what happens if I plug dtivo into another phone line

[kiddk1]

heres the deal, I got in on the free dtivo, except I want to use it for my vacation home but also want it to call in to upgrade software. what happens if I plug it in to a phone line other then the one on file at dtv? thanks

[Gunnyman]

nothing

[Dkerr24]

Try it. Let us know what happens.

[OLdDog]

If it is plugged into a different line it makes its phone calls as always unless it needs a different area code and, if so, you just need to rerun the setup.

[kiddk1]

Try it. Let us know what happens.
thanks, great advice.

[kturcotte]

I have the same situation. I have a DirecTivo up at camp. If I were to plug this into the phone line, and all of a sudden receivers were calling in from 2 different numbers, that wouldn't raise some eyebrows at Directv?

[MrBill1964]

The receiver makes 2 different calls. One local call for updates and downloads. One toll free "800, 877, 866 number" call to DirecTV to make sure the receiver is at the location it is supposed to be (although it has been discussed whether or not D* actually enforces this). Whenever you force a call it calls the local number for downloads and updates.

To be safe, if your receiver is not where it is supposed to be and you want to get rid of the nag screen plug the receiver into a phone line, force a call, then unplug it from the phone line so it cannot call Directv.

Bill

[Dkerr24]

thanks, great advice.

I said what I did because if you had searched for this, you would have quickly found out a DTivo does not need a phone line connected, and you would have also found out Directv has no plans to issue any further updates to your unit's software.

[HiDefGator]

I have two phone lines at my house. Some of my DTivo's are hooked to one, some to other. Nobody from DTV has ever called to complain.

maybe if you buy NFLST they would look harder.

[DesignDawg]

I said what I did because if you had searched for this, you would have quickly found out a DTivo does not need a phone line connected, and you would have also found out Directv has no plans to issue any further updates to your unit's software.
You can be such an ass. He said he needs to upgrade his software. And most likely HE DOES. He probably has 3.1, and needs to get 6.2, which COMES OVER THE PHONE LINE. If YOU did a search, you would know that.

Ricky

[Dkerr24]

You can be such an ass. He said he needs to upgrade his software. And most likely HE DOES. He probably has 3.1, and needs to get 6.2, which COMES OVER THE PHONE LINE. If YOU did a search, you would know that.

Ricky

Why thank you 'Dawg' for setting me straight. Ain't it amazing what a search will provide?

[BlindLemonLarry]

He probably has 3.1, and needs to get 6.2, which COMES OVER THE PHONE LINE. My freebie came with 3.1, so yes, he probably does need to upgrade.

To the OP, I'd suggest having the box "call in" over serial PPP to a laptop or other nearby computer. The upgrade download goes much faster, and no location revealing phone number is transmitted. Once the upgrade has occurred, just forget about the phone line.

[dishrich]

heres the deal, I got in on the free dtivo, except I want to use it for my vacation home but also want it to call in to upgrade software. what happens if I plug it in to a phone line other then the one on file at dtv? thanks

OK, let's keep this simple...
To prevent any potential problems w/D*, just simply connect the unit to a phone line, do the normal setup, THEN force an update call BEFORE you activate the unit. Since it is NOT an active box, it won't be calling in to report to D* & it won't make any difference as to being connected to a different phone#.

Let it just sit overnight & do it's thing & by the next morning it should be on 6.2. THEN disconnect it from the phone line, THEN call & activate it & you're all set - & NO worries w/D* finding out it's on a different phone#! ;)

[tigersfanjj]

About a month and a half ago, I installed a dtivo for a customer that had seperate phone lines in his home. He never told me he had two different numbers. The following day, he called me back to say that the box cut out on him. We found out the reason was because it called out from the number that wasn't on his account. Dtv added the second number as an alternate number and everything was good to go after that.


Had another customer later on that had a receiver at his vacation home. Dtv just added that as an alternate number as well.

[dishrich]

About a month and a half ago, I installed a dtivo for a customer that had seperate phone lines in his home. He never told me he had two different numbers. The following day, he called me back to say that the box cut out on him. We found out the reason was because it called out from the number that wasn't on his account. Dtv added the second number as an alternate number and everything was good to go after that.


