no Direct TV DVR without phone line?

Stanwal, I have a question about your post - I was told by the DirecTV people when I first set up the DVR five years ago now that it had to be connected to a phone line, because this is how they update the programming info in the guide, which happens during the middle of the night via the phone line. How does the guide update itself if you are not connected to a phone line? Does it pull it directly from the satellite? I remember being told that the phone line connection was not just for pay-per-view, was this inaccurate? Do all the guide searching and season pass type features still work without the phone line connection?

I upgraded my service to HD with the DVR option about 3 months ago. When it was installed, the technician did not hook up the phone line to the unit and it appears to be fully functional without it except for caller ID. I have not attempted PPV purchases. Updates occur via the satellite feed. In my case, I tried hooking up the phone line and it messes up the reception, since I have a DSL filter on the phone lines.

Phil, you may want to check your bill also. I know that Dish Network would charge me like 5 bucks a month or so if I did not have a phone line connected. I believe they use it for updates like someone else mentioned. It might be different for Direct TV.

thanks Seth I will look at it. Something I have to remind myself to do because I have auto CC bill pay...

Tivo is programmed in two week blocks and needs a phone line. An episode of "The Simpsons" was replaced by "King of the Hill" because the clock was correct while my land-line was down.