Can I hook my DirectTV receiver up to the internet?

[Smashmouth FB]

Can I hook my HD DVR DirectTV receiver up to the internet for their video on demand services?

What type of device do I need to do this? I have a Linksys network Wireless N router in my house?

Thanks!

[WCS]

Good TV. Better TV. DIRECTV.

[Hibernia]

Last I heard was some day but not yet.

[caspper69]

Originally Posted by Hibernia

Last I heard was some day but not yet.

Um, I've had it for 7 months.

Hook it up.

[SpartanMBA]

Yes you can. Just like for most desktop computer, you will need a network cable to run from the back of the machine to a network port. It tech terms, a wired connection. Wireless is not available.

My receiver is in the living room and I did not (and due to distance cannot) run network cable from there to the router. So I purchased powerline adapters which allows for my home's power outlets to be used as a network. You will need two adapater, and they are usually sold in pairs. One for the receiver and the other for the router. Don't forget your will still need some network cable to run between the devices and the adapaters. At this point, I have a phyiscal connection. Now, you will need to "tell" the directv reciever through some menu selections that you are connected. Once you have done this, you are set to go. For total time spent on this, it took me longer to get through Best Buy's checkout line...about ten minutes for the setup. Finally, with the receiver connected to your home network, you can also run photos, video, etc from your computer to the reciever which will then be displayed on your tv.

Hope this helps.

[Jim in Atl]

Yes, and Yes.

I have my direcTV received connected to the internet, wirelessly. I have had VOD operating for about 2-3 months. It works pretty well. Had some problems with the HDVOD audio synching correctly with the video.

I have the HDDVR receiver. It has a Cat-5 network port in the back. You can hook up your network to this port if you have high-speed internet. It wouldn't be worth it for anything but high speed like a cable modem.

There is no USB wireless connection that will work. The only thing that will work wirelessly is called a wireless gaming adaptor.

Amazon.com: Linksys Dual-Band Wireless-N Gaming Adapter: Electronics

This link is to the version that I have.

This item is available at Best Buy. Most salespeople will not find it in the store. Try the Geek Squad. They will point it out.

[Sir Denis Eton-Hogg]

Nice!

[Heat Miser]

Originally Posted by SpartanMBA

Yes you can. Just like for most desktop computer, you will need a network cable to run from the back of the machine to a network port. It tech terms, a wired connection. Wireless is not available.

My receiver is in the living room and I did not (and due to distance cannot) run network cable from there to the router. So I purchased powerline adapters which allows for my home's power outlets to be used as a network. You will need two adapater, and they are usually sold in pairs. One for the receiver and the other for the router. Don't forget your will still need some network cable to run between the devices and the adapaters. At this point, I have a phyiscal connection. Now, you will need to "tell" the directv reciever through some menu selections that you are connected. Once you have done this, you are set to go. For total time spent on this, it took me longer to get through Best Buy's checkout line...about ten minutes for the setup. Finally, with the receiver connected to your home network, you can also run photos, video, etc from your computer to the reciever which will then be displayed on your tv.

Hope this helps.

Another ?. Does this eliminate the "need" for a phone line hookup? I'm starting to get a little annoyed that DTV is the only reason I have a land line, which means DTV actually costs $45 more per month than they bill.

[SpartanMBA]

While I am not sure about a need for dial service, my receiver is not connected to a phone line thus it does not dial. Plus if the receiver is connected to the interenet, I would think the receiver would just use that connection.

[Edison's Medicine]

Originally Posted by Heat Miser

Another ?. Does this eliminate the "need" for a phone line hookup? I'm starting to get a little annoyed that DTV is the only reason I have a land line, which means DTV actually costs $45 more per month than they bill.

Who told you that you needed a land line to have DTV?

[Heat Miser]

Originally Posted by Edison's Medicine

Who told you that you needed a land line to have DTV?

Everything I've read indicates you need the land line to initiate service (register the box), get software updates, & order PPV's (unless you order them online). You don't need the landline for everyday viewing & guide updates.

Please provide a link if you know otherwise.

[Edison's Medicine]

Originally Posted by Heat Miser

Everything I've read indicates you need the land line to initiate service (register the box), get software updates, & order PPV's (unless you order them online). You don't need the landline for everyday viewing & guide updates.

Please provide a link if you know otherwise.

That is exactly my point.

BTW...You don't need a phone line or internet to order your PPV porno movies.

[Jim in Atl]

Originally Posted by Edison's Medicine

That is exactly my point.

BTW...You don't need a phone line or internet to order your PPV porno movies.

You need a high speed internet connection, or to be plugged into a phone line in order to order PPV, VOD...and it used to be required for regional sports channels out of market. DirecTV VOD actually downloads content instantly over a high speed internet connection.

