no Direct TV DVR without phone line?

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.

I remember when I was using Tivo that I had to connect to a phone line for the menu to update. With Directs own DVR I have never connected it, the installer said that it wasn't necessary. I have the baseball and pro basketball packages. I have seen them alter my programing [ when I wasn't getting something I paid for] without being connected. As for billing, it is so complicated I have given up trying to understand it. I am afraid I have been rude to some of the people there on occasion myself when they tell you to do something you have already done 3 times. If you have trouble unplug the set for a minute, it usually fixes whatever was wrong. They are prone to inexplicable gremlins. For example both receivers will show that they are receiving full signal but one can't find it.

Ah, that explains it, I still have a Tivo on one of my sets, so I do need to be connected to the phone line then. Thanks for the info!