HR20 & Phone Line PPV (CSRs think I am crazy ...)

[spyfish007]

OK, I have read so many threads on this forum and I am hoping for a good answer and solution if possible. I have a HR20-100 networked and it can connect to the Internet. I have been successfully using DoD for several months now. I have no phone line in my current place, but I used to about a year ago. I can't order any PPV because I get 733 messages. When I run the "Network Test" routine it says it connected just fine.

So I have read that I should be able to order PPV with a network connection and NO phone connection. Is this correct? I have also talked with two different CSRs and their bosses who have said no. If fact the last guy said this is impossible and against company policy. He even hung up on me!! They all give me this line about working for DirecTv for 4/5 years, etc, etc. What difference does that make if it is a new technology? I've asked about IPP (impulse pay per view?) and getting a callback for my receiver. I have gotten no where with this? Any other suggestions? What is the real story here?

[litzdog911]

Yes, you should be able to order PPV movies using your remote with a functional network connection. But I'm not sure what it will take to find a CSR that knows how to enable this on your DVR. Suggest you call back again.

[finaldiet]

I believe you can download the movie, but you don't get charged unless you watch it. Once you watch it, you have 24 hrs. time-frame to watch and then its deleted. You don't get charged till you watch it. I believe this is how it works.

[jsmuga]

OK, I have read so many threads on this forum and I am hoping for a good answer and solution if possible. I have a HR20-100 networked and it can connect to the Internet. I have been successfully using DoD for several months now. I have no phone line in my current place, but I used to about a year ago. I can't order any PPV because I get 733 messages. When I run the "Network Test" routine it says it connected just fine.

So I have read that I should be able to order PPV with a network connection and NO phone connection. Is this correct? I have also talked with two different CSRs and their bosses who have said no. If fact the last guy said this is impossible and against company policy. He even hung up on me!! They all give me this line about working for DirecTv for 4/5 years, etc, etc. What difference does that make if it is a new technology? I've asked about IPP (impulse pay per view?) and getting a callback for my receiver. I have gotten no where with this? Any other suggestions? What is the real story here?

I have my HR21's networked with no phone line. I can order PPV with the remote and it goes on my bill. It definitely works networked only. This has been working for a couple of months. I agree you have to just keep calling until you get the right person who knows about the new technology.

[carl6]

It is possible that the original poster reached a ppv $$ limit after disconnecting his phone line (and before the network reporting started), resulting in the unit locking out ppv.

Hooking it up to a phone line and letting it report any previously unreported ppv purchases might clear the problem.

Carl

[schneid]

I have my HR21's networked with no phone line. I can order PPV with the remote and it goes on my bill. It definitely works networked only. This has been working for a couple of months. I agree you have to just keep calling until you get the right person who knows about the new technology.

To get the RIGHT person, state "CANCEL SERVICE" at the voice prompt. You are more likely to get someone who can help you.

[spyfish007]

Alright guys, thanks for the input. I am going to try and call again on Monday and see what I get. I might try the phone line, but there is no way I reached the PPV limit prior to moving. I was working in another city for 2 months before my stuff showed up.

[veryoldschool]

Just a thought: if a phone line wasn't connected at the install, there were problems with ordering PPV. The CSR would need to resend something to the receiver to get it to work.
Now, if this needs to be done, it may need to have the phone line connected, the reset sent and then it will work off the network.
Just a thought as to "how, why, & what" could have happened.

[spyfish007]

So, I called today and the problem is not resolved yet. However, a callback has been ordered so we will see. In addition, I can't order VOD PPV via the remote. I thought this was just enabled too?

The girl I talked to today (via "CANCEL SERVICE") was the most friendly one to date. I believe she thought is was possible to order PPV via the remote and then she started talking to the internet department and they told her NO.

Anyway, I got offered a good deal though, another HD DVR @ $99, $10 off per month for a year, and SF for my NFL ST. Alright, I really wasn't going to leave DirecTV .... I just wanted my PPV via the remote. I'll let everyone know if that callback worked later on.

[spyfish007]

Well I have gone 24 hours and I still have the same problem.

[dduitsman]

Well I have gone 24 hours and I still have the same problem.
I think that litzdog911 got it right.

Some people connect their DVRs up to the network and it just works, others need to call in and have a CSR enable PPV ordering over the network connection.