I have a wireless adaptor connected to the CAT5 connector and it serves both functions. Now if I could just make my home alarm system monitoring work through the internet or wireless phone I could do away with my phone all together. I already got rid of the land line by purchasing vonage.

[Heat Miser]

Originally Posted by Jim in Atl

You need a high speed internet connection, or to be plugged into a phone line in order to order PPV, VOD...and it used to be required for regional sports channels out of market. DirecTV VOD actually downloads content instantly over a high speed internet connection.

I have a wireless adaptor connected to the CAT5 connector and it serves both functions. Now if I could just make my home alarm system monitoring work through the internet or wireless phone I could do away with my phone all together. I already got rid of the land line by purchasing vonage.

So if I dump the land line, the new DTV boxes with internet can register/update without a land line?

Originally Posted by Edison's Medicine

That is exactly my point.

BTW...You don't need a phone line or internet to order your PPV porno movies.

This is exactly MY point. If I dump my land line, then upgrade to DTV HD & they want the land line to register the new boxes, I've gotta go get another land line. This is no good.

[Smashmouth FB]

Originally Posted by Jim in Atl

You need a high speed internet connection, or to be plugged into a phone line in order to order PPV, VOD...and it used to be required for regional sports channels out of market. DirecTV VOD actually downloads content instantly over a high speed internet connection.

I have a wireless adaptor connected to the CAT5 connector and it serves both functions. Now if I could just make my home alarm system monitoring work through the internet or wireless phone I could do away with my phone all together. I already got rid of the land line by purchasing vonage.

You dont need a phone line to have your alarm company monitor the system either. When I dumped my home phone service, our alarm company installed a cell radio box that connects to the company. Cost me about $4.00 more a month for this service.

[Sagnasty's Finest]

a little bit OT but at least as of yesterday i downloaded the 1990 MSU-UM game on BTN On-Demand on DTV

[Cym Jim]

Originally Posted by SpartanMBA

Yes you can. Just like for most desktop computer, you will need a network cable to run from the back of the machine to a network port. It tech terms, a wired connection. Wireless is not available.

My receiver is in the living room and I did not (and due to distance cannot) run network cable from there to the router. So I purchased powerline adapters which allows for my home's power outlets to be used as a network. You will need two adapater, and they are usually sold in pairs. One for the receiver and the other for the router. Don't forget your will still need some network cable to run between the devices and the adapaters. At this point, I have a phyiscal connection. Now, you will need to "tell" the directv reciever through some menu selections that you are connected. Once you have done this, you are set to go. For total time spent on this, it took me longer to get through Best Buy's checkout line...about ten minutes for the setup. Finally, with the receiver connected to your home network, you can also run photos, video, etc from your computer to the reciever which will then be displayed on your tv.

Hope this helps.

Hmmm - will that work for my PS3 do you think? I don't see why not . . .

[bulldogg]

Originally Posted by Heat Miser

This is exactly MY point. If I dump my land line, then upgrade to DTV HD & they want the land line to register the new boxes, I've gotta go get another land line. This is no good.

I have DTV and have never had a land line. To my knowledge, the only thing that doesn't work is VOD and ordering PPVs with the remote (but you still can call).

EDIT: I have never had mine connected to the Internet either. Too lazy and don't see the real benefits.

[Jim in Atl]

Originally Posted by Heat Miser

So if I dump the land line, the new DTV boxes with internet can register/update without a land line?



This is exactly MY point. If I dump my land line, then upgrade to DTV HD & they want the land line to register the new boxes, I've gotta go get another land line. This is no good.

Yes, even with the PPV, VOD, and Sports Packages you do not need a land line if you have internet. I don't think you need anything to register the box. Without any connection it can be activated over the satellite. It doesn't need to call in all the time like the old TiVos do because all the guides and software come over the satellite.

[Jim in Atl]

Originally Posted by Smashmouth FB

You dont need a phone line to have your alarm company monitor the system either. When I dumped my home phone service, our alarm company installed a cell radio box that connects to the company. Cost me about $4.00 more a month for this service.

I think Brinks told me I would have to pay hundreds of dollars for the cell phone box and upgrade of my system to be compatable, plus a monthly fee. I guess I should call them again.

[Hibernia]

Originally Posted by caspper69

Um, I've had it for 7 months.

Hook it up.

Gotcha. I figured out why I had not heard about it becoming active. I am still standard def, and On Demand is only available right now on HD receivers. Some day I'll join you in the 21st century.

[Hibernia]

Originally Posted by Heat Miser

So if I dump the land line, the new DTV boxes with internet can register/update without a land line?



This is exactly MY point. If I dump my land line, then upgrade to DTV HD & they want the land line to register the new boxes, I've gotta go get another land line. This is no good.

I do know this: updates do not come through the phone line. They are beamed down to your receiver just like the programming.

[Hibernia]

This seems helpful: http://www.directv.com/images/assets...tart-Guide.pdf