-4-0-1" without the quotes. This is a backdoor in the latest software versions that should bypass the phone and allow you to connect through the network connection.

In theory this should get you up and running, and you won't need the phone line again... unless you need to run the Guided Setup again for some reason.

 

[kaizersose]

Originally posted by: nowayout99
I stand corrected on the Series 2 point. Actually, I believe the problem is that DirecTivo's don't get the software updates like standalone units do. So they're stuck behind. (blame directv for this)

I'd recommend the combo box too if he could get it, however he'd forfeit the network capabilities he needs since there's no phone line.

Edit:

There is a trick that MIGHT work for the standalone box, but only after an initial setup call is placed.

1. Borrow someone else's landline and go through the initial setup process (use settings compatible with their service... for example, if they have Basic cable, select basic cable in the setup process.)

2. The next day, force a second connection at the friends house (if the second call wasn't already made). Your Tivo will be updated to the latest software revision. It will take a little while for the unit to update its software.

3. Take Tivo home, connect it to your DirecTV and network with a compatible adapter.

4. Begin the Guided Setup again, using your directv settings, only this time enter ",#401" into the dialing properties. That is "comma-pound-4-0-1" without the quotes. This is a backdoor in the latest software versions that should bypass the phone and allow you to connect through the network connection.

In theory this should get you up and running, and you won't need the phone line again... unless you need to run the Guided Setup again for some reason.

i would love to try that but the ports do not work. i have a wifi adapter waiting for the day directv gets off their a$$es and pushes a aoftware update

 

[Medellon]

Looks like I'll be getting the combo box as an 80GB unit is only $99 at Best Buy which seems like a pretty good deal. Also, I think it's a cheaper monthly charge if you already have DirecTV.