THR22-11 Needs Phone or Network

[sdaniel105]

We originally ordered the Tivo HD DVR from DirecTV. When the installers arrived they told us we had to have a phone line to get our local channels.

Based on the "experts" info we went with the HD DVR and hated it. This was half right.

After emails and calls to DirecTV to see if this is true we were told it was not. But again only half right. They told us we did not need a phone line or network connection.

You do need the unit to be able to do it DVR calls via a phone line OR network connection.

Ironic thing is after my initial connection direct thru my router I connected the unit remotely with the DirecTV Cinema Connection Kit and our WiFi network.

Experts....Yah Right

[stevel]

I can't make out what your complaint or question is.

DirecTV states that the DVR must be connected to a phone line or the Internet. This is to ensure that PPV purchases get properly recorded. However, neither is necessary for normal operation of the THR22 or the other DirecTV DVRs. If you are referring to the installers as "experts", you're being quite charitable.

[litzdog911]

You should have come here first. We're the experts!

[sdaniel105]

I did come here and was guided in the right direction after I was told improper info by the installers.

I was putting out a warning that DirecTV does not know what they are talking about. Initially they told me I had to have a phone line. Then told me I did not have to have a phone line or network connection.

But you do have to have one or the other to get local channels and for Tivo to work properly.

[litzdog911]

Originally Posted by sdaniel105

...

But you do have to have one or the other to get local channels and for Tivo to work properly.

Only true for older Tivos, not the new THR22. And for older Series 2 Tivos it's only needed for initial Guided Setup. After that, no phone line is required.

[celtic pride]

so you can use the cinema kit with the tivo for on demand? i thought that didnt work with tivo,excuse my ignorance but i'm currently with fios but thinking of returning back to directv and getting the hr 22s. strange when i was with directv they didnt have on demand and now that i'm with verizon i still dont have on demand because its not available on the tivo premieres!

[stevel]

The Cinema Connection Kit is just a way to provide network access. I don't think the THR22 software supports it, though, as there's no UI in the menus for configuring it. When I had mine installed, we had to use the HR21 to configure it and ran an Ethernet cable from the DECA to the THR22. You can use Ethernet with the THR22. I do read of people having on-demand issues with the THR22, though, and not all on-demand content is available.