My guess is that you are in the latter group and need to have PPV over the network enabled for your DVR.

regards,
dd

[spyfish007]

So I got my new HR21-200 and it appears to work with remote ordering PPV. I'll know next time I look at my bill. The HR21 is more compatible with my Sharp TV. The communication between the two via HDMI is better because it finally outputs the audio via digital optical output. I just can't wait to prove that it is possible when I get the order on the bill and I can call back and say SEE, NO PHONE LINE.

[litzdog911]

So I got my new HR21-200 and it appears to work with remote ordering PPV. I'll know next time I look at my bill. The HR21 is more compatible with my Sharp TV. The communication between the two via HDMI is better because it finally outputs the audio via digital optical output. I just can't wait to prove that it is possible when I get the order on the bill and I can call back and say SEE, NO PHONE LINE.

Congratulations!

Just remember that you only have 24 hours to view those PPV movies once you start watching one.

[spyfish007]

Congratulations!

Just remember that you only have 24 hours to view those PPV movies once you start watching one.

Yeah thanks .... I miss my old Tivo days with kill init something ... I can't seem to remember :D ...... well I'll not discuss that.

[cmack0]

So am i right in assuming that i should not need a phone line connected to my HR-21? the only reason i have land line phone service in my house is for my dtv

Thanks

[ATARI]

So am i right in assuming that i should not need a phone line connected to my HR-21? the only reason i have land line phone service in my house is for my dtv

Thanks

If you don't care about caller-ID, then no reason at all.

[spyfish007]

Ok, so I have called another 3 times and this functionality is not supported. I am being told that is is coming, but not here yet. I mentioned the 0X1EA firmware and the guy said, but because it is in firmware doesn't mean we support it yet. So not PPV ordering via the remote for me. It also means I can't watch any DoD PPV-period. I thought I had new success with my new receiver, but I just hadn't filled up my PPV max $$ yet.

If anyone has a suggestion or a connection please let me know. Until I see it working, anyone getting to order PPV via a remote without a phone line is either lying or lucky in my book.

[joshjr]

It is possible that the original poster reached a ppv $$ limit after disconnecting his phone line (and before the network reporting started), resulting in the unit locking out ppv.

Hooking it up to a phone line and letting it report any previously unreported ppv purchases might clear the problem.

Carl

HE could probably find out more about that by trying to order a PPV online to. Their site says that it will tell you if there is a problem and you can pay another way other than just adding it to your bill.

[spyfish007]

I can order PPV online (ie through the Directv webpage).

[DesertFlyer]

I had this exact same problem, and I got it fixed. My HR20 and HR21 would not order over the network. What happened was when they came to install my HR21, they asked if I had a landline hooked up, and I told them no. So they set the PPV limit to $0.01 so that I couldn't make purchases on the receiver that would never phone home. They didn't tell me they did this, I came to find it out later.

So when I called because I couldn't order through the network, all three reps said it HAD to have a phoneline to order. Supervisors confirmed this. Then finally, on the third rep, she did mention the low limit of $0.01, but that it didn't matter since I didn't have a phone line. I fibbed, told her I would be running a phone line to the receivers later that day since PPV was so important to me. Of course once she set the limit higher, I could order over the network. Really, really poor training IMO, since no one knew it was possible to order with a network connection.

So have them check the caps on what you can spend, since someone might have set it low without informing you. Hopefully this helps someone else out.

[thekochs]

I had this exact same problem, and I got it fixed. My HR20 and HR21 would not order over the network. What happened was when they came to install my HR21, they asked if I had a landline hooked up, and I told them no. So they set the PPV limit to $0.01 so that I couldn't make purchases on the receiver that would never phone home. They didn't tell me they did this, I came to find it out later.

So when I called because I couldn't order through the network, all three reps said it HAD to have a phoneline to order. Supervisors confirmed this. Then finally, on the third rep, she did mention the low limit of $0.01, but that it didn't matter since I didn't have a phone line. I fibbed, told her I would be running a phone line to the receivers later that day since PPV was so important to me. Of course once she set the limit higher, I could order over the network. Really, really poor training IMO, since no one knew it was possible to order with a network connection.

So have them check the caps on what you can spend, since someone might have set it low without informing you. Hopefully this helps someone else out.

