I finally dumped the cable and got DirecTV with two Mitsubishi receivers. I can't seem to find this answer anywhere... do I absolutely need to have the phone line plugged in at all times or is it just needed to buy a pay tv program?

I don't have any problem with the one in the bedroom, but the nearest phone jack in the family room is not in a convenient location. I don't have any problem temporarily plugging in the phone line if I want to purchase a program in the family room, but I'd prefer not to have it draped across my floor at all times. I know all about the wireless phone jack setups and would prefer not bothering with this if it's not absolutely necesssary.

According to the satellite people, the receivers have to be connected to the SAME phone line every night, some time after midnight, when the receivers "check in" for whatever updating they deem necessary, and supposedly to assure that the two receivers are on the same premesis, so two people can't "cheat" and share one account at two different houses.

I've also heard that this is no longer a necessity, so I guess you could try your "only plug in when desired" method. The worst that could happen is that the non-hooked up receiver requires a "forced call" when plugged in. Give DirecTV a call and ask them about the phone-line requirements.

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com

I've been running about a week with only one of the receivers connected to the phone line... so far both receivers are still working. I guess I'll give 'em a call and see what they have to say about it.

NO NO NO. The receivers DO NOT HAVE to be connected to phone lines. If you call DirecTV they will tell you they do.

You ABSOLUTELY DO NOT need to connect to a phone line to receive pay-per-view. DirecTV needs your receivers connected to a phone line so they can BILL YOU FOR YOUR PPV's.

BEWARE!! The access cards in your receivers will only hold so many PPV's, then they max out and you HAVE TO connect to a phone line. When you do, you will get a HUGE bill for all your PPV's all at once.

Thanks, I'm glad to hear I don't have to have the line hooked up constantly. I'll be careful not to buy too many PPV's before allowing it to dial out!

Sport, I'm not sure where you got your info, but phone lines ARE required for more than one receiver on an account. You might get away with not having them connected for awhile, but not indefinitely. They used to just disable receivers without phone lines if they didn't call out after a certain time period. Now, they just bill you full pop for the non-connected receiver, instead of just the mirror fee. It happened to someone I know, and he had a hell of a time getting it off his bill.

Again, you may get away with it for awhile, but wait long enough and you'll see this happen.

You can buy a module that is able to connect a phone line through the AC oulet. You might check under the installation instructions on the DirecTV site or search the forums for something like "AC phone line" or some other key words. I have seen it discussed here somewhere in the past.

Deb, you are correct about the multiple receivers. i went back and read the original post. i didnt realize he was talking about multiples. i stand corrected.

Kris you are correct , radio shack and home depot both have the wireless phone units made by rca . it two units that plug into an electrical outlets. # 1 at a place with a phone line which plugs into the unit. # 2 gets plugged into the wall at your dss / tivo whatever , you plug the phonline from the receiver to that one. don't use a powerstrip it interferes with them .

You don't have to have a phone line connected all the time. I have had 2 receivers in my house for 5 years and have never had a phone line plugged in to my second receiver. I've never had an unusually high bill or been questioned by DTV. You do need to plug in every now and then when they update the usw but not until your receiver doesn't work anymore. The phone line is for PPV and occasional updates only. I also have a little conspiracy theory about DTV knowing what you watch because of the phone line. It aint right. Think about it!! lol