Had another customer later on that had a receiver at his vacation home. Dtv just added that as an alternate number as well.

WOOA, hang on here - if this is REALLY true, then what the hell good is this at preventing account stacking, which is EXACTLY what D* is trying to stop with the phone lines? :eek: :confused:
So, all 2 households have to do to "share" an account is put the 2nd household's phone# on the account & all is well then - okie doky...

[codespy]

WOOA, hang on here - if this is REALLY true, then what the hell good is this at preventing account stacking, which is EXACTLY what D* is trying to stop with the phone lines? :eek: :confused:
So, all 2 households have to do to "share" an account is put the 2nd household's phone# on the account & all is well then - okie doky...

Well, I think that would be 'wrong' to do, but I have heard of this before also. In addition, I have seen posts where if a unit was hooked up to a second line (not as an alternate), some have been getting billed full subscription rate for that IRD. Anyways, if the second phone line was a different zip and prefix, I wonder if DTV would get suspicious, whether marked alternate or not.

[Boston Fan]

Well, I think that would be 'wrong' to do, but I have heard of this before also. In addition, I have seen posts where if a unit was hooked up to a second line (not as an alternate), some have been getting billed full subscription rate for that IRD. Anyways, if the second phone line was a different zip and prefix, I wonder if DTV would get suspicious, whether marked alternate or not.
By 'zip' I assume you mean area code. With new technologies like VOIP, someone in NY can have a CA area code and prefix. You can no longer rely on these as indicators of someone's physical location. Heck, you can even take the VOIP adapter with you on a trip and hook it up to an out of town location with broadband, and receive phone calls wherever you are as if you were sitting in your own living room.

[codespy]

Good point, but do these new technologies work in conjunction with the DTV Tivo units? From what I understood in the past, for instance, you could not do a *67 with the call to DTV's 800 #. The local dial-in # is for basically software upgrades only, correct? Or, is the local dial in number used to call DTV also besides Tivo? I know the local number is not for PPV. That I believe is the 800 number similar to my SAT-A55. Did this post make any sense?

[tigersfanjj]

So, all 2 households have to do to "share" an account is put the 2nd household's phone# on the account & all is well then - okie doky...

Sure, if you want to be sued and possibly spend time in prison. Anyone can call up information or look on the internet and cross-check a phone number to get the name and address for that phone number. Dtv probably does this also.


Anyways, if the second phone line was a different zip and prefix, I wonder if DTV would get suspicious, whether marked alternate or not.

The one I installed at the customers vacation home (and his yatch, no phone on the boat obviously) was in a different zip code and prefix. Same area code though. I don't know if this guy was billed full price seperately, but I do know that it was on the same account as his permanent home.

[dishrich]

Sure, if you want to be sued and possibly spend time in prison.

Hey THAT'S really funny - I know the jails are just OVERFLOWING with "stacking scoflaws"... :D :D :D

Anyone can call up information or look on the internet and cross-check a phone number to get the name and address for that phone number. Dtv probably does this also.

Read Boston Fan's post about VOIP - I DON'T think so... ;) :rolleyes:

[tigersfanjj]

Hey THAT'S really funny - I know the jails are just OVERFLOWING with "stacking scoflaws"... :D :D :D



Read Boston Fan's post about VOIP - I DON'T think so... ;) :rolleyes:



Believe what you want, but satellite signal theft is a federal crime. So yes, people can and have went to prison for it.

I read the post about VOIP, don't need to again. I don't have it myself so I'm not an "expert" such as you, but I'm pretty sure Dtv can still find out who the number belongs to. After all, you still have to register for VOIP or how would they know who to bill for the service? If not (and if you would have read my post earlier) they could just de-activate the box. Problem solved for them.

I was just trying to help out by explaining how it happened in these situations with two of my customers. If you don't want to believe me, don't. I really could care less.

kiddk1, the best thing for you to do is call dtv and tell them that you would like to use it in your vacation home and see what they have to say.

