Using the USB Port on an R10 to call in?

[Oceansailormon]

Anybody have any info on using the DirecTV R10 USB port to make the daily calls?

I just received the new R10 unit and there's nothing in the instructions about using the USB ports.
I have VoIP and I'm hesitant to open the activation card wraper until I verify the unit will make the call in either with the phone line or the USB port.

[Arcady]

You can't use the USB ports to do anything on an R10. You need to use the phone connection.

Also, the R10 is not a new unit. It came out like 18 months ago.

[litzdog911]

Once you've activated the R10 DVR by performing the initial Guided Setup with an analog phone connection, you no longer need a phone line. All of the Guide Data is downloaded via the satellite stream. You just won't be able to order PPV movies with your remote (just order via DirecTV's web site instead).

If you don't have an analog phone line, just take the R10 to a friend, neighbor's, or your work location for the initial Guided Setup. You don't need a satellite connection for the initial Guided Setup.

[Oceansailormon]

Thanks for the info. I thought I had this worked out before I made the purchase. I obviously crossed some model info up in my brain. I guess I'm buying the Modem upgrade as we want to order PPVs.

[classicsat]

You can order PPVs from the web, you know.

[Oceansailormon]

We have had trouble doing this. Sometimes we get error messages something like the server is down or try again later. I don't have a lot of patience for DirecTV these days.

Thanks for the reply.

Best Regards,

The Oceansailormon

[Dkerr24]

I've never had any problems ordering my PPV's via the Directv website. The added bonus is that the programming is sent to both of my DTivo units instead of just to the one if you ordered via your remote.

[stevel]

I had no trouble ordering on the web site, but a heck of a problem figuring out how to get my TiVo to record it. I eventually ended up doing a manual recording.

[Stanley Rohner]

Also, the R10 is not a new unit. It came out like 18 months ago.

Big deal. Was it really important enough to mention it ? I guess it was to you.

[Bubbagump]

Can the USB ports be used for anything? If not, why are they there?

[puffdaddy]

Can the USB ports be used for anything? Yes, the USB ports can be used for USB attached storage, memory sticks, network adapters, etc. But not without making some modifications described in the underground.
If not, why are they there?That's actually a good question. I suspect that when laying out the board design for DTivo units that they kept as much the same as possible to simplify things, maybe there was indecision on the part of DTV as to whether or not they would activate some of those features (and their content providers then weighed in)--but that's all speculation on my part.