Question about Direct TV....

[Firestormalpha]

So we just had it installed today. The installers said they needed to be hooked up to the phone lines for some reason or other. In our home we only have a DSL line, not a landline for telephone. So they decide to use a splitter on my phone jack, one for my DSL modem, one for the satelite reciever. I'm not sure what the connection is meant to accomplish but the only thing I noticed was an initial slowing of my internet speeds and later the inability to access the internet. So naturally, I yanked the splitter and left the phone/dsl line to my modem. So far I've noticed no suffering in the function of my Direct TV service, but I did notice the immediate restoration of my internet access.

So, to my questions, which you may have already guessed at:

1) a-Is the phoneline connection truly necessary for proper functioning of my Direct TV service? b-If so, what does the phoneline do?

2) Would the fact that I have a DSL only line make plugging the reciever into the phone jack pointless?

I will likely call Direct TV's tech support line tomorrow, but in the meantime any input would be appreciated.

[Felix The Assassin]

Originally Posted by Firestormalpha So we just had it installed today. The installers said they needed to be hooked up to the phone lines for some reason or other. In our home we only have a DSL line, not a landline for telephone. So they decide to use a splitter on my phone jack, one for my DSL modem, one for the satelite reciever. I'm not sure what the connection is meant to accomplish but the only thing I noticed was an initial slowing of my internet speeds and later the inability to access the internet. So naturally, I yanked the splitter and left the phone/dsl line to my modem. So far I've noticed no suffering in the function of my Direct TV service, but I did notice the immediate restoration of my internet access. So, to my questions, which you may have already guessed at: 1) a-Is the phoneline connection truly necessary for proper functioning of my Direct TV service? b-If so, what does the phoneline do? 2) Would the fact that I have a DSL only line make plugging the reciever into the phone jack pointless? I will likely call Direct TV's tech support line tomorrow, but in the meantime any input would be appreciated.

1. A = No. B = It allows the 'box' to update itself when cued from DTV. As well, it provides a direct link to DTV when you order "pay-per-view" programs.

2. Yes. The box is looking for "ring-tone", DSL pure has tone absent.

3. We ran our old box from June 2004 until December 2008 without a phone line connection and did not experience a single issue. Over Christmas we upgraded to a HD with DVR 'box', it also is not connected to a phone line, and it as well has made no complaints.

The second box in the daughter elements room is, you guessed it, not tethered to a phone either.

[VulcanRider]

I had Direct TV several years ago. IIRC, the phone connection was for downloading updates to the box's software, and for ordering pay-per-view items. The box will work without the phone connection for regular viewing.

[Firestormalpha]

Sounds good to me, thanks for the info guys.

As for the updates, for some reason as soon as they hooked up the boxes an update came up, I'm guessing through the satelite feed, as the phone lines weren't attatched yet, and even after they were there's no dial tone.

Anywho, thanks again, I've already taken appropriate action.