[Boston Fan]

Good point, but do these new technologies work in conjunction with the DTV Tivo units? From what I understood in the past, for instance, you could not do a *67 with the call to DTV's 800 #. The local dial-in # is for basically software upgrades only, correct? Or, is the local dial in number used to call DTV also besides Tivo? I know the local number is not for PPV. That I believe is the 800 number similar to my SAT-A55. Did this post make any sense?
I have VOIP and all of my DTivos are able to make necessary outgoing calls. I have not used the *67 code (which prevents a number from showing up on caller ID), but *70 (disable call waiting) works fine.

[kiddk1]

You can be such an ass. He said he needs to upgrade his software. And most likely HE DOES. He probably has 3.1, and needs to get 6.2, which COMES OVER THE PHONE LINE. If YOU did a search, you would know that.

Ricky
thanks, dont be so harsh, he probably didnt fully read my post, and yes I DID SEARCH. I understand that a phone line need not be present. I want the software upgrade. hope you read the full post. thanks everyone.

[dishrich]

Believe what you want, but satellite signal theft is a federal crime. So yes, people can and have went to prison for it.

First, please spare me the "piracy speech" blah, blah, blah - I am quite sure I have just as good of understanding of it as YOU do. And for the record, I am NOT advocating this - I'm just saying it's not as simple as you make it sound for D* to stop stacking. (especially when they are doing something as STUPID as ALLOWING another number to call in - there is really NO good reason they should be allowing this. If a customer has a jack with a 2nd line, then they should get it rewired with both lines - this is NOT rocket science)

I was just trying to help out by explaining how it happened in these situations with two of my customers. If you don't want to believe me, don't. I really could care less.

I actually DO believe you; THAT'S what is so iritating, with D* crying about stacking. :rolleyes:

I read the post about VOIP, don't need to again. I don't have it myself so I'm not an "expert" such as you, but I'm pretty sure Dtv can still find out who the number belongs to. After all, you still have to register for VOIP or how would they know who to bill for the service? If not (and if you would have read my post earlier) they could just de-activate the box. Problem solved for them.

Well, YOU can believe what YOU want to as well - doesn't mean it's true. :rolleyes:
Some yeyhoo on another board claimed that D* boxes can talk back to D* W/OUT needing ANY kind of "wired" connection - does THAT mean it's true, too?

OK, yea you have to register for VOIP - you also have to sign up for landline service; so what??? Either way - please explain to the class HOW you think D* would find out WHO a particular phone number belongs to???

First, D* would have to figure out which out of HUNDREDS of possible service providers my number belongs to. Just on landline service alone, I can choose from at least over a DOZEN different providers in my area alone. Also, if a number is an unlisted/non-published, (like my fax line) they sure aren't going to find something like that by Googling it.

Then, assuming they figure this first step out, D* then would have to go to that same provider & ask them to divulge their records of who actually owns that line & where it's at.
In case you haven't heard, with ID theft on the rise, a company like an SBC or Verizon is NOT going to just give this info out with a phone call from "someone at D*'s" asking. I suppose D* could get a supeona to aquire those records, but judges don't just hand those out willy-nilly, either & unless D* suspects a LARGE number of receivers on a given account, I highly doubt they'll go to these lengths to find the owner of a phone #.

I'm sorry if this all sounds just too logical to comprehend, compared to someone saying "D* KNOWS how to these things out", but whatever - have a nice day...

[dishrich]

I have VOIP and all of my DTivos are able to make necessary outgoing calls. I have not used the *67 code (which prevents a number from showing up on caller ID),

But this will NOT stop your number from showing up on D*'s inbound 800# the receiver calls in on anyway, nor will it stop your number from showing on ANY other toll-free# - sorry, but that is how toll-free service works.
If you dont' believe it, try calling a customer service line that uses your phone# to pull up your account - it will make NO difference either way. ;) ;)

[Boston Fan]

But this will NOT stop your number from showing up on D*'s inbound 800# the receiver calls in on anyway, nor will it stop your number from showing on ANY other toll-free# - sorry, but that is how toll-free service works.
If you dont' believe it, try calling a customer service line that uses your phone# to pull up your account - it will make NO difference either way. ;) ;)
I have no idea what you are talking about, or why you are responding to what I said in this manner. I have no reason to care whether or not my number will show up at any 800 number I (or my DTivo) call. I was responding to a question someone else asked about the success of my DTivos connecting to the dial-in numbers over VOIP, and what codes I have used during the connections.