But wouldn't this mean once you hit your limit and the receiver cannot phoen home to upload the billing across phone line you are locked out again ?

[evan_s]

It can use the internet connection to phone home when things are setup and working properly.

[Webini]

I had the exact same problem. It took several calls to D* to get it fixed. No idea what they had to do. I got the same runaround - CSRs told me it was not supported or they never heard of it. Finally got one that knew all about it.

The really sad thing is that all D* has to do is invest in a natural language database for their CSRs. You populate it with questions and answers and the database learns as CSRs rate the answers to the questions. So the CSR could type in "enable PPV over network" and they would get the answer and exact procedure.

I've implemented this type of system for a bank. It is NOT expensive, reduces call handle time, decreases training time, and increases quality. But you do need to have the correct answers to put into the system. That must be the problem with D*. If they can't create firmware on a totally closed system like the HR20 / 21 then there is no way they can handle this.

[turey22]

are you enabled for ippv??? on directv system

[87vert]

I just got off the phone with CS I think the guy didnt understand what I was talking about and simply told me to order online. :lol:

Next time I call I will try again. I was calling to get a return box for my old unit.

[turey22]

I just got off the phone with CS I think the guy didnt understand what I was talking about and simply told me to order online. :lol:

Next time I call I will try again. I was calling to get a return box for my old unit.

get to tech...they dont have csi anymore. tech department can order one for you

[spyfish007]

I have iPPV enabled on my account so I am told. I have tried everything and talked to many people. I have talked with CSR, retention, & tech.

[spyfish007]

So my PPV via remote now works. I had to do several things to get it to work. Here is the list:

1) update firmware in my D-link
2) re configured my router once the firmware was updated to forward the ports
-> did this for network services
3) disabled DNS relay
4) waited overnight for one box to probably call home--the other box worked immediately

I read some things in another thread that got me thinking and if you are having this problem, you should read this thread:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=143644&page=3

[Shades228]

The last reply in this thread, before yours, was in august.

[Throckmorton]

The last reply in this thread, before yours, was in august.
Did you happen to notice he was also the OP?

Is there something wrong with following up a thread for completeness?

He had a problem and subsequently found the solution. Then next person with a similar problem will probably be glad to find the answer in a thread on the subject.

Problems don't read calendars.

[rudeney]

So my PPV via remote now works. I had to do several things to get it to work. Here is the list:

1) update firmware in my D-link
2) re configured my router once the firmware was updated to forward the ports
-> did this for network services
3) disabled DNS relay
4) waited overnight for one box to probably call home--the other box worked immediately

I read some things in another thread that got me thinking and if you are having this problem, you should read this thread:

http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=143644&page=3

That’s all dealing with Network Services which should have nothing to do with the receiver’s ability to upload PPV order information via The Internet. Network Services are more of a “push technology”. My guess is there was simply something preventing your receivers from connecting outbound to D* and all this just happened to fix it. in fact, it could even have simply been the DNS relay setting in the router. That seems to cause problems for things even beyond D* connectivity.

[spyfish007]

Did you happen to notice he was also the OP?

Is there something wrong with following up a thread for completeness?

He had a problem and subsequently found the solution. Then next person with a similar problem will probably be glad to find the answer in a thread on the subject.

Problems don't read calendars.

Thanks for the support. These are exactly the reasons I posted the follow up. I rely on forums to learn about new things and sometimes you get just and idea from someone and it helps you solve your problem. Hey, I'm an engineer what can I say.

[spyfish007]

That’s all dealing with Network Services which should have nothing to do with the receiver’s ability to upload PPV order information via The Internet. Network Services are more of a “push technology”. My guess is there was simply something preventing your receivers from connecting outbound to D* and all this just happened to fix it. in fact, it could even have simply been the DNS relay setting in the router. That seems to cause problems for things even beyond D* connectivity.

While I generally agree with you, the fix list in the firmware was VERY long as I had an old version of firmware. I think the network services was actually broken because it put a rule in the firewall that prevent the port that was just opened! Then, if you couldn't remove the rule manually. I also agree that many people are talking about the improvement with turning of the relay setting. This information is actually what got me interested in the topic again. I find it very interesting that most PCs are OK with this setting however Directv's box was broken. My ignorance of full network routing shows up about now ....