Direct TV question

[rowech]

Do you need a land based phone line to have Direct TV? We're constantly getting different answers depending on who we talk to at Direct TV. We want to use the DVR feature and have been told we need it for that. Then we're told the only reason we need it is to make billing easier and to order PPV. Then we're told we don't need it at all.

Anyone know the official answer?

[MikeVick7]

No, you don't need it. But DirecTV will tell you that you do.

You can order PPV and all that stuff either on the phone or online and it will work.

[Doug5984]

Do you need a land based phone line to have Direct TV? We're constantly getting different answers depending on who we talk to at Direct TV. We want to use the DVR feature and have been told we need it for that. Then we're told the only reason we need it is to make billing easier and to order PPV. Then we're told we don't need it at all.

Anyone know the official answer?


I got direct tv a couple of months ago and had the same exact question. To have direct TV you do not need a phone line. I have direct TV and no land line. To have direct tv dvr you need a land line to set up the box, the installer who came to my house said what he does is set the box up in the shop on their land line, and then when he installs it in the home it will work. The only problem with this is- you may not be able to get info on programing more than 2 weeks in advance...

[cartman]

You might have to hook up the receiver once in a blue moon. I keep a 50 ft phone cable around for those instances. But for the most part, no, the receiver does not need to be continually plugged into a land line.

[MikeVick7]

I got direct tv a couple of months ago and had the same exact question. To have direct TV you do not need a phone line. I have direct TV and no land line. To have direct tv dvr you need a land line to set up the box, the installer who came to my house said what he does is set the box up in the shop on their land line, and then when he installs it in the home it will work. The only problem with this is- you may not be able to get info on programing more than 2 weeks in advance...
I have a DirecTV DVR and the installer did not use a phone line to set it up.

[FBPro]

You might have to hook up the receiver once in a blue moon. I keep a 50 ft phone cable around for those instances. But for the most part, no, the receiver does not need to be continually plugged into a land line.

Exactly what I do.

[rowech]

You might have to hook up the receiver once in a blue moon. I keep a 50 ft phone cable around for those instances. But for the most part, no, the receiver does not need to be continually plugged into a land line.

By doing this, do you actually have to have a phone carrier or do they simply need the line. (I know this is a stupid questions so please laugh away)

[Tekneek]

We have everything hooked up to phone lines at home, but no phone at the lakehouse and two receivers there. You may have some problems with sports subscriptions (NHL Center Ice, NBA League Pass, etc) without a phone line, but otherwise shouldn't really notice it.

As far as what it needs when it comes to a phone line, it isn't just that it would want a cable stuck into the port. It would want to get a dialtone and phone home to DirecTV as well.

[Raiders Army]

I have a DirecTV DVR and the installer did not use a phone line to set it up.

ditto and I haven't had any problems getting the two weeks worth of TV guide. It comes through the satellite dish.

[rowech]

So, it sounds like they tell you this because they know they won't get any PPV money without it?

[cartman]

By doing this, do you actually have to have a phone carrier or do they simply need the line. (I know this is a stupid questions so please laugh away)

Yep, the line has to have a ring tone. In the 9 years I've had DirecTV, I've only had to hook the phone line up 3 times.

[Tekneek]

So, it sounds like they tell you this because they know they won't get any PPV money without it?

You won't be able to order PPV with your remote. You'll have to call in or do it online.