Some folks enjoy arguing so much that they lose track of who they are fighting with. :rolleyes:

[dishrich]

I have no idea what you are talking about, or why you are responding to what I said in this manner. I have no reason to care whether or not my number will show up at any 800 number I (or my DTivo) call. I was responding to a question someone else asked about the success of my DTivos connecting to the dial-in numbers over VOIP, and what codes I have used during the connections.

Uh, probably because the poster YOU were responding to mentioned this:

From what I understood in the past, for instance, you could not do a *67 with the call to DTV's 800 #.

And ALL I was saying is, you can't block calls to 800 service, even if you could dial *67, which is true - what's the problem??? :confused:

Some folks enjoy arguing so much that they lose track of who they are fighting with. :rolleyes:

Yea, so I noticed - whateva' ... :rolleyes:

[tigersfanjj]

OK, yea you have to register for VOIP - you also have to sign up for landline service; so what??? Either way - please explain to the class HOW you think D* would find out WHO a particular phone number belongs to???

First, D* would have to figure out which out of HUNDREDS of possible service providers my number belongs to. Just on landline service alone, I can choose from at least over a DOZEN different providers in my area alone. Also, if a number is an unlisted/non-published, (like my fax line) they sure aren't going to find something like that by Googling it.

Then, assuming they figure this first step out, D* then would have to go to that same provider & ask them to divulge their records of who actually owns that line & where it's at.
In case you haven't heard, with ID theft on the rise, a company like an SBC or Verizon is NOT going to just give this info out with a phone call from "someone at D*'s" asking. I suppose D* could get a supeona to aquire those records, but judges don't just hand those out willy-nilly, either & unless D* suspects a LARGE number of receivers on a given account, I highly doubt they'll go to these lengths to find the owner of a phone #.

I'm sorry if this all sounds just too logical to comprehend, compared to someone saying "D* KNOWS how to these things out", but whatever - have a nice day...

I fully comprehend what you are saying, but I believe you are overthinking the situation quite a bit.

All of the service providers in my area still list in the same directory. I don't know if VOIP lists in the directory, but I would think that they do. If not, see below, as it's beside the point.

When a person wants to add an alternate number, all they would have to do is search the directory and see if the alternate number is registered to that person. If the alternate number is unlisted/unpublished for any reason (such as voip) they don't have to go through all the extra steps and expenses to do the things that you mentioned in your post. They could simply just not allow the number as an alternate number.

Is this what they do? I don't know, but I'm pretty sure noone else on this site does either.

[dishrich]

I fully comprehend what you are saying, but I believe you are overthinking the situation quite a bit.

Not really, since I've only been working in telecom for over 20 years & I've only worked with ALL of the major providers in IL as part of my job. ;)

All of the service providers in my area still list in the same directory. I don't know if VOIP lists in the directory, but I would think that they do. If not, see below, as it's beside the point.

Any & all providers DO list in the same directory - THAT'S if the number is NOT non-pub/non-listed. ;) ;)

When a person wants to add an alternate number, all they would have to do is search the directory and see if the alternate number is registered to that person. If the alternate number is unlisted/unpublished for any reason (such as voip) they don't have to go through all the extra steps and expenses to do the things that you mentioned in your post. They could simply just not allow the number as an alternate number.

OK, well now your changing your story - you now say this, but before you said:

but I'm pretty sure Dtv can still find out who the number belongs to

Bottom line - you really DON'T know what D* is doing, if anything & are just saying "yea, D* just KNOWS these things" :p ;) But one thing that IS true - D* is NOT helping itself on the stacking front, since they allowed your customer to do what they did. And to which I have NO sympathy for them.

[Joe C]

For 3+ yrs I had the same phone number in my house and my parents house across town just to share a premier sub. :eek: Worked great never a problem.

[Gunnyman]

/threadcrap
that's stealing!
/threadcrap