I am successfully using Vonage for both my DSR6000 and my HDVR2. I'm making daily TiVo calls from both, as well as the DirecTV calls so I can order PPV via remote, and subscribe to Sports. Getting it to work took a lot of research and most of the pieces came from other posts on TiVoCommunity. I just wanted to share my complete solution in one place (and document it myself in case I ever need to re-do it.)
Here is what my Voip Phone Line setup looks like:
- Cable Modem internet connection connected to the Cable modem
- Cable Modem connected to Cable/DSL router (I've successfully used both Linksys and NetGear)
- LAN port on router connected to the Vonage ATA (Cisco 186)
- ATA connected to the base unit of an RCA "Wireless Modem Jack"
(uses power lines to create a phone jack from a power outlet -
be sure to get one that specifies it is for modems)
- Phone connected to Output on RCA base unit
- RCA Wireless Modem Jack remote units behind each TV
(Some people have had success connecting the ATA to the home phone wiring, but I never tied since
I don't have phone jacks behind my TVs anyway)
For the DSR6000:
This one is easy, just connect the phone jack on the back of the UNIT to the phone jack. Then go into:
DirecTV Central > Messages & Setup > Recorder and Phone Setup > Phone Connection > Change Dialing Options
Set the Dial Prefix to ",#019" without the quotes. This tells the modem to use 19.9 kbps
(slow enough to work over Voip)
Make a test call..... occasionall the call will fail for me, but it works about 9 times out of 10.
For the HDVR2:
This is more complex because the modem in the HDVR2 does not support the ,#019 prefix so you cannot slow it down below 56k. To make it work consistantly, you will need to use an external modem and a custom cable.
I picked up a 28.8 modem on e-bay for about $10.
To connect to the modem you will need to use the serial port on the back of the DirecTiVo - it looks like a headphone jack. You can use the "TiVo Serial Cable" and a DB9 to DB25 adapter for this, but I don't recommend it because this will require you to pre-program your modem using a computer in order to get it to work. I prefer to make a custom cable and use 2 cross connects to force the modem into the proper mode. The wiring chart is attached.
To make my cable, I cut and stipped the cord from an old pair of headphones and crimped on an RJ45 connector using the first 3 pins on the RJ45. Then I picked up an RJ45 to DB25 adapter and did my custom pinouts, including the cross-connects. I found this to be easier than trying to wire the stereo plug directly to the DB25.
Connect the serial port to the modem, and the modem to the phone jack. Then go into:
DirecTV Central > Messages & Setup > Recorder and Phone Setup > Phone Connection > Change Dialing Options
Set the Dial Prefix to ",#319" without the quotes. This tells the reciver to use the external modem.
Make a test call..... occasionall the call will fail for me, but it works about 9 times out of 10.
Now, to keep ordering PPV by remote working on the HDVR2, you also have to use a separate connection (turns out that the HDVR2 has 2 modems in it - one for Tivo and the other for DirecTV) The DirecTV one does not support using an external modem, but it only runs at 9600 baud so it will work over Voip without a problem. To set it up, use a phone jack splitter to make 2 wall jacks available. Connect the external modem to one, and the built-in modem port to the other. The TiVo calls will use the external modem, and the DirecTV calls will use the internal one.
Kudos to everyone that has posted their own solutions in this forum and the Underground forum!!!
Hope this helps!!
Here is what my Voip Phone Line setup looks like:
- Cable Modem internet connection connected to the Cable modem
- Cable Modem connected to Cable/DSL router (I've successfully used both Linksys and NetGear)
- LAN port on router connected to the Vonage ATA (Cisco 186)
- ATA connected to the base unit of an RCA "Wireless Modem Jack"
(uses power lines to create a phone jack from a power outlet -
be sure to get one that specifies it is for modems)
- Phone connected to Output on RCA base unit
- RCA Wireless Modem Jack remote units behind each TV
(Some people have had success connecting the ATA to the home phone wiring, but I never tied since
I don't have phone jacks behind my TVs anyway)
For the DSR6000:
This one is easy, just connect the phone jack on the back of the UNIT to the phone jack. Then go into:
DirecTV Central > Messages & Setup > Recorder and Phone Setup > Phone Connection > Change Dialing Options
Set the Dial Prefix to ",#019" without the quotes. This tells the modem to use 19.9 kbps
(slow enough to work over Voip)
Make a test call..... occasionall the call will fail for me, but it works about 9 times out of 10.
For the HDVR2:
This is more complex because the modem in the HDVR2 does not support the ,#019 prefix so you cannot slow it down below 56k. To make it work consistantly, you will need to use an external modem and a custom cable.
I picked up a 28.8 modem on e-bay for about $10.
To connect to the modem you will need to use the serial port on the back of the DirecTiVo - it looks like a headphone jack. You can use the "TiVo Serial Cable" and a DB9 to DB25 adapter for this, but I don't recommend it because this will require you to pre-program your modem using a computer in order to get it to work. I prefer to make a custom cable and use 2 cross connects to force the modem into the proper mode. The wiring chart is attached.
To make my cable, I cut and stipped the cord from an old pair of headphones and crimped on an RJ45 connector using the first 3 pins on the RJ45. Then I picked up an RJ45 to DB25 adapter and did my custom pinouts, including the cross-connects. I found this to be easier than trying to wire the stereo plug directly to the DB25.
Connect the serial port to the modem, and the modem to the phone jack. Then go into:
DirecTV Central > Messages & Setup > Recorder and Phone Setup > Phone Connection > Change Dialing Options
Set the Dial Prefix to ",#319" without the quotes. This tells the reciver to use the external modem.
Make a test call..... occasionall the call will fail for me, but it works about 9 times out of 10.
Now, to keep ordering PPV by remote working on the HDVR2, you also have to use a separate connection (turns out that the HDVR2 has 2 modems in it - one for Tivo and the other for DirecTV) The DirecTV one does not support using an external modem, but it only runs at 9600 baud so it will work over Voip without a problem. To set it up, use a phone jack splitter to make 2 wall jacks available. Connect the external modem to one, and the built-in modem port to the other. The TiVo calls will use the external modem, and the DirecTV calls will use the internal one.
Kudos to everyone that has posted their own solutions in this forum and the Underground forum!!!
Hope this helps!!